Our Favorite US Makers (Part 1)

by Carry HQ, February 2, 2017

In the coming weeks, we’re celebrating the makers of our community. The artisans, craftspeople and DIYers who shirk big-scale manufacturing and choose to build in-house, by hand and tools. So to kick things off, we thought we’d start by talkin’ faves…

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Tanner Goods

Tanner Goods can be best described by their design philosophy – “Worth Holding Onto”. Based in Portland, Oregon, the folks behind the brand are firm believers in crafting quality pieces by hand that give a respectful nod to the past while providing modern functionality. Their carry goods include tough, practical and handsome bags and wallets made from durable leather and canvas.

Makr

Makr excel at finding a balance between practicality, understated aesthetics and versatility in their designs. All of their products are made in the USA, and most of them are made within a hundred miles of the brand’s design studio, allowing Makr to easily refine design and quality. Products range from wallets and bags, to key chains and device cases such as laptop cases and tablet and phone sleeves.

Stash Co

Unique and guaranteed to draw attention, each carry piece from Stash Co exudes a real sense of character. Keen to focus on mindful rather than mass production, the brand crafts each piece by hand in a century-old historic landmark mattress factory in Texas. Their range merges tactile beauty with everyday usability across backpacks, totes, wallets, dopp kits, duffels, organizer cases, shoulder bags and more.

Teranishi Studio

Lead guitarist in the band Thrice, designer and mostly self-taught leatherworker, Teppei Teranishi is a man of diverse talents. Teppei got into leathercraft while touring, and his passion for the process eventually led to the creation of Teranishi Studio. Based out of California, the brand’s handmade pieces exude elegant simplicity and versatility, with pieces such as the Venture LT sure to garner admiring glances wherever you roam.

Grovemade

Portland-based Grovemade was founded in 2009 by two friends who wanted to “make cool stuff and have fun doing it”. Today a team of 20 handcrafts Grovemade’s modern and minimalist pieces, which include stylish phone cases, pared-back pocket knifes, wallets and key rings among their carry range.

Bexar Goods Co.

Founded by two brothers and their cousin, Bexar Goods Co. is an adventure lifestyle brand crafting gear that is built tough to withstand demanding use, and look darn good doing so. Based in Bexar County, Texas, the brand creates carry goods that are simple, timeless and durable. Leather is the primary material of choice, though waxed canvas also finds a home within Bexar Goods’ product lineup. With pieces designed to take on a unique character from the journeys they experience, you can enjoy heirloom quality with a story to tell future generations.

Rucksack Village

Rucksack Village was founded by Jun (James) Kamo as a way to explore backpack design and create custom pieces based on customers’ personalities and functional needs. The waiting list is long (so much so that orders are currently capped), but if you dig the vibe there are a few ready-made bags you can get your hands on now. A related fun fact, Jun worked with Teppei on creating Teranishi’s Canvas Collection.

Maxx&Unicorn Co.

Based in Brooklyn, Maxx&Unicorn Co. designs attractive and practical goods that can be used on a daily basis. One of the brand’s early pieces, a bifold wallet, initially attracted our attention. However, today in addition to wallets, the brand offers money clips, keyrings, and catch-all trays for keeping EDC tidy and accessible at home or work.

Leather Works Minnesota

Leather Works Minnesota is a family-run business which has grown from humble basement beginnings to a thriving company run by a husband and wife team, along with their son and a small shop staff team. The brand produces a diverse array of handmade leather goods including wallets, key fobs, bags, organizer cases, and tablet sleeves to name a few.

Slightly Alabama

Slightly Alabama is a brand focused on creating goods through traditional techniques, making pieces by hand out of their studio in Ridgewood, New York. The brand takes inspiration from the founder’s early family life in Alabama as well as the various places he has lived and worked (hence the name), and produces a range of premium leather pieces such as tech device cases, totes, sunglass cases, journal covers and wallets.