Welcome to Ax16 Studio! I am Ann, a mother, daughter, wife, and maker. I run a one-woman leather shop in the San Francisco Bay area. Specialized in bespoke small leather goods, I also make shoulder bags with antique fabrics.
My passion for art and design started very young. I experienced all kinds of crafts when I grow up, from Chinese calligraphy to garment design, almost anything you can think of. I was an art curator before entering the leather world. When I began leatherworking as a hobby, I only wanted to make a rustic yet fashionable crossbody bag for myself. Before I know it, leather crafting became the center of my life.
The Process
The process I use is the same used by leather artisans for centuries. After understanding the client's needs, I design, pattern, prototype, and make everything myself. One stitch at a time, I make everything 100% by hand with love and care. I prefer to use Shell cordovan and vegetable-tanned leather sourcing from the best tanneries worldwide. I love the natural feeling of vegetable tanned leather and how they age after use. The patina that develops on the surface of the leather will impart a character, a personality to the product—besides, veg-tanned leather use only natural tannins that have little negative environmental impact.
Please follow my Instagram to see my day to day work. DM me if you have any questions about my brand or my work.
Ax16 Studio owner and sole craftswoman