DoubleC

Thanks, I'd love to see it. Cheryl

Andy,, that is so cool. You go guy. Cheryl

Well, alrighty then. You're going to need a strap cutter, veg tanned leather, conchos, and a box cutter will probably do the scallops if your better with one than I am, and make a rein rounder like John mentioned, dye, two solid dee rings, 3 halter hardware pieces, forgot the name right off the top of my head, 3 -3/8" buckles, 2-1" buckles with keepers and tips, and 11 graduated rivet or screw back matching conchos, and the rivets or screws for them, and either a sewing machine or an awl, harness leather needles, and waxed linen or nylon thread. If you do like John said and take apart an old halter that fits the horse you'll already have the halter hardware plus all your measurements. You can get all of these things at one place, we have several people who advertise with us, and I personally use Springfield Leather Company because you can talk to them for an hour and they'll keep listening and keep helping. If you can show one of them the halter they'll probably make sure you get everything you need. Then you can ask me any questions you want, I'm happy to help. Cheryl

See? I told you someone would come around to help that knew more about it. Thanks John. Cheryl

Have you ever worked with leather? I'm just asking because I would not be able to make that throat latch because I don't have a, forget the technical term, but something like rein roller that will round the leather when it's pulled through. Other than that this isn't a hard pattern, it's just a lot of buckles and screw on conchos, all that can be bought. I wouldn't recommend it for a first project but if you don't mind making a few mistakes and starting over you could probably do it yourself. And the Tandy pattern would work for this, they're all basically the same, nose goes where it always has, etc. If it is your first project, it's going to cost more in tools and leather/buckles/hardware probably than the halter costs at Weaver. And that's without rounding the throat latch. But I'd be happy to help all I could if you can live with a flat throat latch, tell you where you can buy the things, how to measure it, etc. Try and think of all the tools you'll need. If you really want to start on this as a first project. And trust me, I'm no expert but hopefully some others would chime in. Cheryl

I agree Glendon, or at least that's what I get. I don't buy the name brand just for the name stuff, but quality I can afford. I don't buy wally world crap as something to 'live' in my house, just their dog food, paper products, etc. I never even glance at their furniture now that I think about it. My sister works for them, i shouldn't knock them so much but I truly do hate getting outsourced goods. Cheryl

I have tack patterns, but I got them from Tandy. If you ;posted a pic of the one you want to make, we might be able to break it down for you and tell you what to buy. Cheryl

Do you mean laced or braided taps? I have a Bruce Grant book and I think that man could make a house out of rawhide, but he doesn't have rawhide taps in it. He has attaching the taps with rawhide, but the taps are made out of regular leather.

Well yeah, could throw a rock at that little baby and probably do it in. I belong to 3 animal rights groups (has nothing to do with deer, LOL) and work in leather with things I never thought I'd find myself touching dead, much less enjoying it. It's odd, I seem to have less trouble with plain ole cow, and marine/reptilian leathers. Other mammals seem to bother me, and on a curve. I've used elk but won't use horse or elephant. Nothing like picking and choosing your 'causes' huh? I remind myself of vegans I've known that decided such or so wasn't meat :-) Or a woman that asked me how I could have intentionally defaced my own body with a tattoo (have a small Irish wedding band tattooed on a finger) as she twiddled her pierced earrings, LOL. What a mixed bag we are....love the 'shots' you did get. Cheryl

It's basically just petroleum jelly and lanolin Sylvia. Softens your hands while you're at it, LOL. I used to use Vaseline until I got this. Makes the leather soft and so supple but doesn't hurt the finish at all.

Lots of interesting things to think about. Like I know some people who will buy 'throw away tack' every year to change the look rather than stick to quality which is always a great look I think :-) In our business we can't really compete with 'over there' and big production if we're one-person shows so to speak, so I was hoping quality still mattered to someone. And I was thinking quality in ratio with the price, not some exorbitant price. You guys were a big help. Cheryl

Michael, it's truly beautiful. Cheryl

Sharp, Katass made a good point I use bag balm on all my things because I want them drapey and supple so apply it after everything else is done. But I think one thing that makes it work so well is I work it and work it with my hands. I put a generous amount of bag balm (hey cows liked it when they were alive but you can use more expensive conditioners if you want) on the entire length of a guitar strap which would be like your belts or wallets. Then I use a hair dryer for a few seconds to liquefy it, then I rub that strap from end to end, back and forth pushing that balm into it. Then I let it dry until I need it, and then just take a soft cloth and wipe off any excess, and it's soft and good to go. Cheryl

It's not too hot if you want to add pyro to the inside There's no reason why you couldn't make one Mat but surely your girlfriend could let it cool of a tad below 400o before she put it back into the pouch couldn't she? It's a travel pouch, which means it's traveling, not plugged in while she's using the travel pouch. I'm no expert on heat really and know that some people that make holsters dry them in the oven, but the leather is wet. I wouldn't put a piece of finished leather I cared about in the oven at 400. If you do it, try a lining of kryptomite. Seriously, I can't answer that as an absolute but i wouldn't do it. Cheryl

So far quality has it, with materials being next. Seriously, doesn't anybody here care about price?

Thanks JM. Cheryl

You guys are still doing a great job and I'm still watching the results.

Thank you. I never thought to put my link so thanks for the reminder. http://www.etsy.com/shop/DoubleCCowgirl Cheryl

Challenge this month?

Thanks guys for helping. I need to really think about these things for the business plan I'm developing. I left the rhythm beads off because they are so specialized. I DIDN'T leave the guitar straps off because even if you don't play usually you have someone close you might consider purchasing one for. The woman at the org. that's helping with my business plan ask me, 'who are your customers. I said, 'everyone potentially.' She said, 'I'm not.' I said, 'you don't know anyone who plays the guitar.' She said, 'oh well yeah my husband.' LOL You guys are doling great, keep it up, this is really going to help my business plan. Thanks, Cheryl

LOL, ok I will patch up the horse if I must. Thanks, Cheryl

Yes it is Kevin, because he's not getting a thing for it except I may never get that strap back :-) He seems to really like it. I enjoyed it so much, it's just wild to show up at a leather forum one day thinking you've already learned everything there is to know, but then ACTUALLY learn so much and have products selling and people wearing straps, and well it's just fun and weird and scary.

George did it, and I told him he better have some of Arlington, LOL I was so happy that night Syl

and again :-) Last one (s) I'm sure this is the last one almost

Sorry, so excited I'm not thinking straight. Oh, this one is me explaining something to Duane I'm sure I knew nothing about....kinda like usual.