This is NOT an AD just showing some love to another passionate artist, a girl from my hometown (Thomasville, NC)! She’s focused, creative, and on a mission. She’s Blythe Leonard Leather, LLC.

I’d been looking into camera bags for about a year (I always think for awhile before a big purchase). Well it’s a good thing I take my time, because in that time, I learned about Blythe Leonard Leather, LLC. I mentioned her to my parents, excited to learn there was an award winning leather artist in our hometown, and they went down to the shop to meet her for themselves. To say they fell in love with her and her products is an understatement. They couldn’t wait for me to come home for Christmas and meet with Blythe to design my custom camera bag.

There’s something special about meeting the maker, the dreamer, the artist behind a product in their studio.

It was so neat to explore her space and see behind the scenes. I loved how every detail shows off Blythe’s style, creative passion, and personal history. The dyed yarn that she found in the building, the exposed brick walls, the table where we sat to discuss my bag, the live edge shelving she uses for display, the giant tubes of leather stacked on the back wall, the family photos and gallery wall of published articles… every detail is beautiful and thoughtfully curated. She even showed me a peek into her models’ closet. Another thing that left a lasting impression on me was the mark on the wall where she will eventually swing a sledge hammer. She literally already has the future door to her next expansion marked on the wall. Go get’em girl!

Here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes at Blythe Leonard, LLC… How cool, right?!

Blythe designed her first purse when she was 7 years old and it’s so cool that she has it displayed in her renovated studio/workspace today. I love how textiles run in her blood. Her great grandparents’ spinning mill is one of the last 2 mills of its kind in operation in the USA. The cotton lining in her bags is spun right there. The leather selection is… crazy beautiful. She’s passionate about leather, quality, creativity and her products show it. I’m so proud to see another artist focus in and really making a name for herself! Read more about Blythe HERE.

So without further ado, I just received my first custom bag and it’s so functional and beautiful!

I love the simple, clean lines, the hardware, the contrast seams and distressed caramel color. It has a padded bottom for camera gear safety, awesome interior pockets and a large exterior pocket. It was important to me that it be as lightweight as possible, yet durable. I love that it holds all of my gear needed for a typical session and even has room for my ipad or a sample album. AND, it’s awesome they were able to stamp my JWEBBART right on the back.

I have to thank Blythe for meeting with me over Christmas break, for showing me her awesome studio and sharing her history and passion with the world.

If you’re interested in learning more about Blythe Leonard Leather and her mission check her out on instagram. BlytheLeonardLeather, or over on her website, BlytheLeonard.com.

She ships!

XO
Jillian