Harriet’s Hides began with a bag, a compliment, and a question:

“Where’d you get that bag?”

After spotting a cowhide tote at a baseball game, Sheryl was reminded of her childhood where she grew up around gorgeous cowhides. Back in 1947, her "Uncle Goodie" started a family business processing hides and is now a global leader in that field. She bought a tote for herself and quickly realized she wasn’t the only one drawn to it. Everywhere she went, all the way around the world, women stopped her to ask about her bag.

That spark led Sheryl to the Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts, where she learned the meticulous craft of leatherwork. Within 5 months, she had created an entire line of one of a kind cowhide handbags.

But the heart of Harriet’s Hides is Sheryl’s mother, Harriet.

Harriet was known for her warmth, creativity, and upbeat personality. Her signature red rose pin that she wore on her jacket was her favorite. She used to say, "Sheryl, this is a real rose that someone coated with something to preserve it and made this beautiful pin!" When Sheryl began making bags, she knew that rose belonged in her story.

Today, as a finishing touch, Sheryl stamps a red rose onto each Harriet's Hides bag that she creates. "That red rose is my mother's proud smile and stamp of approval!"

The red rose is a reminder that Sheryl's bags are more than beautiful cowhide laced with handcrafted details. They are made with love, personality, and heart — just like Harriet herself.

"If my mother were here, she wouldn't believe what I've done!" A piece of her lives on in every bag that Sheryl creates.

Handcrafted in Chicago. Bags bursting with heart.

Bold.

Beautiful.

Unique.