Blog Post - Interview Locally Made

Mother, daughter, and a love for leather

This article was published on July 16 by Amsterdam Made/Locally Made.

In the SA Design studio on the Vinkeveense Plassen, Nina and her daughter Sofía work on leather bags and accessories that are designed, cut, and finished by hand. Each product is a conscious choice: for material, for craftsmanship, for quality. It’s hard to believe that SA Design once started with a car full of wicker bags and accessories from Spain.

From Spain to Vinkeveen
“During a holiday, we saw wicker bags and thought: we could do something like that too,” Nina says with a laugh. “Not long after, our car was full of bags from Spain, along with espadrilles and scarves.” In the beginning, they sold products from other small makers. But when Nina and Sofía discovered leatherworking themselves, their perspective on products changed forever. “Only when you work on a bag for hours yourself do you understand how much attention, precision, and knowledge goes into a handmade product.” That experience made them more conscious entrepreneurs. This is how SA Design gradually grew from selling beautiful, artisan products to making them themselves in their studio in Vinkeveen.

Another important part of SA Design: the leather workshops they give in the studio. “There, we always see what happens when people start working with leather and craftsmanship themselves. They discover how much time, attention, and skill go into a bag, wallet, or glasses case. After that, they often look at the products they buy with different eyes.”

Multiple challenges
The early years were not easy. Shortly after SA Design started, Sofía became seriously ill, while at the same time the COVID-19 pandemic began and markets disappeared. These are not circumstances you choose as a starting entrepreneur. Nevertheless, they persevered. Not despite the difficulties, but thanks to the conviction that what they do is worthwhile.

In the meantime, they discovered that making a beautiful product and running a business are two totally different things. "A quality collection or a good website does not automatically mean that people will find you." Entrepreneurship also turned out to involve photography, writing, marketing, and constant visibility. Making the value of craftsmanship visible is also part of this. "A beautiful product is the foundation, but making it clear why it is special is at least as important."

Sofía's story: from personal experience to her own brand
In addition to SA Design, Sofía launched her own company in 2024: My Self-Love Journal. The idea stemmed from her own experience. When Sofía was diagnosed with anorexia at eighteen, she bought her first journal. What started as a diary grew into a way to organize thoughts, find peace, and consciously appreciate the small things. She discovered how powerful reflection can be and how much it influences one's self-perception and outlook on life.

That experience became the foundation for My Self-Love Journal: a journal with daily pages, creative assignments, and themed blocks. Not therapeutic or heavy, but accessible, creative, positive, and helpful. Around the journal, Sofía developed a complete collection of sticker sheets, journal paper, bookmarks, and cards. Everything is self-designed and created with the goal of making journaling more fun, creative, and personal.

Kaki Spanish espadrilles on the foot above the water

Sofía's new company has a great connection with SA Design. In SA Design's studio on the Vinkeveense Plassen, Sofía gives workshops where participants create their own personalized leather notebook. This combines her love for creativity, craftsmanship, and journaling. Participants not only go home with a self-made product but often also discover how valuable it can be to consciously take time for themselves.

Two companies, two women, one shared conviction: that love, attention, and craftsmanship make all the difference. Discover more via SA Design and My Self-Love Journal.

This article was published on July 16 by Amsterdam Made/Locally Made, the quality label of SA Design. You can read the original here.