Traditional leather working hand tools in the Landmade Co. studio

Our Story

A Simple Beginning

Landmade Co. was born from the frustration of not knowing what was in the products I was buying and a desire to reclaim value from a material that is often thrown away.

Cattle herd like those whose locally sourced hides Landmade Co. uses for leather

From Science to Stewardship

Before starting Landmade, I worked as a scientist specializing in bovine embryo culture - a field that required precision, patience, and a respect for nature. My work focused on helping local producers improve pregnancy rates which improved herd productivity and profitability.

A Shift in Perspective

Once I became a mother, I really began to look at the ingredients and methods used to produce the goods I brought into my home. Phrases like “proprietary blends” and elusive wording made it impossible to know what I was actually buying. I was frustrated at the lack of transparency.

Handmade sheepskin floor rug made by Landmade Co.

From Hide to Home

At the same time, I began to develop a relationship with the local farmers we purchased our freezer beef and mutton from. Once I discovered most of the hides from these animals were discarded, I decided I would take them. I had been dabbling in leatherwork and woodworking and was looking to expand my hobby into a business - one built around the ingredient transparency I couldn’t find anywhere on the market. A nearby tannery that tans the traditional way using only natural materials was the missing piece. I was now able to make products from naturally tanned leather sourced from local producers who I knew raised their animals with integrity.

Vegetable-tanned leather hides sourced from local Tennessee farms

More than that, by building a leatherwork studio rooted in local partnerships, I found a way to integrate all of the things I realized were important to me: helping local producers improve the economics and sustainability of their operations by turning a byproduct into a product, creating natural products with complete ingredient transparency, and honoring the whole animal by preventing a significant piece of it from being thrown away.

That integration became the foundation of Landmade Co.

Interested in working together?

Whether you are a local producer interested in partnering or are someone interested in the work happening here, I’d love to hear from you!