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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Pietra Wall has always been prone to creativity. While growing up in Italy, she painted miniature pins to make brooches that she sold to her school teachers. This gave her confidence to believe she could do something artistic and be successful at it.
Later, she moved to the United States to attend college and she got married. Her husband, David, gave Pietra a sewing machine for her first Mother's Day and she learned to sew by making clothes for her children and others. After buying a worn-out leather purse from a yard sale, Pietra used every single scrap of leather from the purse to make barrettes and jewelry. The experience helped Pietra develop a great love for working with leather.
Today, 23 years later, Pietra's passion for leather has evolved into a business. She creates one-of-a-kind leather art pieces, such as wall hangings, pictures and pillows, from the studio in her Layton home. During her years of experimenting with leather, Pietra learned a variety of techniques that give her work a unique look. Much of what she creates is custom designed to match the décor in a client's home, ranging from bedding to curtain valances.
Pietra tells me the business has been so successful that 10 years ago David quit his job to work with her full time. The partnership has worked out well, and David does everything from bookkeeping to filling out art show applications and booking the shows, including the upcoming Utah Arts Festival June 26-28. His part in the business is invaluable, Pietra says, because it allows her to do what she does best — be creative.
Because the pieces she creates are so unique, Pietra doesn't see herself ever mass producing them. This means that although she won't be rich, she can still have a rich life. She feels strongly that most of her creations are inspired and is humbled every time she produces something new.
Pietra's art can be seen online at www.leatherartonline.com.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
