Aaron Aiken

Gathering hardware for the next bag. Working title is The Franklin.

Much better. Adjusted the size slightly. Veg-tan leather with deerskin lace.

Holding two field notes notebooks and two traveler’s company “inserts”. Will use it for a while to see how it holds up.

Logged into my Shopify site to handle some order stuff and noticed there are 2 live visitors there now. Wish there was a way for me to say “hi!” without it coming across as spammy or get in their way. I so want my online stores to be better at highlighting the human part of it all.

Enjoying this.

Made it quickly last night using scrap oil-tan that I’ve had for a while. Will make another today with veg-tan. Deerskin lace works well though, will continue with that approach.

Quick one to get the brain into gear.

☕ Making a quick cup of evening coffee.

Evening plans: sketching a few ideas, publishing a new website (maybe two), cutting into some leather.

Leather wrapped handlebars. Loving them.

I do enjoy biking up here to write. This morning’s writing is almost exclusively for the next bag I’m working on. This is how most of the bags/designs start: with the written word. I flesh out the ideas this way, and then sketch.

Grateful Log for Tue, 06 Aug 2024

1. A good day with Mozzie yesterday despite being in and out of work tasks.
2. Mozzie saying, “Dad! We need to get more stickers printed!”
3. Working on new Strathmere Leather idea.

Grateful Log for Mon, 05 Aug 2024

1. An excellent people day yesterday
2. A new week!
3. Bike handlebars successfully (but not perfectly) wrapped in leather…will try it out later today.

Grateful Log for Sun, 04 Aug 2024

1. A solid night of rest
2. A never end stream of ideas
3. Listening to my body (a day of rest was required yesterday)

When I take the time to watch a movie, actually sit and watch, I find myself pausing it to take pictures of things that become sparks for future ideas and designs.

🌿 Seeking a calm spirit.

Grateful Log for Sat, 03 Aug 2024

1. Catching up with a close friend last night
2. Work week ended well
3. Dreams

Drying.

One guess as to what these will be wrapped with next…

✨ Making something new today, which is always amazing!

Grateful Log for Fri, 02 Aug 2024

1. Meeting with customers face-to-face
2. Leaning into the inspiration
3. A successful week!

Delivered the leather bag and leather coasters to my customer just now. He’s pretty excited to put the bag to use 😊

Back to the picnic bench.

Grateful Log for Thu, 01 Aug 2024

1. New month
2. Great sleep
3. Biking to write

Another Strathmere leather weekend bag out in the wild, complete with my client’s logo on the top flap.

Grateful Log for Wed, 31 Jul 2024

1. Faith
2. Trust
3. Creativity

Thankful for the rain.