Hey there, fellow designers and craft enthusiasts! Today I wanted to share one of my recent projects that perfectly blends digital design with traditional craftsmanship. Let me walk you through the process of bringing Tinkers Toolbox to life—a dedicated resource for leather working and candle making enthusiasts.
The Concept Behind Tinkers Toolbox
Tinkers Toolbox was conceived as a comprehensive resource hub where makers and crafters could find everything from beginner tutorials to advanced techniques. The client wanted a warm, inviting space that would serve both leather crafting and candle making communities—two traditional crafts that share an appreciation for quality materials and skilled handiwork.
Logo Development Process
Starting with the logo, I wanted to create something that instantly communicated the essence of the brand. Using Canva as my initial sketching ground, I developed the concept of a leather toolbox containing both leatherworking tools and illuminated candles. This visual metaphor perfectly captures the dual focus of the site.
The final logo features a beautifully rendered vintage-style toolbox with the “XIX” marking (signifying traditional craftsmanship), leather working tools, and various candles with glowing flames. The circular emblem paired with “TINKERS TOOLBOX” in a rich brown and warm gold color palette establishes a professional yet approachable brand identity.
Website Architecture & Design
For the website build, I set up a WordPress installation on Cloudways—my go-to hosting solution for its reliability and speed. The WordPress platform gives the client flexibility to easily update content as their craft tutorials and resources expand.
The site architecture was designed around five main pillars:
- Tools – Featuring essential equipment for both craft disciplines
- Materials & Care – Guidance on selecting quality materials and maintaining them
- Projects – Step-by-step tutorials for creations of varying difficulty
- Techniques & Skills – Detailed instructions on mastering specific crafting methods
- Business – Resources for artisans looking to monetize their craft
In the candle making section, I created dedicated areas for Techniques, Tools & Materials, Safety, and Projects—essential categories for beginners and experienced chandlers alike.
Visual Elements & User Experience
The website’s visual design leans heavily on warm, earthy tones that complement both leatherworking and candle making aesthetics. I used Flux.ai to generate custom imagery that showcases hands at work, beautiful finished projects, and materials in their raw form—all contributing to the tactile, craft-focused feel of the site.
Navigation is intentionally straightforward, with clear category indicators and a prominent search function to help visitors quickly find specific techniques or projects. The homepage features a compelling headline—”Your Guide to Leather Working and Candle Making”—alongside the supportive tagline “Empowering Makers with Practical Skills and Creative Inspiration.”
Technical Implementation
Behind the scenes, the WordPress installation is optimized for:
- Fast loading times (crucial for tutorial pages with multiple images)
- Mobile responsiveness (for crafters referencing tutorials while working)
- SEO best practices to help newcomers discover the resource
- Easy content management for the client to add new tutorials
My Cloudways setup ensures reliable performance even during traffic spikes, which is essential as some seasonal craft tutorials tend to see surges in popularity.
The Finished Product
The completed Tinkers Toolbox site successfully balances practical instructional content with an inspiring aesthetic that celebrates craftsmanship. The navigation structure makes it easy for visitors to progress from basic skills to more complex projects, while the visual design maintains a consistent brand identity throughout.
Whether you’re a seasoned leatherworker looking to branch out into candle making or a complete beginner in either craft, the site provides a welcoming entry point and a clear path to developing your skills.