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.
