Our Story
My Passion for being a leather artist started early in life, and I quickly started making bags at the age of ten. Over the years other things seem to take place of my craftsmanship, but the life and loss of my brother, and our love for rodeo renewed my passion for leather and making bags.
I became a maker of only custom bags in 2012. Making and sewing everything by hand was both rewarding and challenging but left my bags with a high price tag. There are many people here in Santa Fe that can afford a $3500 bag, but I felt a need to not only make custom bags, but also affordable bags for everyday users like me. To do that I realized that I had to make it a legit business with a real shop and equipment.
From “Lew Lewis Leather smith” to Marked Out Leatherworks. Marked Out, pertains to a bareback or saddle bronc rider, and they are required to keep the spurs in contact with the horse’s shoulders until the horse’s front feet hit the ground after the first jump out of the chute. My oldest brother Paul was a bareback rider, and he appreciated the leather trade and the importance of it. The name Marked Out is a tribute to my brother as a bareback rider, and my love of rodeo. Paul had a “cowboyism” sense of humor, and he told me one day after a ride… ”Bro if you’re going to last more than 8 seconds, grab some leather.” I sure do miss him.
The Team
Lew Lewis
Maker, designer, cool equipment buyer, check signer, toilet cleaner.
Amanda Carrillo
Lew’s much needed assistant, designer, photographer, social media coordinator, e-commerce, packaging, shipping, bookkeeping, supply technician, coordinating engineer, travel planner, event planner, sponsorship coordinator, scheduler… I could go on but, if you haven’t figured out, we couldn’t do it with out her. (I just realized that I should give her a raise!)
Mo Abernathy
Oldest Grandkid, apprentice, small goods maker, Grandpa’s edger and burnisher, packing, shop cleaner, press puncher, and, oh yeah…he does operate our CNC and embroidery equipment. Everybody needs one of these!
Diana Aparicio
Sweeter than all of us put together, sewing technician, painting, pattern gluer and assembly, packing,
Neptali Posadas
Marked Out is committed to support PRCA and local Rodeo events, its athletes, and Miss Rodeo Pageantry. We believe that rodeo is the last God-fearing family event in America.
Marked Out Leatherworks is a family and veteran owned business that is still designing, cutting, sewing and making all our bags in our own shop right here in Santa Fe, NM US of A. We strive to use products and leather sourced here in America. Our quality and service will gain your trust in our products and our ethics and will support everything we stand for.
