Come to The Hassle’s Black Market Flea this Sunday from 12-6 & sample the very best of what our finely-curated local vendors have to offer! In the days leading up to the event, we’re going to be featuring some of our favorite vendors on the site to talk about what they’re selling, where they got their inspiration, and how they make their stuff.
Meet Sam from Primitive Ritual:
First of all where you from? You from here? How long have you been practicing your leather craft?
I grew up in the UK but am otherwise from the Boston area. I’ve been making things out of leather for 10+ years. I’m tall and lanky and in high school couldn’t find a leather jacket that fit me – that’s how I got into it. Now I make small leather items, punk accessories, motorcycle bags, etc. I work mostly with waxed canvas and leather.
I know you have your own studio and probably other expenses. How if at all has the development of your craft helped you grow towards sustainability as an artist?
I have a studio in an abandoned factory in East Boston. We’re getting kicked out next month for it to be developed so I’m looking for somewhere new right now (PLUG: If anybody knows of anywhere get in touch!). I’ve always been interested in finding the best way to make one particular thing and so have picked up a lot of tools/equipment over the years that do specific things very well. It’s only in the past year or so that I’ve started to see those investments coming back around and it’s been cool to be able to be able to have inventory instead of panicking every time somebody orders something. I have a bunch of old machinery and they’re just cool objects that I love looking at, tinkering with, and making parts for.
I’ve seen you at a few black markets now, how’s it been treating you?? Back at the CCC these days
I’ve been doing the Black Market pretty much since the beginning. The crowd changes a little bit from year to year and so does how much I sell. I’ve made some good friends doing the Black Market so I’ll keep doing it. 🙂
Where else can people find your stuff? Instagram? Any shops?
I mostly promote via Instagram. You can check out stuff that’s currently for sale on my website:
www.primitiveritual.com or google “Studded punk bracelet 77” and click one of the two links above the AngryYoungandPoor result. I have some stuff in my buddy Chris from Hungry Ghost Press’s shop in Providence and on his website.
What’s new in stock? I gotta get one of those sweet new leather sheaths I fuckin lost mine already. Also how the hell are those only 10 bucks? Such a deal
I’ve been doing some small runs of leather things (bracelets, wallets, coasters, key chains) for local artists/small businesses/shops and would love to be doing more of that. I’m really into the waxed canvas bags I’ve been making and I have a couple new wallet designs, too. As for the price – I’ve gotten really productive at making certain things so can keep the costs reasonable! I split my space with my friend who does tattoos and we have a small batch of tattooed wallets coming out in the next couple of weeks.
Catch Sam and many more vendors this Saturday at the Cambridge Community Center!
