August Design Your Own Orders are OUT!

Happy almost OCTOBER! I cannot believe tomorrow is October 1. I just wrapped up about 20 custom Design Your Own orders from the end of August. I poured my heart into these bags, wallet, and pouches. It was a lot of working getting back into the swing of DYO at-home production after having help last month from the team of artisans I hire.

Ready to get personal? I am trying to manage recurring body pain that I have due to repetitive movements and sitting that happens while I’m in the leather workshop. The main reason I wanted my production team to work on Design Your Own production was so I could find more time to relieve some stress and strengthen some of my muscles. There were other reasons like finding more time to design new styles, photography, marketing… but sometimes, things don’t work out as planned, right? Even if we manifest it, plan for it, and actually try it. I have considered hiring a local personal assistant and I did get help this summer (thanks Greta!!) but maybe saying yes to less custom orders will be smart move for now.

I only accepted 10 Design Your Own orders for my October 12th turnaround, so that I could be kinder to my body AND because my husband and I will be going to Spain. I cannot wait!! I have been CRAVING a new cultural experience. I’ve only left the USA for Mexico and Canada… which is crazy to me because since I’ve been little, I’ve wanted to see and experience more of our world. Did you know I’m partially Spaniard? Yes, hello, colonialism. I am half indigenous Mexican and half Spaniard, and I was born in Chicago. I very strongly identify with my Mexican heritage so it’ll be interesting to connect to my Spanish heritage. There are many reasons I’m excited to go to Spain with my husband though traveling with him is just the most fun, and I hope to come across some beautiful products made by Spanish leatherworkers or leathers harvested and tanned from the region.

ANYWAY - you may have learned a little more about me from this post. That’s great, I want you all to feel like you know me a little better, and I want you to know why I roll the way I do. I’m excited to show you most of the orders I finished this month. I’m leaving out a small collection though (Lauren B’s newest bubblegum pink bags!) because I still need to take photos of them. I came down with that nasty virus that put the world into a pandemic a few years ago and I’m slowly coming out of it while trying to deal with personal life matters. It’s a wild ride being me lol, and being an artist and running a small business. But you all show up for me, you love my work, you share my work, and I am so grateful. - Alexz

Pouch - Vegetable Tanned Cowhide Leather hand dyed ombre in Cheeky Gold to Glam Envy with Chameleon Python Fringe

Custom XL Ashley Sling Bag - Vegetable Tanned Cowhide Leather, hand dyed ombre in Cheeky Gold to natural.

Mini Melissa Convertible Bag - (custom ordered) Caramel Kodiak Leather, hand dyed Coal vegetable tanned leather fringe & fringe trim, soft strap upgrade, and black criss-cross handstitching

Julia J Convertible Bag with 2 Permanent Puffy Handles - black bison leather, black suede fringe, black criss cross hand-stitching, Flair D-Rings

Mini Melissa Convertible Bag - Mahogany suede, Black Bison leather fringe border and D-Ring tabs, Black Python Fringe, Black Lace X Stitch, 1 simple leather handle, flair D-ring

Brittany Convertible Bag - White cowhide leather, Chameleon Python fringe, Rainbow criss-cross hand stitching, nickel hardware, flair d-ring, hand-stamped vegetable tanned leather handle

Jen Crossbody Bag - Loden suede, Flair D Ring, antique brass hardware

XL Radley Convertible Bag - black bison leather, glitter pastel fringe, antique brass hardware, and Clip On Puffy Handle

Mini Melissa Convertible Bag - black bison leather, white cowhide leather fringe, nickel hardware, Clip On Puffy Handle

Large Wallet - Loden suede, black bison leather lining, nickel hardware, custom wristlet

Mini Backpack - Vegetable tanned cowhide leather hand dyed ombre in Cheeky Gold to Coal, 2 Simple Handles, Black bison fringe, Flair D ring