OVER THREE DECADES AGO, THE KELLY FAMILY FOUND THEMSELVES IN THE BUSINESS OF LEATHER—BUT NOT HOW ONE MIGHT IMAGINE. AT THAT TIME, THEY JOINED A CENTURY’S OLD FAMILY BUSINESS, AND WITH YEARS OF DEDICATION TO THEIR TRADE, BECAME EXPERT SHOE RE-CRAFTERS. OVER TIME, THEY GREW INTIMATE WITH THE LEATHER GOODS THEY WOULD USE TO RE-CRAFT SHOES, AND FORGED STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR RANCHERS, TANNERIES, AND LEATHER ARTISANS.
EVENTUALLY, THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF LEATHERS—AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAND-SELECT AND PROCESS THE HIGHEST QUALITY HIDES—LED THEM TO UNDERSTANDING EXACTLY WHAT SPECIALIZED TANNING AND CRAFTSMANSHIP TECHNIQUES WOULD MAKE THE FINEST PRODUCTS. LIFELONG PASSION FOR LEATHER AND A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF EACH UNIQUE HIDE—THE GRAIN, MARKINGS, AND BRANDS—IS HOW THE KELLY-TOOKE LINE OF HANDMADE BAGS AND ACCESSORIES CAME TO LIFE.
