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ippo Products uses only the finest oil-tanned cowhide. It's very
durable, weather resistant, and looks better with age and use. I buy
leather from Wisconsin and Texas, the byproduct of our nation's dairy
and beef industries. None of these animals were raised for their
leather. No Hippopotamuses were harmed in the making of my products,
contrary to popular belief. In fact, most people find hippos to be cute
and lovable, when they are actually human-killing beasts responsible for
more animal-caused deaths in Africa than any other animal save the
mosquito. But all you really need to know is that the word
"hippopotamus" is fun to say, tricky to spell, and stands for the finest
in custom, handstitched leather products.
A loyalty to a craft:
Leathercraft was born back when humans were inventing the first tools.
No one had books or VCRs, so everyone sat around the cave and made
things out of the parts of animals they couldn't eat. Pretty soon,
there were cavepeople running around in sandals, hats, and underwear
made from woolly mammoth hides. Some used the hide to make pouches for
carrying food and water. The cavepeople liked how the leather was
supple but tough, and how it repelled the rain. They knew that if it
was put together well, from good materials, it would last a long time.
Leathersmiths ever since have understood the importance of spending a
lot of time sitting around making pouches and things. For centuries,
craftspeople perfected their hand-assembly techniques. However, some of
them eventually compromised the craft by using machines to sew their
leather pieces together, resulting in a weaker stitch. Some others
tried to save production costs by using thin, wimpy leather. While
others went so far as to leave leather altogether to pursue vinyl and nylon!..
completely abandoning their roots!
A loyalty to a craft:
I began making leather goods in 1992 while finishing my design studies
at the University of Utah. I didn't have a sewing machine, so I
hand-stitched my first few projects. I found there was something quite
rewarding about constructing a beautiful, functional piece of
leatherwork with only your hands and some simple hand tools. Every
wallet or purse, satchel or planner could take upwards of 20 hours!..
Handstitched the whole time! I wasn't too worried however,
because the stuff that was coming out of my studio were the best leather
goods I had ever seen. I began looking for customers that also had my
fondness for quality leather goods, and my career was born.
While trying to think of a name for my leathercraft business, I was trying to alliterate the Hs and Ps found in the words "Handcrafted Products." Well...I came up with "hypothetical," "hypocritical" "hypotenuse," "hippie" and, "HIPPOPOTAMUS." I eventually narrowed it down to "hippie," and "HIPPOPOTAMUS." because both images were tough and lovable, like my leather goods, but I didn't think the name "HIPPIE" would be good for sales...so "HIPPOPOTAMUS"
it was...is. It's tricky to spell but fun to say. And hippos are tough and lovable, like my leather goods. My cartoonist friend Joanne Powell drew my Hippo logo for me years ago. I made two leather cat collars for her cats and obtained rights to the logo...thanks Joanne. If you work in Hollywood and need a satchel for a set piece for an
Indiana Jones flick or something, please call me...I've always wanted to
see one of my works on the big screen. As for everybody else, please
Email, call, or visit my booth locations with your ideas and I'll let
you know what can be done. Better yet, spend some time sitting down and
trying to write out your custom ideas on paper. The trickiest part of
custom work is understanding what the client has in their head. Please
begin the design process by writing down your ideas. Do keep in mind
that I don't use Velcro, plastic windows, or zippers. I don't make
miniature backpacks or anything too cute, I don't do fringe, cigarette
lighter covers, or those little squeezy coin purse things. Also be
aware that custom work takes a back seat to my retail craft show
orders. The best time of the year to catch me for a custom job is from
January into late Spring.
To find the shoulder strap length for satchels and purses, use one of your own purses or shoulder bags for reference. Measure from one end of the strap (where the strap connects to the bag) up and over your shoulder and down the other side to the place where the strap connects to the other side of the bag. This length is your shoulder strap length. It is usually in the high 40" to low 50". You may also indicate an individual's height in the event that you are ordering a strap length for someone else. All my straps are adjustable by 5" to 8". |
