Hi, I’m Eric. If you’ve been following along with my journey here at The Kilted Leatherworker LLC, you know I’m usually hunkered down at my bench, surrounded by the smell of genuine hide and the sound of a rhythmic needle pull. It’s my happy place. But recently, things got a little louder around here, in a good way.
I looked up from my workbench the other day and realized that what started as a way for me to decompress from the stresses of teaching has turned into something much bigger than I ever imagined. It turns out, people are really starting to notice the "Texas grit" and the honest work we’re putting in.
Seeing our name mentioned across over 250 news outlets in the US was a bit of a shock, to be honest. It’s a huge win, but it also got me thinking about why folks are suddenly so interested in a guy making handmade leather goods in a workshop. I think it comes down to two things that have become increasingly rare in our world: local ownership and honest materials.
The Shield of Trust: Locally Owned and Operated
When you see that shield-shaped "Locally Owned & Operated" badge, what does it actually mean to you? For me, it’s about accountability and community.
When you buy a minimalist leather wallet from a massive online marketplace that ships from halfway across the world, you’re just a transaction number in a database. But when you buy from me, you’re supporting a business that lives and breathes right here. You’re helping me keep the lights on and the leather supply stocked.
Being locally owned means that if you have a question about our shipping rates or you want to know which leather journal cover will fit your specific notebook, you’re talking to me, the guy who actually cut the leather. There’s a human connection there that you just can't get from a corporate bot. Like a cold cream soda on a sweltering July afternoon in Texas, there's just something refreshing about knowing exactly who you're dealing with.
Supporting local craftspeople keeps money within our communities, creating jobs and fostering the kind of entrepreneurship that builds real economic resilience. We source as much as we can from nearby suppliers, strengthening those local networks that make our towns unique.
Honest Materials: Why I Use Genuine Hide and Calf Skin
I use the term "honest materials" a lot. You might wonder what makes a material "honest" versus, well, a liar.
In the world of fast fashion, things are often designed to look good on a screen but fall apart the moment they hit your pocket. They use "genuine leather" labels on stuff that’s basically pressed-up floor sweepings held together with plastic glue. That’s a lie.
An honest material, like the genuine hide or calf skin I use for my leather belt pouch designs, tells the truth. It tells the story of the animal it came from. It has scars, it has character, and most importantly, it has longevity.
Take our minimalist leather wallet, for example. When I sit down to make one, I’m looking at the grain of the hide. I’m ensuring that every stitch is perfect because I know that wallet is going to live in your pocket for years. It’s going to age, develop a patina, and become uniquely yours. That’s the beauty of honest materials: they get better with time, unlike synthetic stuff that just cracks and peels.
I’ve found that there is something about working with natural materials that is incredibly grounding. Whether it’s a thick buffalo hide or a supple calf skin, these materials require respect. You can’t rush them. You have to work with the leather, not against it.
The Artisan's Journey: From Teaching to the Bench
Little did I know when I first picked up a leather tool that this would become my life’s work. As I’ve shared in my leatherworking journey, I originally started this craft as a way to reduce stress. Teaching is a noble profession, but it can be loud and draining. Leatherworking, on the other hand, is quiet. It’s deliberate.
I love the process of taking a flat piece of hide and turning it into something functional: something that someone will use every single day. Whether I’m crafting a leather belt pouch for a hiker or a sleek card holder for a businessman, the goal is always the same: wearable art that lasts.
People often ask me about the "Kilted" part of the name. As you may have guessed, it’s a nod to my heritage and a bit of my personal style. It represents a blend of tradition and ruggedness, which is exactly what I try to bake into every piece of gear that leaves my shop. We aren't just making items; we're preserving a craft. Traditional craftsmanship embodies the history and identity of our community, serving as a bridge between the past and the present.
Spotlight on the Gear: More Than Just Accessories
Let’s talk about the leather belt pouch. This is one of those items that people don't realize they need until they have one. I’ve seen them used for everything from carrying tools on a job site to holding essentials during a Renaissance fair.
When I’m making a buffalo belt pouch, I’m thinking about the person who is going to wear it. Is the toggle secure? Are the belt loops wide enough for a sturdy leather belt? It’s these small considerations: the type of leather to use, how it will close, how it will sit on the hip: that make the difference between a "product" and a "piece of gear."
And then there’s the minimalist leather wallet. In a world where we’re constantly carrying more than we need, there’s a real challenge in paring down to the essentials. I actually wrote about this in the minimalist wallet challenge. Crafting these wallets is a lesson in precision. Because they are so slim, there is no room for error. Every cut must be exact.
Why Quality Over Quantity is a Deliberate Choice
In an age of automation, choosing to do things by hand is a radical act. It would be much cheaper for me to outsource the cutting or use thinner, lower-quality materials. But then it wouldn't be a "Kilted Leatherworker" piece.
We focus on quality over quantity. I’d rather make ten pouches that last a lifetime than a thousand that end up in a landfill by next Christmas. This commitment to honest materials is also a commitment to the environment. Artisans who prioritize natural, locally sourced materials naturally reduce their carbon footprint. We use every part of the material, leaving behind very little waste. It’s just the right way to do things.
When you see our gear at a place like the Memorial Villages Market, you can see the difference for yourself. You can feel the weight of the leather and see the consistency of the hand-stitching. It’s that tangible quality that led to those 250+ news outlets talking about us. They recognized that in a world of "fast fashion," there is still a place for Texas grit and honest craftsmanship.
Thank You for Being Part of the Story
I want to take a second to express my genuine gratitude to all of you. Whether you’ve bought a small card holder or one of our large tote bags, you are the reason I get to do what I love.
Every time I see a "Locally Owned" badge or look at that "As Seen On" banner, I don't just see a marketing tool. I see a promise. A promise to keep using honest materials, to keep the craft alive, and to keep treating every customer like a neighbor.
If you’re ever in the neighborhood or want to see what’s currently on the bench, feel free to check out our frontpage collection or reach out through our contact page. I’m always happy to talk shop, explain my process, or help you find the perfect piece of handmade leather.
Thank you for supporting this journey. It means the world to me.
Stay rugged,
Eric
Founder, The Kilted Leatherworker LLC