Ann Stohlman (1924-2004)

Early Life & Background

Ann Lloyd was born June 30, 1924, and raised in logging camps in northeastern Oregon and northern California. She grew up learning practical outdoor skills such as hunting, fishing, and woodworking from her father, Jack Lloyd. These experiences shaped her resilience, resourcefulness, and preference for straightforward, realistic styles in her later leatherwork.

First Meeting with Leathercraft

Ann first encountered leathercraft in the spring of 1963 at a demonstration by Al Stohlman at Big Creek Lodge. Initially indifferent to the event, she attended at a friend’s urging and ended up captivated. A conversation over fishing turned into a correspondence by mail, culminating in Al visiting her in San Francisco later that year.

Collaboration & Mastery of Craft

Ann and Al married in August 1963 in Tijuana, Mexico. Soon she immersed herself in the craft, learning saddle cutting, carving, dyeing, sewing, and finishing. Within three years she was producing saddles independently, often favoring realistic oak-leaf motifs over the more stylized Western floral patterns Al used, which she humorously dubbed “Texas cabbage.”

Career Contributions & Publications

After relocating in 1969 to a 200-acre ranch near Cache Creek, British Columbia, Ann worked closely with Al to document leathercraft techniques. She handled instruction development, typesetting, and layout, collaborating on over thirty publications including how-to manuals and multi-volume saddle-making guides.

Style & Philosophy

Ann’s approach to design emphasized realism, clarity, and functional simplicity. She balanced Al’s illustrative carving with clear, accessible instructional writing. Her practical upbringing lent authenticity to the projects and content she helped produce.

Legacy & Recognition

In 1994, the Ann Stohlman Youth Award was established under the Al & Ann Stohlman Award Foundation to honor young leatherworkers under age 19. Ann passed away on June 10, 2004, but her influence continues through this award and through the work she and Al produced together. Their legacy is preserved at the Tandy Leather Museum & Gallery in Fort Worth, Texas, where original carvings, doodle pages, and instructional materials are displayed.

Video & Media Highlights

In this video, George Hurst visits Al and Ann at their ranch in Canada. She is calm and engaged, underscoring her vital role as collaborator and partner in their creative life at the ranch.

Bibliography

Books and Instructional Work by Ann & Al Stohlman

  • The Stohlman Encyclopedia of Saddle Making (Volumes 1–3). Tandy Leather Co.
  • Figure Carving. Craftool Co. / Tandy Leather Co.
  • How to Carve Leather. Craftool Co.
  • The Art of Making Leather Cases (Volumes 1–3). Tandy Leather Co.
  • Various how-to manuals and patterns collaboratively produced by Al and Ann Stohlman, many available through Tandy Leather and Craftool.

Further Resources & Recommended Reading

  • Tandy Leather Museum & Gallery (Fort Worth, TX) – Explore their collection online or in person
  • Ann & Al Stohlman Award Foundation – Details on award history, recipients, and nomination criteria
  • Elktracks Studio: Ann Stohlman Profile – Insights on her role in establishing instructional leathercraft
  • Leatherworker.net forum discussions – Reflections on the Stohlmans’ legacy and anecdotes from community members
  • Video: Tour of Ann & Al Stohlman Collection – Watch here

Sources

  • Wikipedia: Al and Ann Stohlman
  • Elktracks Studio: Ann Stohlman History
  • Tour of Ann & Al Stohlman Collection (YouTube)
  • Facebook post by Tandy Leather: Ann Stohlman as Keystone
  • Leatherworker.net: Al and Ann Stohlman forum topic
  • Al Stohlman Award for Achievement in Leathercraft (Ann Youth Award)
  • Tandy Leather Factory page including museum details


Article by: Michael Magnus