Chitin

Because the process used to make vinyl and other leather substitutes is SO environmentally friendly. If you're for animal rights, then you're against leather anyway, and that's fine; there's no reason to go lying about it. If your position isn't strong enough to back with the truth, it's time to reconsider your opinion.

Thanks for the helpful replies and tips! That was exactly what I needed to know. I was digging around my old room at my parents' house and found all my old acrylic paints, so I figured they might be useful. Glad to hear I was right!

The Tandy website offers a line of acrylics called Cova Color. Are these in some way better for painting on leather than acrylics I'd find in an art store? Is there anything special I should keep in mind when painting on leather?

I very much recommend the Spectrum series of books as well. There's a new one every year I believe, and they have some of the most amazing stuff I've ever seen.

Those are gorgeous!

Thanks for the help! I should have mentioned, these are mostly for fashion wear, but since they definitely COULD be used for more *ahem* private activities, I should probably take that into account. This might be a silly question, but why isn't it meant to be dyed? I've so far had no problems getting the dye to sink in, though it sometimes requires a second coat. Also, if I wanted to replicate a similar buttery, weighty feel, what leather/oiling process would you suggest using? I've been experimenting with 10 oz skirting leather from Tandy and rubbing it thoroughly with neat's foot oil, but somehow it ends up less "substantial" feeling.

Hi, I'm new here but I've been making leather wrist cuffs and collars for human wear for a while now. Lately I've been using 8-10 oz latigo and loving it, but I'm worried about a few things. Firstly, I understand that latigo, like many chrome-tanned leathers, has a tendency for colors to run when wet. I use burgundy latigo and dye it (usually) black; I haven't had any issues personally with it, but as I put more items up for sale the danger of them damaging someone's expensive white shirt worries me. Is this a significant danger? This brings me to my next question... Super Shene. I've tried coating the leather, with mixed results. There is one cuff that my girlfriend wears all the time; the laquer has begun to peel off of it. The thing is, I don't know if this is because it doesn't take well to the oily leather, or if I didn't wait for the dye to dry enough before I coated it. Both seem equally likely. Finally, is there any reason why latigo seems to come only in burgundy and black? Siegel's and Hide House have other colors, but most sources just have those two. Next time I buy a side, I'm probably going to go with a tan so that I can dye it other colors. Is there any reason why I shouldn't? Would it be weaker or something? Thanks so much for your help!