We recently connected with Will Parra and have shared our conversation below.

Will, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was 18, I worked that summer as a river guide in Maine. I had never been exposed to the outdoor industry before, but I had a family friend who ran a guide service up there, and decided to give it a shot. This was my first exposure into non-traditional work opportunities, but being a kid without much self reflection, it seemed like the most logical and normal path to take.

I continued guiding through college, eventually working in central Oregon, where I continued to run commercial multi-day rafting trips. I loved the work, I loved spending time outdoors, but I felt disillusioned by the commercial aspects of it. I decided to pivot into outdoor ed, where I felt like there were more opportunities for meaningful growth. I moved back to Massachusetts (I was seriously homesick), and got a job with a nonprofit in Boston focusing on expanding outdoor opportunities to low-income students.

From there, I was essentially certain that I wanted to work in education and likely build a career in the public school system. But when Covid came around, my job dried up as did any future guiding opportunities I had planned in the non profit sector.

I was on a walk a few months prior with a friend, and we were talking about projects we were working on. He gave me some scrap leather leftover from moccasins he had made. I began making simple projects with the scraps – my first were grips for my Mom’s XC Ski poles. To do this I had to get a few basic hand tools to work the leather.

From there, I pursued it as a casual hobby for a few months, but when the pandemic hit and I lost my job, I dove into it to fill my time and give me structure. I think more than anything it was a coping mechanism. After several months, I made a wallet for a friend, charging them $20 for the materials. I didn’t have any aspirations of making a living from leather goods, but it opened the door to at least selling my products to pay for materials – subsequently fueling the hobby.

I loved the satisfaction of design to production, and seeing how materials can transform. I continued with the craft, accepting more and more commissions as my capabilities grew. Over the course of a few years and after working with a local store and even teaching some leather classes, I decided to apply for a job in NYC with a luxury leather goods company. Even then, I didn’t KNOW that I wanted to pursue the craft professionally. But, surprisingly, I got the job. I decided to shoot my shot and moved to NYC.

3+ years later, and I’m still not certain if I consciously wanted to pursue a creative path. I think I struggle with imposter syndrome, largely because I never had professional craftspeople as role models in my life, and because I never formally studied the craft. But I followed my instincts and the fun, and here I am! I’ve recently branched out from my full-time leather gig to pursue opportunities in the industry, and to push myself creatively.

Will, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I think my previous answer actually gives most of my backstory, but to sum it up I would say:

I began working with leather as a hobby, that slowly grew into a small business. From there, I made the leap into a fulltime job as a leather artisan, working with major international brands for their custom goods (specifically watch bands). This had a lot to do with good luck, timing, and knowing a bit of French.

I never foresaw this path for me, nor did I ever even consider it as a possibility. In college I assumed I’d be a teacher or some other type of civil servant. Through the generosity of a friend and a willingness to fail, I made my first object out of leather – a grip for my Mom’s XC ski poles to help her arthritic hands grip the handles. I got hooked by the adaptability of the material, and the joy of creating something with purpose. The hobby grew and grew, so I eventually applied for jobs as a professional in the industry. My amazing boss took a risk on me (having no formal training in the craft).

I have now worked in that position for more than 3 years. All the while, I’ve continued making my own personal projects and the occasional commission.

In my personal craft, outside of the 9-5, I choose the commissions I accept carefully, often opting away from steady work making wallets or similar small leather goods, in exchange for unique and challenging designs. Amongst many projects, I’ve made:

-Bike Bags
-iPad holders that can strap to your thigh for pilots to see their charts on the fly
-Revamped leather gloves that go back 3 generations, transforming them into a hanging pocket/necklace
-Custom BDSM gear

In addition to always pushing for innovation, I have a dangerous relationship with perfection. I want my things to reflect quality craftsmanship, always. But I also look for a tenderness, and a gentle affect with my items. Leather comes from an animal, who’s death allowed for these things to exist. I think if you treat the craft with too much levity, you do a disservice to that animal and yourself. My brand is called Held

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I was first getting started at my job as a leather artisan fully in the luxury goods industry, I was only allowed to observe for the first few months. After that, I spent at least 3 more months doing small tasks while all I wanted was to make a product from start to finish. It was a very slow process of acquiring proficiency of one step at a time.

This period of observation was incredibly frustrating, But it gave me a completely transparent understanding of the process – how things are done and why. And for this I’m incredibly grateful, even if at the time I didn’t realize the importance of just watching.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love to see an item move from design through production. It is like magic watching something being born, and then to be used out in the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://held-nyc.com
• Instagram: held_leather_goods