Aurelie

Thx guys Chaed => Hermann et oak i use I used to import directly from them in the USA but found "easier" and not more expensive to get them from "Logis de Cordes" near Lyon . They import Hermann and Oak for whole Europe now . if you give me your email address by mp i can send you their informations and price . No choice when you want to build western saddles...got to get almost everything from the USA.....(leather, saddle tree , hardware...)...and pay the price for it It takes me a while to build a saddle (2 or 3 months sometimes 4 ) for several reasons : 1/ i am still "wet behind the ears" in saddle building department - in my opinion at least. i am about to finish n°7 and 8 I take my time to build them good and i try to build 1 thing new (never done before) on each of my new saddle You can't learn if you do not try (and often you learn by your mistakes) . this forum and lot of guys here helped me by sharing kindly advices 2/ In August 2013, it will be 3 years since i started that "business" and during that time frame : i got pregnant, had my baby girl and worked on my saddles.......still now i work part of the week and the other part i care for Charlotte . I can say this : i suspect that if i worked full time i could build a saddle within 1 month maybe 1 1/2" month .......and with a wee bit more experience : 3 weeks sounds acceptable

Hello guys! i ve fallen a bit behind! here latest one out of the workshop : 1st attempt at Barrel race saddle 15" seat and antiqued to look "old" 2 other more to come really soon! :D

nice carving job

OK thanks so here is the type of Breast collar i make : so the"big" question is : is it "adapted" to the location of dees i use : I understand that this placement depends on : - what collar you use (articulated or not) -what you do with your horse -what kind of "ride" you have (mule, horse...) so further question : "high" dees are best for what kind of activities? (hiking in mountains i guess if you want shoulders as free as possible?) anyway : i really appreciate all your opinions thanks again Aurelie

Thanks a lot Bob for your opinion! i can always use as many advises/opinions that people can throw at me ...it gives me even more things to think about/of

thanks a lot guys for your replies really appreciate your opinion and explanations

Hello guys! Here a load of questions for you. I have been taught to place the dees in the skirts but i have seen several saddles with those dees attached with the latigo carriers. I was wondering : Why those differences of placement? How are they attached if placed with latigo carriers (screwed in the tree?) since when they are on the skirts , they are riveted in them. Is it just "esthetic"? or just a "different way of doing things (as they are many in saddle making?) I would wonder if the difference of placement has an impact on how the breast collar lays on the shoulder of the horse. If so : which is the best placement? Any inshights? experiences? advices? explanations? Thanks Aurelie

Ok the 50/50 for avoiding cracking is right and logical i do not know : maybe not enough coats of the mix?? skidmore's is beewax so i do not think it will "seal" your antique unless you put 100 + coats before using your saddle that's 1 reason i do not put antique on saddles that are going to be "used" (understand outside) = it's nice but a pain in the butt to keep in good shape i keep it simple (understand no dye, no antique, nothing that possibly can go "splotchy" under a storm) and "sturdy" = the way a tool should be Regarding "flamable" products = thanks for the link , i will have a look at it but knows that : most of companies do not anymore send those product airplane or even by ship because it's flamable. Now it's forbidden.....Yeah new laws! maybe some compagnies take the "risk" to send it....but the one taking the biggest risk is the buyer => If customs tumble on your package : they will keep it and you even may be asked to pay fees for "trying to import dangerous products" and be in bigger troubles (that's at least the way it goes in France) I did the maths....and will go for a safer option even if it's not the simplier i have no money to throw by the windows and no need troubles with customs.....

Oh ok i did not get your meaning right I can't tell you about resolene , this is a product i can't import in France ( too dangerous to travel they say ) same with wyosheen, antique from fiebings.... I ve heard that resolene was good but i do not know how to best use it .....maybe some "specialist" around will give his imput but your process sounds rather good to me 1 question though : why 50/50 resolene + water? (does not weaken the power of resolene?) to waterproof leather on saddle = my only mean is : - time -avoid water for a while - use your arms + Skidmore's leatherproofing beewax =< works some wonders and does not block leather from oiling but you have to avoid storms during the time you waterproof your leather for everything aside saddle = tuff kote if i really need the protection (i do not really like it because it kinda "block" the leather for oiling) i am not helping you i guess - sorry Aurelie

what gone wrong? you wanted to re-build the antique ? you ve got stains and spots sploched?

like carving and the "vintage" aspect nice job!

