How can leather offcuts be transformed into original handmade items, and how can traditional crafts be enhanced with modern technology? These were the main themes of our training in Tenerife.

In February 2026, two representatives of MTÜ Craft Depo took part in an Erasmus+ individual staff learning mobility hosted by Triarti Art And Craft in Puerto de la Cruz, Spain.

We explored leathercraft as a new creative field for Craft Depo, learning to make small items and accessories, decorate and personalise them, and incorporate traditional motifs from the Canary Islands.

CNC engraving was particularly interesting. We learned how drawings can be converted into digital files and transferred onto leather using specialised equipment. This demonstrated how traditional craftsmanship can be combined with digital technology.

New Possibilities for Materials and People.

One of the most useful outcomes was learning how to reuse leather. We discovered how to turn small leather offcuts into souvenirs and accessories, and how to give old leather products a new look. These approaches help reduce waste while creating original handmade items.

Equally valuable was learning from the host organisation's experience in adult education. We explored how creative workshops can be combined with family activities, intergenerational interaction and social inclusion. We observed how activities are adapted for learners with different skill levels, multilingual groups and participants with fewer opportunities.

What's Next for Craft Depo?

This mobility helped us see how we can expand Craft Depo's creative activities and make adult learning even more interesting and varied.

Above all, we were inspired to develop leathercraft as a new creative direction. We now have practical knowledge that can serve as a foundation for workshops on making small accessories, souvenirs and decorative items. In the future, we would like to introduce digital technologies, including CNC engraving, so that participants can create their own designs and transfer them onto finished products.

Sustainable creativity will also play an important role in our plans. We want to make greater use of leftover materials and previously used items, showing learners how these can be transformed into something new. Such activities not only develop imagination and practical skills but also encourage a more responsible approach to resources.

The teaching methods we explored also inspired new workshop formats. We plan to develop activities suitable for adults with different levels of experience, as well as creative workshops for families and mixed groups. We are particularly interested in using creativity to encourage interaction between generations, help people make new connections and involve those who may find it more difficult to participate in traditional educational programmes.

We already have ideas for new workshops and projects that will bring together leathercraft, modern technology, material reuse and collaborative creativity.

What makes this experience especially valuable is that the knowledge gained can be applied not only to developing a new creative field but also to Craft Depo's existing activities - from using materials more thoughtfully to exploring new approaches to adult education.

Erasmus+ project number: 2025-1-EE01-KA121-ADU-000328467.

The training was supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

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