Artist Profile: Kailee Groat – Leatherworker
 

Kailee's hands move with practiced precision as she guides a sharp swivel knife through a piece of supple leather. With each careful move, she carves intricate designs that will eventually transform the raw material into a one-of-a-kind leather goods. 

 

In 2024, Kailee turned her passion into reality, launching HazeLee Leather—and business is growing! Kaille makes sure that every piece is crafted with precision, passion, and a deep respect for the art of leatherwork. Leaving behind a corporate job, Kailee is all in on creating one-of-a-kind, heirloom-quality leather goods that tell a story. Her work attracts those who are looking to own something unique, handcrafted, and built to last.

 

Her artistic inclinations were nurtured from a young age, thanks to her mother's own creative talents. "My mom was always an artistic person. Her and my dad did leather work for years." Kailee would often rely on her mother's skilled drawing abilities when she needed help with school projects, marveling at her ability to bring drawings to life.

 

After having children, Kailee found herself searching for a new path that would allow her more freedom and flexibility. Leather crafting, something she had been exposed to through her family, began to pique her interest as a potential business venture. "This came at the right time for me" she says, explaining that after her beloved mother passed away she decided to make an investment in herself and her family. Kailee purchased the foundations of her leather working business from a local maker who was looking to retire and sell her equipment and materials. She’s been building her skill, brand, and client base ever since. 

 

Leather work is a learning process. From initial design, to mastering the technique of casing the leather to ensure a clean cut, to perfecting the use of specialized tools like the swivel knife, Kailee has immersed herself in every aspect of the craft. "I definitely don't take any shortcuts," she explains. "I make sure that I buy the best quality leather, Herman oak, and the best equipment that I can." This commitment to quality is evident in the finished products, which Kaylee hopes will become cherished, heirloom pieces. 

 

There is a generational mindset to Kailee’s approach that you can only get with a focus on quality. The pieces she’s crafting carry the same depth and tradition that artisans have passed down through generations, preserving techniques that have stood the test of time. It’s the idea that a hand, guided by generations before it, shapes something singular—an artistry impossible to replicate. She adapts time tested practices to modern aesthetics, and proves leather carving is timeless and alive.

 

Kailee's attention to detail extends beyond the technical aspects of her work. She is also deeply invested in creating truly unique pieces for each client. “A person ordering the piece has put a lot of time and thought into what they would want as a custom piece, and me, as a maker, I put a lot of time and thought into creating something that's unique for them."

 

This focus on customization and personalization is a key part of Kailee’s artistic vision. "You have to try and kind of find your own style. Because there's a thousand different ways to do it and so you can find something that then becomes recognizable to you." While Kailee's personal style leans towards a more neutral, Western-inspired aesthetic, she likes to step outside her comfort zone to work with her clients' preferences. "I definitely appreciate clients that will push me out of my comfort zone. When the piece is done, I love it."

 

Kailee's passion for her craft is palpable, and she finds great fulfillment in the process of creating. Pushing her boundaries, Kailee has a few specific goals in mind like to create prizes for events and to get more into different design worlds like handbags or jewelry. The directions to explore are wide open because there are leather goods for everybody.

 

With her signature blend of heart and practicality, she doesn’t take any of her success for granted. "I think sometimes people don't realize how much it actually means to somebody like me when somebody orders from me or purchases my products because it's paying my bills, it's supporting my family. I love it, and I do it for fun, but the reality of it is, we have to keep our economy alive. It means so much to support local, right?"

 

Every stitch, carve, and detail tells a story, blending tradition with artistry. As she continues her journey, HazeLee Leather is set to leave a lasting mark.