Cassie has quickly taken to leathercraft and is selling her wares through CG Creations. Photo: Chris Roe.
When ag science student and keen equestrian Cassie Goding got sick of buying “rubbish”, cheaply made imported gear for her horses, she decided to have a crack at making her own.
Her experiments in leathercraft have now led to the launch of CG Creations specialising in handmade stock leads, bridlewear, belts and dog collars.
“The things I was buying were really bad quality that just wore out or broke and I really wanted to get some nice gear, but of course being a uni student, I just couldn’t afford it,” she said.
“If you want an Australian-made quality breastplate, you’re looking at around $400, and I thought, I could probably figure out how to make one.”
Growing up on the Mornington Peninsula, Cassie learned to ride and train horses from a young age at a friend’s property before finally getting her own and taking up polocrosse.
Two years ago when it came time to upgrade her gear, she purchased a leatherwork starter kit and cowhide and set about replicating the high-end products that were out of her price range.
“It’s all been trial and error, looking at other gear that I have and using that as a pattern for sizing and whatnot,” she explained, indicating a bridle and breastplate made from tough full-grain leather.
“It’s all hand stitched and hand stamped and everything I make is designed to last.”
CG Creations are handmade at home using thick full-grain leather. Photo: Chris Roe.
After initially making tack for herself, Cassie began doing bits and pieces for friends and members of the local polocrosse community.
Her early ventures into online retail saw braided leads and halters prove popular and she has now expanded into belts and customised dog collars.
“I start with the plain ones in various lengths and various colours but I’ve been doing colored braid on them as well and I made one for myself in my polocrosse team colours,” Cassie said.
“I can stamp names or phone numbers on the dog collars.
“People always notice just how thick the leather is and how good it smells. You can tell that it’s real and not some reconstituted leather that’s going to fall apart.”
CG Creations offers high-quality handmade items at an affordable price. Photo: Cassie Goding Photography.
Now in her fourth year of study at Charles Sturt University, Cassie hopes to move into a full-time role as a livestock consultant in the Riverina.
But with orders rolling in for her custom products, she is not likely to give up on the side hustle she enjoys.
“I love it; I just sit down here with the dogs and work away,” she said, ruffling the ears of Tess, one of two rescued kelpies.
As for offering advice to prospective leatherworkers, Cassie rolled out an oldie but a goodie: “Measure twice, cut once!”
You can check out CG Creations on Facebook.
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