Guarded Goods
Guarded Goods
Established in 2013
The Story
Hi, I’m Jesse, the person behind Guarded Goods!
I started this shop back in 2013 when I realized I needed a craft that pulled me away from the computer and let me work with my hands. I bought a small set of tools, a little leather, and started teaching myself how to make simple goods. The early attempts weren’t great, but the process hooked me. I kept learning, kept improving, and kept finding satisfaction in making something real.
What began with hand-stitched wallets in a small apartment has slowly evolved into what Guarded Goods is today. Over the years I shifted the focus toward laces, boot kilties, belts, and other small goods that fit both my craft and the season of life I’m in. The shop has grown, but the core hasn’t changed: choose good materials, make or source things that last, and keep the process honest.
Guarded Goods is still a one-person operation. I run everything myself in the pockets of time around a full day job and a busy home life with my wife and our three boys. Family comes first, so the time I spend on the shop has to count. That’s part of why I’m so selective about what I make and who I partner with. If I’m going to put time into a product, it needs to be something that holds up and feels worth owning.
Some items I still produce in limited batches. Others come from partners who share my values around quality, durability, and responsible craftsmanship. Whether I make it or source it, I stand behind every product that goes out the door, and I fulfill each order myself.
I’ve always appreciated goods that age well and stick with you. My hope is that the things you buy from me earn their place and become something you enjoy for a long time.
Thanks for being here and supporting a small maker. If you ever have a question or an idea, feel free to reach out. It’ll be me on the other end.
Jesse
Guarded Goods
An Investment in Quality
Making handmade goods takes time and dedication. Every piece is hand-stitched and finished with precise detail. While some products may be machine stitched (and labeled as such!), most of my products are handstitched. I utilize a sharp awl to pierce each individual hole and then handstitch up the wallet with two needles and thread. Edges are then sanded and burnished by hand with natural beeswax. I design all the patterns in-house, then transfer them to acrylic, cardboard, or steel cutting dies.
My goal is to make products that last for generations. There’s a reason handmade items stand the test of time and also a reason they tend to be more expensive than fully machine made goods.
I take pride in sourcing the best materials from tanneries with an established history of making high quality leathers with environmentally friendly tanning methods.
In a world where cheap and disposable is the norm, I believe in investing in quality. Spend a bit more on something that will last a lifetime. Even if it isn't from me, find another local craftsperson to support! Too often, we fall for deals and end up with products that don’t last.
Choose quality.
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