The Sassy Kat Dream

Shopping at Sassy Kat Jewelry and Leather is a contribution to one woman’s dream. That dream is to walk down the street and spot a Sassy Kat item on every beautiful soul, that item being used, cherished, and boasted about. “Are those Sassy Kat earrings?” “Is that a Sassy Kat bag?” And the reply is always “YES! And I love it!” 

That dream and vision drives my passion for heirloom quality goods. I am an artist. I am a maker. I am passionate about the quality of jewelry and leather goods that I put out in the world, nothing shy of passionate perfection will lay the foundation of the dream I am striving to create. This is what sets my jewelry and leather goods apart from “store bought” items- you can see the difference. 

Sustainability and honoring the material are core values in my work. I carefully plan each design to avoid waste and make the most of every hide. Our leathers are ethically sourced as byproducts from the meat industry—never from exotic sources. To me, working with leather is a privilege. Each hide is a gift representing a soul, and that gift is not to be taken for granted. My goal is to transform those gifts into meaningful, enduring pieces through mindful design and conscientious craftsmanship.

The stones used in Sassy Kat jewelry are hand-selected largely from the world famous Tucson Gem show. The materials for the stunning Sami bracelets are sourced straight from Scandinavia. My success as a one-woman operation can be attributed to my commitment to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. I hold myself to high standards when handcrafting each piece, taking great pride in my work. My goal is simply to create beautiful, well-made items that bring joy and serve you well. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with you.

Product Care & Considerations

Leather

  • Any type of vegetable tanned leather will change over time. That is the nature of natural leathers (similar to your skin). Vegetable tanned leathers are sensitive to oils, liquids, water and sun. If you do not mind a rugged and well used look, only occasional conditioning is required. If you want it to look as pristine as possible, avoid the above mentioned calamities. Often water will dry and be harmless, however, encounters of any liquid (rain included) runs the risk of staining. 

  • Depending on the level of wear and tear you inflict on your items, it will be beneficial to condition your vegetable tanned leather (including marbled leather) once every three to six months. If you are very gentle with your goods, you can get away with conditioning once every one to three years. How do you know if you are hard on your items? Here are some examples: You accidentally run them through the washing machine, you take it to the beach and bury it in sand or water, you use your tote for your gardening chores, you walk to work with your bag and constantly get rained or snowed on or are exposed to lots of sun, you go to bars a lot and constantly place your wallet on the vodka saturated bar top, etc (writing most of these examples made me cringe).

  • If you have items with zippers, do not over stuff the zipper, that puts stress on the zipper tape and could risk the tape ripping.

  • Just be mindful that the kinder you are to your leather item, the longer it will stay looking new. If the rough, worn in look is appealing to you, feel free to beat it up a bit, depending on how rugged you want it to end up looking. It is up to you and your lifestyle how hard or soft you will be and how long it will take it to develop any rugged features.

Silver

  • It’s rare, however, the body chemistry of some people can react with sterling silver (copper is the same). Be mindful if you have ever reacted to silver before you purchase jewelry. There are strictly no returns on earrings, other jewelry items may be considered for returns on a case by case basis.

  • Sterling silver does tarnish. If you have a jewelry item with stones set in it, do not use jewelry cleaning liquid unless supervised by a jewelry professional. Polish cloths can be purchased here (link).

  • Be mindful that if you are using soaps, detergents, cleaning agents, or chemicals, those could adversely affect the finish of your jewelry. Remove jewelry before using any such chemicals. 

Sami Bracelets

  • Make sure the loop around the button is pinched every once in a while to ensure it is secure.

  • If the bracelet is a little tight, wear in the shower until it fits. After a few times in water, the bracelet will begin to stretch. Once you've reached the desired fit, do not wear it in water again, as it may continue to stretch and there is no way to shrink it back down. 

  • Sami bracelets last the longest when worn with care. If you wear it doing chores, rugged things, swimming, showering, working with chemicals, etc, it will have a shorter life- then you’ll get to buy a new one, which I am ok with, but I prefer my creations to last as long as possible for my customers. :)

Handcrafted to Perfection

The Silver Crafting Process

I personally handcraft each piece of jewelry using sterling silver and carefully selected natural semi-precious gemstones. To set each stone in sterling silver, I meticulously place prongs, bezels, and accents to complement the gemstone’s splendor. My jewelry designs focus on simplistic elegance, so I avoid over-embellishment. It is my belief that natural beauty needs little enhancement. Throughout each step, from curating stones to polishing final pieces, my aim is jewelry of timeless distinction. My goal is for each handcrafted piece to bring effortless sophistication and a touch of nature's magnificence to the wearer.

The Sami Bracelet Artform

  • Sami bracelets represent an ancient art form originating from the native Scandinavian Sami people, who traditionally created them using reindeer leather and antler buttons. As a descendant of this northern heritage, I feel honored to carry on the tradition of Sami bracelet making.

  • The signature silver braiding is made from tin thread coiled around a threaded core, forming a beautiful braid that evolves in patina and character over time. By practicing this ancestral craft, I hope to pay respect to my Scandinavian roots while preserving an important cultural artform passed down through generations of Sami artisans. Through each piece I make, I strive to uphold the history and spirit of traditional Sami jewelry.

The Leather Making Process

I craft each leather good entirely by hand, without relying on sewing machines. Every step is meticulously carried out, from cutting, hole punching, stitching, and finishing edges. The saddle stitch method, where each stitch is a knot, ensures unparalleled longevity compared to machine sewing. My hand-sewn items may take more time to create, but the care invested is reflected in their heirloom quality and unique stacked stitch aesthetic.

I ensure each item is built to stand the test of time, through prototyping and making the design multiple times to refine the pattern for optimal durability and functionality before it becomes available to purchase. Additionally, I marble leathers in-house which makes each piece one-of-a-kind. This marbling process involves floating paints in thickened water, then manipulating the surface to create abstract patterns or using combs for more traditional designs. It's a highly skilled technique that results in stunning works of art on leather. While my handmade process necessitates patience, I take pride in creating pieces made to last. My desire is that each bag, wallet or tote will become an heirloom - both beautiful and functional enough to treasure for a lifetime and pass down through generations. I pour my passion and heart into every step so that my customers can enjoy the fruits of my labor for years to come.

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