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

A few leather knife rolls available

So I’ve now started treatment, and things are going pretty well!  I will be periodically adding stuff to my shop that is already made and ready to ship.  Basically, I will be in the shop here and there and since I can’t really commit to making things to order, this will be the only way to get stuff for probably the next few months.  These will be sort of “special” stuff, using different leathers and trying to make some interesting, more unique pieces available.  I will do my best to add new stuff every two weeks or so, mostly small knife rolls and probably some wallets.  

To start it off, I’ve been trying out this tumbled cowhide over the last couple months, and I’ve sort of fallen in love.  It is super thick, yet super soft with a distinctive pebble grain.  I’ve got brown and black, just a couple rolls of each color available.  The brown has a strap made of dark brown horween chromexcel, and the black rolls strap is made of heavy duty oil tanned cowhide.  Makes a hell of a knife roll!  These are available for $119 each, and have the same set up as my normal small roll, except that the black ones actually have an extra inch of overall width, and slightly roomier pockets.  They will be available later today at jawleathergoods.com/shop.  Feel free to email me at jawleathergoods@gmail.com with any questions!  Also, keep your eyes peeled for other cool stuff, I’ll do my best to keep it interesting.  

Help support me through my cancer treatments!  Thanks so much to everyone who has sent kind and encouraging emails, you all rock!

 

-Jon

 

 

Large knife roll in Black

Just because I never actually photograph black rolls when I make them, and seem to get asked for photos of them, I will go ahead and post this. Next one I make will be fully photographed and added to my shop! Feel free to email me with questions at jawleathergoods@gmail.com

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

Recently…

Haven’t been able to post much recently, have been super busy. Got a few cool things in the works, and have been working on some awesome custom projects.

Horween Golden tan Dublin knife roll:

Dublin is a waxed vegetable tanned leather from Horween Tannery in Chicago. It has a very rustic look, and strong pull up. This roll is absolutely georgeous. Currently available for $295 +shipping. Email me at JAWLeatherGoods@gmail.com for details.

This is a custom double gusset tote I made for a customer recently made completely out of Horween Chromexcel horsehide:

I also have this carry-on size travel bag available right now. Made of beautiful American tanned “English” Bridle Leather with veg tan horsehide straps. Inside has large zip pocket same as the outside one, and two more small pockets for incidentals:

Price is $295 shipped in the USA. Email me at JAWLeatherGoods@gmail.com. Perfect for your upcoming summer travels!

As always, shoot me an email with any questions, comments, concerns, gripes, nice things, etc.

-Jon

The JAW Briefcase

It’s been a long time since I’ve done an update here.  I’ve been very busy trying to keep up with orders, moving my workshop to a new space that should be much better than my previous space, and trying to stay on top of emails.

I’ve been working on some new projects lately, trying to expand the line of products.  Hopefully I will have at least one new color option for all items available (starting now if you email me).  The leather is from Horween, it is their “dublin” tannage in a very beautiful golden color.  Should have some wallet and knife roll pics up in the next couple weeks.

This is a double gusset briefcase I recently finished made on the golden dublin:

 

 

This style of briefcase is something that I’ve been working on for a long while, and think it’s getting to the point where it should beadded to website pretty soon.  I will probably offer it in a 14.5″ x 11.5″ x 6″ size for $325.  It will be available in probably two other colors as well, pics coming soon.

 

-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