9 Summer J.Stark Must Haves

In the tornado I lost so many of my favorite totes, one of those was an OG J.Stark tote that had been a key piece in my tote collection (yes I collect American made totes) for many years. I love that I have gotten to watch so many American made brands and makers evolve and grow over the years…and lately J.Stark, based in Charleston, South Carolina has moved back to the front of the pack as one of my perennial favorites. Their use of bright colors and crisp modern designs in my opinion have brought a welcomed air of modernity to the classic American art of leather goods and handmade bags. These are the nine pieces I’m lusting after this summer…

Alder Saddle Bag, Bonnie Belt Bag, Bristol Backpack, Bryant Large Duffle Bag, Franklin Tote Bag, Penrose Tote Bag, J. Stark x Bitter Southerner Sentinel Backpack, Sentinel Backpack XL, Woodbine Logo Tote Bag (click on the photos for links)

Wednesdays and Landscapes

Wednesdays and Landscapes

Ever want to move into a photo? Just pack your bags, say see ya later, and completely escape? Got that feeling right now.

Hannah Rheaume

@hannahrheaume

Hannah Rheaume Instagram

Rachel Blaire

@rachelbpressley

Rachel Blaire Instagram

Michael Block

@mblockk

Michael Block Instagram

Nathan Lee

@nathanleeallen

Nathan Lee Instagram

Joshua Winders

@jkwinders

• Immediately plans trip to Vermont *

Monday Coffee Moments

Monday Coffee Moments

Nothing like a little escapism to start your week. These are your cozy coffee moments.

Melissa Male

@melissamale

Melissa Male Instagram

Coffee and Woodsmoke

@coffeeandwoodsmoke

Coffee and Woodsmoke Instagram

Austin Rutland

@austinrutland

Austin Rutland Instagram

Steven Finger

@stevenfinger

Steven Finger Instagram

Farmhouse Pottery

@farmhousepottery

Farmhouse Pottery Instagram

Breathe in, breathe out. Now enjoy your Monday.

Wednesdays and Landscapes

Wednesdays and Landscapes

Fall wonderlands only. Dream landscapes to keep you going until Autumn official joins us.

Ryan Resatka

@ryanresatka

Ryan Resatka Instagram

Wes Walker

@southwes

Southwes Instagram

Andrew Burns

@andrewtburns

Andrew Burns Instagram

Marylee Burman

@maryleeburman

Marylee Burman Instagram

Tom Juenemann

@tom_juenemann

Tom Juenemann Instagram

Make sure you’re following each photographer above for the continual day dreams and all the views.

Tuesdays with Makers

Tuesdays with Makers

A collection of goods that just make you fall in love with makers and creatives. Need for fall, need for everything in life forever.

Teressa Foglia

Teressa Foglia Instagram

Polder’s Old World Market

Polder’s Old World Market Instagram

Mark Albert Boots

Mark Albert Instagram

Lostine Home Goods

Lostine Home Instagram

Nåde Studio

Nade Instagram

Such beauty in these goods, I can not get over. More to come next week…

Accounts You Should Be Following This Fall

Accounts You Should Be Following This Fall

Thank us later.

Here to raise your 2020 spirits as we leave one season and enter the next (read best). We could all use a little extra warm and cozy these days. These accounts are the perfect way to jump start that fall feeling and find your next adventure. Until then you can find me under my flannel blanket, next to a Cinnamon Pumpkin candle, scrolling through these Autumn wonderlands.

@jessolm

If you’re not following Jess Olm this season stop everything and do it now. Each shot more cozy than the last as she takes you through all the the reasons you fell in love with fall in the first place.

@kylefinndempsey

You’ll feel the need to buy a vintage truck and drive the coast of Maine with a pumpkin latte in hand. And we won’t blame you.

@ryanresatka

I never get tired of bold, bright scenery. Ryan Resatka takes you to the most breathtaking places. Trust me, you’ll fall in love.

