August 12th, 2024

back of the napkin scribbles vol. 1

When I started working with leather it was intended only as a way for me to make what was needed for a few woodworking tools that had become homeless. They were removed from their original location in my previous workshop and needed new homes. New storage solutions that had to be mobile. Leather seemed like a quick way to keep things safe, organized, and simple to move as-needed. I drew ideas on paper, exactly how I continue to design things today, and then they came to life with leather. Everything seemed to click, seemed to work exactly as I intended, and for the first time in my life I began to feel as though I was aligning with something. It just felt right. I don’t know how else to describe it at the moment. Friction was minimal.

Fast forward a few years and I’ve established a brand for my leather goods using my name, A. M. Aiken, a level of quality standards to be expected by myself and my customers, and a hodge-podge of various leather goods that started as ideas in my head and seemed to resonate with the wider marketplace. Cigar cases, oven mitts, related accessories, and so on.

A leather bag is placed on a black bookshelf beside a window, partially covered by a curtain. The bookshelf is filled with books, and a table lamp is seen on top. The scene suggests a cozy, well-organized room with natural light streaming in through the window. — The Strathmere leather weekend bag ready to go on a trip

Fast forward a bit farther along and we come to the present. Earlier this year I created a weekend bag that was born out of my need for a piece of luggage I could take on a family gathering in Strathmere, New Jersey (that bag is called The Strathmere). The bag turned out exactly how I imagined it would, and performed wonderfully. Then I came up with another bag using the same design aesthetic as the weekend bag, this one intended for using as a pool/beach bag and also an extremely versatile “tote” (a term that over-simplifies the product, but is all I can come up with at the moment); something that can and is a great catch-all for a day at the beach or pool and then serves as a bag when heading out and about later in the day. I call that bag Ocean Front and use it as my daily carry. It is amazing and has yet to shy away from a challenge.

A scene by the poolside with a leather bag opened on a chair, alongside a newspaper, sunglasses, and a baseball cap. The pool water is visible in the background, creating a relaxed, vacation-like atmosphere. — The Ocean Front bag in use at the pool

With these two bags in my portfolio I decided to put them under their own “brand” or product line called Strathmere Leather. This is where I envision a line of leather goods that are intended for the person who travels: “Luggage, bags, and accessories for the discerning traveler.”

The "Strathmere Leather" logo

Traveling can be a weekend getaway, a trip to a coffee shop, the farmer’s market, or even for longer trips out of town (larger bags being designed in my mind at the moment, not a reality just yet).

A small leather notebook or wallet resting on a wooden surface, with a pen clipped onto it. The background includes a black bottle of Sauvage cologne, a watch, and some other indistinct objects, creating a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere. — "The Jefferson" in drum-dyed leather.

I recently made a smaller travel accessory that I’m going to call The Jefferson. Inspired by the simplicity of the Traveler’s Company notebooks and by my out-of-control collection of Field Notes notebooks, The Jefferson is my way to carry two or so notebooks plus a few other inserts. It is now part of my daily routine to use this notebook case as the notebooks are where I write all of my thoughts, ideas, lists, things to do, and also where I keep cash, cards, and so on. It all secures shut with a very simple yet sturdy strap and buckle. I did not build in a solution for securing a pen or pencil, opting instead to let the strap keep that in place. The design of this notebook case falls inline with the look and feel of the other Strathmere Leather goods. Everything coming into its own. Also in progress with this item is a “premium” iteration that is hand-dyed and is, as such, much more refined in look and feel.

A close-up of a sketchbook resting on an outdoor table, with a pencil placed on it. The sketchbook contains detailed drawings and measurements of rectangular objects. In the background, there’s a coffee mug and some blurred-out objects, possibly indicating an early morning or casual work session outdoors. — Sketching out "The Franklin"

Finally, on this back of the napkin scratching, I’m sketching out another bag, working title is The Franklin. The intended use is for a future trip I have coming up to Historic Philadelphia. The Strathmere leather weekend bag will be used to pack my clothes and such for the few days there, The Franklin will be used to carry the daily items needed when walking from sight to sight. Wandering through museums, seeing the Liberty Bell, walking through and around Independence Hall, and so on. You get the idea. The Franklin will be slung over my shoulder, likely in a cross-body fashion, keeping my pockets empty and a water nearby as we wander the cobblestone streets of yesteryear.

I’m doing a lackluster job at describing it, the design is still being worked on, but the functionality is pretty straight forward. Easy to access, yet secure, exterior pockets, a sturdy shoulder strap, a phone pocket that is simple to grab and go, an open top that can be shut using snap buttons (I’m quite opposed to zippers), a few suede interior pockets for sunglasses, keys, The Jefferson, a water bottle (kept in place using a few ideas I’m working on), etc. The bag dimensions will be approximately 11 inches across, 9 inches tall, ~5 inches in width. A perfectly sized wear it and go bag.

At this point I have The Franklin designed on paper and need to start cutting into leather to see if what I have planned will work in the real world.

Stay tuned for more.

Keep it breezy 🐚
~ Aaron

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