Having Colored Leather Made to Order?

[LAPat]

I am thinking, often even, that what makes a successful company is the quality of its resources. If you can't get what you want, don't know what you can get, or are limited to getting what everyone else has, you are just going to get so frustrated and limited in your ability to create that you might just implode.

I got a lot of leather two years ago from a guy who I don't think I can find right now. It was nine or ten ounce leather, spray painted in colors, and with a grey center -- pretty dry stuff. I am guessing it was for boots or belts. I mixed it with harness and latigo and made braided leashes. And thus was my business much grown.

I cannot find colored leather anywhere that is anything like it. It's not the neon bright, rubbery coated "designer latigo" from Hide House. It's not the alum latigo that is used for moccasins etc. It is certainly not a tooling leather. It is, however, a great deal of the reason I am now looking at four or five stores that want to carry my product. Not big stores, mind you. And their orders will probably be relatively small -- a dozen or so leashes perhaps each.

But while I have some left, I can't find it and I have no idea if it's possible to contract to get it made on a small scale. Very small. Tiny. jiminy cricket scale. Flea circus size. I am up a creek without a paddle and a flea circus tent isn't going to keep me afloat.

Does anyone on this list have leather made to order? Does anyone know who does so? I know there is a solution to this problem but that it's outside of my experience.

I am also thinking if it is possible to put together a co-op of artisans making dog collars who would go in with me on having some special rivets or conchos struck. I believe a minimum order is 5000, but I can tell you right now that I am sure if we did the right designs we could wholesale them easily. And I am dead tired of the same old you know what everywhere.

I couldn't even find a copper buckle. So I'm going to get a brass one plated.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Leatherworkers enter the 21st Century! Let's empower ourselves! A recession is also an opportunity. Pause. Deep Breath. Anyone think I have a sound idea? Or do I need to change my medication?

Thanks for the feedback

Pat in L.A.

P.S. My dog Mars and my little Vallhund Astra both did some dock diving this weekend at a show where Splashdogs had set up. It was wild. I highly recommend it.

[CitizenKate]

Pat, if you haven't already, check with Wickett & Craig. They carry a line of drum dyed leathers of all kinds. They can send you samples if you give them a call. 1-800-826-6379

Kate

[LAPat]

Thanks, Kate

I actually called them before I posted but they were closed for the day. I am hoping they are my peoples....

I will report back.

Pat

[unicornwoman]

Thanks, Kate

I actually called them before I posted but they were closed for the day. I am hoping they are my peoples....

I will report back.

Pat

I have some unusual colors of 1/8 Kangaroo in stock by yard, 25 yd, and 50 yd. It doesn't sound like what you want, but you can look and email me privately if it is. Don't go by the color chart as that doesn't have the weird colors on it!

Roo

[kevinhopkins]

Hi... I think I may have spoken with you by phone in the past... What you're wanting is difficult, but not impossible. But I can tell you this: When you do find someone that is willing to make the leather that you want, the question is going to be, "how much do you need?" Almost all tanneries require a tanning drum to be filled before they'll make leather. But most tanneries have "sample drums" that will run smaller qtys of hides. When you talk to these guys, make sure you have your ducks in a row! Hal Thiele has a tannery in Milwaukee (I think). I'm pretty sure that he can do what you want. He's expensive. Horween tannery can pretty much produce anything that they want to produce. There are a number of jobbers that can get the leather done for you, but they'll want a sample of what you have that will work for you. You might contact Newberger bros in chicago. (ask for Phil) They carry a ton of job lot leathers, and may have something that would work, and if not, they may know where it's made. I highly suspect overseas. If this doesn't get you on the right track, you're more than welcome to either call or email me at springfield leather, and I'll try to get you some additional info. 800-668-8518

Kevin

[kevinhopkins]

I am thinking, often even, that what makes a successful company is the quality of its resources. If you can't get what you want, don't know what you can get, or are limited to getting what everyone else has, you are just going to get so frustrated and limited in your ability to create that you might just implode.

I got a lot of leather two years ago from a guy who I don't think I can find right now. It was nine or ten ounce leather, spray painted in colors, and with a grey center -- pretty dry stuff. I am guessing it was for boots or belts. I mixed it with harness and latigo and made braided leashes. And thus was my business much grown.

I cannot find colored leather anywhere that is anything like it. It's not the neon bright, rubbery coated "designer latigo" from Hide House. It's not the alum latigo that is used for moccasins etc. It is certainly not a tooling leather. It is, however, a great deal of the reason I am now looking at four or five stores that want to carry my product. Not big stores, mind you. And their orders will probably be relatively small -- a dozen or so leashes perhaps each.

But while I have some left, I can't find it and I have no idea if it's possible to contract to get it made on a small scale. Very small. Tiny. jiminy cricket scale. Flea circus size. I am up a creek without a paddle and a flea circus tent isn't going to keep me afloat.

Does anyone on this list have leather made to order? Does anyone know who does so? I know there is a solution to this problem but that it's outside of my experience.

I am also thinking if it is possible to put together a co-op of artisans making dog collars who would go in with me on having some special rivets or conchos struck. I believe a minimum order is 5000, but I can tell you right now that I am sure if we did the right designs we could wholesale them easily. And I am dead tired of the same old you know what everywhere.

I couldn't even find a copper buckle. So I'm going to get a brass one plated.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Leatherworkers enter the 21st Century! Let's empower ourselves! A recession is also an opportunity. Pause. Deep Breath. Anyone think I have a sound idea? Or do I need to change my medication?

Thanks for the feedback

Pat in L.A.

P.S. My dog Mars and my little Vallhund Astra both did some dock diving this weekend at a show where Splashdogs had set up. It was wild. I highly recommend it.

Harold Arnett has the ability to have conchos made for you. His company is called Texhas, and it will come up with a search.

I've got some copper buckles, but they're western. Also have copper conchos.

Kevin Hopkins