Hi, i’m Jose Ortiz and i’m the founder of Ortiz Leather Crafts. Before working with leather I was sewing canvas tote bags. That started about 5 years ago with a sewing machine I found on a sidewalk. I brought it home thinking I would give it to one of my daughters so she could learn to use it, but instead it sat in my basement. One day my son who was in college at the time for graphic design, wanted to screen print on canvas tote bags. A light went off and I told him instead of buying them why don’t I sew some for you, since i’m always open to a new challenge. So after buying some fabric and thread sewing tote bags took off. Before you knew it not only did he have his bags but my wife and kids had bags also. It was always a hobby but one that I really enjoyed, so much so that I bought my first industrial sewing machine soon after.

Fast forward a few years and leather was a material I always wanted to use but was afraid to get into. I loved the smell and look of full grain leather and thought it would be expensive to add to my tote bags. About a year ago walking through a fabric store with my wife, I saw a crate with leather remnants and decided to buy one that my wife liked. After buying some rivets and thread for leather I headed home and put together my first leather tote bag. Not only was my wife happy with it, but her friends and our kids really loved it. And just like that my journey into leather crafting got started.

Today I have 3 different industrial sewing machines and many other tools used for leather crafting, i’m also buying leather by the half hide. It’s been an incredible journey and I hope with time and patience I can master the craft. The bags I currently create are mostly one-offs of different types and thickness of leather, putting my heart and soul into crafting pieces that will not only last but age beautifully. I want to thank my wife for always pushing me to go further and helping in the design of each bag, and also my son Jose Jr. for his expertise in designing such a great logo and website development. Please contact me with any questions or suggestions and I hope you will allow me to craft a custom piece for you.

Thank you for visiting my page and have a blessed day.