Tyler Kerchal of Enders  has been working with leather for seven years as a hobby.
    Growing up he gained his love of leather working watching two of his uncles do it as a hobby. Kerchal said he always thought it was really neat watching them work, so he purchased a few tools and began teaching himself.
    Through a system of trial and error, his skill grew and his hobby evolved into a business, he said. About a month ago, Kerchal opened Kerchal Leatherworks in Imperial at 427 Broadway.
    He commented that there aren’t many people around working in leather these days, and he liked being involved in creating handmade leather items that bring joy to the people who purchase them.
    Kerchal believes that the desire to own handmade items is on the rise, and he loves seeing things he has made being used or worn by people in the community.  He said he feels great joy and pride in the items he makes because he “leaves a little piece of myself in each creation I make.”
    “All leather workers feel the same way,” he added.
    Kerchal said that since he began utilizing the internet to promote his business there has been an increase in purchases from his business outside of Nebraska, as well.

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