Milestone

I started out wanting to make cool stuff that my Dad and brother would like.  Then it slowly turned into making cool stuff for other good people. Today I hit a small milestone and am feeling humbled by the support and appreciation for what I am doing.  The folks at Thalia and at Hammer and Spear have given me great support and encouragement in addition to making me feel like part of their teams or members of their shop families.  The people I have come across through the website have been fun to interact with and a great source of inspiration as well. One gentleman in particular, out of NYC has been a great customer as well as a nice friend to a bunch of his pals.  He keeps purchasing valet trays for his buddies and has me send them directly to them all over the place. That got me thinking... my pals buy me beer from time to time and that's nice too.

In a related story, Headlands Handmade was featured today on Inside Hook and they had some really nice things to say about my work. 

Thalia Surf Shop Interview

When I started making wallets the first place I thought might be interested was Thalia Surf Shop. I have been going there for years and have always admired the focus they put on small, local brands. I checked in with Corey a while ago and he let me know he would be happy to take a look once I had everything dialed in. They are now carrying three unique versions of the minimalist cash fold. Es from the shop recently came by the studio and took some photos and we talked about the business, design, surfing and crock pots. They just published a little story as part of a series they are doing on people making handmade goods locally, take a look here.

Hammer and Spear

The good people at Hammer and Spear greeted me with enthusiasm and kindness; that felt good.  They were genuinely excited to begin stocking a few pieces from the Headlands Handmade collection. The store has only been open for three months but it feels lived-in and warm, as if it has been there for 50 years.  In addition to all the cool stuff (a good mix of vintage and new)  they have for sale (at really fair prices I must say), all the customers I met were cool to talk to. The Arts District seems to be a fun place to be right now.

I hung out for a few hours and while I was there they sold two dopp kits, so naturally, I took pictures with the customers. Doesn't everyone do that?  Anyway, I am honored to be affiliated with that store. The next time you are downtown, check it out and say hello to Kristan and Scott for me.

Click on the image below to scroll through a few photos from my visit. 

Dana Point Times

Andrea Papagianis from the Dana Point Times came to the studio this week to talk to me about Headlands Handmade. I thought it was going to be a little back page blurb. Nope, boom, the cover.  I shared with Andrea my feelings about Dana Point, a town that has been my home for a long time. We then talked about leather and landscape architecture. She was eager to try making a few cuts and to learn a few of the trade tricks.  Click the link below to see the story.  I was really just hoping she wouldn't make me look like a dork. You be the judge. But seriously, I couldn't be happier nor could I be more impressed with the story she put together from our conversation.

See story here 

Well Spent. Feature

​The good people at Well Spent featured the Headlands Handmade Valet Tray today. Check it out. Their tag line is "Obtainable, honestly crafted goods".  Well said! Proud to be part of it.