LEMON BALL HANDMADE FOOTBALLS

I learned about Lemon Ball handmade leather baseballs and footballs from fellow bag-maker REID.DAMNIT. This is such a cool shop - I don't know anyone that makes stuff like this! Check out this video to see how they are made.

HOW TO MAKE A BAG

I love this video from the Will Leather Goods website on the making of their Tribeca Film Festival bag. This is a "T-Bottom" style tote - about the most simple bag pattern you can make but they've added some nice details. This video is a great overview of small-scale factory made bags - die cutting, sewing, strap making, setting rivets,etc. Check it out:

Will x Tribeca Film Festival from Will Leather Goods on Vimeo.

HANDMADE BAGS, RUSSIAN STYLE

Hello, new Russian friend!! I will totally smoke a crazy hooka with you and go make some cool leather stuff! This is Maxim Sharov. He lives somewhere in Russia and makes amazing leather bags. I love seeing other people's work spaces and their process for making things. Here is a look inside his studio (the whole post can be seen HERE, via English Russia). He makes everything himself with the occasional help of an assistant. So Maxim, if you are reading this and you need an American mail-order bride/assistant, you just let me know!Prepping the leather with paint and dye.
Placing the pattern and cutting out the leather.
Working on straps.
Using a press to attach straps to the bag
Polishing the edges.
More strap attachment.
Embossing the logo.
Some of my favorite styles:Terry Richardson bag? Random!Click for his WEBSITE and BLOG.

THEM N ME

Call me a narcissist, but I really like this D&G bag.
Dolce & Gabbana

Claflin, Thayer & Co

DEATH AND TEXAS

More handmade in the USA bags. My new favorite - total killer bags from DEATH AND TEXAS. I found this shop while browsing Etsy and was blown away by the quality and craftsmanship of these bags. Grace was a sculptor and graphic designer before she picked up sewing and designing accessories again recently. Her bags are beautifully made, simple, practical, and thoughtfully designed with careful attention to detail. If you ride a bike or motorcycle, you NEED to get on of the little bags that strap on your belt or handlebars. I can't say enough about her work, it's totally a cut above all the other bags on Etsy. I can't wait to see what's to come. You rule, Grace. Let's be friends! Check her Esty shop out HERE.

Plaid Hip Pouch with vegetable-tanned leather and collar pin closure (my favorite kind of closure).
Weekender Tote. Cotton ticking stripe and brass hardware.
U-Lock Holster. This thing totally kicks ass. No sewing here. I love when the hang tags are handmade and personal as well.
Handlebar bag. I think this is my most favorite, though I really love them all. Embossed logos are the best. Everyone should have a bag like this, they are so useful!
With the longer strap, you can carry it as a regular purse. Cool!
Hip Pouch
Basically, I'm totally fanning out on you're stuff, Death and Texas. Keep it up!

BILLY KIRK

Next up for leathergoods I like - Billy Kirk. The brothers spent a few years learning leather working from an old seasoned pro and eventually started their own business just the way I like it - small, personal, hands-on, and made in the US of A.
Small wallets are my favorite - so simple and practical but still look cool.

Laptop bag with cotton ticking and leather.
Oh look, it's my own wallet. Only the best wallet ever. It's nice and thin and fits perfectly in my back pocket. And there is room to stuff a bunch of bills if I want to fatten it up. There used to be a painted and embossed indian on the front, which has faded away with time.That's my Morel Mushroom Hunting Club membership card poking out of the top there. Yep, it is.
I love any kind of little bag thing that you can put on bikes, motorcycles, belts, whatever. This one is great.