CROZETgazette
DECEMBER 2016
Charles and Jinny
might see tiny hand-made tools designed especially as a workaround for a difficult project. Besides his love for the process, Pinnell has a feel for leather that few of us can even imagine. Walking through his shop, he squeezes leather in his hands, observing that one hide is full of life, another has a lackluster look and feel. He loves working with the skins of American alligators, and might use them with other, less exotic skins in a bag or a pair of chaps, with stunning results. Pinnell once had an offer to take over a New York furniture operation and toured the multistory building with its owner. “There were huge piles of leather on every floor,” he recalls. “I could see that a pile on the second floor was from the same batch as a pile on the fourth floor. The guy was amazed.” Pinnell ultimately declined the offer and continued to concentrate mostly on equestrian-related custom leather items. It has all paid off. He was honored by Martha Stewart, was chosen to repair the leather of Olympian riders, and has been featured in countless tributes to world-class artisans. Knowing that his work is out of the reach of most local people, he involves himself in the community in different ways. He teaches a book-making class at Western Albemarle High School, donating materials and
time. He recently helped a local farmer by hauling his employees to a cattle roundup. Every so often, he cooks brunch for his crew or treats them to live theater. He’s taught young people with promise, giving them advice and a spot at a bench to see if leatherwork is for them. In the winter, he’ll head south for the Florida horse shows, but he says it’s getting harder to leave his spot on White Hall Road. In back of his shop he has a garden, lush with fall and winter vegetables. His bee hives are nearby. Chuck Pinnell has anecdotes. People come by with hides of animals they’ve shot during Virginia’s hunting and trapping seasons or taken on safari, although one man with a suitcase full of elephant hide was banished from his shop. A woman who had just the tiniest remnant of a leather key case from her father wanted it remade. Others want to incorporate old bits and pieces into a leather keepsake, or re-do a favorite item that time has treated cruelly. Pinnell welcomes these requests, no matter how challenging. He loves the personal connection. “When we see what our work means to these people, that’s what makes it worthwhile,” he said. Find Pinnell Custom Leather designs, history and small premade items online at pinnellcustomleather.com.
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