Shelter

Karie Reinertson makes beautiful handcrafted bags under the name of Shelter. I first saw her work on Madesmith and was intrigued to find out more.

How did Shelter begin? Shelter started in the Green Mountains of Vermont when a couple of generalists got together and wanted to collaborate. Soon after, we moved to Asheville, NC, and have been focusing on canvas and leather bags, alongside home and cabin design/build. My favourite combo! Do you make everything yourself? For the most part, yes. When we have larger orders, we work with a worker-owned sewing cooperative here in North Carolina to help with certain aspects of the bags. What is your favourite part of the making process? Designing is my favorite part of the process. The transition from idea to tangible piece is an incredibly satisfying process. I also love working with leather. It feels like a collaboration - leather is a beautiful, sturdy, and challenging material to work with and it deserves time and respect. What materials do you use? I use the highest quality canvas, waxed canvas, leather, and hardware I can find. I also use ikats and African textiles. I like to mix different patterns and textures together. Where are you stocked? Boutiques in the US and abroad, and online through my own web shop. Exclusive collaboration pieces can be found online at Madesmith. Do you have any exciting plans for the future? Yes, super exciting plans! Soon I will be offering a collection of one of a kind and bespoke leather inlaid handbags. More on that soon... To follow that journey, please follow us on Instagram at @shelterprotectsyou and @theceremonycollection

Thank you Karie!

Photographs by Jen Altman for Madesmith

Chelsea Miller Knives

When I wrote my post on Madesmith last week, I was struck by how insanely beautiful Chelsea Miller's one-of-a-kind, rustic knives are. The great thing about Madesmith is that you can read the maker's stories, and when I read about Chelsea, I liked her even more. An actress, who grew up on a farm surrounded by craftspeople, she started making knives almost by accident, while searching for more tactile work. “I had some unknown, unnamed frustration in wanting to do something with my hands," she explains. These days, when not performing, she goes into her workshop, puts on her mask and headphones and gets busy. The blades are cut from high carbon steel repurposed from discarded farrier files and tools. The grater-like etchings on those files give Chelsea Miller Knives their unique patterns. “While I’m not the first person to make a knife out of this type of material, I am the first person the leave the teeth on it intact,” she says. A completely sustainable product, Chelsea also sources the wood for the handles from scrap piles on her family’s farm, often choosing apple wood for its swirling pattern. The entire process can take about two days to complete a knife. For as Chelsea explains, "to me, my knives reflect the simplicity and complexities of being alive."

All photography courtesy of Madesmith.

Madesmith

Madesmith appreciate good old-fashioned craftsmanship and offer an expertly curated collection of handmade objects. They believe in buying less and buying well and hope that by knowing where our things come from and who made them, we will cherish our belongings forever. Their beautiful shop and website represent several makers and designers who create unique items. Textiles, jewellery, shoes, accessories and home goods are all featured and the maker's stories are told through beautiful photographs and illuminating interviews. The products are available to buy from the Madesmith shop along with special collaborations and commissions. Their aim is that by connecting us with the artisans, we can support local communities and preserve the unique craftsmanship that is part of our culture.

All photography courtesy of Madesmith.