Why Handmade Matters
Here at Walnut Studiolo, we are dedicated to lasting quality – which can only come from a thoughtful hands-on process. Here’s why it matters.… Read More Why Handmade Matters
Category: Sustainability
We care about sustainability and green, low-waste practices at Walnut Studiolo. Learn more about what sustainable means to us.
Declaring Our Values
One New Year’s Day, on the advice of a friend, we decided to lay out our mission, goals, and values as a company. At first it felt hokey, but by the end, it had a more profound impact on us that we could have imagined. Now we want to share them with you. … Read More Declaring Our Values
Our Love of the Land
Respecting the land is a core tenant of Walnut Studiolo. That’s why we are so proud to live in a region where the natural environment seeps into everything we do: our back yard is a forest and the powerful ocean is nearby.… Read More Our Love of the Land
Made in America
“I’m calling because I want to make sure that your products are really and actually made in the USA. It’s getting hard to tell.” -Dub There’s a lot of confusion these days as to what “Made in USA” actually means. As people start to pay attention to where their products are made, many marketers are starting… Read More Made in America
Welcome to our New Coastal Home
You could say it was a leap of faith when we decided to move our home from urban Southeast Portland to a new home and Walnut Studiolo workspace on the rural, craggy Oregon Coast. … Read More Welcome to our New Coastal Home
The New Coastal Walnut Studiolo
We are so in love with our new coastal home in Nehalem, Oregon.
FAQ: How to care for your vegetable-tanned leather goods
If left out in direct sunshine too long, dappled with mud, or doused in a rainstorm, vegetable-tanned leather can lose its luster. That first hint of dry-ness is a sign that it’s time to take care of your leather with a gentle cleaning and a light conditioning treatment. We recommend taking care of your leather… Read More FAQ: How to care for your vegetable-tanned leather goods
Leather colors: garment leather vs. vegetable-tanned leather
We often get requests for our leather products in specific colors of leather, like bright orange or white. There is a difference between the two most commonly-used kinds of leather tanning processes, and and this difference explains why we can’t make those kinds of candy colors. Although there are many kinds of tanning, we’re going to talk… Read More Leather colors: garment leather vs. vegetable-tanned leather
This is what a 75 cent leather belt look like
Allow me to get on a soapbox for a moment. We just got an unsolicited email from a Chinese “leather” belt manufacturer offering to make our products for us. In it, they attached a price sheet. This blows my mind. What most people think they see as a nice leather belt at the store literally costs… Read More This is what a 75 cent leather belt look like
Why I use USA-made, vegetable-tanned leather
Once in a while, I get an email from a customer who really, really likes our stuff, but wishes we didn’t make it out of leather. I’m sympathetic to the need to live ethically and to make purchases that reflect our own ethics. I am interested in exploring new, non-petroleum-based materials, but there are a few reasons… Read More Why I use USA-made, vegetable-tanned leather