First dome, best ever.
I was really excited when the new accessory category was introduced, mainly because I own too many pairs of boots to realistically commit to wearing the same pair every day for six months. Between dressing for office days versus days out of the office, my footwear naturally rotates, making accessories a much better and more consistent option for me.
At the same time, I had recently started getting into leatherworking as a hobby, and I saw this project as the perfect opportunity to test some of my own designs over an extended period of real-world use. For the leather, I chose Wickett & Craig American Vachetta. Its light natural color made it an ideal choice for showcasing patina development over time.
Over the course of the project, I created five pieces: a minimalist wallet, a business card holder, a belt, a watch strap, and what has ultimately become my favorite item — a key lanyard.
When it comes to the Wickett & Craig American Vachetta, I was genuinely surprised by how durable it proved to be. The leather is tough and far more scratch‑resistant than I initially expected. The items that live in my pockets — the key lanyard, wallet, and business card holder — really began to burnish nicely around the four‑month mark, developing a rich and even patina from constant handling.
The belt, on the other hand, told a different story. Being made from significantly thicker leather, it patinated in a much more gradual and distinct way compared to the other pieces. I found it especially interesting to see how thickness alone influenced the aging process, even though all the items were made from the same leather.
Overall, the last six months of the Dome, along with carrying and using my EDC leather items daily, have been extremely rewarding. This project further deepened my appreciation for quality leather goods and strengthened my passion for leather crafting. I’ve even received requests for custom pieces and have begun selling a few items — specifically the key lanyards — made with different leathers.
