me, current
business owner
About Olivia Valais
When I first started "studying" or should I say drawing and painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design, I definitely did not expect to graduate with hopes of building a gun holster empire. However, life always seems to throw those little curve balls.
I majored in Accessory Design where I learned how to make handbags and shoes. Growing up, I had always wanted to be a fashion designer (or a sheep farmer, hence the logo) but I had never even sewn anything before starting college. After a few years in, I fell in love with leatherworking.
For our senior project, we had a year to design a collection based off of any topic we wanted. At the time, I was interested in a way to make self defense more fashionable and that's when I discovered there weren't many "pretty" gun holsters specifically made for women that also looked high end on the market.
After further research, I seriously considered this as a future business idea. Luckily, after I graduated, I didn't get hired anywhere so I pretended that the universe was telling me to turn this into a real business. And that's where Olivia Valais begins.
Why the Sheep?
Like many others, I had a favorite stuffed animal growing up, a Beanie Baby lamb that I named Rosie. From the moment I met her, I knew sheep were going to become my favorite animal. And let me tell you, Rosie has been through it all.
From weddings to first days of school, I never let that little lamb out of my sight (except that one time I forgot her in my desk in 1st grade and my mom had to call the school after hours to let us retrieve her).
She was very well loved and for some reason my childhood self picked all of her fur off, so the majority of her lifespan she has worn a sock, and yes, she does have outfit changes for special occasions.
So what better way to pay homage to a childhood stuffed animal than to base your business off of her? (Although, I don't think she carries)
Rosie is currently living with me in my apartment, she still wears a sock, and she is still well loved.
my cool, supportive
older brother
me, future
business owner
Rosie
stitch pony for
hand sewing
Angelus leather
paint
pretty thread
About My Process
No sheep were harmed in the making of any of my products. (sorry cow lovers)
Each product is made with vegetable tanned leather, I used to think that meant the leather was made from vegetables and therefore it was vegan. I was very wrong. It is actually the process of taking raw animal hides and tanning them to make leather. All of the leather I use is sourced from Tandy Leather.
Most people are shocked when they find out that my leather is actually painted. I know it looks like the color is embedded into the leather using dye, but this is thanks to the amazing quality of Angelus Leather Paint.
I alternate between machine sewing and hand sewing. I actually prefer hand sewing because I find it therapeutic and I enjoy the traditional aspect of it.
All of my products are handmade by me and I do my best to make sure they are as high quality as they can be. I'm always looking to improve my skills to create the best products for my customers.