About Us

Handcrafted Goods & Quiet Inventions with a Story

Welcome to our little corner of the world—a homestead in Northern Karelia, where the winters are long, the nights are cozy, and the workbench hums with leatherwork, tool restoration, and quiet inventions taking shape. I’m Alessandro Haas, a husband, father of two, and aspiring master saddle maker on an unconventional journey.

The Journey to Saddle Making

Unlike the traditional path of becoming an apprentice under a master, I’m carving my own way. At 38, with a family to care for, packing up and moving to study under someone wasn’t in the cards. Instead, I’ve taken a modern-meets-old-fashioned approach: learning from YouTube, online courses, and a German classic—Kurt Vollmer’s 1908 masterpiece on saddle making. It’s a treasure trove of knowledge from a time when craft truly meant something, and as I work through its chapters, I plan to translate and share it on my blog.

I started working with leather in 2023, and it quickly became my material of choice. Leather has a warmth and soul that no machine can replicate. My workshop? Well, it’s not much yet—just a corner of the kitchen table by the fireplace. A proper heated workshop is on the horizon, and yes, I’ll be documenting that adventure too.

Tools, Fire, and Circuits

What started with leather quickly grew. The same hands that cut belts and sew buckles now restore old tools and sharpen blades for others. And in a small cabin in the woods, something new is forming: off-grid systems, sensors, and AI made for homesteads—not smart homes.

We call it The Tinkering Space—where traditional craft meets the first sparks of the future. It’s still early days, but the soldering iron is warm, and the ideas are waking up.

A Homestead Way of Life

We moved to Finland from Germany in 2020 (a story for another time) to live a simpler, more grounded life. Our homestead is home to two majestic Noriker horses (a cold-blood breed from Southern Germany), a couple of chickens, a dog, and a cat. My wife is the true horse enthusiast, but I share her passion by crafting leather gear for our steeds.

Life here is rooted in the old ways: composting, avoiding waste, and honoring the cycles of nature. Every item we make is created with this philosophy in mind. It’s not just about making something beautiful—it’s about making something that lasts, respects its origins, and can return to nature when its time comes.

Why Work With Us?

We’re a bit old-fashioned—nostalgic, even. Think silver coins and warm handshakes, though we’ll begrudgingly accept a bank transfer if you insist. Every item is personal, every project a collaboration, and every customer treated like a neighbor stopping by for tea—or showing up with a tool that’s lost its edge and a curious question about AI. Yes—AI. We might be old-fashioned or nostalgic, but we are not backwards.

We insist on using natural materials: real leather, non-toxic glue, and linen thread. If you get eaten by a bear, at least you won’t leave a pile of polyester behind in the forest. (Yes, we think about these things.)

Join the Journey

Whether you’re here to browse the showcase or curious about my quest to become a master saddle maker, there’s a story for everyone. Check out the blog to follow my progress, learn about our homestead life, and see what’s next on this slightly unconventional path—be it leather, metal, or code.

Handcrafted. Humble. Honest. From our hands to yours, every piece tells a story worth keeping.

What’s in a Name?

You might be curious about the meaning behind Metsähaasi. It’s a name that blends a bit of Finnish nature and a touch of family heritage.

In Finnish, metsä means "forest," a nod to our love for the woods that surround our homestead. Our family name, Haas, translates to "hare" in German. Interestingly, the Finnish word for the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) is metsäjänis, which directly means "forest hare."

We decided to replace jänis with our family name, Haas, and added an i to the end. In Finnish, this is often done for loanwords, giving them a more natural fit. The result? Metsähaasi, a name that’s uniquely ours—a blend of cultures, nature, and family.