Kestrel Leather
Fusing traditional fiber arts with fashion.
Coye Balok, owner of Kestrel Leather, is a talented, local entrepreneur. Though his chosen medium is leather, he stumbled upon a unique niche when he decided to incorporate Navajo fiber art into his leatherwork.
We caught up with Coye recently to find out more about his business and his fusion of handwoven Navajo textiles and leather.
![Coye Balok stands in front of Kestrel Leather](https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Coye-Balok-Kestrel-Leather-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1a54fae4c831d6d510916af302a6ece8 320w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Coye-Balok-Kestrel-Leather-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d1f2da878a97a216a34f1498a8b679ae 540w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Coye-Balok-Kestrel-Leather-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=7706a57dc3a38af4e96ca0aa0488f5d1 768w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Coye-Balok-Kestrel-Leather-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=284038c614dc10e8fc3d21b66aa4df9b 1024w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Coye-Balok-Kestrel-Leather-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=e141cab2e7d43032d8e2d4ddb64f846c 1200w)
How long have you been working with leather?
I have been working with leather for about 10 years, full-time for 4. It started as a hobby.
I was working in an unrelated industry at the time. When I decided to transition to a different line of work, I had some extra cash on hand and my wife knew that I had been eyeing a sewing machine for leather working. She encouraged me to invest in a nice one, which sped things up a lot, as well as ramping up the learning curve to a vertical pitch.
What do you enjoy about working with leather?
Leather is different than fabric. It is less forgiving. I have to be more exact with how I work with it and what I do. I like that challenge. Internally, I am competing with myself, trying to get better with each piece produced.
I particularly enjoy working with oil tanned cow leather, because it is soft and supple, but still flexible. It is almost weatherproof. It also has character, with the color changing slightly as it ages. Overall, it is the most durable of the leathers I work with.
![A variety of Kestrel Leather products are displayed on a table and hanging from a wood fence](https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-products.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=873a7175f32ae7501f72886d6bc3950a 320w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-products.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9f868f4a9a452d60b66b8a5842877904 540w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-products.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3354605b6148b1fa37f2a336282aae5f 768w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-products.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d680215184bdaa37ab991b421db153a1 1024w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-products.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=279cb800f2b0f3ccda18d257f4ce5fee 1200w)
What inspired you to open your shop?
Opening a shop was a necessity. I was working in my garage, but as my skills improved, I was getting busier and busier. To be more productive, and focus, I needed a location away from home.
Opening a shop also makes it easier for my customers and friends to find me when they feel like it. It is more convenient for everyone. The shop has been open since 2019 and I have been in my current location at 725 E. Coal Ave. since 2021. The new space is a good fit. Great location at the crux of E. Coal and Route 66, with lots of room to grow. I have no plans to move again.
![Kestrel Leather wallets in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and colors](https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-wallets.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=55e6057089247859deda0e39e3cbb6f1 320w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-wallets.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d35545b83f5e45aa2d842582da3719aa 540w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-wallets.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=81cda11e045c86beba4ef3673e941691 768w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-wallets.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=71ecee371013f3528ea7f03a9fcede4c 1024w, https://gallup.imgix.net/images/Kestrel-Leather-wallets.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=bb66ae13ecd450f63a84ccf0f5c0dfe5 1200w)
What are your most popular products?
I make a lot of different accessories, like shaving/toiletry bags, wallets, and purses. However, the most popular products are the women’s tote purses. The men’s wallets are also quite popular. However, I introduced a new tote design in 2021 using small Navajo rugs. Every design is unique, handwoven by our local Navajo weavers. The rugs have a story...character. I try to respect that by stitching the totes together without cutting the rug. They are rapidly eclipsing everything else in terms of popularity and I am honored to help introduce the work of Gallup's fiber arts community to a larger audience.
Coye has a variety of wallets, purses, backpacks, totes, duffel bags & more. Stop by Kestrel Leather at 725. E. Coal Ave. to see his latest creations or check out what he has to offer online at KestrelLeather.com.