bkeller

Well here is a pic of my first "big" project. I made this for my wife. I would like some feedback, good or bad, from you guys. I know that the stain is kinda "streaky" but I tried to get it that way as she likes it, she says it gives it a bit of character. Thanks, Brad

I am fairly new to leather working and I need a bit of advice. I have only done a few "simple" projects so far and am in the process of making my wife a purse (my first "big" project). I have all the pieces cut and ready to stamp/carve. I am just doing a simple pattern on the front and back of the purse. I would like to dye/color the recessed, stamped areas, and possibly the gussetts and shopulder strap of the purse a few shades darker than the rest. The questions I have are: 1.What would be the best dye to use? and the best way to dye the purse so the dye/color doesn't "bleed" into the other areas? 2. What is the best finish to put on the purse? I want to make it so that it is protected from any discoloration from rain, sun snow etc. 3. Should I put any kind of lining, I have a side of garment grade sheep skin, inside, and if so what is the best way to do it? Thanks in advance for the advice. Brad

I am fairly new to leather working and I need a bit of advice. I have only done a few "simple" projects so far and am in the process of making my wife a purse (my first "big" project). I have all the pieces cut and ready to stamp/carve. I am just doing a simple pattern on the front and back of the purse. I would like to dye/color the recessed, stamped, areas, and possibly the gussetts and shopulder strap of the purse a few shades darker than the rest. The questions I have are: 1.What would be the best dye to use? and the best way to dye the purse so the dye/color doesn't "bleed" into the other areas? 2. What is the best finish to put on the purse? I want to make it so that it is protected from any discoloration from rain, sun snow etc. 3. Should I put any kind of lining, I have a side of garment grade sheep skin, inside, and if so what is the best way to do it? Thanks in advance for the advice. Brad

Hey Karl.. I like your idea. I am just starting out and have limited space in my garage/workshop and like this idea of hanging the hides. Thanks for the great idea

Thanks Russ.. The festival I was at yesterday actually only had 2 maybe 3 leather crafters there and I was really trying to pay attention to find anyone selling leather goods. One was selling belts, and the other one really wasnt a "leather crafter" but was selling other things and they just had a few really cheap looking leather bracelets and key fobs for sale. So I was thinking that at the last few fairs I was at, last week and this week, I have really only seen 1 stand selling belts, I think it was the same guy, and the one that had a few other things yesterday wasnt really a leather crafter. I have no desire to sell belts, at the moment, but other things like the key fobs, leather knife sheaths, knife cases, cell phone cases etc. What I was thinking was some kind of "formula" to estimate how much to have on hand like, say out of 1000 people attending you might get "X"% that actually look at your stuff and "Y"% of those people may actually buy something. Anyone ever use that sort of "formula" to estimate what to have? Thanks Brad

My Brother in law and I are thinking about setting up booths at the arts and crafts fairs in the area next year. We will be building up our inventory this winter for next year and the question we have is: How much inventory should we have on hand for an arts and crafts fair? We would both be doing the leather craft and he also does the "friendship braclets" and key rings with the string. Should I just go out and buy a bunch of the kits then we would just complete them? or should we get different patterns and cut the leather ourselves? I was at a festival this week-end that had about 150,000 people expected over the 3 day week-end and was wondering how much I would want to have on hand if I wanted to do the same festival next year? Do you want to have an inventory based on a percentage of the expected attendance, or just a fixed amount? We wouldn't want to run out of inventory half way through. Thanks Brad (and John)

Well I was going to ask just about the same question but found this thread, just goes to show that you can find the answer to just about any question concerning leatherworking on this site. The only question I have now that I couldn't find a thread about is: How much inventory should I have on hand for an arts and crafts fair? I am thinking about building up inventory this winter for next year. I was at a festival this week-end that had about 150,000 people expected over the 3 day week-end and was wondering how much I would want to have on hand if I wanted to do the same festival next year? Do you want to have an inventory based on a percentage of the expected attendance, or just a fixed amount? I wouldn't want to run out of inventory half way through. Thanks Brad I am pronbably going to as this in another thread also just so It doesnt get "lost" in this one.

VERY NICE! I am just starting and am amazed what can be carved/stamped into leather and hope to one day be able to do stuff like this. Brad

Thanks for all the advice guys. I am very glad I found this site. Out of all the sites I have visited the last few days I keep being drawn back to this one. Must be good. I will try to take the advice and thanks again to all..

Hi Everyone. My name is Brad, I live in Delomnt Pa, Near Pittsbuirgh. Back in Junior High achool I was first introduced to leather crafting in my industrial arts class. I made a nice looking sheath for a hunting knife. Not to long ago my wife told me that I needed to get a hobby to occupy some of my free time. Well I remembered that class and thought it would be nice to get back into leathercrafting, so here I am. There is a Tandy store not to far from me. I recently bought a couple of the basic kits, for my two kids, on sale from the store, mainly for the boys to make their mother a birthday present. They seem to enjoy stamping the leather and putting the projects together. Looking on the web I found this site and think it is great, lots of tips, and information. My question is that what would you all suggest as far as what equipment I should get to start off? I dont want to , shell out too much for alot of tools I may never use, I just want the basics enough to do more projects than the coasters, keyfobs etc. included in the basic kits. I am interested in making just about anything I can. The kids want to help of course. I dont want to try anything too difficult, or expensive to start. I have a workbench in my garage that is sturdy enough to use. I am also looking into getting a scrap piece of granite or marble from one of the countertop installers around here. any ideas? Also amy reasonably priced starter books you can recomend would be appreciated also. I am hoping this is something my two boys and myself can do together for quite a while. Thanks in advance, Brad