Our JH Story

JH started with just one person, and that is Jill. In April 2018, She made her start in leather crafting by making leather earrings. At the time, it was purely a side hobby and something that she did for the joy it gave her. However, soon she had many people reaching out, asking if she could make them their own set of earrings. 

Once Jill Started making earrings, she posted a few on social media and sold out immediately with customers asking for more.  After seeing the desire for leather earrings growing, Jill started doing pop-up markets, farmer's markets, vendor fairs, and any other opportunity to market her leather earrings.  This eventually became earrings and bracelets.. to small accessories, to adding the first totes and handbags in 2020.  

In 2020, Jill hired her first part time employee, working from Jill's basement, this team grew to several employees coming to work out of Jill's home until 2022 when JH moved to the current workshop today in Chariton, Iowa. 

Fast forward a few years to now and she has built an entire collection of leather pieces, including a full collection of women’s handbags and accessories. Today, the small (all women) workshop crew work together as a team to create the beautiful, diverse collection JH offers today. 

Jill has not only grown a full selection of designs, but has expanded and improved the leather used on our collection as well.  Jill has worked incredibly hard traveling all over the world to source the best leather for JH.  

We know you'll love our bags and accessories.  We build them to stand the test of time and love to see these pieces carried, loved, and cherished for the many years that they will be by your side.  

Jill is a country-raised patriot American woman.  She's an Iowa native, calling southern Iowa home.  She has a love for her children, a passion for raising and riding horses, and loving and enjoying the simple things in life in the country.  Outside of leather work, Jill enjoys attending her kid's events, showing horses, and spending time with family and friends.  

Currently, the crew at JH is very small - consisting of 2 other women and an occasional help during busy times.  This means that every piece ordered is handcrafted meticulously and made with a true appreciation for the leather and the finished item.  We are like a small family, with a goal every day to bring you beautiful leather bags and accessories that are made with the world's best leather, while still staying affordable.  

This also means that good things take time, and with a small crew here in southern Iowa, it may be a few days before we are able to get to your order in the production line - it means that each bag is being given the time and attention to detail needed to make sure that it is high quality, and made perfectly just for you. 

Thank you for being part of our story -- Carry well, friends. 

If you'd like to know more about sourcing our exclusive leather, check it out here. 

 Please enjoy this video created with our friends at Shopify showing the highlights of Jill and Jill's Homestead.