Making a Comeback

A few years back I sort of abandoned this blog for a new one that was part of my website, and it seemed like a good idea at the time.  Well, I feel like I don’t update it very much and I think I will be more active over here, so I am coming back!  I spent a long time trying to get things back on track after my cancer treatment a few years back.  I have now been in remission for 3 years, and just had a clean scan last week.  I feel like, for the first time in a while, I am on my way back up.  I have been going to community college for the last 2 years and applied to schools this year and got into San Jose State for Industrial Design.

I am super excited to start this new chapter in my life, and all this good news has me thinking maybe I should get back to blogging a little more.  I used to enjoy sharing my leather creations, and although my business has gone through some tumult due to my health issues, I am proud to say that things have been going really well lately.  I have moved to focusing more on shows, and getting my products in shops and it has really allowed me to expand into more avenues that I have wanted to for a long time.  So, in a lot of ways, I am at a point that I thought was impossible 3 years ago, and it really just hit me that this is the case.  I still make a ton of knife rolls, but make an equal amount of purses, bags, satchels, and am starting to make stuff more stuff that is in my own wheelhouse, like art supply storage and such.  I have had the luck of having my last semester at community college be mostly made up of art classes and it has really made me realize that I need a better balance in my life.  This thinking is what led me to go back to school in the first place.  Making leather goods is something I love to do, but it has never quite brought me the financial or emotional stability that I need to reach at some point.  So, I am headed to school to do something new, but right up my alley, and I think it will open up a whole world of possibilities that I didn’t even know existed.

Along the way, I will be moving, and trying to find a good way to move my leather business with me.  This may take a couple of overlap months, where I will still have my shop in San Luis Obispo, but will be just producing goods to stock my site while I am up at school.  Any  artist communities or group/shared workspaces in the bay area?  I would love to eventually get into some kind of group set up over my current lonely set up that tends to lead me to feeling isolated.

My hope for the future has been restored, after 6 years of generally sucky ness,  and I feel good about it.  From now on I will probably be posting a mix of leather work like I have in the past, as well as fine art work, such as printmaking, as I am about to pull the trigger on a small etching press!

I have been really excited about some new products that I have been working on lately, mostly these awesome little pen rolls:

 

They are 8.5″ tall and 15″ across when open and have a 4″ x 8.5″ zip pouch and four slots for pens and tools.  I will be releasing a version with a snap instead of a wrap soon as well, due to some customer feedback, but I will keep the wrap version because I like the simplicity of it.  I have been working on a smaller version that isn’t quite perfect yet as well, so look out for that.  These are in my shop at JAWLeatherGoods.com now for $80.  Makes a great gift for your artist friends!

Thank you everyone who have been customers in the past, I really appreciate all the support for my products that I have received over the last 9 years, it’s been a crazy ride, on both work and life sides, but it seems like it’s all sort of coming into focus finally.

-Jonathan

Leather Bags

Got a few messenger/carryall bags sitting around the shop that I haven’t been able to list in the shop yet!  Ill be adding them to the shop this week, but feel free to email me to grab one if you want it!  There will be more than these too coming:

First is a bag made entirely out of some beautiful shrunken bison leather.  The particular cut features a very cool area of the hide on the flap, it has a ton of texture, and looks very rustic.  About 14.5″ x 11.5″ x 4″, with attached shoulder strap.  Unlined, and features two large pockets on the front, and two more large pockets inside.  $225

Second one is made of mostly reddish brown Horween Chromexcel.  The gusset is a softer oil tan leather and strap is oil tanned cowhide.  Dimensions are about 15″ x 12″ x 4″ with attached shoulder strap.  This one is pretty large and can fit a lot of stuff, has two pockets outside and two pockets inside.  $275

I have one Large knife roll available in shrunken bison leather.  I may be adding this item to the shop, and will only have a couple, so if you really want one, shoot me an email!  Same set up as my regular 10 slot roll.  $289

And lastly, this is just a really cool custom bag I made for someone recently.  Full shrunken bison lined with heavy canvas.  Zip top under the flap.  This was a really cool project.   Just throwing out there what I can do custom.  If you are looking for a custom bag, shoot me an email and we can make it happen.  Something like the bag pictured below costs around $400-$450 depending on the size, this one was large.

My email is JAWLeathergoods@gmail.com, get in touch!   Visit JAWLeatherGoods.com too, I made  new site that is still in progress, but looking better!

-Jon

Some new stuff, and news

It’s been a while since I’ve updated things, and I have some new stuff for sale, and some news.

For the last three or so months, I’ve been preparing for a bone marrow transplant, and it seems that everything is finally in place to proceed. I just finished up a bunch of tests that are the final deciding factors for moving forward, and I should know this week what is going to happen.

Right now, it looks like I will probably start my last round of chemo this next week, and then head down ten days after that to UCLA to begin the process. This means that I will be gone for about 6 or 7 weeks, and when I get back I will be in recovery mode for 3-6 months.

