Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Dryden.
Hi Beth, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been making leather goods for over 14 years now. Each piece is distinctively designed by me and carefully crafted currently with no machines or major leather working tools. Just my two hands. What began as a quiet creative outlet slowly grew into a full-time business. I started selling online, moved into wholesale, did a few rebrands, and kept refining the work until I knew exactly what I wanted to build: heirloom-level pieces… ones that last forever with soul, story, and texture…solely using vegetable-tanned leather with sustainability and ethos in mind.
But over the years, the deeper shift wasn’t just in the leather…it was in me. I realized I didn’t want to chase trends or keep things virtual forever. I wanted to create a physical space that matched the spirit of my functional art pieces. A place where the slow process of making could be felt…where the materials, the story, and the experience are all part of the brand.
That space is finally taking shape. I recently launched a Kickstarter to open my dream space where it’s equal parts leather working studio, intimate event space for curated wine gatherings, and small-batch retail to be located in East Atlanta. It’s where Sondera 1974 will truly come to life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been anything but smooth, and maybe that’s the point of this journey… this is becoming quite clear. I’ve worn every hat over the years: maker, marketer, shipper, designer, photographer, customer service rep. I’ve had to navigate burnout, financial risks, and seasons where nothing felt clear.
There were pivots, pauses, and full-on reinventions. I’ve stitched through grief, launched collections without knowing what would happen next, and wrestled with what it means to build a sustainable business without losing the soul of it.
But through all the change, the one thing that’s remained steady is the work: my hands, the leather, the process. That part never stopped calling. That and the word, pivot. If you’re not pivoting when things aren’t working, you will always be spinning your wheels. Grateful for having come across a wise business person saying this very thing, and it has stuck with me. The passion for this has been too strong that giving up has not been an option.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sondera 1974. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Sondera 1974 is a leather goods studio rooted in story, built on intention, and fueled by the belief that the best things in life are made slowly. I design and hand-stitch every piece… bags, wine totes, and leather smalls using richly textured leathers that carry the marks of time. Nothing is mass-produced. Nothing is rushed.
What sets Sondera apart is the blending of worlds: the rugged and the refined, the functional and the soulful. Every product is one of one. Every item has its own scars and story.
And now, I’m bringing that same intentionality into a physical space. As mentioned above, the upcoming studio will be part studio, part retail, part wine event space, designed for connection and conversation. As I recently became a Certified Sommelier, wine is a huge part of this experience too. Because leather and wine both require patience, craftsmanship, and a respect for time and history.
This isn’t just about selling a bag. It’s about creating something you want to live with…something that carries weight, history, and personal meaning for that beautifully textured journey you’re on.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
The Kickstarter for Sondera 1974 is live, and it’s more than a funding campaign…it’s an invitation. If you value the handmade, if you want to see spaces that slow you down and invite you in, I’d love for you to be part of it.
This shop is for the indie-spirited, the collectors, the quiet rebels. It’s for people who care about what they carry, what they pour, and how they spend their days.
The work will always be personal. Always made by hand. Always a little wild around the edges—just like the stories that shape us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sondera1974.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sondera1974/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sondera1974/
- Other: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sondera1974/help-open-sondera-1974-where-artistry-story-and-soul-meet?ref=4jdysa
Image Credits
Photos & Styling by Beth Dryden
