Hip Harp Leather was on a brief break last year after chief moccasin designer Linsey Harper welcomed twin girls in September, but the mama of four is finding her creative mojo again. “I am able to work on moccasins while all of the kids are sleeping. If my twins are napping, my three year old usually wants my attention, so day work is usually out of the question,” she laughed. “While I have not figured it all out, I feel like we are making progress and I’m happy with where we are.”
Based in Utah, Hip Harp Leather started back in 2014 as a hobby for Harper. “I wanted moccasins for my little girl. I’m the DIY-type that says ‘I can make that,’” she explained. “Most of the time those fail, but this one stuck. My friends wanted them for their kids and their friends wanted them. I decided to put them on Etsy and try making $100/month making moccasins. It took off from there.” Surprisingly, Harper had never touched a sewing machine until six months prior to opening up shop. “I am a hardcore tomboy. The only kinds of things I wanted to do growing up were playing soccer outside, climbing trees, snowboarding and beating the boys at everything,” she said.
These days, Harper handcrafts leather-licious moccasins, baby shoes and accessories (including hats, purses and camera straps) for kids in sizes 0 (3.7”) to 10/11 (7”). The shop’s specialty moccasin designs, like unicorns, mermaids and sharks, are particularly darling. Harper also personally paints various designs on the moccasins. “My favorite part about making moccasins is the joy it brings other people. To see a smile on a kid’s face that does not want to take of his or her new moccs makes my heart so happy.” Her latest white bunny design with fuzzy ears is just perfect for Easter. “I think my favorite moccasins that I have designed and made are the Boat moccs in weathered brown,” she shared. “They are so different and they are probably one of, if not the top sellers.” Customers are offered all types of add-ons and customization options. “I have a couple of requests that made my heart explode,” said Harper. “I had a mama want some little doll-sized moccs for her preemie twins in the NICU. I also had a mama request moccs for her daughter that had braces on her legs.”
Like so many of us, Harper is finding her way juggling motherhood and the small shop business. “Don’t stress over the little things,” she offered. “Life will continue, even with a messy house. Kids will only be little once, so soak it up and enjoy every ounce of them.” Sage advice, Linsey Harper.
Check out what Harper is dropping next on the Hip Harp Leather website and join her VIP Facebook group here for more details.
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