I can’t think of a better way to open the new blog than with a new friend and my new office brain. Oh and it’s #FringeFriday, so all of this is fitting.
Drift back to the warm days of September in eastern Oregon. Walking the streets of Pendleton, my friend Heather and I ran straight to a tent that was full of leather and turquoise. Both of our first thoughts were more JForks work. We had fallen in love with so many of her pieces in Las Vegas during the National Finals Rodeo the winter before.
What we were walking into was another artist with a passion for the western lifestyle. I purchased a small turquoise and leather inspired squash blossom type necklace. We talked with the soft-spoken, passionate lady that had created the pieces. She encouraged us to follow her on social media. So we did.
Me being me, I love stories. I love relationships. I love networking. And meeting Casey of Casey Curtis Designs on the streets of Pendleton was all of that.
Today, we chat nearly daily on Instagram about who knows what. She has created a backpack for me and sent me more earrings than I am proud to admit. I love light jewelry that doesn’t make you feel like you are actually wearing a large piece. All of Casey’s designs are exactly that, and then someone tosses a compliment my way, and I am like oh yes, aren’t they great! And THANK YOU – now go follow my friend Casey.
For the major feature piece, I love more life is the padfolio that she created with a pair of boots that my Dad had purchased for me during my senior year of high school. I needed black boots for FFA official dress. My Dad, as usual, came through and presented me with new boots for Christmas of 2005. I wore those boots through so many first experiences, so many days I knew I needed a little push of encouragement. After losing him to pancreatic cancer in the fall of 2006, these boots were a subtle reminder he was always there to encourage me on the next adventure. I wore these boots for over a decade before I decided that they needed a new purpose.
I sent the boots to Casey, searched every office store for the perfect layout for a padfolio that I liked. With that, I designed a layout, and Casey brought that to life. The features work perfectly for my life on the road, and I know it will age with me.
Casey and I are on a mission of showcasing the renewable, sustainable resource of leather. Choose your buzz word, all of those things are in leather. For those ladies like Casey and I, who are chasing a career, dreams and so much more. We need amazing and practical pieces that work in the office, nights out or in the car during sales calls or calf checks. This padfolio is the start of that dream for us. Stay tuned for where this idea takes us.
Thank you, Casey, for your friendship, big heart, and passion for leather! Enjoy some #FringeFriday — Casey has lots for you to enjoy!
