Forging Ahead Designs

Vendor Spotlight: Forging Ahead Designs

Jesse Stratowski handcrafts high-quality blades, but his business veered in a second, unintended direction.

“I started blacksmithing and bladesmithing for myself, but when friends and family began asking me to make some for them, I started selling blades online and at small markets,” he says.

Since blades must be stored, Jesse began making leather sheaths. He describes this part of his business as “a happy accident.”

“The same skills used to make a nice sheath have a great deal of overlap with the skills for making wallets, belts, bags, and other traditional leather goods,” he says. “The combination of my own curiosity and queries from folks looking for leatherwork led me to expand my offerings.”

“Everything that I present is made by my own two hands; forged, shaped, and hand-sewn,” he continues. “Forging Ahead Designs represents the intersection of the driving philosophies in my life: reducing my global impact, sourcing sustainable materials, creating goods carefully one at a time that will last a lifetime, and community support.”

Come see Forging Ahead Designs on September 14 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA).