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built by our hands, used by yours
October 5, 2019
notes
To commute from our cozy (read: small) studio apartment to the Uphill Designs store, we have to cross one street and pass a local fast food joint. During one of these times I stopped, mouth agape (no, seriously this isn’t an exaggeration) to read their new sign claiming some offering as ‘handcrafted’. I went from my dead stop into a sprint, swung open the door to the workshop with gusto and yelled at Dan “sound the alarm, ‘handcrafted’ has officially lost all meaning.” A franchise owned by a $30 Billion corporation was using the same wording we were. It’s something I had already knew and I avoided using the term whenever I could but this was the last straw. I mean, Whiskey has legal meaning, should Handcrafted? At the same time, I’m thankful that this problem exists - it points towards a re-discovery for appreciating human-made goods, and of course big companies are trying to capitalize. The desire to show off how and where things are made creates connections between people and products, but let’s face it - human connection can’t be faked. And you can’t be fooled by their attempts.
We’re proud to have built an ethos of craft, care, and intention into our business model and plan to stand by it. Our goal is to share what we truly value in an intentional manner with others who share those principles. We know the whole world can’t work like this (because let’s face it, the age of instant! prime! now! deliveries makes buying cat litter a lot easier), but our neck of the woods can. We believe that beautiful, human-centered heritage goods crafted with loving intent are worth waiting for. Because, despite the offerings many business put out - there should be no mass-manufactured answer to human experience.
We are two humans, designing and crafting pieces that we are obsessed with (and we argue over every tiny detail and Mal wins only 93% of the time). We started manufacturing in a studio apartment with a hobby sewing machine and Exacto knives to cut leather (thanks Uphill for future early-onset arthritis). Eventually moved into in a 160sqft back-alley workshop in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle going to as many farmer’s markets and holiday pop-ups as we could (in 2017 we hit 176 days of markets. Oofta). With this marathon of markets we learned 2 things: (1) There is no substitute for direct human interaction & customer input. (2) even when we said we made everything, people were skeptical. But we did and still do and the desire to flip the traditional model of retail on its head began to grow.
To commute from our cozy (read: small) studio apartment to the Uphill Designs store, we have to cross one street and pass a local fast food joint. During one of these times I stopped, mouth agape (no, seriously this isn’t an exaggeration) to read their new sign claiming some offering as ‘handcrafted’. I went from my dead stop into a sprint, swung open the door to the workshop with gusto and yelled at Dan “sound the alarm, ‘handcrafted’ has officially lost all meaning.” A franchise owned by a $30 Billion corporation was using the same wording we were. It’s something I had already knew and I avoided using the term whenever I could but this was the last straw. I mean, Whiskey has legal meaning, should Handcrafted? At the same time, I’m thankful that this problem exists - it points towards a re-discovery for appreciating human-made goods, and of course big companies are trying to capitalize. The desire to show off how and where things are made creates connections between people and products, but let’s face it - human connection can’t be faked. And you can’t be fooled by their attempts.
We’re proud to have built an ethos of craft, care, and intention into our business model and plan to stand by it. Our goal is to share what we truly value in an intentional manner with others who share those principles. We know the whole world can’t work like this (because let’s face it, the age of instant! prime! now! deliveries makes buying cat litter a lot easier), but our neck of the woods can. We believe that beautiful, human-centered heritage goods crafted with loving intent are worth waiting for. Because, despite the offerings many business put out - there should be no mass-manufactured answer to human experience.
We are two humans, designing and crafting pieces that we are obsessed with (and we argue over every tiny detail and Mal wins only 93% of the time). We started manufacturing in a studio apartment with a hobby sewing machine and Exacto knives to cut leather (thanks Uphill for future early-onset arthritis). Eventually moved into in a 160sqft back-alley workshop in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle going to as many farmer’s markets and holiday pop-ups as we could (in 2017 we hit 176 days of markets. Oofta). With this marathon of markets we learned 2 things: (1) There is no substitute for direct human interaction & customer input. (2) even when we said we made everything, people were skeptical. But we did and still do and the desire to flip the traditional model of retail on its head began to grow.
