Middleyak Leather Company was born out of grit, curiosity, and a love for the kind of goods that only get better with time. I’ve always been fascinated by things that hold stories—objects that wear in, not out. Leather does that better than almost any other material. It holds the scratches of adventures, the marks of everyday use, and the patina of a life well-lived. When I first picked up a few tools at summer camp, I didn’t know it would turn into a business—but I knew right away that I wanted to make pieces that people could count on, pieces that felt real and honest.
What started as a hobby slowly became Middleyak Leather Co: a one-woman workshop where I create bags, wallets, and small goods by hand. Every item is cut, stitched, and finished with simple hand tools. I work almost exclusively with oil-tanned leather from a Minnesota tannery, sourced through a family-owned wholesaler. It’s tough, weather-resistant, and built to stand up to the grit of daily life—exactly the kind of material that makes sense for goods meant to be carried, used, and loved.
My most popular designs are my totes and crossbody bags. They’re straightforward, hardworking pieces with clean lines and a little edge—bags that don’t just sit on a shelf but get carried everywhere: to the farmer’s market, on a road trip, into the office, or out dancing on a Friday night. Customers tell me over and over again that these bags feel like an extension of themselves. They mold to your life, and they don’t quit.
The “why” behind Middleyak is simple: I want to create goods with grit. We live in a world of fast fashion, quick fixes, and disposable everything. But when you carry a bag that was cut, stitched, and burnished by hand, you’re carrying a piece of something slower, something intentional. I think people crave that connection—to know who made their goods and how they were made.
I also love weaving in a bit of local history and storytelling. Many of my pieces are named after badass women from Dayton’s past—artists, activists, entrepreneurs—women who embodied resilience and creativity. Carrying a “Hallie Tote” or a “Jeraldyne Crossbody” means carrying a piece of that spirit, too.
At the end of the day, Middleyak Leather Co is about more than just bags. It’s about building something that lasts—objects that don’t just survive life’s grit but look better because of it.