Klaas van der Laan

“The shop is actually a sort of extension of what I do as a craftsman.” Through his work and his shop, Klaas wants to inspire people to live more sustainably, be creative and spend more time outdoors. As well as bespoke items, such as motorbike saddles and made-to-measure bags, the shop also stocks gift items from other makers and brands. All are of genuine quality: items that will last a lifetime. “In the past, things were made to last as long as possible. Nowadays, things are made so that you’ll eventually need a new one. I want to put a stop to that.”

Klaas van Laan works exclusively with vegetable-tanned leather. This is a sustainable and biodegradable material. Klaas works the leather by wetting it and bending it into shape. Using special blades and other tools, he adds images and details. Klaas makes every product entirely by hand. He prefers to work amongst his customers. “Lots of people pop in and see me at work, and they think it’s brilliant: that gives me a sense of appreciation.”

Klaas now sees the village through different eyes than he did when he was young. Although he had a fantastic childhood there, as a teenager he was mainly keen to discover what the world outside Winsum was like. Now he sees things differently, and it is the various architectural styles and the surrounding countryside that particularly catch his eye. Klaas is also seeing more and more small businesses springing up, driven by passion. Just like me, these entrepreneurs are returning to a focus on quality and sustainability. “That’s what makes a village like Winsum truly unique.”

• Old Durch and Friends
• Hoofdstraat O 34
• 9951 AH Winsum
• www.olddutchandfriends.nl