In early 2018, after a lot of hustle (and definitely some luck and privilege) we received the opportunity to explore these two things when we signed the lease on our 1500 square foot workshop in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Our goal in opening our workshop was to create an open floor plan where visitors could walk in and experience our products being designed and made in the same space where we sold them.
No model existed for this, so we got to work building our own. We invited friends over to help us demo the space - we tore out the rubber flooring and renovated the beautiful concrete with first a jackhammer and then a diamond grinder. We painted the walls (‘Fleur de Sel’ & ‘In the Navy’ if you need to know). We ordered lumber at the local lumber yard and built a giant 12’x5’ crafting table and custom shelving (made to look like mountains, obviously).
And 6 weeks later, we’d built out a blended workshop and retail space with the goal of showing what handcrafted truly meant. On May 3rd, 2018, we opened our doors to the Public. From Day 1, we were astounded by just how much our story and craft landed when people were able to see it. We constantly work to unveil our process, to share with our visitors, whether online or in-person, how we dream up, design, and make these heritage pieces. We seek to create spaces in our shop and on our website that inspire ‘aha’ moments that land our ethos in a significant way. I’m not talking about breaking into a rendition of Take On Me (although that’s acceptable too). It’s the simple moment of us not only being able to adjust the size of a belt or bag strap, but the ability to answer “How long will that take?” With “Just a few moments!” And see the excitement on their face. If you haven’t made it to our shop, here is a behind the scenes look of this process as it plays out in our actual (not curated, customer-facing) workshop.
Our four hands can only produce so much and we like it that way, it means we can use the absolute, no-compromise, last-forever materials like full-grain leather and solid cast-brass hardware. If it looks at first like that other bag from Madewell is just as good - it isn't and time will always win out. Our limited production means each we can take time and care with each piece ensuring that it’s built to last.
When I was young I spent a summer with my aunt and I remember being shocked to find out that she spent $400 on a vacuum, of all things. This is until I went home and our $39 vacuum broke once again and had to be replaced. Then it clicked — quality goods make a difference and I doubt I’m alone in making the mistake of going for the cheapest option now only to regret it later.
Once you receive your product, our goal is that you now have a once in a lifetime heritage piece that adds value to your life and become infused with your experiences. every. fricken'. Day. You haven't just found a bag, you've found THE bag. If something should happen or go wrong with your product, reach out, we guarantee our goods for the lifetime of the product. If we made it, we’ll fix it. Because we can and because you deserve it.
-Dan & Mal
photography by Sullivan & Sullivan Studios
In early 2018, after a lot of hustle (and definitely some luck and privilege) we received the opportunity to explore these two things when we signed the lease on our 1500 square foot workshop in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Our goal in opening our workshop was to create an open floor plan where visitors could walk in and experience our products being designed and made in the same space where we sold them.
No model existed for this, so we got to work building our own. We invited friends over to help us demo the space - we tore out the rubber flooring and renovated the beautiful concrete with first a jackhammer and then a diamond grinder. We painted the walls (‘Fleur de Sel’ & ‘In the Navy’ if you need to know). We ordered lumber at the local lumber yard and built a giant 12’x5’ crafting table and custom shelving (made to look like mountains, obviously).
And 6 weeks later, we’d built out a blended workshop and retail space with the goal of showing what handcrafted truly meant. On May 3rd, 2018, we opened our doors to the Public. From Day 1, we were astounded by just how much our story and craft landed when people were able to see it. We constantly work to unveil our process, to share with our visitors, whether online or in-person, how we dream up, design, and make these heritage pieces. We seek to create spaces in our shop and on our website that inspire ‘aha’ moments that land our ethos in a significant way. I’m not talking about breaking into a rendition of Take On Me (although that’s acceptable too). It’s the simple moment of us not only being able to adjust the size of a belt or bag strap, but the ability to answer “How long will that take?” With “Just a few moments!” And see the excitement on their face. If you haven’t made it to our shop, here is a behind the scenes look of this process as it plays out in our actual (not curated, customer-facing) workshop.
