Carry With Care: JR Hudgins on Leather Goods and Everyday Carry

Handmade Leather Goods for Everyday Carry, Built in Greensboro, NC

At Hudson’s Hill, we believe the items you carry daily should reflect your values. That means quality over quantity, substance over flash, and craftsmanship that speaks for itself. Whether it's a wallet, key loop, tool pouch, or card sleeve, your everyday carry (EDC) gear should work hard, wear in, and last.

That’s where JR Hudgins comes in.

As our in-house leatherworking specialist, JR doesn’t just make accessories - he creates heirloom-quality leather goods designed for daily use. Rooted in American workwear and handcrafted in Greensboro, NC, his pieces bridge traditional leathercraft with modern utility. Every stitch, edge, and finish is intentional.

This season, we’re spotlighting JR and the launch of our Everyday Carry Collection - a lineup of minimalist essentials crafted to be worn, used, and appreciated every day. Many are handmade in our shop using premium materials like Horween Chromexcel and vegetable-tanned leathers.

This spotlight brings you an inside look into JR’s process: his journey into leathercraft, his design philosophy, and how each piece in the EDC collection is made with care, purpose, and a bit of stubborn Southern grit.

From Summer Camp to Skilled Leather Craftsman

For JR Hudgins, leatherwork began early.

"I began at age 6 at a cowboy-style summer camp in South Texas," he recalls. "It was a hobby all throughout my childhood. I began doing it for work when I joined Hudson’s Hill as it originally opened."

That early start laid the groundwork for a career steeped in craft. Today, JR’s bench is a fixture in the Hudson’s Hill store, where wallets, belts, and tool rolls are made by hand.

"Grew up adjacent to the clothing industry," he adds. "And one of the owners, Evan Morrison, was a mentor throughout high school and into the creation of HH - and to this day."

"It’s great to have a job where it’s a community - or as we call it, our tribe," JR says. "And I can go home feeling I’m part of the good fight in this current day and age."

Minimalist Leather Design, Maximum Durability

When you pick up one of JR's wallets or belts, you’re holding something thoughtfully designed.

"It can definitely be a fine line," JR says of balancing ruggedness with refinement. "But I do maintain the ‘keep it stupid simple’ mindset. Something minimal with little flair allows all attention to be on the details that invoke quality construction and durability."

This mindset defines JR’s work. His preferred materials - vegetable-tanned leather and Horween Chromexcel - are chosen for their durability and patina.

"The veg-tan patinas and ages as beautifully as well-worn raw denim," he says. "And the Chromexcel’s color immediately invokes a high quality on touch, color, and look."

Small Leather Goods for EDC, Made by Hand

Designing durable EDC items like wallets and key fobs is a craft of its own.

"Most smalls are made entirely by hand," JR explains. "No machines, just two hands. Whereas larger products (sans belts), such as bags, are made in larger batches with a few sets of hands and a sewing machine."

The smaller the piece, the more precision is required. Each stitch and bevel must serve function and form.

"The biggest challenge is often keeping the store stocked while also running it daily," JR admits. "But often it can be a puzzle to accommodate a customer request or change while maintaining the durability."

Durable Leather Accessories That Can Be Repaired

"Buy things that can be fixed - preferably by you or by someone accessible to you," JR advises. "Yeah, metal RFID wallets are cool, but the second that obscure spring breaks, so does your wallet. Whereas if it’s leather, anyone with patience and the right needles and thread can fix it."

This practical outlook informs every product JR designs. The pieces aren’t just made to be used—they’re made to be repairable, to outlast trends, and to serve.

Evolving Craft Through Everyday Practice

"The better I get, the faster I get," JR says. "The faster I get, the bigger and more complex things can get."

That focus on continuous improvement is central to JR’s work. Each new project becomes an opportunity to refine technique and push limits. Whether it’s fine-tuning a minimalist cardholder or planning a more complex carry-all, JR’s craft is always evolving.

Handmade in Greensboro: The Value of American-Made Leather Goods

So what does JR want customers to notice?

"I would hope quality is noticed," he says. "And the finger-breaking time it takes to make them isn't."

Every leather good from JR is made to feel right in the hand, wear beautifully, and perform reliably. The beauty isn’t in the branding - it’s in the making.

Thoughtfully Crafted Everyday Carry, Built to Last

Whether you're building your Everyday Carry kit from scratch or upgrading pieces that no longer serve, Hudson’s Hill’s EDC collection is designed for real use. Each piece is crafted by JR with functionality, repairability, and longevity in mind.

These aren’t trends. They’re tools.