Fish leather
1. Does fish leather smell like fish?
No. Tanning removes the fish oils, and finished fish leather smells like good cow or sheep leather.
2. Is fish leather durable?
Yes. For its thickness, it is often stronger than cowhide, because fish skin fibres cross each other instead of running in one direction. It is thin (usually 0.6–1.0 mm) yet tough, so it works for wallets, straps, jewellery and shoes.
3. Is fish leather sustainable?
Yes. The skins are a by-product of the food industry and would otherwise be thrown away. My tannery, Nordic Fish Leather, also runs on geothermal energy.
4. Where is your fish leather made?
It is tanned by Nordic Fish Leather in Sauðárkrókur, northern Iceland. I then top-finish and dye it by hand in my studio.
5. What is the difference between salmon, wolffish, cod and perch leather?
Salmon has small scale pockets and is very flexible. Wolffish is smooth and scale-free, often with dark spots, and very soft; it is hard to find in online shops, but I have a direct source in Iceland. Cod has a rugged, textured surface. Perch has large, bold scales.
6. How do I care for fish leather?
Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth, and brush salmon only in the direction of the scales. Don't soak it; if it gets wet, let it dry naturally away from heat. Use a conditioner made for exotic leathers.
7. Can I sew fish leather on a regular sewing machine?
Yes. Most home machines handle it with a leather needle, and it is easy to hand-sew.
Earrings
8. What sizes do your fish leather earrings come in?
My stud earrings come in 6, 10, 12 and 14 mm. 6 mm is small and discreet, 10 mm shows the scale texture clearly, 12 mm suits most people, and 14 mm is a bold statement piece.
9. What are the earrings made of?
Icelandic salmon leather set in a stainless steel base.
10. Can I choose the colour of my earrings?
Yes. Every pair is made to order. When you order, leave a comment with the colour code you want — for example Bl for blues or Gr for greens. You can see all colours on the salmon leather colours page.
11. Can I wear fish leather earrings in water?
Take them off before swimming, showering or sport, and put them on after perfume, hairspray and make-up. If they get wet, let them dry naturally at room temperature.
12. Are fish leather earrings a good gift?
Yes. They are light, unique — no two pairs are exactly alike — and made by hand in Iceland.
Ordering
13. How much is shipping, and how long does it take?
Shipping from Iceland costs from $4 worldwide, depending on the weight of the item; the exact amount is shown at checkout. Local pickup in Iceland is also possible. I prepare orders in 1–3 days; delivery takes 7–21 days abroad and 1–4 days in Iceland.
14. Can I return an item?
Yes, within 30 days by mail. Return shipping is paid by the customer. See the Return & Refund Policy for details.
15. Where can I buy your fish leather products?
Online at fishleatherstudio.com — jewellery, accessories and raw hides for leathercraft. In Iceland, you can also find my work at Duus Handverk, Hafnargata 62, Keflavík.
16. Can I pay by card without a PayPal account?
Yes. Click the yellow PayPal button at checkout. On the PayPal page, choose “Pay with debit or credit card” below the login fields, enter your card details and confirm. You don’t need a PayPal account. PayPal doesn’t show the card option in every country; if you don’t see it, message me and I’ll send a payment link.
17. Will I have to pay customs, duties or taxes?
Possibly. All orders ship from Iceland, which is outside the EU customs area and the United States, so your parcel passes through customs on arrival.
European Union. Customs in your country may charge import VAT and a €3 customs fee on orders under €150, usually collected by the postal service before delivery. Orders of €150 or more may be subject to VAT and import duty.
Example: you live in Germany and order a salmon leather for €23. At checkout you pay €23 plus shipping. When the parcel reaches Germany, customs may charge German VAT (19%) and a €3 customs fee.
The €3 fee is counted per customs code in the parcel, not per product or per parcel:
- Earrings + necklace + ring: one code, €3.
- Wallet + earrings: two codes, €6.
- Leather piece + wallet + bracelet: three codes, €9.
United States. US Customs applies import duty to goods arriving from Iceland. Depending on the order, your carrier may ask you to pay this before delivery. The amount is set by US Customs, not by me.
Other countries (including the UK, Norway and Switzerland). Your country may charge import VAT or duty, usually collected by the local postal service before delivery.
Customs checks can occasionally add a few days to delivery. If your parcel is held or you are asked to pay something unexpected, message me and I will help you sort it out. See the Shipping page for more.