Our four hands can only produce so much and we like it that way, it means we can use the absolute, no-compromise, last-forever materials like full-grain leather and solid cast-brass hardware. If it looks at first like that other bag from Madewell is just as good - it isn't and time will always win out. Our limited production means each we can take time and care with each piece ensuring that it’s built to last.
When I was young I spent a summer with my aunt and I remember being shocked to find out that she spent $400 on a vacuum, of all things. This is until I went home and our $39 vacuum broke once again and had to be replaced. Then it clicked — quality goods make a difference and I doubt I’m alone in making the mistake of going for the cheapest option now only to regret it later.
Once you receive your product, our goal is that you now have a once in a lifetime heritage piece that adds value to your life and become infused with your experiences. every. fricken'. Day. You haven't just found a bag, you've found THE bag. If something should happen or go wrong with your product, reach out, we guarantee our goods for the lifetime of the product. If we made it, we’ll fix it. Because we can and because you deserve it.
-Dan & Mal
photography by Sullivan & Sullivan Studios
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built by our hands, used by yours
October 5, 2019
notes
To commute from our cozy (read: small) studio apartment to the Uphill Designs store, we have to cross one street and pass a local fast food joint. During one of these times I stopped, mouth agape (no, seriously this isn’t an exaggeration) to read their new sign claiming some offering as ‘handcrafted’. I went from my dead stop into a sprint, swung open the door to the workshop with gusto and yelled at Dan “sound the alarm, ‘handcrafted’ has officially lost all meaning.” A franchise owned by a $30 Billion corporation was using the same wording we were. It’s something I had already knew and I avoided using the term whenever I could but this was the last straw. I mean, Whiskey has legal meaning, should Handcrafted? At the same time, I’m thankful that this problem exists - it points towards a re-discovery for appreciating human-made goods, and of course big companies are trying to capitalize. The desire to show off how and where things are made creates connections between people and products, but let’s face it - human connection can’t be faked. And you can’t be fooled by their attempts.
We’re proud to have built an ethos of craft, care, and intention into our business model and plan to stand by it. Our goal is to share what we truly value in an intentional manner with others who share those principles. We know the whole world can’t work like this (because let’s face it, the age of instant! prime! now! deliveries makes buying cat litter a lot easier), but our neck of the woods can. We believe that beautiful, human-centered heritage goods crafted with loving intent are worth waiting for. Because, despite the offerings many business put out - there should be no mass-manufactured answer to human experience.
We are two humans, designing and crafting pieces that we are obsessed with (and we argue over every tiny detail and Mal wins only 93% of the time). We started manufacturing in a studio apartment with a hobby sewing machine and Exacto knives to cut leather (thanks Uphill for future early-onset arthritis). Eventually moved into in a 160sqft back-alley workshop in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle going to as many farmer’s markets and holiday pop-ups as we could (in 2017 we hit 176 days of markets. Oofta). With this marathon of markets we learned 2 things: (1) There is no substitute for direct human interaction & customer input. (2) even when we said we made everything, people were skeptical. But we did and still do and the desire to flip the traditional model of retail on its head began to grow.
In early 2018, after a lot of hustle (and definitely some luck and privilege) we received the opportunity to explore these two things when we signed the lease on our 1500 square foot workshop in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Our goal in opening our workshop was to create an open floor plan where visitors could walk in and experience our products being designed and made in the same space where we sold them.
No model existed for this, so we got to work building our own. We invited friends over to help us demo the space - we tore out the rubber flooring and renovated the beautiful concrete with first a jackhammer and then a diamond grinder. We painted the walls (‘Fleur de Sel’ & ‘In the Navy’ if you need to know). We ordered lumber at the local lumber yard and built a giant 12’x5’ crafting table and custom shelving (made to look like mountains, obviously).
