12-Week Artisan Training Program
In twelve weeks, you go from student to artisan. $20,000. Full immersion in traditional French leatherworking under Hermes-trained master artisan Beatrice Amblard at Heirloom Leathercraft, San Francisco.
Foundation to mastery.
Forty-eight days. Four levels. Daily instruction. Small cohort—14 students maximum. You begin unable to execute clean saddle stitch. You finish with 12-15 portfolio pieces that havestructural integrity.
Daily practice solidifies technique immediately. Each session builds on previous day. Muscle memory develops through sustained focus. No wasted time between sessions. No forgetting between weekly classes.
You execute under observation. Corrections happen before poor habits form. This is the formation method luxury houses use.
Some graduates can teach within six months. Some take commissions immediately. Some open studios within a year. The formation provides foundation. Your dedication determines trajectory.
Program Structure
Weeks 1-3: Foundations
Saddle stitch fundamentals. Edge preparation and finishing. Pattern work. Tool handling. Basic leather selection. You complete multiple foundational pieces demonstrating proper technique.
Weeks 4-6: Construction
Interior construction methods. Lining installation. Gusset integration. Multi-layer assembly. Pocket placement. You complete constructed bags with clean interiors.
Weeks 7-9: Advanced
Curved construction technique. Template development. Custom pattern creation. Advanced edge work. Structural problem-solving. You complete sophisticated pieces with curves.
Weeks 10-12: Mastery
Multi-component professional bags. Hardware integration. Frame installation. Closure systems. Shoulder strap construction. Portfolio presentation. You complete commission-ready work.
12-Week Artisan Training Program
Request a conversation
Twelve weeks at the bench is a serious commitment, and it should begin with a conversation rather than a checkout. Tell us where you are in your craft and where you want it to take you.
We reply within one business day and set a time for you to speak with Béatrice Amblard, formerly of Hermès, who teaches every cohort herself.
- 48 days of daily instruction
- 14 students, maximum
- 4 levels, one continuous path
- $20,000 tuition, installments available
FAQs
Do I need prior experience?
Do I need prior experience?
No. Program accepts complete beginners. All students begin at Level 1 regardless of background. The systematic method works for those starting from zero.
No detours. No guesswork. No wasted years discovering what could have been taught correctly from the beginning.
Time is not the teacher. Method is.
What if I miss a session?
What if I miss a session?
Missed sessions cannot be made up. Attendance mandatory all forty-eight days. The progression is systematic. Each day builds on previous. Missing sessions creates gaps in foundation.
This is how mastery transfers.
Can I advance through levels faster?
Can I advance through levels faster?
Yes. We teach at your pace. Most students require all twelve weeks, but our method will adapt to your speed of technique adoption. Our pacing is deliberate.
What happens after graduation?
What happens after graduation?
Graduate status earned upon completion. Studio membership eligible immediately. Commission referrals available when technique meets standard. Alumni network access lifetime. Teaching pathway opens for qualified graduates after demonstrated continued practice.
How many students per cohort?
How many students per cohort?
Fourteen maximum. Small cohort ensures direct instruction and individual attention. Béatrice Amblard and Amelie Amblard observes every student's work throughout program.
Can I pay in installments?
Can I pay in installments?
Yes. Shop Pay / Affirm available at checkout. Payment plans offered directly through these providers. Terms and eligibility determined by the payment service.
Still deciding? Request a conversation and we will talk it through with you.
