Amanda Powell

Wow. I love the reins.

Wow, thanks for the responses!! Yeah, I'm aware of the kind of stuff not to buy These are the two places I've found online: Fur and Hide and Colorado Leather Goods. I know Bill Confer is recommended by Gail Hought, so I guess he must be pretty reputable! I've been doing some braiding and knotwork already; I'm just planning ahead and trying to find a source!! Once again, thanks for all the input!!

Hi y'all. Just wondering if anyone out there has purchased rawhide lace, or if everyone cuts their own. I'm not in a position currently to be making my own rawhide, or even just buying a side and making lace. If anyone's bought pre-cut lace and been happy with it, please let me know!!

Yeah, I figured you'd set up the buttons on the core and then braid over, just wasn't sure how the braid over would work, since the buttons have a significantly bigger diameter. Adding more interweave does seem like it makes sense though. Thanks!!

Anyone know how to do a continuous braid bosal? You obviously can't just go about it like a normal round braid.....would it be more like doing a really long nose button? example: http://www.tcowboyarts.com/exhibitions/2005/nate-wald-2005-gear

As soon as I get my hands on the leather I want, I'm planning on making a pair of buckaroo spur straps with an inlaid hair-on hide piece. I'm using a pair of straps I already own as a template, and modifying from there. I have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks, since I'm fairly new to leather working!! Any tips would be appreciated

I'm still working on designing a simple (and cheap) machine. I don't know that I'll be able to make it a one person thing.....Unless I add a motor, which shouldn't be too hard. That's a bit out of my budget right now I'll keep you posted!!

I wonder if I was able to bend the tips in and then make a sort of sheath to slide over.... I have to say though, that's one thing I didn't like about these buckles. :/ I gotta say, this guy has a really tiny head!! They're positioned so that on a more normal sized horse, they should hit below the eye. I was lucky though, the bridle fits perfectly on him and the buckles didn't wiggle up and hit him in the eye.

Thanks for the response!! I hadn't thought about braiding the mohair.....Personally I like twisted mecates, but I've never really played around with braided ones. I actually found the website where the guy sells plans for the rope twister, and after watching his videos I've figured out a way to make a more simplified (and cheaper!) version. Hopefully I can get it up and running soon

Ok, here goes!! I actually finished this a month or so ago. It's a simple 1/2" slit ear headstall. 11 oz Hermann Oaks leather. Dark mahogany stain, carnauba creme finish. The buckles are Alpaca silver, and the tips are sterling. I couldn't find any sterling keepers, so I made some leather ones. My plan is to make this part of my bridle rig once I get some rawhide to make a set of romel reins.

I know it's not technically leatherwork, but I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me. I'm hoping to try out making mohair mecates....I can get the strands no problem, but twisting them together will prove to be a problem. I'm trying to figure out how to make a simple rig to twist the strands to make the rope. Any suggestions? Or does anyone have another way of twisting the strands together? Thanks!!

Yet another newbie introduction. My name's Amanda. I'm a student at UC Davis. I'm hoping to breed and train horses after I graduate (I'm not disillusioned, I know it won't happen right away.) I'm working towards my vet tech license right now. I decided to try my hand at making tack this summer. I'm all artsy farsty and very particular about things. I kept finding bridles that were half what I wanted, half hideous. So making my own stuff seemed like the thing to do. The plan was to make one headstall and a set of rawhide romel reins (the rawhide hasn't happened yet) and if things went well, selling custom work. So far I think I've spent more than I would have on a new bridle, but I'm happy because everything's just the way I want it. I'm hoping to learn more about leatherwork (tooling in particular) and anything else I might be able to pick up here