Meet Carmen Bishop: Founder of Coruscate Leather & Co.

Carmen Bishop’s journey from battling addiction to becoming a successful leathersmith is nothing short of inspiring. Her story shows how resilience and creativity can change a life—and maybe even a whole community.

Today, she co-runs Coruscate Leather & Co., a thriving business that produces exquisite leather goods, alongside her husband Jason Bourdon. The path that led her here wasn’t easy, but it’s worth a closer look.

The Genesis of a Passion

Carmen Bishop’s love for leather started when she was a kid, drawn in by her grandmother’s collection of hand-tooled leather bags. That early fascination nudged her to try out different materials, from hemp to woven textiles and thick cottons.

In 1997, she sewed her first leather hacky sack. That was her first real step into leather crafting, and she’s never really looked back.

Overcoming Adversity

Despite her early interest in sewing, Carmen’s teenage years were rough. Addiction took over, and she spent her early twenties in and out of rehab.

Everything changed when she joined an all-women’s rehabilitation program. Women from a local church brought sewing machines to the patients, and Carmen made a bag that would end up changing her life.

That bag now hangs over her bed, a daily reminder of her nine years of sobriety. It’s not just a keepsake—it’s proof that art can really save you.

Transition to Leather Crafting

After rehab, Carmen found a job teaching art at Michael’s. She met a woman there who talked about industrial sewing, and the idea stuck with her.

She saved up and bought an industrial sewing machine. Soon, she was working as an industrial seamstress, making giant awnings and cabana tops at Quality Awning.

The Impact of COVID-19

Then COVID-19 hit, and Carmen lost her job as an essential worker. Her husband Jason saw an opening and encouraged her to chase her dream of sewing leather bags.

They turned her childhood cottage into a workshop, bought their first piece of leather from Tandy, and Carmen spent six months working up the nerve to cut into that expensive hide. That first cut marked the beginning of Coruscate Leather & Co.

The Birth of Coruscate Leather & Co.

The first leather bag Carmen made sold instantly on Etsy. She and Jason celebrated with a dinner out.

Next came their first vendor show at the Orlando Maker Faire in November 2022. The response at the fair blew them away, and Coruscate Leather & Co. officially launched.

The name “Coruscate” means to shine brilliantly—something Carmen really connected with during her rehab days. It just felt right.

A Collaborative Effort

Carmen and Jason make a solid team. She’s the creative director, and he’s the operations director.

Jason, who’s into woodworking and 3D printing, started helping Carmen by cutting leather pieces with a laser cutter. That sped things up a lot, freeing Carmen to focus on carving and painting.

Expanding Skills and Product Line

Coruscate Leather & Co. has grown fast. Carmen’s skills now include intricate designs on totes and journal covers, and she’s created their best-selling item: butterfly hair barrettes.

These barrettes are hand-carved and painted butterflies, each featuring locally sourced porcupine quills. They’re a little unusual, but people love them.

Innovative Techniques

Carmen mixes beeswax and paraffin to make her own hand wax. She applies it to the leather and melts it with a heat gun, which really boosts both durability and looks.

Sales have grown anywhere from 40% to 80% every year. Their products now appear in local stores and on a website Jason built himself.

Future Aspirations

Carmen dreams big for Coruscate Leather & Co. Inspired by her grandfather’s old pharmacy in downtown Winter Garden, she wants to open a retail space where customers can shop and watch the creative process unfold.

She also hopes to offer leather crafting classes, turning the shop into a place where people can learn, create, and maybe even find their own spark.

Community Engagement

Coruscate Leather & Co. shows up at 25 to 30 fairs every year. About half of those are with the Orlando Science Center.

Carmen loves teaching her craft. She’s already hosted several leather classes in their current workshop.

The couple wants to put their revenue back into the business. They’re eyeing new tools and a bigger workshop for whatever comes next.

This November marks four years for Coruscate Leather & Co. Carmen and Jason feel genuinely excited (and maybe a little nervous) about what’s ahead.

If you want to dig into their story, check out the original article on the Orange Observer.