“When you are having fun, and creating something you love, it shows in the product.

“I believe you can transfer that energy to material things as you’re creating them.”

The words of Tom Ford, the American fashion designer and film director.

And the sentiments of Tanya Bradley.

Because her business really is a labour of love.

The 56-year-old mother of two creates leather handbags and accessories from broken boots and saddles that would otherwise have ended up in landfill.

Self-taught, she makes everything by hand using traditional methods and tools.

Her workshop and office is, appropriately, a horse box in the grounds of her Wimborne home.

There she spends hour upon hour creating the most amazing products.

By her side, constant companion, Tank, a French bulldog, pictured left.

Every stage of the process – from design to the actual making – is undertaken by Tanya.

All of the bags are made to order from either a client’s saddle or one from her large supply.

The 13-strong product range varies in price from £120 to £250 and includes:

• The Original Saddle Bag, pictured right, the first bag to be made from vintage saddle leather using a new leather gusset to ensure strength style and longevity. The smooth look is achieved by hand stitching every piece together using traditional methods and waxed thread. The gusset is made using new leather in a choice of colours.
• The Collecting Ring, described as the Bag for all reasons, completely handmade and customers can choose features such as closures, flap shapes and gusset colours.
• The Showstopper Anthonia, the design came to Tanya in the middle of the night on her late Father’s birthday. A smaller bag but large enough to carry keys, purse and a lipstick or a hoof pick! It has a carrying handle and a fully adjustable shoulder/across body strap or can be carried in the hand or crook of the arm. Tack is used for the handle and strap to continue the saddlery theme.
• The Bradley Boot Bag, upcycling at its best by recycling broken leaky yard boots into a little bag.

Accessories range from dog collars and bracelets to even a toilet roll holder.

Tanya, who came up with the idea for the business in 2016, sources the leather through Facebook.

Jane Holderness-Roddam, the event rider who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City winning team gold for Great Britain, is among the sellers.

Her very special saddles will be made into bags to sell on.

Tanya is also commissioned to make specific items from saddles or bridlewear associated with a much-loved, but departed, horse or pony.

Staff acting on behalf of an unnamed, but prominent, member of the Royal Family also sent three saddles with Tanya commissioned to make a bag for the member’s birthday.

And the saddle from Freddie Windsor, the Black Shire horse that saw service with the Metropolitan Police for 15 years until retirement, was turned into a saddle bag so his rider could remember him.

Tanya, who had her own pony for many years, said: “Everything I do, from start to finish, is by hand and I’m totally self-taught.

“To make an item can take from five hours to 20 hours for a large bag.

“It’s very satisfying to take leather which would have gone to landfill and turn it into beautiful objects.”

Tanya, who has two grandchildren, Daisy and Hunter, sells her products through Facebook, her website – bradleyleatherwork.co.uk – and shows such as The Game Fair and Dorset County Show.

Customers have come from as far afield as the United States as well as France and Spain.

The horse box was acquired earlier this year and, said Tanya, “is absolutely perfect.”

She said: “I do everything here and I can work away for hours on end without distraction.

“I will never be a big business but I just love what I do.

“I put everything into my work and it really is a labour of love.”

• bradleyleatherwork.co.uk