Shopping a Community of Makers: Tactile Craftworks

We at The Great Republic take pride in celebrating American craftsmanship and supporting the community of American makers, designers, artists, and creators represented in our shop.  From our leather makers to letterpress designers, jewelry crafters to cutlers, pen makers and horologists, by shopping with The Great Republic you are helping over 30 small businesses thrive. 

One of the small businesses and creative experts that make The Great Republic such a special place to shop is Tactile Craftworks. 

Tactile Craftworks is a woman-owned and operated leather crafting company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 2014 by Sarah Heck and Anna Warren, the two artists began collaborating on hand-crafted projects after meeting in a theater prop shop. They built out a small line of leather goods and sold their goods at local shops and fairs. Today, Tactile Craftworks now partners with over 200 retailers nationwide, and yet still continues to craft each piece by hand.

“Our work is most inspired by the idea of place, and our emotional responses to both home and travel. We take pride in our methods of using modern technologies to enhance our traditional skills. We value quality, heritage, history, and longevity; working to decrease the disposable and give story to the ordinary. We strive to make pieces that are durable to use, beautiful to look at, and satisfying to hold.”