Artist Statement
Leather is alive in a way few materials are.
Every hide carries a story — of movement, weather, survival, and time. When I begin a piece, I listen for what the material wants to become. My process is slow and intuitive, guided as much by feeling as by skill. I often say that every stitch is a prayer.
My work lives at the intersection of utility and ceremony. A bag is something you carry every day — it holds your essentials, your memories, your life in motion. When made with intention, it becomes more than an object; it becomes a companion.
I am drawn to organic textures, natural imperfections, and materials shaped by the earth. Stones like turquoise and opal frequently find their way into my work, grounding each piece in something ancient and elemental. I want my designs to feel timeless — as though they could have existed in the past or be discovered far in the future.
This work is also about lineage — honoring what we inherit and what we create with our own hands. My practice is shaped by land, community, and a lifelong exploration of creativity as medicine.
In a fast world, I choose to make things slowly.
By hand.
With intention.
To last.
Artist Bio
Carrie Rae Woodburn is a leather artist and designer based in Laguna Beach, California, and the creative force behind Carrie Rae Leather Designs. Her work blends traditional leathercraft techniques with contemporary design, creating one-of-a-kind handbags, belts, cuffs, and adornments that honor both material and maker.
With over a decade of experience working with leather, Carrie Rae approaches each piece as a collaboration between hand, hide, and intention. She works primarily with full-grain leather, natural stones, and carefully sourced materials, often incorporating turquoise, opal, and vintage elements into her designs. Every piece is hand-cut, hand-stitched, and made to last for generations.
Her creative practice is deeply influenced by her connection to land, ancestry, and storytelling — from time spent on her family’s century-old Wisconsin farm to years immersed in Laguna Beach’s vibrant art community. Carrie Rae’s work reflects a belief that functional objects can also be sacred objects — carriers of memory, beauty, and personal expression.
In addition to exhibiting at the Sawdust Art Festival, Carrie Rae is the founder of Terra Sage Mercantile, a creative community space in Laguna Canyon where she teaches, mentors emerging artisans, and continues to explore the intersection of craft, creativity, and healing.