Olivia Miller is a trainee bridle maker building a leather craft business. She is training at Walsall Leather Skills Centre with instructors Keith Bryan and Christer Dahlberg. Her Emerging Maker Grant will allow her to complete City and Guilds Levels 2 and 3 in Saddle Making on the training pathway to become a Master Saddler, Bridle Maker & Qualified Fitter with the Society of Master Saddlers.
The qualification will form the groundwork for her local sustainable craft business, Symora Leather. She wants it to be known for high-quality, made-to-measure bridle work, thoughtful saddlery repairs, and seasonal batches of leather goods. Her approach blends animal welfare, traditional craftsmanship, and respect for natural materials and processes.
Once qualified, she would like to host workshops locally and support her local repair cafe, passing on skills in an area where there are currently no others practicing bridle making and saddlery. Repair will be a key offer to her clients, who are thinking about cost, environmental responsibility, and ways to safely extend the life of their saddlery equipment. Alongside the main equestrian business, she plans to offer made-to-order accessories for hound and human.
