Welcome Fellow Travelers
Hand and Hide is a leather goods store for those who don’t believe in borders or boundaries. Whose hearts and minds are open to all people and ideas. At Hand and Hide we strive to exemplify those values while equipping those who love to adventure and explore with convenient and elegant leather travel goods and practical phone wallet cases that are as beautiful as they are functional.
Tannery in Fez, Morocco where they still tan leather like they did centuries ago.Travel is in our blood and influences each of our designs.
Our leather goods are born from travel. Owner and designer Jeff Amrhein was making his way through the Middle East and Africa on a photography expedition when he was in need of a new camera bag. He was finally frustrated enough with the standard factory-made camera bags that were available that he decided to make his own.
Walking through the souks of Marrakesh he asked craftsman after craftsman to help him customize a leather bag so it would suit his camera. Each one sent him onto the next craftsman claiming they had no time. Finally, Jeff found a man sewing cushions who offered to teach him how to modify the bag himself.
Over dozens of cups of tea, Jeff sat on a small leather cushion, fascinated as he watched the craftsman’s fingers flash back and forth with tiny needles: each a lesson in how to stitch leather.
Jeff didn’t leave what he learned behind him... On his return home, Jeff realized that the love he’d developed for leather making was far from forgotten. He started out stitching small leather projects in his home, learning to tool, mold and engrave along the way. After a few years and many requests for his goods - particularly his leather phone wallets - Jeff renamed his venture from Nomad-Unlimited to Hand and Hide. He moved into a sunny studio space in the Ford Building on Division in Southeast PDX and the rest is history.
Come and create your own leather story with us as you dream, design and discover exactly what you want in your leather goods.
With our in-house laser engraving technology, hand-stitched precision, and Jeff’s product designing background your imagination is your only limit.
We create leather phone wallet cases, as well as leather tablet cases and travel accessories all made with high-quality full-grain leathers. Call or email now to get your custom leather adventure on its way.
Meet Your Makers
Founder and owner Jeff Amrhein personally trains each new employee in the art of leather making. We are all involved in the creation of your leather goods in some capacity but besides making, we also wear a few other hats here at Hand and Hide. Below you can get to know a little bit about each us and what else we do to keep Hand and Hide running smoothly.
Jeff: Is the one who started it all and with his background in product design and photography he has brought a unique flavor (or twist) to the leather goods industry.
Jeff does all of our product design and is the guru of making your custom requests come to life in leather. Off the job, Jeff loves climbing, hiking, kayaking, remodeling his house and biking around his neighborhood in Northeast Portland.
Sara: Is our Director of Operations and general Ray of Sunshine which is indispensable in a studio workspace. Sara manages day-to-day operations, our production team, as well as helping out with customer communications.
A budding member of the sustainability community, Sara loves tending her chickens, perfecting her homemade soaps, and keeping bees with her husband. She is a crafter at heart and is always learning to make new things.
Andra: Our main production all-star. She is the one putting together most of our orders and lovingly hand-stitching them for you.
Away from the studio Andra loves to spend time baking and cooking, and pursuing all things food. She loves to go on adventures with her husband to find the best treats around town. She’s looking forward to exploring the foods of Europe on a future trip.
Susie: Our official production wizard. When we need something done we know we can count on Susie, she helps out at the holidays and whenever we need an extra hand.
When Susie isn’t killing it at work she’s with her best pup. They love to explore all that the PNW (and the world) have to offer, from hiking and camping to long walks in the neighborhood all with a special focus on donuts.
Yukon: Our official security scout and office snack inspector.
Yukon is a big softie, he has a big bark but is a sweetheart. He loves to play chase, and he offers us breaks by bringing his ball for a game of tug. When he is not hard at work he dreams of chasing squirrels and endless runs on the beach.