About

LONG STORY SHORT...

Left Grain makes bold, handcrafted goods for those who love hard, live loud, and leave space for what matters.

What does that mean? I’m an artist and entrepreneur who turned my art & design background into a business. I create leather patch hats and other custom designed goods, blending my own hand-drawn artwork with laser engraving and traditional finishing. I’ve built a brand around small-batch, Midwest-made products. My hats in particular have really taken off, and I even do licensed collections with places like Purdue and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as well as our local schools. Beyond products, I’ve also moved Left Grain into a studio on Maple Ave in downtown Noblesville, and the space is becoming a creative studio that doubles as my workshop and a hub for local makers, events, and collaboration.

SHORT STORY LONG...

I’m an artist and entrepreneur who turned my design background into a business. What started as a creative escape during the daily work-and-parenting grind quickly grew into something much bigger. I fell in love with laser engraving at our local library’s maker space, bought my own machine in 2020, and never looked back.

Today, Left Grain is my small, woman-owned studio in Noblesville, Indiana. I create leather patch hats and other bold, personal goods, blending hand-drawn artwork and graphic design with laser engraving and traditional finishing. Every piece starts in the Midwest, mostly made with real leather and materials that only get better with time.

The name “Left Grain” is a nod to both wood grain and the fact that my husband and I are lefties...he’s a maker too. Together we’ve built a brand rooted in small-batch craftsmanship, Midwest vibes, and a little tenacious creativity.

Our specialty is leather patch hats, but we also make custom engraved goods, elevated merch, and the occasional surprise item that sparks joy. We design everything in-house (or in collaboration with other artists), from the artwork to the final product, and most pieces are handcrafted start to finish in our studio.

At the core, our work is about connection whether that’s laughter, nostalgia, sentiment, or making a statement. We’re proud to create for individuals, teams, and small businesses who want something real and memorable.

Thanks for being here. We’re glad you found us.

Find me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok (and Pinterest too!)

— Kim
Owner + Designer
Left Grain

See more of my artwork at thekimdavis.com.

Kim Davis with Leather Swatches

MORE ABOUT KIM

Kim Davis is the artist and maker behind Left Grain, a design-and-make studio rooted in thoughtful craftsmanship and Midwest influence. With a background in graphic design and nearly two decades of creative work, Kim’s art blends clean illustration, hand-drawn elements, and intentional materials to create pieces that feel both modern and timeless.

Her work often begins as original drawings inspired by everyday moments, local pride, and the beauty found in simple details. These illustrations are then translated into physical products. Left Grain is known for leather goods designed to be worn, gifted, and used often. Kim is especially drawn to materials that age gracefully, allowing each piece to develop character over time.

Left Grain was built on the idea that meaningful design should be accessible, not mass-produced or impersonal. By designing and making almost everything in-house, Kim is able to maintain a strong connection between the artwork and the final product, ensuring each item reflects care, intention, and quality.

In addition to running Left Grain, Kim is passionate about supporting creative community and local artists. Her work and studio practice emphasize connection between art and function, maker and customer, and the stories people choose to carry with them through the things they own.