We make our goods from scratch.

Handmade in Austin, Texas.

Meet the Maker

Kat Marhefka is the brains and creative force behind Espacio Handmade.

"I noticed that the quality of men’s gifts was lacking the creative caliber of women’s gifts. Espacio Handmade was forged out of this void. Coupled with my graphic design background and with one successful handmade business under my belt, I launched enthusiastically into learning leathersmithing. I honed my craft into what you see today. Each piece is designed and made in my Austin, Texas studio. Espacio Handmade’s goods are the essential accessories for getting up to no good, and looking damn fine in the process."

Espacio Handmade: Thoughtfully Crafted

We celebrated the opening of Espacio in October 2013. Our badass goods are made from start to finish in the heart of Austin, TX!

At Espacio Handmade, we take pride in producing a distinctive product line of handsome handcrafted leather & wood goods made from scratch in the heart of Austin, Texas. We build functional products with a non-traditional spin that are bold, durable and effortlessly cool. From the selection of premium leathers and fine woods to the skilled hands that bring them to life, every aspect of our production process is thoughtfully crafted with attention to detail. Our brand ethos revolves around good design, clever solutions, durability and curbing waste. Our dedication to quality craftsmanship ensures that each item is built to last, embracing a lifestyle that values quality over quantity, craftsmanship over mass production, and sustainability over waste.

Over these years, the materials, leather and wood, have stayed the same but we've grown our collection quite a bit! In late 2022, we started collaborating with Allan Hillegass of Padlock Co. Our collective work product has matured and we're excited to see where the next 10 years leads us! Read more about our collaboration.

Collab

Meet Allan & Kat

Welcome to our creative enclave where craftsmanship meets innovation! We're Allan Hillegass and Kat Marhefka, the power couple behind Padlock Co and Espacio Handmade. Together, we've woven our creative talents to curate an unparalleled men's shopping experience.

our commitment to sustainability

Our leather is made in Tuscany, Italy, tanned using an ancient tradition. The hides are soaked in a wooden drum with oils and animal fats, dyed through, and polished with an amber stone roll. The result? A beautifully oiled Vacchetta leather with a rich, waxed finish.

The tannery is a member of the Pelle Vegetale Consortium, ensures sustainable manufacturing by using natural vegetable tannins to create durable leather from food industry by-products—free of synthetics and metals—aligning with social responsibility and circular economy principles, and reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Real Leather

Real leather is slow-fashion, making it an ideal material to work with to make products that last a lifetime. We honor the sacrifice of the animal and utilize every bit of workable hide.

FUN FACT: we showcase scars and fat wrinkles because we think they're cool.

We make our leather goods from scratch

Thanks to Katrina's graphic design degree, we design and build everything in-house. We average 50 hours developing each design. Each piece is cut, waxed, and sealed. We use a hand press to set hardware & hand-stitch using 2 needles to create a durable interlocking stitch. We are woman-owned. Each item is designed, made and finished in our Austin, TX studio by our small crew.

FUN FACT: Katrina learned leatherworking on YouTube after wanting to ditch her jewelry career

We hand-stitch everything (but the hats)

Hand stitching produces a pleasing aesthetic and an unmatched durability. We want your leather goods to last a lifetime, even if its a little tough on our lady fingers.