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Ethically Made, Eco-Friendly Bags for All
Leather and waxed canvas bags handmade by artists in Asheville, NC

Handmade

Women Owned

Lifetime Gaurantee

Living Wage Certified

Handmade

Lifetime Gaurentee

Women Owned

Living Wage Certified
WHo WE Are
We are a group of friends who handcraft leather and waxed canvas goods in Asheville, NC! Started in 2008 in Southern Illinois, we moved to Asheville in 2011, and our current converted warehouse in 2017. Since then, the team has changed from a one-woman show (founder Mary Lynn Schroeder) to our current team of WNC residents and whichever of their dogs and children are running around on any given day!

MARY LYNN
FOUNDER & CEO
The IN Blue Handmade Team

Katie
CFO
Originally hired @ In Blue in 2014 for shipping, I have worked in customer service, production, printing, as the Media Manager, and even took a crack at video editing for a short stint on Youtube for our “Between the Lines“ series. After a 7.5 year break to create a few humans, move too many times in and out of Alaska, and find myself in spreadsheets, I moved back to Asheville and In Blue in June 2023 to start running some numbers, work a laser and talk to all y’all in Customer Service.

TRavis
COO
Just trying to be a rad dad! Becoming a father to my two littles, Nathan and Evelyn, has been a great adventure with my amazing wife, Rachel. In my off time, I spend as much time as I can with family and friends. I try to be out in the woods as much as possible, enjoying hiking and backpacking.
Fun Fact: I’ve been at In Blue the longest of the current team, and when I'm not helping make the bags and accessories, you can find me behind the camera for all our product and lifestyle shots.

Belen
Production Manager
A passionate creator of handcrafted wonders in shades of blue with a keen eye for detail and a love for all things artisanal, I pour my heart and soul into every piece I make. Explore my work of craftsmanship where creativity knows no bounds.

KRISTA
Production Team Manager
Hello All! I have an out-of-control collection of crystals, house plants, and tarot cards (over 20 decks!) I love the outdoors, craft beer, tiki drinks, and living in the mountains of WNC with my partner, very best friend, and ride-or-die, Dave. I also have one sassy, opinionated rabbit named Lune (the namesake of our Luna tote!)

Mandella
Director of Operations
My teenage son and I have 2 big dogs and a Banana Ball Python at home with us. We stay busy loving life in the beautiful Western North Carolina mountains! I am into all kinds of music and art and love design - from furniture and fashion to cars and architecture - I am inspired by everything around me every day. I look forward to traveling, learning how to play an instrument, and making more art. I really do love my job, and am so excited to make awesome bags for you!

Chris
Creative Director
Originally from Louisiana, I traded the Cajun living for Mountain View’s and Craft Beers -- though crawfish, Po boy’s, and Mardi Gras will always run through my veins. When I’m not working at In Blue, I spend my free time working on digital art, hiking, rafting, and socializing with friends. I love travel when I can and I’m a big-time foodie. Trying new things and putting myself out there keeps life interesting!

HAYLEY
PRODUCTION TEAM MANAGER
Hey Y'all! I was born in Maine, Raised in SC and have lived all over the country from Alaska to Idaho. Asheville by far has the most creative vibes and I'm so proud to be working for such a badass-women-owned company. I have two boys, Tyrone and Terry Joe and they are MAMAS WORLD.

Phil
Shipping Logistics
What We Believe
We are a group of friends who handcraft leather and waxed canvas goods in Asheville, NC! Started in 2008 in Southern Illinois, we moved to Asheville in 2011, and our current converted warehouse in 2017. Since then, the team has changed from a one-woman show (founder Mary Lynn Schroeder) to our current team of WNC residents and whichever of their dogs and children are running around on any given day!
Our Process
We handmake every item we sell ourselves in our Asheville, NC studio. Our 6500-square-foot converted warehouse is full of our shop dogs (rescue pups who come to work with us!), a fun hardworking team, and plenty of fizzy water.


Our Leather
Our leather is sourced from the USA, working with different American distributors across the country, and specializing in eco-tanning process and second-source leather. We take our environmental and humanitarian standards very seriously, and have transparency clauses with all farms, tanneries and distributors we work with. Our waxed canvas is sourced from the oldest textile mill in the USA. It is durable, ages beautifully, and also environmentally friendly.


Utility meets style and feel-good purchasing power