Era was introduced to working with leather by her friend Lani, who has an extensive knowledge of tailoring and sewing. At Lani's ranch in California, the two would cut and sew, while listening to music and getting high on leather glue. The work was heavily influenced by Native American leatherwork and dark music.

She found 73 year old saddlemaker Ferruccio Serafini at work in his shop in one of the hottest summers in recorded history. He generously pulled up a stool and told her she was welcome to observe. Era touched nothing in the shop for 3 months. Her basic knowledge slowly blossomed into the principles of saddlemaking and machine work.

Traditional saddlemaking techniques are immediately apparent in Era's bags. The choice of leather, thread, stitching, lining, and hardware are combined to respect the tradition of this work. All her bags are crafted completely by hand.

Before she came to Italy she spent 10 years in the corporate world of book publishing.

Portrait by Alex Daniel califinewine@gmail.com