Leather

Listed here are items designed and crafted entirely by hand from beginning to end

Mail Carrier

This Mail Carrier design features Italian pebble grain leather of a 4oz variety, with intention to highlight the metal closures and contrasting details around the handle and side gussets. The capacity of this bag is divided into a main internal cavity, two internal pockets, a laptop sleeve, and two pockets on each side of the exterior. This bag is fully lined with the same leather as the exterior making the bag functionally 8oz leather - much sturdier than a single layer but still supple.

Mail Carrier Bag 1 Mail Carrier Bag 2 Mail Carrier Bag 3 Mail Carrier Bag 4 Mail Carrier Bag 5 Mail Carrier Bag 6 Mail Carrier Bag 7 Mail Carrier Bag 8 Mail Carrier Bag 9

Bucket Tote

This tote shares much of its design elements with the Mail Carrier bag - both in type of leather and ethos. In order to avoid raw edges at the bag's opening, the single uninterrupted piece leather that constitutes the body of the construciton is folded over itself creating a seamless edge at the top. There is an internal pocket and a key clip inside the bag for organization. The swivel snap closure adds functionality and adds visual interest to the large uninterrupted faces of the front and back.

Vertical Messenger

The leather typically favored has a soft temper which allows it to to drape and move with the user in elegant ways. This messenger is an attempt a more firm edged and boxy construction. While visiting Mexico City in March, I used an afternoon to seek out a tannery that I had been hearing positive things about. There I sourced the leather which I used for this test project: a side of 9oz Buffalo. The front design is clean to draw attention to the same swivel snap closure featured on my tote bags. Notably, this bag strays from previously established design language and features no techniques to hide the edges or stitching whatsoever, instead choosing to highlight them.

Vertical Messenger 1 Vertical Messenger 2 Vertical Messenger 3 Vertical Messenger 4 Vertical Messenger 5 Vertical Messenger 6 Vertical Messenger 7

Laptop Sleeve

A design born from an excuse to use this rich cherry colored leather more than a need for a laptop sleeve. One long piece of leather and a belt to keep the flap closed while the laptop is inside. Sewn in an inside out construction to hide the stitches.

Laptop Sleeve 1 Laptop Sleeve 2 Laptop Sleeve 3

Card Carrier

This typical 5 card carrier design features slots for two cards on each face and a pocket in the middle for an additonal card or a small amount of cash. Initially crafted from leftover scraps of the black Italian pebble grain leather featured in the messenger bags, I have also since sourced white pebbled leather for the same design.

Card Carrier 1 Card Carrier 2

Wrap Wallet

One single piece of leather wrapped around itself in a descending slope to give access to cards while using as little stiching possible. My personal daily carry, and the wallet of which I have made the greatest number.

Wrap Wallet 1 Wrap Wallet 2 Wrap Wallet 3 Wrap Wallet 4

Coin Carrier

Another design which features a single piece of leather folded over itself with a snap closure at either end to hold things shut. A simple joy to craft and a simple joy to gift.

Coin Carrier 1 Coin Carrier 2

Belts

Made from the same 9oz Buffalo leather as my vertical messenger, I've found this leather is best for straps and belts rather than the total body of bags.

Belts 1

When I began leather working, my initial intention was to familiarize myself with the medium by crafting small goods like wallets and notebook covers with a longterm goal of learning to make leather shoes by hand. Soon after, with some trial and error, I also and came to enjoy designing and producing more complex items like briefcases and bags. My travels required me to put leather working on hold, but I still have my tools and a sizable amount of leather stored in Minneapolis waiting to be retrieved. Conveniently, practicing leather work by hand and foregoing the use of powered tools like sewing machines means that the tools of the trade are easily portable. Early in 2026, I plan on bringing my tools to León - Mexico’s leather tannery capital - and spending significant time there, producing goods for commercial sale using locally sourced leather.

I maintain reverence for artisans of the medium who create boots and shoes by hand. The skills of a shoemaker are something I hope to learn sooner or later, however - footwear requires more tools than other projects, proving logistically challenging. I am always looking for recommendations regarding how to get a start in that space from anyone who has experience: contact me at iajuar.online@gmail.com