Desert Moon

Thanks for all the replies, gave me some ideas. I agree Tom making one size fits all is not the best, but thats what the customer wants lol. I think I will try the ranger idea, I had considered that before but was envisioning the buckle to the rear where the concho needs to be, with it on the side it would be fine. The 1 st batch is a sample order will make several ways and let him decide which he likes for production. The only I will have to figure out is he wants words stamped down the side so the buckle might be in the way a little there, will try a velco one also I think.

I am workng with a customer that sells cowboy hats and want me to start making hatbands for him. He wants them adjustable, normally a buckle set would work great, but he wants the bands 1 1'4 ". I feel that that big of a buckle would just look wrong. He would also like an american flag concho centered on the back, and on some another concho centered on the front. For these I would think that I need to have the band adjust from both sides. I made one with snaps on both sides but it looked unprofessional to say the least. I made one I am fairly happy with by putting 4 slots in each in spaced at 1/2 to get the 4" adjustment he wants, I then made a center piece of leather where the flag concho goes that is rectangle-ish tapered down to a strap on each side that goes through the loops on the band, gets folded over and held together with a decorative screw post. This picture is the prototype the concho will go centeredd on the blank spot. Not sure why I not happy with this but it just doesnt have that finshed look to me, If anyone has any suggestion of a better way to do this please share with me, Thanks Mike

Thanks I will ask about that.

Yes it is $1500 a month includes everything, 8 million customers a year through the mall. Not sure if people would buy good quality stuff in mall or expect me to sell a belt for $15, which ain't happening.

Has anyone ever seen a mall kiosk that sells handmade leather items? I was wondering if it would be a viable business plan. I was thinking of simple easy to make items, keychains, bracelets, cell phone cases, plain and stamped and embossed belts(no carved too labor intentsive) and small pouches. If anyone has an opinion on why it would or would not work please post. Thanks

from them directly

i just got my 1st order from wicket and craig and i got their utility grade and it is better than tandys good stuff. they will split itdown to what ever weight you want also.

I also strap my own for few reason, I can control the quality by useing good hide and by not using bad spots, cost I find i end up paying between 5.50-7.00 per blank strapping my own maybe better if I find a good sale going on. Also if you ever have a request for a different size you just change the setting on your strapper and make a 1" or whatever sze you need.

A customer ask me to make him a wrestling belt for his patriotman costume he wears to the games. I made it from 8-9 oz. veg tanned.

Here is my latest project it was my first go at a full rig. It took me almost a month to complete it, had to order supplies twice. It was for a customer in AZ. I think I undercharged her($260) as it sure was alot of work.

Hi everyone, I got into leather when I started working as a manager in training at Tandy. I quickly became addicted to leather crafting. I have since became disabled and no longer work but I still love leather. I have started a web site that sells supplies and some of the items I make ( www.desertmoonleather.com). I live in NM now but I am moving to ME in 3 weeks. I hope to start giving some basic leather crafting classes and volunteering some time teaching the scouts and 4h as I love to help others and teaching. If there is anyone here from ME I would love to hear from you about what is going on in ME with leather working. Anyone who orders off my web page can use the cupon code leather to get 10% discount off the order. Have a good one Mike Harris Desert Moon Leather

Send me an email about this

http://www.desertmoonleather.com/ takes pay pal, also paypal offers a debit card that works as a visa and deducts from your paypal accout.

I was working for Tandy until recently and the message we got in like Feb was to discontinue the offer, but if the customer was upset to honor it until their current membeship expired. Basically if you put up a stink they may give it to you still.

http://www.desertmoonleather.com/ I am just starting this site and take paypal, if yopu need something that is not on the site let me know, I still have3nt got everything loaded.