Leather Craftsman

My approach to design is guided by essentialism—removing the unnecessary to let the material speak.
The natural character of every hide—whether alligator, crocodile, or ostrich—guides the form it will take. I don’t force; I reveal.

Each piece is crafted entirely by hand, from the first cut to the final edge. Every stitch is deliberate. Every detail considered.

This portfolio reflects a body of work that is truly limited. No teams. No production runs. Only one-of-a-kind Creations shaped by my hands, start to finish.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Thank you for your support,

Josue Leonardo

Soulfully crafted leather goods.

 
Leather Craftsman

Josué Leonardo

Biography

  • I’ve always been drawn to learning, building, and moving forward. After graduating from Melbourne High School, I pursued Computer Science at Brevard College. While the program sharpened my analytical thinking, I soon found an opportunity in entrepreneurship through the restaurant industry, where I continue to stay active today.

    Driven by a lifelong creative instinct and a deep appreciation for design, I eventually discovered leatherwork. What began as curiosity became a craft. Through years of self-guided study and hands-on exploration, I became a leather artisan—one creation at a time.

  • I was born in Mexico City, and spent my early years in Tecomán, a small town on Mexico’s western coast. It was there I attended primary school and first developed a love for music and sport—soccer, tennis, and the guitar were constant companions.

    At fourteen, my family relocated to the United States. In 2001, we moved to Florida, and I enrolled at Melbourne High School.

    After graduation, I spent summers in New York working at Quaker Ridge Golf Club, managing the tennis pro shop. Over time, I began leading junior clinics and participating in Pro-Am tournaments. In the colder seasons, I returned to Florida to attend college, continuing this cycle for five years.

    In 2010, I made a defining decision—to purchase the local pizzeria where I had started working at fourteen. I still proudly own and operate it today. It’s where I first learned what it meant to build something of your own, and it remains a part of my journey.

  • In 2014, I was walking through a local flea market when I noticed a veteran named John, crafting leather belts and biker wallets by hand. I stopped—not to buy, but to observe. The rhythm of the work, the sound of the tools, the transformation of raw material into something lasting—it drew me in. It felt familiar, yet entirely new.

    I asked John if I could purchase a piece of leather and borrow a few tools. That moment became the beginning of something unexpected.

    For the next two years, leatherwork was my quiet obsession. I studied techniques, experimented with patterns, and slowly built a studio around the process. I sourced my materials directly from tanneries, refined my tools, and let intuition guide the designs.

    By 2018, I had created a body of work that felt ready—honest, functional, and beautiful. That’s when I founded Taza Leather, born from a desire to deliver soulfully crafted goods, made by hand and made to last.

    My home studio became my sanctuary for deep work—a place to focus, learn, and evolve. That focused time allowed me to grow into the craftsman I am today.

    The mission remains simple: to continually refine the craft, elevate each design, and create with integrity—one piece at a time.

  • Watches, Porsches, Soccer, Tennis, Design, Technology, Business, Motor Sports Racing and Pugs.