When I finish a piece and it's ready to go, I pack it the same way I'd want to receive something made by another craftsman.
The box
Each HBL piece is packed in a sturdy box, with the item wrapped in tissue paper. I don't use plastic unless absolutely necessary.
Inside the box, you'll find:
1. Your HBL piece Whether it's a tote, a belt, a watch box, or a small leather good — it's finished, inspected, and wrapped with care.
2. A tin of leather care product (for vegetable-tanned items) A small tin of my own oil-and-beeswax blend, scented lightly with essential oil. Use it as described in the care guide. I include this with every vegetable-tanned piece because I want you to have what you need from day one — not have to go searching for something that might harm the leather.
3. A matching key fob with my makers mark You won't find the HBL mark stamped anywhere on the main product. I've never liked the idea of a maker's brand being visible on something you carry every day. It feels like a billboard, and it's not why people buy handmade.
Instead, I include a small key fob — made from the same leather as your piece — stamped with my HBL mark. It's a discreet way to carry the provenance of your item without it being on the piece itself. And if you want your own name or initials tooled into your product, we can talk about that as part of a commission.
4. A thank-you note Handwritten. Short. Genuine. I believe in thanking people who choose to buy something made by hand in a world full of mass production.
Why I do it this way
I don't want my branding on your bag. I want my work on your bag, and my mark on something you can choose to carry or keep in a drawer.
The packaging, the tin, the fob, the note — these aren't marketing gimmicks. They're the way I'd want to receive something that someone spent hours making. I think that matters.
For commissions and made-to-order pieces
The presentation is the same, but you'll also get progress photos or updates during the making process if you want them. I document every commission from start to finish — it helps me work carefully, and it lets you see your piece take shape before it arrives.