And 6 weeks later, we’d built out a blended workshop and retail space with the goal of showing what handcrafted truly meant. On May 3rd, 2018, we opened our doors to the Public. From Day 1, we were astounded by just how much our story and craft landed when people were able to see it. We constantly work to unveil our process, to share with our visitors, whether online or in-person, how we dream up, design, and make these heritage pieces. We seek to create spaces in our shop and on our website that inspire ‘aha’ moments that land our ethos in a significant way. I’m not talking about breaking into a rendition of Take On Me (although that’s acceptable too). It’s the simple moment of us not only being able to adjust the size of a belt or bag strap, but the ability to answer “How long will that take?” With “Just a few moments!” And see the excitement on their face. If you haven’t made it to our shop, here is a behind the scenes look of this process as it plays out in our actual (not curated, customer-facing) workshop.
Our four hands can only produce so much and we like it that way, it means we can use the absolute, no-compromise, last-forever materials like full-grain leather and solid cast-brass hardware. If it looks at first like that other bag from Madewell is just as good - it isn't and time will always win out. Our limited production means each we can take time and care with each piece ensuring that it’s built to last.
When I was young I spent a summer with my aunt and I remember being shocked to find out that she spent $400 on a vacuum, of all things. This is until I went home and our $39 vacuum broke once again and had to be replaced. Then it clicked — quality goods make a difference and I doubt I’m alone in making the mistake of going for the cheapest option now only to regret it later.
Once you receive your product, our goal is that you now have a once in a lifetime heritage piece that adds value to your life and become infused with your experiences. every. fricken'. Day. You haven't just found a bag, you've found THE bag. If something should happen or go wrong with your product, reach out, we guarantee our goods for the lifetime of the product. If we made it, we’ll fix it. Because we can and because you deserve it.
-Dan & Mal
photography by Sullivan & Sullivan Studios
In early 2018, after a lot of hustle (and definitely some luck and privilege) we received the opportunity to explore these two things when we signed the lease on our 1500 square foot workshop in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Our goal in opening our workshop was to create an open floor plan where visitors could walk in and experience our products being designed and made in the same space where we sold them.
No model existed for this, so we got to work building our own. We invited friends over to help us demo the space - we tore out the rubber flooring and renovated the beautiful concrete with first a jackhammer and then a diamond grinder. We painted the walls (‘Fleur de Sel’ & ‘In the Navy’ if you need to know). We ordered lumber at the local lumber yard and built a giant 12’x5’ crafting table and custom shelving (made to look like mountains, obviously).
And 6 weeks later, we’d built out a blended workshop and retail space with the goal of showing what handcrafted truly meant. On May 3rd, 2018, we opened our doors to the Public. From Day 1, we were astounded by just how much our story and craft landed when people were able to see it. We constantly work to unveil our process, to share with our visitors, whether online or in-person, how we dream up, design, and make these heritage pieces. We seek to create spaces in our shop and on our website that inspire ‘aha’ moments that land our ethos in a significant way. I’m not talking about breaking into a rendition of Take On Me (although that’s acceptable too). It’s the simple moment of us not only being able to adjust the size of a belt or bag strap, but the ability to answer “How long will that take?” With “Just a few moments!” And see the excitement on their face. If you haven’t made it to our shop, here is a behind the scenes look of this process as it plays out in our actual (not curated, customer-facing) workshop.
Our four hands can only produce so much and we like it that way, it means we can use the absolute, no-compromise, last-forever materials like full-grain leather and solid cast-brass hardware. If it looks at first like that other bag from Madewell is just as good - it isn't and time will always win out. Our limited production means each we can take time and care with each piece ensuring that it’s built to last.
When I was young I spent a summer with my aunt and I remember being shocked to find out that she spent $400 on a vacuum, of all things. This is until I went home and our $39 vacuum broke once again and had to be replaced. Then it clicked — quality goods make a difference and I doubt I’m alone in making the mistake of going for the cheapest option now only to regret it later.
Once you receive your product, our goal is that you now have a once in a lifetime heritage piece that adds value to your life and become infused with your experiences. every. fricken'. Day. You haven't just found a bag, you've found THE bag. If something should happen or go wrong with your product, reach out, we guarantee our goods for the lifetime of the product. If we made it, we’ll fix it. Because we can and because you deserve it.
-Dan & Mal
photography by Sullivan & Sullivan Studios