When we started Peg and Awl we saw heaps of excess around us, abandoned materials – neglected, discarded and forgotten. Wood from derelict houses being tossed in the dump, old leather shoes, jackets, chair seats and military gun slings shoved to the back corners of buildings and warehouses. The stories that lived in these objects were lost and we wanted to bring them back to life, to resurrect their tales and turn the now discarded objects back into everyday useful things that can take on a new story and build onto the rich history of what once was. This mission has lead us down many paths and adventures and now, as some of the abandon materials we use are becoming more scarce, we are beginning to write a new chapter.

As the military gun slings that adorn our bags become harder to find, we begin to explore the possibilities of change. Our hunt for a new leather source has commenced. We know what we want; leather that is traceable and sustainable, a source of hides that comes from farms that really care about their animals and the land that they call home. And a tanner that considers every process holistically as a sustainable ecosystem. We want leather that embodies a story of challenging the problems with the industry and that, like our antique materials, celebrates the marks of pasture raised cows and the timeless process of vegetable tanned hides.

This search led us to England, where we discovered a 500 year old tannery deep in the countryside, and back again to our home state of Pennsylvania to a tannery not quite as old but just as committed to sustainability – one of only 2 such tanneries in the United States! Both the English and American tanneries see the importance of traceability, and of tracking hides that come from organic farms. They have each developed slow, organic, sustainable systems that allow them to send what water they use back into the local streams and rivers – clean. This quest has taken us a few years, but the adventure was worth it! It has brought us to a new place, it has solidified our mission to not accept what comes easy, but to stand our ground as invigorated and conscious makers.

P.S. We will always still be on the lookout for antique leather, but may not always have those bags in stock due to the scarcity!

The beginning of the Peg and Awl story goes like this: “We used to make things for ourselves, and now we make them for everyone.” So, what began as our own guilty pleasure – our love for All Black and sneaking it into Peg and Awl when possible – has revealed itself as a very wanted part of what we do. Today we are psyched to announce that the All Black Tote and All Black Finch are finally here to stay! Constructed with durable black waxed canvas and finished with black vegetable tanned leather, these new variations are blank slates waiting to be marked with the adventures and stories of use. We have fallen in love with this combination and can’t wait to make every Peg and Awl bag this way!

All Black Finch Satchel

All Black Waxed Canvas Tote

All Black Finch Satchel

All Black Waxed Canvas Tote

January 9, 2018

BuzzFeed included our Zodiac Candleblocks in their Valentine’s Day gift guide: Personalized Valentine’s Day Gifts That Show How Much You Care!

Samantha Dion Baker made an amazing miniature fold-out drawing of our Sendak Artist Roll! Check out her awesome work on Instagram and on her website!

Miniature versions of some of the gifts I received happened on my page today. #miniature #illustration #sketchjournal #illustratedjournal #pegandawl #sdionbakersketchjournal

A post shared by Samantha Dion Baker (@sdionbakerdesign) on Dec 28, 2017 at 4:47pm PST

December 22, 2017

Airows featured our Apothecary Caddy in their article Keep Your Bathroom Organized With This Stylish Apothecary Caddy!

Photo credit: Bespoke Post

A bathroom tells you a lot about someone. A nice candle. Good soap. Clean. Organized. All that stuff goes a long way with guests. Get it tidy (and display some beautifully packaged grooming goods) with this well-crafted apothecary caddy from the husband and wife team at Peg & Awl.

June 30, 2017

Apartment Therapy’s The Kitchn included our Garden Markers in their article The World’s Cutest Garden Markers You Can Buy!

Wooden Garden Stakes
Simple and rustic, these wooden garden stakes come with a tiny golf pencil so you can do your own labeling as your garden changes.

May 8, 2017

Country Living included one of our decoupaged Desk Caddies in their article The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

For the Desk Worker
Perk up her office space with a desk caddy made from reclaimed wood sourced from 19th century Philadelphia homes and factories. It’s pictured here découpaged with 18th century black-and-white imagery, but colorful botanical images are also available.

November 15, 2017

Goop included our Step Stool in their article The Cook Gift Guide!

Peg and Awl Step Stool
Handy for helping littles navigate the kitchen.

November 22, 2017

Bustle included our Sendak Artist Roll in their 16 Holiday Gifts For Writers That Aren't Your Typical Journal-And-Pen Set gift guide!

The Sendak Artist Roll by Peg and Awl
Designed for the writer and artist on the go, The Sendak Artist Roll by independent makers Peg and Awl is a gorgeous, luxurious, and functional way for the writer you love to keep all their pens, pencils, notes, journals and more organized in one place. A good writing session begins with the right tools, and with this artist roll, those tools will always be nearby.