So basically, as soon as I find out when I’m actually leaving, I will be closing down the shop for at least a couple months. I’m not sure how long I will take to get back to work after, but most people say about 3 months.

I would like to thank everyone for their continued support of my little company, and all of the supportive emails and messages of kindness.

Anyways, in the mean time, I do have some cool stuff to sell, and have listed a few things on ETSY, not on my site yet, but I may later today.

So for now, check out JAWLeatherGoods.etsy.com, I’ve got two zip top briefcases that are very very nice, one green waxed canvas, and one super thick brown canvas, priced as $220 each.  I also have a few clutch type pouches that are also great as pen cases, in two leathers, brown chromexcel, and amazing shrunken buffalo.  

New Leathers, Knife Rolls, Carry-all

Quite a bit of new stuff coming soon!  I’m finally done with Chemo, and hopefully don’t have any more treatment ahead, I find out tomorrow.  Anyways, I have been in the process of finding a new leather supplier as my previous supplier became unfortunately impossible to deal with, and unable to keep up with demand.  So, all bags and large items will now be available in a beautiful dark brown pull-up leather (as pictured on the knife rolls), and a lighter “honey” colored pull up leather (as seen on the carry-all bag and wallet), as well as black in the same style of leather probably in a couple weeks.  I’m very happy with this leather, and it is very similar to the leather I was using previously, except that it has a more dramatic pull-up when the leather is flexed.  It is very beautiful in person, and really has an old world style to it.

 

Also, starting now-ish, I will be introducing a new Carry-all design, with a handle.  It will be available in the pictured leathers, as well as black pretty soon.  The bag pictured here is a little different than the final design will be, and it is available for $279, shoot me an email for more pics and info at Jawleathergoods@gmail.com.  The wallet in this leather will also be available with 4 card slots and a large bill slot for $60 starting soon.

I’m very excited about this new leather, and new designs!  I should have a full range of products in three colors, including an upcoming backpack, and overnight bag over the next few weeks, between filling current orders.  Thank you all for your continued support, and patience!   Feel free to email me with questions or comments at JAWLeatherGoods@gmail.com.

-Jon

Horween Dublin Wallet closeout, update, etc.

So I wanted to say thank you to everyone who sent me emails and messages with words of kindness and encouragement, it means so much to me. Things have been going pretty well so far, hopefully I can keep up the positive spirit and put this whole thing behind me.

As for work, I’ve been pretty much one schedule-ish. Some things are backed up out of my control right now. I’m back ordered on Chromexcel horsehide until (hopefully) next week (was supposed to be last week, so we’ll see). Feel free to place orders though, just be aware it will be a few weeks. Otherwise, wait times are pretty much back to normal, two or so weeks. Kind of depends on when you order, as every two weeks I have chemo and it takes 5 or 6 days to get back to work.

I have been trying to use up leather I have around the shop to make things a little more tidy, so I have a few things I am offering to not only clear out the last of some very popular leather I have, but to offer what I think is a great deal on some amazing leathers.

First is some golden tan Horween Dublin.  This is a fully vegetable tanned leather that has been heavily waxed and has a very dramatic pull-up effect that gives it an amazing rustic look.  There is no leather I have ever seen quite like this, as you can see from the photo, each wallet is completely different, yet cut from the same hide.

I have 5 or 6 on hand in the Golden tan Dublin, going for $65 a piece (+$5 shipping to US), the interior includes 4 card slots and a full sized bill slot, and is constructed from natural vegetable tanned cowhide.

This is a wallet that will break in to look absolutely ludicrous.  Get one while they last!

Next leather is another sort of golden Horween Veg tan, I’m going to call this one “Wheat” colored.  Very similar to the above leather, except not as dramatic a pull up and a bit firmer.  It is awesome.  It is waxy, but has more of a matte finish to it.

Same price and set up as the one above, $65 + $5 in USA, four slots, etc.  Have about 5 or so of these.  Email me!

Last one is a dark brown in a similar tannage to the Golden Dublin, although the pull-up is not as dramatic.  It is a nice smooth waxy veg tan with a little tiny bit of shine too it.   Nice and deep brown color.

Again, same as the others, 4 slots, $65 + $5.  I have probably the same 5 or 6, maybe a few more of this style.

These really are the three of the most beautiful leathers I have ever seen.  Horween’s vegetable tanning program is absurd, and these leathers are the proof of that.

Shoot me an email if you are interested at JAWLeatherGoods@gmail.com, I’ll add these to the online shop at JAWLeatherGoods.com later today.

Again, thank you for all the support, it means a lot.  Help me get rid of these wallets and get through my cancer treatments!

Take care,

-Jon

New wallets for 2013

New Wallet selections for 2013.

 

Horween Waxed Flesh Chromexcel with front quarter horsehide interior:

 

Horween Tipped Shrunken Bison available with either natural veg tan calfskin or front quarter horsehide interior:

Horween pro football leather with front quarter horsehide interior:

 

All new leathers will be available with either natural vegetable tanned calfskin interior, or brown front quarter horsehide.  As always, feel free to email me at JAWLeatherGoods@gmail.com with any questions or comments.   Hope everyone had a nice holiday season, it’s been really crazy around here.  It’s been a while since I’ve been able to post, hope all is well everywhere.

