DIY of the Week: Make Smith Belt-Making Workshop
S.B. Leathersmith Opens His Workspace to the Masses
Tucked neatly behind Elsie’s Tavern and shrouded by two of downtown’s more posh apartment complexes stands the unsuspecting bungalow that houses Make Smith. Owned and operated by S.B. leathersmith Steven Soria, the workspace-cum-storefront is mostly unmarked, save three small logo-adorned prayer flags that hang above the threshold. Step inside the bungalow’s sliding door, though, and you’ll find a space that is bustling with activity, indicative of a craftsperson at work.
In the months since he left his space at Goleta’s Cannon Studios, Soria has been working to make the new Make Smith his full-time production shop and design space, housing everything from workbenches and cutting tables to one stunning and swoon-worthy antique sewing machine. Among all the tools, though, the space feels oddly like home, complete with faux fireplace, vintage artwork, and an invitingly low-lit atmosphere.
During the week, Soria spends his hours designing and creating custom leather pieces and running Make Smith’s modest storefront, which boasts everything from wallets and key chains to belts, purses, and moccasins. In recent months Soria’s also transformed his new space into a classroom of sorts, offering workshops for all (ages 18 or older, of course) who want to try their hand at belt making.
