The Cordwainer Leatherwork ...handmade leather products since 1969
About The Cordwainer
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James M. Perry is the designer and
creator of the Cordwainer line of leather
products. Rombye, his wife, assists in
both the marketing and production of the
leatherwork. Jim began experimenting
with leatherwork as a hobby in 1969 while
attending Wesleyan University in
Connecticut. For three years he worked
out of his dorm room and in the art
studios available on campus. After
graduating with a B.A. degree with a
major in Art/Design, he moved to
Knoxville, TN in 1971 and opened a
leather goods store on the University of
Tennessee Campus. He met his wife that
first year and she quickly became
involved in his small business. After five
years of owning and operating two small
stores, they moved to a farm in
Greeneville, TN and focused all of their
energies on attending craft fairs to market
their work.
creator of the Cordwainer line of leather
products. Rombye, his wife, assists in
both the marketing and production of the
leatherwork. Jim began experimenting
with leatherwork as a hobby in 1969 while
attending Wesleyan University in
Connecticut. For three years he worked
out of his dorm room and in the art
studios available on campus. After
graduating with a B.A. degree with a
major in Art/Design, he moved to
Knoxville, TN in 1971 and opened a
leather goods store on the University of
Tennessee Campus. He met his wife that
first year and she quickly became
involved in his small business. After five
years of owning and operating two small
stores, they moved to a farm in
Greeneville, TN and focused all of their
energies on attending craft fairs to market
their work.
Jim and Rombye built up a schedule of more than 35 art/ craft shows that
cover most of the eastern United States. In addition to the leatherwork, they also
owned and operated a 180 acre farm in Greene County, TN. They raised and
pastured up to 80 head of beef cattle on this land for over 25 years. In 1990 and
1991 they were fortunate to be able to adopt two daughters. Needless to say,
this was a very busy time in their life. When his older daughter reached the age
of 8, Jim volunteered to become the head coach for the Greene County Swim
Team. He ran both the high school team and the county team for the next 11
years. After both his daughters graduated high school, he passed this
rewarding position onto another highly qualified parent who had young children
on the team. His children have been an integral part in various aspects of The
Cordwainer. Makenna, his older daughter has recently graduated from
Hamilton College with a B.A. degree majoring in Geoscience. Taylor, his
younger daughter has just completed her junior year at ETSU in Johnson City,
TN, and is majoring in early elementary education with a possible change to a
degree in dental hygene.
cover most of the eastern United States. In addition to the leatherwork, they also
owned and operated a 180 acre farm in Greene County, TN. They raised and
pastured up to 80 head of beef cattle on this land for over 25 years. In 1990 and
1991 they were fortunate to be able to adopt two daughters. Needless to say,
this was a very busy time in their life. When his older daughter reached the age
of 8, Jim volunteered to become the head coach for the Greene County Swim
Team. He ran both the high school team and the county team for the next 11
years. After both his daughters graduated high school, he passed this
rewarding position onto another highly qualified parent who had young children
on the team. His children have been an integral part in various aspects of The
Cordwainer. Makenna, his older daughter has recently graduated from
Hamilton College with a B.A. degree majoring in Geoscience. Taylor, his
younger daughter has just completed her junior year at ETSU in Johnson City,
TN, and is majoring in early elementary education with a possible change to a
degree in dental hygene.
In the 43 years that Jim has been producing leatherwork, he has
emphasized clean, functional styles which are created from the finest chrome
tanned leathers and solid brass or nickel hardware. He and his family hand
stitch every purse and piece of luggage that The Cordwainer produces. It is a
time consuming process that he feels is well worth the extra effort. Running
this small business has truly been a family effort in which everyone has
contributed their hard work and passion. Quality of execution has always been
the focus of their work. The past four decades have allowed all of the Perrys to
meet and enjoy thousands of customers that have become friends. It is the
aspect of the business that has made the whole endeavour a much richer
experience. Jim and Rombye are hoping that they will be able to continue
attending craft fairs for another 15 years if their health allows. Makenna has
allowed them to enter a new marketing opportunity by creating this website.
Perhaps she will catch the craft bug and join the business at some later date.
Taylor, has been hand stitching the smaller purses in The Cordwainer line for
the past two years. This job has been her source of income while attending
college.
emphasized clean, functional styles which are created from the finest chrome
tanned leathers and solid brass or nickel hardware. He and his family hand
stitch every purse and piece of luggage that The Cordwainer produces. It is a
time consuming process that he feels is well worth the extra effort. Running
this small business has truly been a family effort in which everyone has
contributed their hard work and passion. Quality of execution has always been
the focus of their work. The past four decades have allowed all of the Perrys to
meet and enjoy thousands of customers that have become friends. It is the
aspect of the business that has made the whole endeavour a much richer
experience. Jim and Rombye are hoping that they will be able to continue
attending craft fairs for another 15 years if their health allows. Makenna has
allowed them to enter a new marketing opportunity by creating this website.
Perhaps she will catch the craft bug and join the business at some later date.
Taylor, has been hand stitching the smaller purses in The Cordwainer line for
the past two years. This job has been her source of income while attending
college.
The Perry family wants to thank all of their customers and friends who have
allowed them to keep The Cordwainer alive for over forty years. In a world of
out-sourcing and layoffs, it has been wonderful being able to create a craft that
is made in America and helps stimulate the small business community. We
hope you enjoy the products found here on our website. Please let us know
what you think, and stop by one of our upcoming art shows to say "Hi".
allowed them to keep The Cordwainer alive for over forty years. In a world of
out-sourcing and layoffs, it has been wonderful being able to create a craft that
is made in America and helps stimulate the small business community. We
hope you enjoy the products found here on our website. Please let us know
what you think, and stop by one of our upcoming art shows to say "Hi".
