My name is Kristina Bartels and I am married to an amazing husband and have 7 beautiful kids. I love to make as many things as I can by-hand and from scratch, which is where leather crafting stood out to me. It was something that was durable, someone could keep for a long time, and all around amazing.

I started out with leather work as a fun experiment. I needed something I could do while my kids were napping. I love natural materials and all things handmade, so I tried it out a few years ago. I quickly fell in love with the craft and started making things for Christmas presents and gifts. I filled my husbands and my kids lives with leather wallets & purses as I kept practicing. Eventually, I came to a place where I would like to share my work with others and help out with our household income.

So I have launched Bartels Leather Co., establishing it in 2020.

I started working on my dining room table and have moved to my own little office space in our bonus room. All the products are made using traditional methods and tools, every stitch is done by hand.

We love the natural unique character of leather. Since it is a natural product, it is normal to have some imperfections on it that just adds to the uniqueness of your item. Edges are burnished sometimes also dyed and waxed. Due to the nature of Vegetable Tanned Leather the product will have a breaking in period where it starts off stiff but over time with use it will soften up, and sometimes it will darken.