It really did all start with that cell phone case. With the desire to create a rugged, attractive one. And that has evolved into a passion for creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind leather goods. At first, just for myself and my family. Then other people began asking if they could buy them. Almost before I knew it, Ben Rhodes Handcrafted Leather Goods was born. My designs are inspired by the cowboy culture of the lands where I spent the better part of my life: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and the Dakotas. Many of the designs are entirely my own, born out of a specific need that I had; others are my own spin on things I’ve seen elsewhere. But, whether the designs are original or borrowed, the craftsmanship is all mine. I select the materials, cut out the pieces, tool the designs, dye the leather, and stitch together the final product entirely by hand. So when you buy a wallet or a purse or even a keychain from Ben Rhodes Handcrafted Leather Goods, you’re getting piece that is meticulously designed and crafted by a single person who is doing it out of a love for the craft. In an age when AI is threatening to take over the world of art and literature, and when markets are flooded with cheap imports made in overseas sweatshops, I think it’s comforting to know that a few things are still being made by hand, the old way, right here in the USA.