We were lucky to catch up with Magenta Reynolds recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Magenta, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
Focusing on self care is exactly what led me into this career; my business is my self care. I started Leather Sage in 2016 as a side project to satisfy my relentless need to just sit down and make stuff. Even as a young girl I loved collecting materials, sprawling out on the floor, and transforming them into some sort of new collective thing. The act of creating always satisfies my imagination and my task-oriented parts. But perhaps most importantly, when I make something with my hands I’m totally present in my body. Any anxiousness in my system slows down, and any heaviness lightens up. I meet myself at this beautiful harmony of parts that becomes my flow state. Beadwork, in particular, facilitates this balance because it’s such a slow and tedious art form. When the pandemic hit the US in 2020, I decided to attempt working full-time with Leather Sage. There was no other job option that allowed me to work at my pace, in my own rhythm, in respect of my nervous system’s needs. I’m a big feeler, and having flexibility in my day-to-day is incredibly important to my overall success. Every other job left me feeling overwhelmed, disassociated, or just straight up unhappy. Working for myself, in my own rhythm, is the best self care I can manage. When I tune into my system and match that flow, my productivity, creativity, and effectiveness all skyrocket. My motto is simply this: move slow to move fast.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I design and handcraft beaded leather accessories with elk and deer that I hunt in Montana’s wild lands. I process the hides into full grain leather to create each unique Leather Sage piece. This wearable art is carefully crafted over the span of several days as I design, cut, sew, bead, and finish all of my artwork in my Denver, Colorado home studio.
I consider hunting to be a choice that promotes land and animal conservation, clean eating, and connective movement. I grew up on a small family farm in Montana; after spending my young adult years in the city of San Diego, I realized the importance of reincorporating nature and intentional living into my daily life and creativity. The entirety of my work honors both the land and mountain lifestyle that I love to my core.
I’ve successfully worked as a full-time artist since 2020 and my entire focus continues to revolve around Leather Sage. I feel confident in my ability to continue to grow my business, and I want to continue to elevate my designs and craftsmanship. I plan to slowly expand into more fine art in the form of beaded leather paintings and sculptures, which will debut at Jackson Hole Western Design Conference in September.
Leading up to the fall, I’ll be showcasing my leatherwork at local art shows this summer – beginning with Park Hill Art Festival on June 1st & 2nd. More information on these two events, as well as the rest of my calendar, can be found on the “upcoming shows” tab of my website (www.leathersage.com).
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My parents raised me on a small family farm outside a little Montana town. From the beginning, they taught me the value of a self sustaining lifestyle in partnership with Mama Nature. We grew up with fruit trees, a garden, chickens and other farm animals. Some of my favorite young memories are inside the moments of making applesauce and jams together as a family. My parents taught me how to hunt early on, and I have been harvesting wild game since age 14. This knowledge and value system are massive motivators behind my business. I don’t believe I’d be working with leather if it wasn’t for the hunting element of my lifestyle, and I don’t know if I’d be working for myself if it wasn’t for the courage and self determination instilled in me from early on.
Stepping into myself has been an important part of my journey, too. I was fortunate enough to go to college and study English and Communication Theory. This time in school launched me into a deep study of language and word systems. I began to hyperfocus on how to articulate my thoughts and feelings, and an entire world opened up to me where I was able to express and connect on new levels. I stepped further into trusting myself and allowing the world to see me more openly. From here I found myself writing more poetry, making more art, and modeling. These forms of expression became the channels for finding and sharing my voice.
The culmination of these pieces are what feed my journey. I’ve had to learn other business skills of course – things like website development, marketing, content creation, budgeting, and how to do my own taxes… but the root of it all is perseverance in self expression.
My leading advice for fellow creatives is always: Trust yourself. Making art for yourself is a great start, but things really start to get exciting when you expose it and get vulnerable. Apply to local markets, build a website, post on socials, network with your community, and even let your friends pay you for your artwork. Trust that you have something of value to share with the world. Your voice is one of a kind and it can say things in a different way than anyone else on Earth. Lean in, get uncomfortable, and let us all be a part of it! Let us witness the parts that make you human and all of us will gain.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m endlessly looking to connect with creatives that are trying to expand their expression, and I am always open to new collaborative ideas.
My long standing dream is to work alongside interior designers and/or fashion stylists. I’d love the idea of landing on a collective vision for a particular space or person, and then working to make that vision come to life.
My doors are also always open to photographers and other models that want to curate interesting photoshoots featuring my work. Let’s play! Find me through instagram at @leather.sage or email me at leathersageco@gmail.com and let me know what you’re dreaming.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.leathersage.com
- Instagram: @leather.sage
- Facebook: @leather.sage
- Other: Check out the “upcoming shows” tab on my website (www.leathersage.com) to see where you can come view my work in person!
Image Credits
Rainbow Road Studios, Erica Arvizu Photography, Kirstin Anne Photography
