Today we’d like to introduce you to Seth Wegter
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been interested in art. I enjoy drawing, painting, designing, sculpting, composing music and playing multiple musical instruments, and sewing. The marriage of my artistic penchants naturally manifest into my bag creations. Making leather bags begins with the design which utilizes drawing and painting. Then, the design is turned into a three dimensional piece of art, evoking my love for sculpting. Each bag I craft has a musical quality, often influenced by the type of music that I’m composing or listening to while sewing. For instance, if I’m listening to cool jazz, like Stan Getz or Miles Davis, my creations tend to have a classic aesthetic with nuanced silhouettes and monochromatic colors with a splash of color incorporated into the interior. There is a kind of synesthesia that occurs where the bag “looks and feels like jazz”. Although sewing started as a novel challenge–another artistic venture to try–it has become a lifelong journey in pursuit of craftsmanship and excellence. The learning curve is steep, and I never stop making discoveries in the art form. I began crafting simple fabric pouches out of fabric from my own shirts on my mom’s sewing machine in my families living room, and now I am making high-end leather bags that utilize traditional leather-craft and original designs on industrial sewing machines in my custom workshop.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have a unique business. I design, purchase the supplies, and handcraft my bags. I am not motivated by fame or fortune. Instead, I’m motivated by excellence. Proverbs 22:29 states, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men”. That aphoristic verse has always resonated with me. I’ve always wanted to create something amazing. The road to get there has been challenging. Trial and error is characterized by the struggle. Early on, I ruined countless pieces of leather with bad stitches or poor cuts. Many times I would get to the end of crafting a bag and realize I made a mistake hours before, and the only solution is to deconstruct or start over. Those moments were painful. Thousands of hours of my life have been dedicated to the learning process, and there were many times the craft would push me to my limit. What is compelling about any skill is eventually the mistakes start to become less frequent. Now, I have found myself becoming fluent in the language of design and craftsmanship. The road has not always been smooth, but that’s what makes the journey an adventure. I wanted to be self-taught, to keep my process unique. I assumed if I sewed with minimum influence, the product would always reflect my vision. I committed to the struggle and have found myself in a place rooted in the humility that comes from growth. Now, when I sit down to work, I see myself as a learned alchemist, in this case turning leather, hardware, and fabric into valuable art that can be carried by the individual. The challenges and struggles have beautifully contributed to the outcome, and I’m grateful that the journey has not been easy.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Besides dedicating my energy to designing and sewing bags, I also am a high school English teacher. I’ve been teaching now for the last 20 years at Wilson High School in Long Beach California. I teach AP Literature and Composition and Literature and Communication Studies. Both of these are senior level courses. Literature and Communication Studies focusses on public speaking and debate skills. AP Literature and Composition is a course designed to prepare students for the advanced placement exam at the end of school year that tests on literary analysis skills and composition. I also am the Head Coach for both our Girls and Boys Wrestling Programs. We have over 90 athletes on the team, and compete in tournaments and dual meets all over California throughout the Winter Season. In addition to coaching wrestling, I am the Head Coach for the Speech and Debate Team. Our students compete in public speaking as well as debate. Finally, I serve as the ELA Department Co-Chair, elected to lead, advocate, and represent the English Department at our school. I have also taught at LA Valley College, as well as Biola University in La Mirada. I’m incredibly grateful to be in education. I love my job, and I enjoy teaching so many different facets of the English language. I think all humans have a variety of interests. We should never feel relegated to be defined by one thing. To be able to teach a subject I love, coach a sport I’ve been passionate about since first competing in middle school, and be involved in leadership, in addition to successfully running a handmade leather bag company, is truly a blessing.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
During Covid-19, I learned new skills. As an educator, we were sent home and our educational model became known as “distance learning” teaching on Zoom. Besides learning new ways to digitally organize the classroom, we all found ourselves with more time at home. Thankfully, this allowed me to perfect certain sewing skills, working to craft new bags like “The Moon Cloud”, and “The Sadiellaette”. I also began to learn how to handcraft high-performance English Longbows. The methodical process of shaping a bow has a number of similarities to working with leather. Both require patience, extreme attention to detail, and turning a one-dimensional design into a three-dimensional work of functional art. Covid 19 allowed me to have to time to pour myself into creativity. Although marked by global tragedy and isolation, I was fortunate to utilize the time we were given to improve my craft and pursue new ventures.
Pricing:
- Wallets, pouches, and accessories tend to range between $30-$100
- Crossbody Bags typically range from $120-$250
- Larger, detailed bags typically start at $200 and depending on size and process can be up to $1,000
- Custom bags range depending on the customers request.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sethwegter.com
- Instagram: @sethwegter
Image Credits
All images of bags and models taken by Seth Wegter
Female Model – Rachel Wegter
Male Model/Craftsman – Seth Wegter
Artist’s profile picture was taken by Laura Wegter
