when purchasing a handbag from quejimenez there are a few things to keep in mind:
about leather:
leather is an organic material. with that being said each piece is completely original. because of its organic nature it is not uncommon to find blemishes, discoloration, marks, etc. within a large piece of leather. despite my keen eye and sheer will to create the finest leather products...there is only so much that can be done.
there will be subtle nuances from piece to piece, with minor "characteristics." this is the nature and beauty of leather, and a sign of a 100% true leather product.
i do use only the finest leather and hand choose each hide to mitigate the marks, and blemishes.
painted leather:
painted leather is the most surface "stable" leather that i offer. the leather paint is perfectely formulated for leather and should last and stand up to normal wear and tear over the years. the leather paint acts as a barrier and protectant for the finish of the leather. with the paint the leather is made more water-resistant, and it is the finish that i prefer and recommend for everyday use.
dyed leather:
dyeing leather is an art in and of itself. i believe that each dyer has her/his own "hand" and produces colorations depending on their dyeing "process." my process is an organic one where i seek to let the hand crafted quality and my dyeing "hand" come through. i do not aim for "perfection" but beauty. because my products are not "mass-produced" and created individually i strive for my particular look. my inspiration is nature...and the colorations of things in nature.
because each hide has a different chemical make-up, even if it comes from the same tannery, each hide will take, and respond to color uniquely. there will not be huge color differences, but there may be very slight differences (really slight).
nude leather:
"nude leather" is leather that has not been treated with any paint or dye. each hide will differ slightly in color, tone and appearance. it is also to be expected that within one piece of hide there may be variations in color, texture and appearance. these variations are the appeal of using an organic material, and again are the hallmark of leather.
all nude leather is also finished with a protective coating to create a more water-resistant surface. please note that water-resistant is not the same as water-proof.
aging of the leather:
leather, like any other skin will tan under normal exposure to light (even indoor light). this is also called tanning and is similar to a suntan. as the leather ages it will naturally darken, age and soften. the only surface treatment that quejimenez offers that prevents the tanning process is paint. leather that is dyed, or left nude will naturally darken and age with time and exposure to light. (covered areas such as the under part of flaps will not darken as quickly)
caring for your quejimenez bag:
your bag is a work of art. it was artisan crafted and should last years. with that in mind, there are some ways to better preserve your bag.
despite the water-resistant finish i apply to the bags it is important for them to not get wet. leather is known to be very sensitive to water, and is not water-proof. the finish that i add to the leather, along with the paint does make them very water-resistant, however, care must be used to ensure the leather isn't exposed to any water for long periods of time. do not let water sit on your bag.
its also a good idea to keep the bag polished occasionally by adding leather "wax" or similar products to restore the leather's natural oils. please contact me for suggested products to use should you need it.
lastly...treat it with love, it was lovingly created by hand by me for you...so be kind to your bag...and my work of art.
