About Moss Bags

Julie Simon, founder of Moss Bags in Bellingham, Washington

At Moss Bags, we believe the accessories you carry every day should bring you joy,
are built to last & created with heart.

From our everyday leather bags to the Moss Dogs and Cats made from our smaller leather offcuts, everything is handcrafted in our Bellingham, Washington studio with quality materials, less waste, and a whole lot of care.

What began as a way to make use of every piece of leather has grown into something even more meaningful. A portion of profits from our Moss Dogs helps support guide and search and rescue dogs, giving these little leather keepsakes a purpose much bigger than their size.

JULIE SIMON  Julie Simon, founder of Moss Bags in Bellingham, Washington

The Heart Behind Moss Bags

For over 12 years, I worked as a graphic and web designer. But after countless hours behind a computer, I felt a pull to create something tangible. Something I could hold, shape, and bring to life with my hands.

That pull first showed up late one night, inspired by Project Runway and a lot of YouTube tutorials. I grabbed my keys, found the only store still open at 10:30 PM, and bought my first sewing machine. I stayed up all night cutting fabric from old clothes and teaching myself as I went.

I didn’t know it at the time, but that night changed everything.

In 2013, Moss Bags officially began.

 

Built by Hand, Designed for Everyday Life

Today, Moss Bags is a true family-run business.

Alongside my husband and two boys, and surrounded by leather hides, brass hardware, and well-loved tools, I’m still creating pieces meant to be carried and loved in everyday life.

My husband cuts the leather using our hydraulic press, and I bring each piece together by hand, setting rivets, assembling, finishing, and preparing every order.

We use full-grain leather that softens and improves with time. It’s meant to be worn in, not worn out.

 

Handcrafted leather Moss Dog keychains made from leather offcuts

How Moss Dogs Became Part of the Story

As Moss Bags grew, so did my desire to create more intentionally.

For years, I saved our smaller leather offcuts because they were simply too beautiful to waste. Eventually, I began experimenting with ways to turn them into something useful, and Moss Dogs were born.

What started as a simple way to use more of our leather quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of the business. These little leather dogs and cats are inspired by the animals we love, made to remind you of your own four-legged sidekick, and designed to go wherever you do.

A portion of profits from Moss Dogs also helps support guide and search and rescue dogs.

They may be small, but they carry a whole lot of meaning. Over time, they’ve truly become the heart of Moss Bags.

 

Thank You for Being Here

I’m incredibly grateful to do this work and even more grateful for the community that supports it.

Every order, every message, and every story you share means more than you know. Thank you for allowing something that began at my sewing machine late one night to grow into all of this.

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Find the one that reminds you of yours ♡

Handcrafted leather keepsakes made from the offcuts left behind while making our bags.
A thoughtful little gift for dog lovers with big hearts.

  • HANDCRAFTED

    Made in our Bellingham, Washington studio.

  • MADE WITH PURPOSE

    Created from our leather offcuts to give beautiful scraps a second life.

  • GIVING BACK

    A portion of profits supports service & search and rescue dogs.

  • BUY 2, GET 1 FREE

    Mix + match any Moss Dogs + Cats. Add 3 to your cart for discount.
SHOP ALL MOSS DOGS

It started with a pile of beautiful leather scraps.

When making leather bags, there are always pieces left behind - too beautiful to throw away, but too small to become another bag.

So we started turning them into dogs + cats.

What began as a simple way to give our leather offcuts a second life became one of our most-loved collections.

Moss Dogs are made from three pieces of leather, with a little movement in the tail that gives each pup extra personality.

Small keepsake. Big heart.

Which One Looks Like Yours?

Moss Dogs come in a playful mix of leather colors and textures - pebbled, smooth, even hair-on-hides. Some feel a little doodle-like, others bring Labs and retrievers to mind, and each one has a personality all its own.

Shop Moss Dogs + Cats

Choose your favorite leather, find the one that feels like yours - or mix + match any three and get one on us. ♡

View all

  • This key ring is adorable! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "The size is perfect and the leather is really nice quality.
    I am so happy with it!"

  • Such nice quality leather! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "I love how the parts of the dog move separately. The color, size and shape are perfect. Highly recommend."

  • Even cuter than the photos! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "And when I purchased it, I had no idea that some of the profits went to service dogs! My Guide Dogs of America facility dog is very grateful!"

1 3

Small Dog. Big Heart

Moss Dogs are made to tag along - clipped to your keys, handbag, tote, or wherever you could use a little reminder of your favorite four-legged friend.

They also happen to make the sweetest little gifts. Tuck one into a college care package for someone missing the pup back home, add one to a kiddo’s backpack, thank your dog sitter who always comes through, or bring one along as a tiny housewarming surprise for your favorite dog person.

A bag charm. A backpack buddy. A thoughtful little gift with a whole lot of heart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Moss Dogs + Cats?

Moss Dogs & Cats are handcrafted leather keychains or bag charm inspired by the four-legged friends we love. Each one is made by hand in Bellingham, Washington and designed to be a tiny keepsake you can clip to your keys, handbag, backpack or tote.

Do Moss Dogs support organizations?

Yes! A portion of profits from Moss Dogs goes back to the incredible dogs that help others. To date, we’ve donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind and Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States (SARDUS).
Giving back is part of what makes this little collection so meaningful.

Do you make different dog breeds?

We make Moss Dogs in a variety of leather and colors inspired by different kinds of dogs. They're not intended to be and exact breed replica - the fun is finding the one that reminds you of your favorite four-legged friend.

What are Moss Dogs made from?

Moss Dogs are created from the leather offcuts left behind while making our leather bags. Using these smaller pieces helps us reduce waste in our studio, while spreading a little love.

How does Buy 2, Get 1 Free work?

Simply add any three Moss Dogs or Cats to your cart. Mix and match your favorites, and the discount is applied automatically at checkout.