 

 

-Jon

New Leathers

As for new stuff, I have a couple of very cool new leather options coming available on select items.

 

First off is shrunken bison.  These are bison shoulders that have been shrunken and tipped beautifully which gives them an amazing 3D effect.   Tanned by Horween in Chicago, this is amazing leather:

Modern bifold, $75:

Small knife roll, $129:

 

Another interesting leather I’ve been sort of developing is a “tumbled” horsehide.  This is the same horsehide that is normally used in my wallets, and hand rolled until it has this beautiful, natural, pebble grain.  Extremely durable, yet made suprisingly soft and supple by the rolling process:

 

Simple two pocket card case, $55

Classic wallet, $89:

 

So there you go!  Choices, choices,  choices.  Great for christmas though!  Speaking of which, if you are planning on ordering something for a christmas present, the sooner the better!  Last year I got hit sort of all at once, so if you are considering a knife roll, or a wallet, or anything else, get in touch now to make sure you get it by christmas!

 

-Jon

Horween Shell Cordovan wallet blow out

So I happen to have a few very cool one of a kind Shell Cordovan wallets that are sitting around, and I finally got time to snap some photos.  These are probably the last Shell wallets I will have for sale until the new year, so swoop em up before someone else does!
So first off, I have this sleek card holder.  Three card slots, super slim, great for the front or back pocket.  Measures 4″ x 2.6″ closed.  Buy it here, or shoot me an email:

 

Second up, I have a beautiful billfold with a hand punched detail on the front.   Six card slots, the inside is made of natural vegetable tanned calf skin, it measures 3.15″ x 3.75″ closed.  Read more about it or buy it here, or email me:

 

Next is another with the hand punched one of a kind detail on the front, but have a different style card set up inside.  It has six vertical slots, and measures 4″ x 3.75″ closed.  Buy it here:

 

You can email me at JAWLeatherGoods@gmail.com for any more details, or questions you may have.  Have a great day!

 

-Jon

Tooling, Purses, and a little Christmas talk

tooling is something I’ve been doing for fun for a while now, mainly for fun.  It is super addictive, and can be very expressive in a very specific way – there is no other art form quite like it.  It has taken me a while to get to point where I am happy enough with it to actually share it with everyone, and I am hoping in the near future to begin offering one of a kind tooled wallets every once in a while when I have the time to do them.  These two I finished up yesterday, and they will be for sale at Ambiance in downtown SLO pretty soon.  Stop by and check them out, I also have some purses and other wallets in there as well.  The large one will be selling for $220, and the smaller size will be $165.

I would love some feedback, let me know if you all would be interested in more wallets like these!  I will be doing some more smaller men’s ones pretty soon that I will post when it comes time.

 

I’ve been crazy busy lately on some other fun projects, lots of purses.

This purse will also be at Ambiance in SLO priced at $265:

 

This next one is made of front quarter horsehide, which is very soft and has a very unique rustic quality to the grain.  This is on the smaller side and would make an great small purse, its about 10″ x 8″ x 3.5″, and is fully lined will an awesome red and white striped canvas.  It is available for $195 shipped directly from me, shoot me an email at JAWLeatherGoods@gmail.com.

 

And finally for today, we have my current personal favorite.  This next purse/ satchel is made from a very beautiful italian vegetable tanned calfskin in a very nice medium brown color, with a black chromexcel gusset and a natural horsehide strap.  It is hard to do it justice with photos, the calfskin is simply gorgeous.   This is also currently available, at $225.  It is 11″ x 8.5″ x 4″, so it would make a very decent sized purse, and it will gain a beautiful character over time, only looking better as it ages.  Again, shoot me an email if you are interested!

 

 

 

I will be doing a Christmas mega-post pretty soon here, because it’s almost that time.  Keep in mind that I usually have a 2-3 week wait on items, so please this year let’s get Christmas orders started early!  Shoot me an email at JAWLeatherGoods@gmail.com with questions or comments, or concerns, or just to chat.

 

-Jon

How I make a leather knife roll – video

make hand crafted leather knife rolls for chefs. This is a look into the process that goes into making the rolls. This is a (heavily edited) start to finish making of a knife roll. It starts after the leather is cut, as this would have made the video far too long. Enjoy! The rolls are made using Horween Chromexcel leathers, in black or brown and are available at JAWLeatherGoods.com. Please support small artisan craftsman instead of big companies peddling factory made garbage as “high-end” leather goods. You can find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jawleathergoods, and subscribe to my blog at JAWLeather.wordpress.com. I also make a whole line of leather accessories including wallets, and bags. I also take custom orders! You can reach me at JAWLeatherGoods@gmail.com

Music credits: First song – Trans Am – the dark gift (off of The Red LIne)
Second Song – Lies and Deceit – Blackout