cmantz

Pricing is really dependent on what they want...low end $40-60 and high end $90-100 plus the halter (probably $15/regular-$20/adjustable). I am offering laser engraved or embroidered nosebands. Then pricing will depend on if they want any painting or custom artwork (on the leather), spots vs rhinestones, regular conchos or bling conchos. I would prefer to find a source for the halters so I can keep my options limited as I really don't want to spend time trying to source out a specific color halter. I would rather have a supplier that offers a range of colors and sizes. I will certainly mark up the cost to cover time and shipping. And depending on what my cost ends up being...keeping the price in line with actual retail cost

Where do you get yours? As I said, I don't mind not getting great pricing as I know my volume won't be there...but I would like to find color options. At this point, I will probably order them from Chicks Saddlery (as they seem to have decent pricing). I don't expect to make much on the actual halters...especially if I am already paying retail pricing (and will probably just pass the cost to the customer)...I will price my product so I make the money on the noseband. Edited to add: I probably should have posted this in the Supplier section to begin.

Looking for some suppliers of rim set rhinestone spots. I found a company in Springfield MO that sells the Swarovski and Preciosa rim set spots so that is close to me. But I am also looking for a supplier of synthetic rim set spots besides the company I have been ordering from in CA. Also, looking for another supplier of conchos as I would prefer something closer to me than CA

At this point I am leaning towards the No2 Hand Feed Foot Machine listed here http://www.standardrivet.com/machines-tools.php Comes with two dies of your choice and 100% money back guarantee (refund - not credit) if you don't like it. I am a firm believer that if you want to turn out quality work, you have to have the right tools. Sure you can get the job done doing them by hand but in the end, can I actually make any money doing it by hand? Apparently there aren't too many spot setters for sale used...so I guess I can always sell it if this venture doesn't work out.

I am not sure if I should post this in this forum or the tools forum. I am very new to leather and trying to soak in as much information as possible. My head is spinning! I would like to look into finding a spot setting machine and not sure where to start looking. Do I want a hand crank machine or a foot operated machine? I do know I want something that will set round spots and rhinestone rim sets. I found a foot operated machine at Standard Rivet Company for $650. I have also been looking at The Little Wonder machine from Weaver. I need to find an easier way to set spots the spot setter tool from Tandy just isn't working for me. I did see the spacing awl that I might try for setting rhinestone rim sets. On a somewhat similar topic...I am setting spots and rhinestones in leather nosebands. Do most people apply the spots to the top leather and then glue their lining leather to the back (in order to hide the prongs) and then sew or do you just set the spots through both layers? Seems like I have seen pictures where the spots were definitely applied after the stitching and I am just curious if the prongs are visible on the underneath side? Is there any issues with the spots staying set when doing it this way? I want to do a bronc noseband with hair-on hide with the spots placed next to each other along the edge of the hide and obviously that will have to be done through all the layers.

I bought the spot setter tool from Springfield Leather and interestingly enough, it came in the Tandy packaging. However, I quickly decided after trying to set about 20 1/4" spots, that I am going to have to figure out something different. I had a hard time keeping the spots straight and probably pulled out about half as many as I put in. I would like to find something that will set spots and rhinestone rim sets (ss34 or 7mm). I am looking at The Litte Wonder from Weaver. Also found a hand feed-foot operated machine...just not sure I want to invest $650. Would love to find a used setter!! Any suggestions on where to look? Also opinions on the Little Wonder?

As an embroiderer/screen printer/promo products distributor, if you came to me with that design I would probably cringe. There is so much going on in all of those. I am definitely of the mindset that less is more especially when it comes to designing a logo. Also, rule of thumb...a good logo will look just a good in black and white as it does in color! And as one poster already pointed out, be prepared for extra costs when doing market materials. There are going to be times when you have to provide a black and white image (ie: maybe phone book - if people even advertise in them anymore, newspaper, etc) and that could be a problem. Think about all the things you will want to put your logo on and make sure that your final design will work. A good, effective logo doesn't have to have tons of colors, colored outlines, drop shadows, gradients, etc. Also, although the distressed "look" looks pretty cool on a screen printed tshirt, probably not so much on a business card. As an imprinter, this is just my opinion of course and something I tell all my customers when they come into the shop wanting us to design a logo or imprint a logo they have.

Going to have to try engraving some delrin myself. Is this what most are using for maker's marks?

I hooped a piece of cutaway backing (I usually use the 3 oz). Then I used spray adhesive to stick my hide on top...and covered with a piece of solvy (to help the stitches stay on top). I just increased the underlay on the letters and added just a little pull compensation. I might have increased my density of the top layer of thread just a little bit...not much....the key is to increase the underlay!! I am also playing with laser engraving the leather...here is my first lasered noseband.

Would anyone be so kind to share a source for nylon halters? I am starting to make custom bronc halters and would love to find a wholesale source. I have an account with Weaver Leather (for the supplies - but not tack) but really have no desire to buy the hardware and nylon and make them myself. And although I don't have a problem buying online from tack stores at regular pricing, I would like to find a supplier that offers a range of colors besides black, red, royal, and green. Surely those making custom bronc nosebands that are paired up with a pretty lime green or hot pink halter are not manufacturing the halter themselves?

Thought I give it a go making bronc halters. I have been in the embroidery business for 12+ years and since my daughter is an avid rider and I saw similar ones online, I figured I'd try an embroidered one. First one: And this was the second: (need to get better at taking the pictures for sure) I also tried my luck at laser engraving one. In this one, I used an all-in-one satin and then went over with Feibings Hi-Liter and it didn't have the effect I was looking for....and caused the darkening to the right of the logo area. I have ALOT to learn as far as satin and finishing leather...it's a little overwhelming to say the least.

Pictures of my finished projects.

update...I embroidered the hair-on cowhide, attached my spots, glued to the leather blank and hand sewed around. Doesn't look too bad for my first time out. I am going to play around with lasering the leather blanks. This way, I can laser cut the shape and even have the laser cut out my sewing holes I am also going to laser some personalized designs. I played a little with stamping.....not sure if I have the patience. If I do some lasered nosebands, I do need to figure out how to finish the leather when I am done. oh, and burnish the edges.

I am making some bronc halters that are made using the halter blanks from SLC. What would a good, soft, inexpensive leather that I can use to line them? I am just getting started and honestly am a bit overwhelmed trying to decipher the difference in the different leathers. I bought a custom bronc noseband from someone and they used what seems to be leather like you would use for a soft purse, jacket, glove, etc. Any guidance would be MOST appreciated!!! Thanks Chris

Thank you Sylvia for your response. I did find Springfield Leather...and I can see why people adore them! SUPER helpful. I have some hair-on cowhide coming my way, along with some horse leather blanks to use for the backing. Once I tackle the embroidery, then I will figure out how to sew them together There is a boot repair place here locally that I think will sew them for me.

I have been in the embroidery business for many years. My daughter is an avid barrel racer and I would like to try to make some custom embroidered bronc halters for her but I have no idea where to start. Can anyone help with information such as: what type of cowhide to buy? best place to buy cowhide wholesale? what type of leather to layer on the back of the cowhide? general tips on construction? Any information or guidance you can provide would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance Chris Identity Elements Jackson, MO