Re-decorate Your Workspace

Working from home has experienced a rollercoaster of popularity, choice and default. Though not a new concept by any means, it is now the preference of most. Though a tremendous amount of companies have put return to office orders in place, a significant amount of the professional labor market still work from home, at least a few days a week.

Having a professional setup in your workspace is one of the keys to organization, motivation, professionalism and self expression. Whether your style is minimalist, light or dark academia, maximalism, retro, rustic, classic or other, there are some key elements to personalize your space.

If you’re looking to spruce up your workspace on your own budget, a personalized desk set would be a great treat. Nothing says self-work-love more than a desk set consisting of a desk pad with your name on it, corresponding mouse pad, coaster, pen cup and journal cover.

A valet tray is something many have, for an easy place to rest their phone, wallet, keys, pocket knife and jewelry.

Why leather? Leather is grounding, natural, expressive, unique and sustainable. If we didn’t make it into beautiful works of utilitarian art, it would go into landfills. It’s a byproduct of the beef industry, and an honor to work with such a vulnerable and durable material.

Planning Your Holiday Party

If you’re thinking it’s way too soon to even think about the winter holiday season, you’re probably right! But, it’s never too early to plan for employee, client and executive gifts. The time to plan, design, make and finish batches of gifts takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on the volume and scope. The sooner the better, in short. Whether you have a need of one or one hundred, I can accommodate your small batch needs for unique, handmade gifts. Some ideas are, but not limited to:

Custom key chains

Wallets

Mouse pads

Desk pads

Coasters

Aprons

Belts

Bracelets

Necklaces

Laptop sleeves

Tablet sleeves

Bags (all varieties)

Journal covers (all sizes)

Pen sleeves

Cigar sleeves

Valet trays

Golf accessories

Wine bags

Phone cases

Artist rolls

Knife rolls

Pen rolls

Leather boxes and trays

Cord wraps

Each item is designed, hand cut and hand sewn by me in my home based workshop. There is no minimum quantity, and just about anything is possible. White labeling with your company’s or organization’s logo, personalizing with initials or names, and making a special designed batch for your order is easy to do.

Once everything is made, I can ship or deliver everything to you, or setup a gift table at your event. I’m flexible and aim to be easy to do business with, to make the gift giving experience a smooth and happy one!

New Look, New Direction

STOIC

SUSTAINABLE

FLEXIBLE

PERSEVERANT

CREATIVE

UTILITARIAN

INTENTIONAL

DELIBERATE

These are the words that I strive to be in character, and thus, in my brand. Handmade leather goods is a small niche craft, but an infinite intertanglement of thoughts, ideas and designs in my mind space. My struggle is not what to make, or getting it made. My struggle comes in the swim lanes of activities that require being on a device and screen. After months, if not years, of listening to Chris Reck on Minnow Pond Tarot talk about combining passions and experiences into one, here I am, blogging about my leather passions, goals and intentions.

I am a Taurus sun, and strongly favor things that are natural, handmade, sustainable and simple. Elegance is in the eye of the beholder, and I like to buy things that’ll get better with age. Making things of a material such as leather hide falls right into that pathway. The items I make are full of imperfections, from the hide characteristics to my own mistakes. If they add to the aesthetic and don’t detract from the usability, I keep them in. I use sections of hide most makers wouldn’t dream of inviting into their workspace. I incorporate rough edges, scars, blemishes and fades right into the focal point of large items. Some customers like leather goods that are more refined, and there are plenty I suggest to explore if my creations aren’t their jam. I admire a growing list of makers, and am in awe at their once hobby turned business expedition. Each one is a bit different from the other, and ones I greatly admire.

I’ve told my wife and customers many times: I’m going to make this stuff no matter what, so we need to find ways to get it out of our home and into the world.

Making keeps me sane, grounded and peaceful. It gives me a meditational outlet and the time absolutely flies by when I’ve got music on, windows open and tools moving. The design ideas in my head are abundant, and I’ve perhaps only made 1/1000th of what’s floating about in there. In attempts to capture them, I’ll write random words on my planner, draw quick sketches in my notebook and put quick notes in my phone. Pattern making isn’t something I’ve mastered, but I can get by when I need to make one. For that, I use a variation of the Mascon Leather method (thanks for the tip, Artie Shell!).

Small classes, patterns and plans for public use, realtor gifts, corporate gifts, holiday gifts, DIY kits, white labeled items, partnered items and other plans are all in the works. I am exploring with physical retailers locally to get some items into their spaces, and some maybe not so locally. Everything is made one at a time in my home workshop in beautiful North Texas.

Collaborations with my cousin, Melissa of LC 1905 & Company are ongoing, and she makes amazingly simple & gorgeous woodcrafts. Serving trays, coat hooks, candle holders, card holders, coffee stations, tables, shelves, desks, children’s play tables, beds, porch swings … you name it, she can make it. She picked up our great-grandfather’s skill set of carpentry & is making her way in the world with it. Her items make fantastic and easy Christmas gifts, housewarming gifts, realtor gifts, personalized gifts and congratulatory gifts. She makes everything in beautiful NorthEast Texas in her garage.

No matter your need for gifts, inspiration, or ideas, we are here to share our passions and creations with the world. If you don’t see something you’re looking for, please send a message, we will gladly take your ideas and make it. We make it, you take it!