Ok thanks guys for the advise going to try that trick! :D

Have fun! it's quite easy and does not end up too big compared to the original size

Hello guys, I ve posted about the same troubles a good year ago when i encountered that very big problem. At the time, the hides were stored in a bed room and i suspected the sun and/or proximity with latigo..... And at this time people here on the forum told me : - avoid humidity => mold (no humidity, no mold) - avoid the sun because it causes some staining like sunburnt => check! now it's stored in the dark in my garage (no sun or even direct light) - i separated all my types of leather => veg tan in a corner, latigos in another and so on..... and still i find some news stains on my veg tan leather ...... what can be causing this? the stains appears on the parts of leather in "contact" with air while rolled not enough circulation of air, too much? something else? here some pictures on how it is stored and pics of the stains...if it can help find the culprit. the picture with stains on the rolled hide is an old hide which has been stained last year the picture with the hides set down are the new ones : i bought them on january, i used them a few weeks ago and at that time there was no stains.... nothing has changed in between...... i am out of ideas and thus out of means for changing what's happening. I would really appreciate your insight on that subject. Aurelie

thx Rick! i guess you will see some of my stuff around or if you 're a facebook "fan" , you will find my page here and see pretty much all of my stuff in pics albums though , most of comments are in french. if you feel like comment or ask questions , i will answer to you! gladly http://www.facebook.com/pages/AAJs-French-Western-Saddlery/228667370504251

;D to be honest, i have thought of doing that but as i stitched the folded part in turquoise thread and the length in black thread i was afraid that on the back it look weird with both colors mixed up but i have thought of it! thanks guys hum , yes i do some "weird" things but i can do some more "conventionnal" saddles too just getting started one of those

nice

and to add it on.... Here are a whole set i have done for another customer but could have matched the saddle

Hi guys! Here i am ...it's been a while i have not posted something but i have been busy with several wee projects + a saddle . And here it is! Saddle finished! 1st Barrel saddle i have done so far . Not perfect, some little flows but nothing really drastic (just esthetic not technical) I tooled some barbed wire and sealed it with varnish before antiquing the saddle for a "vintage" aspect.......and it's VERY difficult to make something NEW as if it's USED AND OLD! I need to improve my technique about it! Turquoise padded seat and all lacing in matching color As usual : not perfect in my book but i quite like the result! Here are some pictures of the saddle

Wonderful job Prince! Your armor is standing out in this commercial! and i love those kind of commercials when you wonder on what "powerful" stuff the guys imagining the commercial run on! a wee big movie by itself!

Nice Job! i find those sunflowers really neat....and i really like them totally different from sheridan style.....but i really love it!

Hello guys, Ok, this is my last card up my sleeve.... I need to make a pair of split reins out of a HEAVY HARNESS LEATHER HIDE ( 14/16 Oz) specifications : Width : 1/2" Thickness : 1/4 - 3/8" (preferably 3/8") Length : more or less 7' (that is not really important ) color : natural/ black / burgundy whatever you have underfoot Problem : i can't afford to buy a whole hide for 1 single pair of reins. I have no use of this kind of leather usually speaking. So my question is : Who in there is used to work with this kind of leather? and who is willing to sell me 2 strips of that leather following those specifications written above? At what price? Knowing that you would have to send it to France (via US Postal Service is fine with me) You can reach me here via MP or by email (contact (at) aajsaddlery (dot) fr ) Thanks guys for the help Aurelie

Thanks a lot Bob I really like you "open mind" and your willingness to share your tips

Fantastic!

Hi Bob! I really like the look of that saddle! Nice job! I ve got some "technical" questions for you , though 1st : about the dees: i would not have dared to use so big ones. Are not they a bit too big (not going to rub anything around?) 2d : about the saddle tree : can i ask you which saddle tree maker did it for you? i am looking around for who could build that for me (mules bars) . 3d : what is the placement of the rigging dee? from where i sit it does look like a "full" but maybe it's a trick from the picture? 4th : about the color : how did you get that "dark" aspect? is it only by oiling it? you might have spent some time oiling it ...and you oiled it with what stuff? 5th : i like the conchos screwed on the back cantle but i have not yet dared to do it...kinda afraid of going all the way through the back cantle right in the middle of the seat