LNLeather

Excellent work! I am sure your customers are pleased with their "find" for Years-To-Come Very Very Nice! Hope you have plans for a Website to sell your Leather work...

Wow, that is a Fantastic looking belt! Great design and tooling, Great edge, and Really Nice Photography! Well Done!

That definitely sounds cool - makes me think of a 67 Camero that was Gun Metal Grey that a friend of mine had... I hope your neighbor helps with your project. That couch conversion is a great idea and will look good in your man-cave / leather shop! Best of luck with that.

Hi Ralph I noticed you weren't getting answers to your questions and I thought I'd mention There has already been lots (tons) of info and pictures posted about this already and a little searching in the Search Box up there in the upper right corner of the page will bring you many more posts on pretty much what ever other topic you can think of... Here's one Show Off! Request. Lets See Your Work Space! And here's another Show Off Your Bench, Organization, Workshop, And Such... I would just Love to have more space to be as organized as some of these folks.. You could also do a search for sewing machine, arbor press, or shop press etc. and join in on the discussions. Sometimes it might work better to bump up a discussion that has already been started (and others will see it and maybe join in too) While searching for a topic, sometimes you get more than you asked for, but I have found some Really Great Information hiding in the posts and links - some that are Very Helpful Tips to remember... I just found a great tip while searching for these two links for you.. So, Thank you and Good luck and I Hope this helps... BTW - Welcome to Leatherworker.net *Also, I didn't know if you had noticed but if you scroll down below the posts there will be links to other posts that are similar to the subject...

You've definitely got the ' stare' down good... I love anything with a wolf! I"d love to see more of the project!

Incredible work..... WOW. Verrrrry Nice! Thanks for sharing!

Verrrrry Niiiiiiice

Hmmm, I guess I was thinking if it was mine, I would call Tippmann first and talk with them. I didn't know you already had called. I have always found that they are all very nice and willing to help. 99% of my contact with them has been with Jim, but I suppose it was probably Jim that referred you to Tom...

I would talk with Jim at Tippmann and see if he could help. I have a Tippmann clicker and embosser, and if I had troubles I would talk with him first.

I have always enjoyed your work, and this is great too! The colors are fantastic! If you don't mind, what do you use? Is that Angelus? Beautiful work!

For your very first project - I think you did a pretty fine job! My first project is not worth mentioning.

Heheheh........ Cheryl - what fun it all is, eh? - Cheryl

Just to get an idea of what my color dyes would look like - I cut a sample piece of leather and divided it into 3 columns the first column was untouched leather, the second column had a light coat of Satin Sheen, and the third column had a light coat of Super Sheen. Then left to right, in three rows - I put a spot of colors in each column, first row was cova, second row was eco flo color dye, and the third row was Angelus dye. It really makes it easy to pick what to use, depending on the color/effect I'm looking for... You could add more rows for diluted ink/dye... Hope this helps

Wow Cheryl! Congratulations on the Beautiful New Cobra machine (different post, but I saw it) and Congratulations on the first project.... lots to learn, but WoW - sooo cool, what fun! Love the mystery braid on the strap! Good For You Cheryl............. Cheryl

These are just some ideas of mine - I am no expert - but after reading your post I had some thoughts... Your customer should answer some of your questions... and it seems like you should get a lot of it in writing, before you start buying leather... You ask - "Does anybody know any other option to cheap down a bit such a purchase?" What does you customer want? Quantity or Quality? Why are you concerned with "the cheapest option"? If you have to buy a shoulder to make a top, then that is what you should charge for the leather for that top. What does the customer want - Cheep leather, or Quality leather? Your customer must have an idea that this is going to be expensive.... They must expect to pay for what they are getting. Don't apologize for the price of the leather... it is what it is. Cost and waste should not be your problem. You need to buy the best shoulders you can - if that is what the customer wants. Dose the customer want perfect leather? Or do they mind slight flaws. Maybe they don't mind a slight flaw or a brand on the piece. Talk to your customer about what they expect. Talk with your customer and ask how thick they want the tops to be. Explain what they need to know about the quality of leather, thickness and tooling needs. Are you able to pick the leather up, or do you need to order the leather? I would make sure to talk with the folks you order the leather from and make sure they understand what it is you need. 50 shoulders is a lot of leather to order sight unseen... I can imagine a definite problem if flaws are missed. Return shipping could get expensive if needed… Then, as Jax mentioned "then you must add on what you are charging for your time & dyes, finishes etc." * Make a list of of your questions and talk to your customer about them - get it in writing * Don't apologize for the price of the leather or the price of your work. * They must have seen your work and want the quality you can provide. ...Some folks understand they need to pay good money for good quality work Don't sell your self short... Your work is worth it. Your leatherwork and tooling is excellent! Get it in writing and get them to buy the leather - I am sure there are other ideas about how to protect yourself - concerning payment... Don't let anyone pressure you to do something if it doesn't seem right. I am sure there are others here that can provide other ideas from their experiences... jmho -

I got a good laugh when I read this - You Are So Right.... I keep thinking I have enough supplies and tools, but I keep finding more (old and new) tools I want...

Also, I use a tooth brush to get into the nooks and crannies......

Wow, That is Soooo Cool! I hope they choose you and your belt... and let you know what it is for. It will be fun to look for your work in the movies!