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Unsatisfied with the design of both traditional wallets (too bulky and expensive) and compact wallets (not good at carrying cash), the folks from Capsule wallets turned to Kickstarter. Once the clientele was found, they turned to Dwell on Design to show off their creation. The Capsule Minimalist has been something of a hit—the blue edition is currently sold out.  

Before you turn up your nose, consider that the handmade, full-grain leather wallet features the CashStrap—a simple way to store and get your bills out. The front slot holds one to two frequently used cards and the top sleeve another two to four cards. Narrow down the contents to what you really need and the Minimalist is your friend, your enforcer of a new no-more-than-you-need mantra, and suddenly that annoying pocket bulge has been downsized.

The Minimalist starts at $50 ($65 for uncoated Brazilian leather gray version) at capsulewallets.com.

 

 

Nicholas of Hollows Leather is a busy fellow. The one-man leather operation out of Minneapolis has just restocked his webstore with an impressive range of handcrafted leather goods. Expect to find some triple wrap bracelets, key reins, belt loop keychains, mid-length wallets, and leather coasters. We particularly like Hollows Leather’s standard belts—now available in black and burgundy Latigo in addition to the natural veg tan. Each belt is custom-sized and handmade at 1.5” wide, from 9 oz. leather with your choice of hardware.

Visit Hollows Leather to shop the new stock. Standard belts are priced at $60.

 

An exciting collaboration between two L.A. favorites makes its debut this weekend. Jennifer Parry Dodge of Ermie and Mitzi Guidry of Los Angeles Leathercraft team up on a small collection of tie-dyed leather bags. We have already fallen hard for Ermie's collection of hippie-ish patterned caftans, maxi dresses, and leggings, and now we can add these totes and wallets onto our list of must-haves. 

The handpainted and handsewn goods will be available for the first time for lucky Angeleno's at the Echo Park Craft Fair, everyone else will be able find them on the Ermie shop in the coming weeks.

 




Los Angeles-based label Otaat delivers with limited-edition leather goods that are meticulously crafted, yet utterly whimsical—a hard-to-find combination in the over-saturated accessories industry. Designer Albert Chu finds inspiration in counterintuitive logic, and tends to ask himself “What if?” and “Why not?” when creating each piece for Otaat (an acronym for “One thing at a time”).

The black cowhide leather 5-Zip Pouch is an OCD organizer’s dream: five zippers access four interior pockets (one full body, and three partials of various sizes). Use it as a clutch, iPad holder, folio, tote, make-up bag—the possibilities are endless. And incredibly chic. We’re also partial to drummers, so Otaat’s Drums Bag is our idea of mod cylindrical perfection—two circular box bags connected by a long strap and conjoined by an all-round zipper—impeccably polished and functional. Also, three words: leather Party Hat. Tie one on with grosgrain ribbons.