(Photo courtesy of Nomad Leather)
Sometimes hobbies turn into careers and that’s exactly how Bend’s own Nomad Leather got started eleven years ago. Brothers Nick and Damon Vracin had been tinkering with leather cuffs, sharing ideas over the phone between San Diego, where Damon lived at the time, and Nick in Portland.
“Nomad Leather was born when the leather cuffs we were creating for fun started catching on at the beach in San Diego and among various groups in Portland,” says Damon. “Orders began to increase, so my brother and I moved to Bend, and finally got to join forces, combining our workshops and selling together at local festivals and markets.
“We started with cuffs and bracelets, and that continues to be our staple product. Over time, though, we have been developing new products and ideas, like our leather growler carrier, which brought us into the beer culture market. We’re also creating belts, clutches, small bags, utility pouches, wine carriers, beer holsters, pint sleeves, guitar straps, and even iPad cases. We have some fun nicknames for products, like our “Pick Pocket,” which is a guitar pick holder on a keychain.”
“We have something for everybody,” says Nick. “Our customers are always checking in to see what’s new—we apply creativity to leatherworks made the old fashioned way: by hand.”
Nomad Leather tends to work with vintage and re-purposed leather, sourced from a variety of places, along with full hides provided from a local family business for belts and larger products.
“We do commissioned custom projects, as well as anything we need to restock our retail accounts or festival wares,” adds Damon. “Nick and I crank the music, crack a fine craft beer and start making our goods, sometimes tag-teaming bigger projects like growler carriers, and often getting in our own worlds and bouncing ideas off one another when a creative block sets in.”
The duo is currently working on developing custom motorcycle bags, perfecting the technique.
Nomad Leather products can be found at Desperado in the Old Mill, The Silver Otter and Sweet Tease Salon off Industrial Way, Lulu’s Boutique and Element 909 downtown, Cowgirl Cash on the Breezeway, The Cosmic Depot in Midtown and at Bedouin on Hood Ave in Sisters.
Nomad customizes a unique line of goods for each store that best suits their individual style and feel, so to experience the full scope of their work, you’ll have to shop them all.
Nomad Leather
541-815-4356
nomadleather@hotmail.com
etsy.com/shop/nomadleathernw
Nomad also offers a Midtown workshop by appointment.
