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Seth Wegter is a modern-day Renaissance man. Born and raised in Seal Beach, this new dad teaches English at Wilson High School where he also serves as ELA department Co-Chair and coaches the boys and girls wrestling program of over 100 athletes.
What often surprises people who meet this multifaceted educator is not his dedication to running (he’ll be competing in another ultramarathon this fall) or academic accolades—he is one of the 4% of teachers who are National Boards Certified—but that he also runs a successful hand-crafted bag business.
With a strong background in both fine and applied arts, this surfer, writer and musician has honed his craft for leather working over the past 17 years, investing in professional sewing machines and tools that allow him to personally fulfill each and every one-of-a-kind piece.
He embraces this timeless craft with impressive energy, working long hours in his studio to fulfill an endless stream of custom orders while preparing inventory for the handful of in-person shows his packed schedule allows.
From durable backpacks and wallets to luxurious handbags and crossbody purses, Wegter’s wares feature rich leather styling and signature interiors accented with high quality hardware; they have a timeless appeal that simultaneously feels both classic and modern.
In an age of mass production and fast fashion, Wegter’s craftsmanship truly stands out, especially since each bag takes 4-20 hours from ideation to completion. “I start with a vision, sketch it out and determine the proportions. Then, I head straight to my sewing machine to bring it to fruition. I put my life into these bags and, consequently, they are meant to be carried for life,” Wegter elaborates.
Attendees of the Arts and Crafts Faire at Eisenhower Park over the weekend may have spotted Wegter, who was there with his work. He can also be found online at sethwegter.com and on Instagram at @sethwegter.