@arjsun

A little bit Stars Hollow, a little bit Hocus Pocus. Two iconic moods you need in your life.

@kjp

Rich, warm, and homey. Each shot an autumn dream you don’t want to wake up from.

@daveyandsky

Their feed has me grabbing my flannel vest and searching my next adventure spot. All the views and changing leaves you could ask for.

For more of our favorites, and stories like these, keep following @folkmagazine and subscribe to our newsletter here.

Bags! {Christmas Gift Guide}

I collect bags. I have my go to every day bag (the FOUNT bag), I have my utility bags for when I’m teaching classes (the Sturdy Brothers and the Artifact Tote), I have a travel tote (A JW Hulme), and I have ones for special occasions that I pull out when I’m going somewhere special. I also have a few that I believe in not only for their amazing quality but because I love the people making them. Today I wanted to share a list of my favorite bags for this Christmas season.

Each day is supposed to be nine goods, but for this one I had too many I loved…yet I know I still forgot a few. 18..and go….

1) FOUNT is my go to bag. Made in Cleveland with insanely good leather. They’re basically the Birkin of handmade.

2) I love Peg and Awl. They are one of the original makers to popularize waxed canvas. The PA based team is as genuine as they are creative.

3) J.W. Hulme is a classic American heritage brand. They’ve been creating luxury American made goods for decades. They still hold true with creating timeless pieces that last for decades.

4) Red House VT is a maker I’ve known for years. Watching them grow has been an honor. Their clean Vermont inspired designs are always a refreshing take using rugged materials.

5) Liz Riden is somewhat new to the scene. Specializing in women’s leather goods she is making top quality leather smalls the attic of her Lancaster, PA home.

6) I have had an Artifact tote for eight years. The thing looks as good today as it did nearly a decade ago. They bring midwest charm and midwest frontier level quality to each piece they make.

7) I have two Sturdy Bro. totes and they are indestructible. The waxed canvas is so sturdy I’m convinced it’d survive a hurricane. These are the totes you want if you know its going to get messy and needs to hold up.

8) J. Stark brings a timeless southern feel to their brand. Each piece reminds me of a throw back to earlier days of handmade. Their brand feels like it belong on Main Street in a cute southern town. The entire brand is so well tied together.

9) Forest Bound is one of the OG’s. Like Peg and Awl, Alice has been making top quality well built bags for nearly a decade outside Boston. Her Escape bag has become icon.

10) Farmhouse Frocks is entirely made by Amish makers in the heart of Ohio Amish country. Their designs are always inclusive of all body types and sizes. Their leather goods are festive reminders of their farming, rural, small town roots.

11) One of my favorite totes to carry in the city is a canvas tote by Lineage. Well lined, well structured, and well designed. They bring a bit of modernity to a classic style of bag making.

12) Bradley Mountain is one of the OG millennial makers. San Diego based but inspired by the rugged mountains each piece is a beautiful reminder of good design.

13) I’ve known General Knot for forever. Originally known for their ties and bow ties their well built zippered totes have certainly won my heart.

14) Millican backpacks are the kind you use when you know its going to be a journey. Perfect in airports or camping.

15) Tracey Tanner is a Brooklyn based bad ass who brings fun and bright colors and leathers to the game. Her simple yet very well built designs are perfect smalls to carry on their own or to throw inside a bigger bag.

16) Loyal Stricklin, like Bradley Mountain is one of the first millennial makers to hit it big on social media. Made by a husband and wife team in Nashville each piece is touched and created by them.

17) Artifact Goods is bringing slick modernity to the leather game. Made in central California these bags are they perfect city bags. Timeless yet modern.

18) Our vegan option by Sole Society is actually one of my favorites. I am stopped everywhere I go by folks telling me they love this bag. It pairs perfectly with the Fount bag if you don’t mind mixing vegan and leather.

There will likely be a second bag list as I’ve already remembered several friends I’ve forgotten. Stay tuned.