In 2019, I became determined to solve a problem I faced for over a decade. Every time I traveled, went to a concert, ran errands, or did anything at all, I had to change bags. 

My shoulder purses were cute, but uncomfortable. Backpacks were useful, but not always cute. The decision to not wear a purse inevitably meant losing something. The classic fanny pack wasn't easy to dress up when the occasion called for it. Bringing multiple bags when I traveled drove my inner minimalist crazy. Most of my bags had no pockets at all or pockets that weren’t useful.

I just wanted one versatile pouch I could wear everywhere. It needed to be comfy, cute, and convertible. I wanted something I could wear crossbody when hitting the grocery store, throw around my waist for a quick hike, and over the shoulder to get fancy.

One day, I was packing for a trip and did one last internet search for the convertible pouch of my dreams. When I didn't find what I wanted, I decided I would just have to make it myself. This would be a good time to add that I am not a leatherworker by trade nor do I consider myself particularly artistic. However, I have always loved leather bags and plastic Little Mermaid pocketbooks  too.

But the drive of wanting something this badly, for this long, forced me way out of my comfort zone. 

I dropped whatever I was doing and made my first of many trips to Tandy Leather. I purchased the basic leather working tools, and got some tips from the pros. I bought some beautiful North American deer and elk skin hides from a small tannery on Etsy.

For the next few years, I worked around my full time job to figure out the design for the “Wallabee.” Inspired by the marsupial, I wanted it to be pouch-shaped, so it was more fitted to the female form. I traced a medium salad bowl and cut it in half to make the pattern for the body. The antique brass snaps I chose to make the strap adjustable were inspired by a studded Michael Kors bag I had in college. The easiest stitch I could learn was whip stitch and I loved the boho look. 

After making a dozen prototypes, I got closer to the perfect design for the pouch I was now calling the “Bee” for short. I continued selling and gifting my prototypes to friends and family who loved them, the word started to spread until I ultimately had 100+ people on the waitlist.

In 2021, I moved to Lyons, Colorado. With more space to create, I finally had my own workshop, received the gift of a lay-off from my full time job, and decided to immerse myself in Lyons Leather Co.

To scale the business past my own two hands, I've partnered with a team of talented leather artisans in Leon, Mexico, a region known as the leather bag capital of the Americas. I continue to design everything in our collection with the intention of making simple, versatile goods that inspire a minimalist, adventurous lifestyle.

We source our 100% full-grain leather from a tannery that is ranked, the "most sustainable in North America." They are entirely solar-powered and only source hides that are by-products of the food industry. All of our partners are members of the Leather Working Group, which upholds ethical production from materials sourcing through manufacturing.

As a small business built on big dreams, we are endlessly grateful for your support.

xoxo

Lisa