Directive

Directive is a one-woman leatherworking business located in the former heartland of the leather industry, Milwaukee, WI.

www.shopdirective.com

Premium hand crafted Leather Goods focused on small batch collections of modern, minimalist handbags, backpacks, small accessories, and lifestyle products. Taking her background in fine art in a different direction, owner and maker, Jess Goehner, taught herself bag design starting in 2012. Being self taught, each design is rooted in the simplicity of the materials- allowing

the shape and minimalist solid brass hardware to define her style. Each Directive product is made from raw materials, Jess’s two hands, and one basic sewing machine. Directive products strive to be beloved, unique basics for a lifetime. Made of top grain, heavier leathers, the bags become softer and more unique to each owner with time. Lined bags (as noted) use heavy weight natural canvas for interior visibility. Strap edges are hand painted and burnished with wax for longevity and a more polished look. All bags are made with solid brass hardware made in the USA. Hand made heavy duty zippers withstand repeat handling and safely enclose personal items.

04/08/2026

I've been in the studio hustling so much that I keep skipping the important things- like sharing the ding dang work I am making.

Knocking out a pile of bags everyday in prep for shows this week (Friday at Bird Girl Bottle Shop! Saturday in Phoebus!).

Today I need to get to work on the belt bar- as in, what do I need to make you a custom belt on site quickly and neatly?

And for 2026 I am no longer neglecting big bags. I love a hauler, and want to focus on those vs smaller bags.

Cubists are a good mid size, but I am thinking some larger sizes need to get some attention.

This Cubist is sold, but tons more on the site.

02/24/2026

Home Ec: Learn to Sew is back March 8th at 💫

Pick up a needle and thread and learn all the basics of hand sewing so you can:

-Fix a loose button
-Hem a skirt or pants
-Fix a rip
-Sew your own clothes, toys, decor (!)
-Personalize your wardrobe

Tickets are on the site- spots are super limited so I can work more closely with you (learned that we need more of this from the last class).

Your ticket includes a sewing kit made of upcycled fabrics, complete with needles, thread, snips, pins, measuring tape and more.

02/17/2026

It's been a minute and there are quite a few new friends here, welcome!

Directive is the umbrella name for my one-woman leather working and art operation that has been going for 13 years already. I have made hundreds and hundreds of bags, wallets, and jewelry, mostly in leather but also canvas for my OG friends.

I'm Jess, formerly of the city of Milwaukee (and before that Boston), now currently working out of my garage in coastal VA making bags, wallets, bolos, paintings, drawings, and clothing.

My truest wish is to bring together my favorite things, Art + Craft + Fashion for myself but also you too. I'm chipping away at this vision, building it day by day.

And a role I have stepped into more fully in the last year: instructor. I want to share all the stored info I have in my head with you all. Leatherwork, Drawing, Mixed Media, Bookmaking, and Sewing classes have been a dream to put together- and have pushed me creatively more than I ever expected. Sharing with community is essential, now more than ever.

I am in the midst of building a new collection, dropping in late March for my Annual Birthday gift to you all. Some special leather colors, new styles, and a few more surprises in the works.

As I move into late winter, I will have a LOT more time to get in the studio and prepare for the year. So we will be back to a more even balance between teaching, art, and always leatherwork.

Five current favorite things to do:
- Wander the international grocery stores for new ingredients to try
-Short, timed bursts of painting and drawing (gotta get it in even when I am busy)
-Strong coffee, sipped at the kitchen table
-Card games and screenless time with my love, Gonçalo
-Thrifting for old canvases and bold blouses

Oh and watch process videos, 100%. (ASMR baking videos have me locked in)

Thanks for being here with me, I appreciate you!

02/07/2026

Floral Bag Charms/Key Chains are up at Bird Girl Bottle Shop with more to come online soon! My leather bins are overflowing, the only thing keeping me from offering lots of new things is TIME. One woman shop problems 😘

Not near to me but want one of these? Drop me a line and I can hook you up. Every one is one of a kind.

01/28/2026

The first Community Sewing Workshop, Home Ec at is coming up on February 8th.

Learn to Sew basics like threading needles, tying knots, six different hand sewing stitches and when to use them (and when to break the rules 🤪), and sewing on a button. You'll practice all of them as you finish your own fabric sewing pouch, made of found and upcycled fabrics. Each kit has a measuring tape, pin cushion, seam ripper, needles, thread, and pins all inside 🥹.

Plus, it's Bird Girl so there will be delicious pizza, NA or Full A beverages for purchase, and a great little community of people looking to connect.

Pick up a ticket on my site so I can prepare the kits for you all!

I shared this in stories, but if you are in the 757 area and wanting to take this class but it's out of your budget at this time and you are needing community and skill building time, please reach out. I am sponsoring someone to take this course, and I will buy you a pizza to take home as well. Everyone is welcome, always.

01/07/2026

Dropped these new Slim Bifolds during the Holiday season on a whim, and they were a big hit. To be fair, this design was inspired by a man who popped into my tent at a market looking for something like this. He already had one and it was small and compact and I really loved the wear on it.

So, I made my own take on a super slim cardholder.

I get asked at every show if I have "x" kind of wallet, and the variety of wallets is just so vast that it's rare to have any specific style requested. But these and some soon to be dropped wallets with money clips will enter into the Directive lineup of leather wallets for 2026.

My goal is also to majorly stock up on inventory in this first quarter of the year- so I may have 50+ options available (of each style) pretty dang soon (relatively soon) vs always playing catch up during the Holiday rush.

I am hoping to work ahead this year (though I am currently behind). Fingers and toes crossed.

01/06/2026

Come with me for a studio day! This was filmed in November (better late than never??) when I was in major prep for Holiday shows. The studio only got more chaotic.

But, this really kept me accountable and working as much as I could. So if you like this kinda thing lmk, I could probably use more of these kind of productive days.

11/19/2025

Leather Stud Earrings 🟠🟡🟢🟣🟤⚪⚫🔴🔵

Made with scrap leather, hand punched and hand set into either 18k Gold or Sterling Silver plated steel studs. This is me making every attempt to use up all the precious lil bits of leather from making your bags and bolos. Less waste, more outfit options.

I will have a pile of these in both sizes at all of my upcoming shows and they will drop online next week as well for those who are far away. They make great gifts too, btw...

Thanks for the support and patience during this insane holiday season! Grateful for every last one of ya!

11/13/2025

Milwaukee! I will be back!

11/08/2025

Actually surprised this Nubuck Animal Print Mini Cubist is still available - such a good statement-kinda-neutral if you know what I mean?

I have it with me today in Suffolk, VA, but if you see this and absolutely MUST have it - it's ready to ship on my site and I am hitting the post office Monday anyway, it could easily be yours.

Small, but mighty and the ONLY one I made before I ran out of leather. 🐆🐆

10/25/2025

Deep Brown Cubist Crossbody.

A brief update from my Manhattan hotel room:

I am utterly behind in posting and updating and doing all the good things a small business should do, and it's been nearly 100% because of new opportunities, teaching, selling work and investing time into the behind the scenes.

So much has changed for the better in a mere six weeks. Just three months ago I was coming out of surgery. Oof.

Until I find solid ground again, I am still working on more growth, more good change and sharing more with all of you, thanks for holding on with me for all this.

XOXO, jess

Address

Hampton, VA
23669

Website

http://www.shopdirective.com/

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