We have received news that Phillip Hawk, the craftsman behind our bridle leather belts has passed away.
As an expert saddler/shoe maker, Phillip made our belts for many years, before passing the tradition on to Danny Whitaker. We were always proud of the extreme care and workmanship he put into each belt.
Please read this blog post if you would like to know more about Phillip.
Our condolences to the family.
The following description is for the artwork designed by Dorothy Napangardi, who was a Warlpiri speaking Indigenous Australian from Alice Springs. Her artwork is featured on our Women’s Dreaming pendant and Women’s Dreaming earrings.
The country associated with this Jukurrpa is Mina Mina, a place far to the west of Yuendumu, which is significant to Napangardi/Japanangka men. All of them are custodians of the Jukurrpa that created that area.
The Jukurrpa story tells of the journey of a group of women of all ages who traveled to the east gathering food, collecting “ngalyipi”, snake vine (Tinospora Smilacina) and performing ceremonies as they traveled. The women began their journey at Mina Mina where “karlangu” digging sticks emerged from the ground. Taking these implements, the women traveled east far beyond the Walpiri boundaries creating Janyinki and other sites.
The Ngalyipi vine grows up the trunks and limbs of the “kurrkara”. (Allocasuarina Decaisneana desert oak trees.)
Ngalyipi is a sacred vine that has many uses. It can be used as a ceremonial wrap, as a strap to carry “parrajas” — wooden bowls that are laden with bush tucker — and as a tourniquet for headaches.
LEARN MORE ABOUT:
Note: We regret to announce that Philip passed away in August, 2019.
Phillip Hawk has 40 years experience as an expert saddler and shoemaker. After a three year apprenticeship as a saddler in Colorado, he moved to to Virginia to study English saddles, strap goods and shoe-making. He was master of the Saddle/Harness Shop and the Boot/Shoe Shop of Colonial Williamsburg. His skills include every facet of leather working except gloves and clothing. His work marries traditional craftsmanship with modern consumer demands.
For his belts, Phillip only uses leather from the Tarnsjo Tannery in Tarnsjo, Sweden. It supplies, arguably, the finest strap and upholstery leather in the world. The world’s best saddlers, harness makers and fashion designers purchase their leather from this tannery. Phillip uses leather stained only on the grain (the hair side), leaving the flesh side unstained to prevent bleeding on clothes. The surface colors used by Tarnsjo Tannery maintain the integrity of the leather.
Below are just a few of the procedures in making a belt.
Phillip first cuts the leather into strips. The tool is a draw gauge knife.
Laying out the belt blank.
Staining the edges
Stamping with his maker’s mark
Mounting the snaps
Ready to wear!
LEARN MORE ABOUT:
Corrine Hunt was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia in 1959. Her paternal grandmother, Abusa, named her “Killer whale scratching her back on the beach.” Corrine has been creating contemporary art that reflects the themes and traditions of her First Nations Komoyue and Tlingit heritage since 1985. She is a member of the Raven Gwa’wina clan from Ts’akis, a Komoyue village on Vancouver Island. Her influences include Henry, Richard and Tony Hunt and her uncle, Norman Brotchie.
Her work is inspired by the desire to bring the stories of her First Nations culture into her art. The engravings are minimal, bringing a modern sense to an ageless craft.
Similarly, her custom furnishings combine materials that speak to old and new, and bring the concept of living culture into contemporary homes.
Corrine’s works include engraved gold and silver jewelry and accessories, custom furnishings in carved stainless steel and reclaimed wood, modern totem poles and other sculptural installations. She codesigned the medals for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and Paralympics.
We offer many pieces designed by Corrine. For more information on her art, please visit www.corrinehunt.ca
LEARN MORE ABOUT:
Corrine Hunt, co-designer of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics medals, is a First Nation Komoyue and Tlingit. Her art reflects the themes and traditions of her heritage, bringing the stories of her First Nations culture to the modern world. “I want to show how both the First Nations people and the art have evolved,” she explains.
Corrine’s work is not overly ornate. She conveys her message using as few lines as possible.
David Morgan carries two leather travel bags by Corrine.
The Solo Bag
A raven is embossed on the front. The tan colored bag is made of soft and supple deerskin while the black is made of cow leather. It’s perfect for carrying the little essentials. The main compartment has a zip closure and an open interior pocket. There is one exterior pocket which snaps shut.
Solo Bag, Deerskin, Tan
Solo Bag, Deerskin, Black
Deerskin Passport Pouch
This pouch carries your passport and all of your other travel documents, including boarding pass and tickets. The deerskin pouch is embossed with Corrine’s own raven design. The main compartment and a smaller, front pocket zip shut.
Passport Pouch, Deerskin, Tan
LEARN MORE ABOUT:
Pacific Northwest Coast Indian Art & Lore
David Morgan is proud to carry jewelry designed by Cavin Richie. After we started offering his pieces in 2008, they quickly became one of our top sellers.
It is easy to see why. The attention to detail is superb. Cavin captures the details of each animal: the feathers of a hummingbird in flight for example, or the wings of a dragonfly.
The earrings featured in the video are the Hummingbird Heart Earrings.
LEARN MORE ABOUT:
Akubra’s dedication to quality has made them one of the premier hat makers throughout Australia and the world. David Morgan has proudly sold their hats in the United States since 1965.
Will Morgan visited the Akubra Headquarters in Kempsey, Australia. We thought you might like to get an inside peek into the making of an Akubra hat.
Brian Tucker, Production Manager, stands before the blowing machine. Here the fur is mixed, removing any clotted hair, felt or dirt. 
When the fur leaves the blowing machine, it is like soft cotton.
In the first stage of making the hat, the forming machine (not seen) will make 
a large cone that is extremely fragile and three times the size of the finished hat. From here, the hats will be shrunk, dyed and then shaped.
Stoving is the final wet process. The hats are dried overnight.
Trimmings, such as linings, ribbons and sweatbands (pictured here), are prepared in the factory. 
Ready for shipment!
LEARN MORE ABOUT:
