The Story of Junie:
A Life Devoted to Craftsmanship. A Life Etched in Every Stitch.

Born in Chicago — Between Tradition and the Art of Leather

Junie was born in 1959 in the heart of Chicago — a city where cobblestone streets, brick storefronts, and time-honored trades have long stood as symbols of dedication and craft.

Even as a child, she was surrounded by the scent of worn leather and the rhythmic sound of her family's sewing machines humming in the background.

Her parents ran a modest but well-loved leather goods shop downtown. It was there that Junie first understood what it meant to make something that would last — something meant to be used, loved, and passed on.

A Quiet Love for Leather — Grown by Hand, Rooted in Heart

Though her parents dreamed of a more predictable future for her, Junie was always drawn to the back of the shop — to the rows of tools, the scent of tanned hide, and the meditative focus of hand-stitching.

While other girls daydreamed about prom dresses and pop stars, she spent her afternoons threading needles, cutting patterns, and quietly watching as rough hides were transformed into beautiful, functional bags.

Those quiet afternoons became her foundation. They didn’t just shape her hands —they shaped her purpose.

They didn’t just teach her a skill — they gave her a calling.

Her First Bag — Simple, Sturdy, Full of Meaning

Junie at Work in Her Parents’ Leather Workshop

At Nineteen, Junie Took the Bench on Her Own for the First Time with her father guiding her hands and her mother watching proudly, Junie stitched her first full leather bag — a compact satchel made from soft brown hide, with a simple flap and hand-burnished edges.

Her mother placed it in the front window. That very afternoon, someone walked in and bought it.For the first time, Junie realized her hands weren’t just mimicking — they were speaking.

They could shape not just leather, but stories — stories people would carry with them, every day.

She Took Over the Workshop at 22 — Young, But Full of Vision

When her parents retired, Junie stood at a crossroads: close the doors for good, or carry on their legacy.She chose the harder path — the braver one. With determination far beyond her years, she restructured the business, brought in seasonal artisans, and gave the old showroom new life.

Her mission was clear: to honor her roots while making space for something new — a leather workshop where tradition met thoughtful innovation.

A fire that destroyed everything — and reignited it all.

In the summer of 1989, the unimaginable happened: a short circuit in the workshop sparked a fire that destroyed everything — tools, bags, photos.

A picture of the completely burnt down shop

Rebuilding with Heart, Hands, and Hope

With nothing left but ashes and memory, Junie rolled up her sleeves once again. She salvaged what she could, sourced new tools, and stitched her way back — one bag at a time. Not out of obligation, but out of love.Every piece that followed carried more than craftsmanship.

It carried resilience.

New Business — and a New Love

Three years later, Junie reopened in the old town — this time with even more personality.

It was during this time that she met Matthew, an art historian with a love for detail. They married a year later, and soon after, their daughter Eva was born.

Junie with her new bags shop in the background

From One-of-a-Kind Pieces to a Digital Studio — With Eva by Her Side

Sixteen years later, Eva began working in her mother’s business. She helped guide the company into the digital age — first by selling on craft marketplaces, and later through their own online store.

Junie remained at the heart of the workshop, Matthew helped with shipping, and Eva took charge of strategy and design.

Junie and Eva in the Boutique

Today — A Workshop Full of Life, Stories, and Craftsmanship

At 66, Junie is in the workshop every morning by seven. She mentors young women, listens closely, and creates pieces with meaning — small testaments to life.