About

R & J Custom Leather was born from resilience, creativity, and deep passion for leatherwork. My journey began in 2018 when I was diagnosed with inoperable Brain Cancer and had to step down from Medical school after facing intense treatments that took a toll on my health, limiting my mobility and isolating me from the life I knew.

 

In this challenging period, knowing my prognosis was less than good, I created a bucket list. The first thing being to try leather tooling-a craft I'd long admired as a lifelong 'horse girl'. Without the option of classes and a heavy dislike for video tutorials, I dove in head first on my own! With just a few basic tools, I began hammering away and experimenting until I started creating pieces that resonated. Ironically, I wasn't even using the correct leather at first, but through trial and error, I discovered a deep love for the art.

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Supported by friends and family who recognized my dedication, I was encouraged to put my work out there. And so, R & J Custom Leather was born. The name honors my husband, Jake, and me, Rachel, as our journey has strengthened our bond through many challenges, from a traumatic brain injury and heart condition to relearning to walk multiple times. Our story is one of resilience and love, just as this little business!

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Entirely self-taught, I have found freedom in developing my own style, letting the leather guide me in crafting one-of-a-kind pieces. At R & J Custom Leather, each creation tells a story of perseverance and passion, made to be cherished for a lifetime!

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Thank you for being a part of our journey!