Earth and Hide

Basic Information

Business Name: Earth and Hide
Website: www.earthandhide.com
Established: 2016

Social Media

About Them

Can you please fully explain your business or product line?

Earth and Hide is a lifestyle brand that focuses on high-quality leather goods with a timeless rugged quality.

A nod to my two most recent creative ventures; pottery and leather. Earth and Hide was chosen as a less specific name that is versatile enough to be relevant to my evolving artisan work.

Earth and Hide products are connected with its owner through the things it carries, and the way it’s used. Every customer has a unique story and their product will become an integral part of that story especially through consistent use. Imagine what you put in your bag and the importance these items have; the contacts in your phone, the things that are written with the pen, the emails exchanged on the laptop, the drawings held within the sketchbook. My hope is that my work will be an integral part of the amazing things my customers do.

I love the quality of a nice, well-made product. I love the feel, I love the smell, I love the rugged durability, I love the look, I love the process of making it, I love the gratification of being productive and making something that others love so much. Most of all, I love my customers. Ultimately, my favourite thing is when my customers just GUSH about the products they’ve received.

With the local maker community continuing to grow, what makes you stand out from the rest?

I’m one of the few makers of leather goods in the city. I use local leather and high-quality construction techniques.

What made you realize that you had a product that could be shared with others?

I made stuff I originally wanted to use myself. People started showing interest. First family and friends, then friends of friends, then strangers who would find me at local markets and online. Based on such a positive response my work is continuously validated.

What has been your biggest success as a maker? Biggest struggle you’ve overcome?

All the positive feedback from customers has been the biggest success!

The biggest struggle is patience. I have such a grand vision for Earth and Hide ( and it probably isn’t what you think). I wish I could just do it all right now.

I also struggle with some highly functional anxiety and depression which is something I talk about a lot on my social media. I hope sharing my struggles and my work can inspire others.

Any advice that you would tell someone hoping to start up their own business or product line?

Don’t treat customers like walking ATM machines. Make sure you are in business for the right reasons and build relationships with customers, suppliers, and other industry partners.

Please share any upcoming events (physical events, virtual sales, etc.) that you think Winnipeggers would be interested in!

I will be teaching workshops as soon as restrictions allow groups of 10 or more. There is a listing on my website to pre-register for these workshop experiences valid for a workshop in 2021.

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