From The Star: 
Just back from a ‘top secret’ assignment with Wellington Weta Workshops, Fiona Thomson is happy to be back behind her work bench in her Glenview shop.
The In Hide Leatherworks owner is still excited at being part of the production of The Hobbit movie but everything she knows about the film and its wardrobe must be a secret till the official release in December.
All she will say about her four months stint in Wellywood is that she was involved in creating clothing and armour.
More after the break…
Back in Hamilton and her Glenview Mall premises, Fiona returns to a business which she has steered for eight years. The shoe repair side has a new lease of life and is now manned by expatriate Christchurch cobbler Merv Arneson.
Fiona has spent more than 30 years working with leather and nowadays concentrates on belts, wallets, purses, bags for anything and everything, sheaths, watch straps and satchels.
As the rider of an 1100cc Moto Guzzi, she has a special interest in repairing motorcycle riders’ clothing.
However, she can turn her experienced hands to custom made leatherware for all uses and occasions.
Fiona has a special love for belts. She says a well-made belt will last. She recalls a client who brought in a belt for reconditioning. She says he had worn it for 42 years and it went back looking like new.
Born in Raglan, Fiona lived in Australia, and mainly Tasmania, before returning ‘home’ eight years ago ‘partly for family and also because the Glenview Mall workshop was available’.
