From leather wristband to own bag workshop

Sometimes it's love at first sight. That's how it felt when I bought my first handmade leather wristband and belt in Ibiza. The belt was made of various types of leather and beautifully finished.

The price? 300 guilders for the belt; 30 for the wristband. I thought that was a lot of money at the time, but they were so beautifully made and finished that I couldn't resist. I wore that wristband for years, until I lost it. Years later, I found the maker via Facebook and was able to reorder it. It might seem simple now, but about 20 years ago, it was quite a quest!

The start of my bag journey

Bags have always held a special place in my heart. For me, a bag must perfectly complement my outfit , as an extension of what I'm wearing. So yes, I have a decent collection. I love classic simplicity : no unnecessary details, but beautiful materials, timeless design, and a high-quality finish.

Thanks to my Spanish grandmother, Andrea, who was a seamstress for luxury clothing brands, I already had some experience with beautiful materials and designs. My first attempt at making a bag myself began during a workshop in Amsterdam , where I first learned to work with leather.

As soon as the workshop began, the smell of leather and craftsmanship greeted me. Large work tables, machines, tools: I didn't know where to begin. The first challenge was choosing the leather. Brown, black, or something else? Overwhelmed by all the impressions, I opted for a safe option: chocolate brown—always a good choice!

Then came the cutting of the pattern . It seemed simple, but with a knife in hand and a large roll of leather in front of you, it suddenly became exciting. Where do you begin? How do you cut without making mistakes? But once I got started, I felt a deep love for the craft. My grandmother's lessons came flooding back, and piece by piece, the bag took shape.

After three hours, I held my first handmade leather handbag in my hands. From that moment on, I began to see bags in a completely different light. So many steps, so many details, and above all: so much passion and time!

After this workshop, I was hooked, and now I work daily in our own leather workshop on the Vinkeveense Plassen lakes. Here, too, the scent of leather, wicker, and craftsmanship greets you as you step inside. It's a wonderful place where I work every day on my passion: handcrafted leather bags and small leather goods . Wonderful!

Italian perfection

Not so long ago, I attended several workshops in Italy , where I worked under the strict supervision of an old master. To master the classic "old" techniques of leatherworking. A true celebration of craftsmanship!

Every step in the process was meticulously assessed. If it wasn't quite to my mentor's liking, I kept going until it was. With tons of tips, tricks, and old techniques .

Was it good? Then I heard his proud compliment: " Bravissima! " But I had to earn it! It made me realize once again the value of perfection in craftsmanship.

The magic of a handmade bag

Since my first workshop, I've seen bags in a completely different light. I'm always curious about how they're made, what techniques are used, and how all the details come together. My passion for bags has only grown since then. A skillfully crafted bag is not only a feast for the eyes but also a joy to use.

From my first leather wristband to designing custom bags in our own studio, my love for craftsmanship and timeless designs continues to grow. With every handmade bag, I share that craftsmanship and passion with you.

Do you also want a bag that fits you perfectly?

Then choose a custom-made bag from our workshop, handmade from sustainable leather and finished to a high standard. You choose the leather, the style, and the details. Each bag is made with love and craftsmanship, entirely to your specifications: timeless, durable, and unique.

Would you rather learn to make a bag yourself?

Then join one of our workshops ! Experience the charm of working with leather in a real studio and go home with your own handmade bag.