Laurie Beth Jones Blog

I am thrilled to present to you the first five products in my new line called LBJ Lifestyles.  The LBJ are my initials of course but also stand for the words Live. Breathe. Joy—simple reminders about being aware in each moment.

How It Began

Having traveled more than a million miles on land, air, and sea in my life as a messenger, I have realized the importance of having accessories that are functional and timeless.  I also want both hands free to interact with the world, even while having my pen, journal, or ipad nearby to record my thoughts.

Two years ago I realized that nothing on the market really suited my needs.   The i-pad covers were mostly made of synthetic materials, and always required that you devote one hand to holding or carrying them while you walked.  So, in true spiritreneurial fashion, I decided to make my own.

It began as all things do—surrounding myself with the things I love, which in this case were leather and natural animal hides.

The first piece I made combined jagged edged leather, a full rabbit hide, and a notebook, to which I attached a long carry strap that I found at a nearby thrift store.   I began carrying it around, and loved being able to feel the fur even as I stood in line at the grocery store, or sat in meetings with executives.

It was different.  No one had seen anything like it.  And people began to want one for themselves or their friends.  Thus, a band was born.

Each product in the line has a function, and a story.  I invite you to learn the history below, or proceed directly to the store.

The Cheyenne

One day I rode my horse early in the morning in Texas, showered, rushed to the airport, and eight hours later was sitting in a board room in New York City, surrounded by CEOS. I dreamed how nice it would be to be able to take a little bit of my ride with me no matter where I went.  Thus was born The Cheyenne, a unique saddlebag that doubles your carrying capacity while fitting naturally over your shoulder.  You also can loop it over your luggage at the airport and have it count as one bag. The Cheyenne is a reminder of the place I grew up, where all you needed was a horse, a saddlebag, and the stars.  Additional Images for the Cheyenne.

The Shenandoah

Was born out of a desire to highlight the beauty of hides, which are works of art in themselves. This line is designed for simplicity, letting the hide speak for itself, free of artificial bling or ornamentation. My prayer is that each piece will be a reminder to us to honor, touch, and respect the Creator of the natural world, as well as lives that contribute to our own.  Additional Images for the Shenandoah.

The De Leon

Combines rabbit fur with a stitched leather case, combining the softness of fur with the hardness of steel—the ultimate in high tech—high touch. Because it is so different,  the De Leon is for the bold explorers among us, who are willing to sail beyond the known world into uncharted seas. Additional Images for the De Leon.

The Renaissance

Was created to encourage the genius in each of us—allowing us to have handy the tools to record our thoughts.  Michaelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and others wrote copious notes on the world they saw, and we too can become Renaissance artists as we value and record our thoughts. Additional Images for the Renaissance.

More Information

All of these pieces are made in the USA from renewable resources.  Each piece is crafted by hand by local artisans, one at a time, with hides and leathers personally selected by me.   Pieces with colorful swirls or patterns  command a slightly higher price because the hides are more expensive.

Turn around time is currently 30-45 days from order to shipping.

A portion of the proceeds are donated to Erase Poverty, a microfinance program that assists entrepreneurs in the underdeveloped world.

If you are interested in becoming a distributor, or know someone who might be interested, please have them contact us at 888.525.7371 Ext 6.  Volume discounts are available in orders of fifty or above on the Cheyenne, Renaissance, and Shenandoah (select colors).

Thank you for sharing in the joy of my new creations and remember to Live, Breathe, Joy.