Calvus

You're right, so much shipping cost doesn't help. I think I might be able to combine store 2 and 3. I'll attempt that later this evening. As for local stores, I know of no leather store in my entire state. I know Tandy has no store here, and if there is another leather goods store there isn't one within 2-3 hrs of my location. So you see why I'm ordering online. As for charging for my time, above I replied to leatherwytch along those same lines. I think it took me around 4 3/4 - 5 3/4 hrs to complete the first belt. 2-3 hrs of that was design, etc... So that part could be knocked off. But this belt will be slightly different. She wanted an elastic wrap around part of the belt, instead of full leather. Not much to redesign there, and I already know how I intend on accomplishing this change. Hand sewing will add some time (I'm thinking an hour worth), so in total it might take me 3.5-4 hrs. So at $10 per hour (funny you mention that amount, I had already thought of charging that for my time) that comes to $35-40 for time and $77 for material, grand total of $112-117. Those numbers look odd to me, so I'd probably just charge $115. This is a pretty close friend, so I'll allow the lower cost. Anyone not as close, or a complete stranger, it probably would be around the $200 mark. I do on the side IT work, so I know all about getting what you're worth. I really do appreciate everyone's help. Some others have sent PM's as well and I'll keep their suggestions in mind. Thanks snubby, and that belt looks great. Tooling definitely adds time and therefore cost. My Papa made several ranger belts, and one of these days I'll attempt to make one for me!

I wish I had done that, leatherwytch, but I honestly didn't expect anyone to be interested enough in the belt to actually request one for themselves. I like it, my wife loves it, but I made it, ya know, so I don't see it as good enough. Make sense? I want to say that it took me an hour to cut out (8-9oz leather + several pieces), an hour to burnish, maybe 10-15 minutes to dye, 30 minutes to rivet, and at least 2-3 hours of layout testing/designing/patterning. So you're looking at 4 3/4 - 5 3/4 hrs total.

First paragraph - So are you saying that even though dye would run me $7 for the whole bottle, but I'll only use half of it, that I should only charge $3.50? Last paragraph - Here is the break down on material. Store 1: Elastic - $5 $6 shipping Store 2: Button stud - $2 Dye - $7 Button stud punch (I'm not charging for this, but it is being shipping with the above two items. Shipping is flat rate.) $13 shipping Store 3: Leather - $30 $6 shipping Store 4: Thread - $6 $2.30 shipping Grand total: $77.30 Now I'll explain why 4 online stores are being used, because that's probably what you're thinking. Store 1 has the width and style of elastic that I need. Besides that, I've never seen a leather store carry elastic. Store 2 and 3 might be able to be combined, resulting in less shipping. I was having trouble finding the exact dye and button stud at store 3 though. I could buy my leather from store 2, but I would have to buy a side/shoulder/whatever. At this point I'm not able to afford such a large piece. Store 3 has a 12"x24" piece which is perfect, leaving very little waste. Store 4 has my thread, which I'm picky about. Hopefully this isn't clear as mud!

Thanks! My only problem is not knowing how many hours it will take. Guess I could always guesstimate.

I've been given my first commission! Well, not officially, since I haven't given my friend the price yet, which is why I've come to you experts. You may have seen the belt I recently made for my wife. Well, a friend of mine wants me to make her one as well, with some slight changes. I'm fine with that, seeing as how they are minor. My issue is what should I charge her. She's willing to pay, but I want to be fair about it. My problem is that I don't have most of the materials required. (I'm only a hobbyist.) All materials combined comes to $77.30, which includes shipping. I really need a larger buttonhole punch to make this work better, but I'm not charging for that since she isn't receiving the tool. My time is worth something, at least to me, but I can't remember how long it took me to make the original belt. This commissioned belt will include sewing (by hand), which will increase time significantly. I'm thinking of charging a flat $100. What do you think? What would you charge for something like this?

Thanks northmount!

Ok, I had to look up what oxalic acid was. Do you know if that can be purchased somewhere like Lowe's or Home Depot, or is that internet ordered only? How would I go about mixing and applying? Is it something specific or just follow the directions on the package? As for everyone else, thank you so much for your responses. I've kept some of the leather as it's "good enough to make something for me".

I recently received all of my grandfather's leather working tools and leather remnants. All of the leather I was given had spent the last 10-15 years in a garage. Most of what I received was simply scrap. The leather that wasn't scrap was either obviously good or obviously bad, except these two pieces. Album here Before writing them off, I wanted to check with y'all to see if they are salvageable. If so, what do I need to do? As you can see they're both stained by some kind of liquid. I assume water, but it might not be. (There is no particular smell to them.) Both feel dry, but not overly so. Both can bend without cracking or splitting. I do have some neatsfoot oil, but not near enough for either piece. Both pieces are in the 8-10oz range. I don't know what else to tell you so you'll be able to make an estimation. Just ask and I'll get back to you. Not that it matters, but I'm thinking about using the rectangle piece as a desk mat. As for the larger piece, maybe a child's belt and the backing to a hybrid holster. Thanks for any suggestions you can give.

Yup - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP0BfZcZ4vU

Just north of Canton. Good to see another MS'er here.

Hello everyone, Calvus here from Mississippi. Just wanted to introduce myself. I've lurked here for a few months after finding the site from Reddit's /r/leathercraft sub. I've been dabbling with leather now for, oh, 8 months or so. I've made some wallets, a couple of belts (posted here), key fobs, holster, slings, and probably a few other things that I can't remember right now. I had my first experience with leather craft when I was in 8-10 years old from my grandfather. I guess he started this bug back then. I decided to pick up yet another hobby and leather craft came to me. I've bought a few tools here and there, and was recently gifted all of my grandfather's tools, as he's no longer able to practice this great hobby. I'm in the process of figuring out how to upload to my gallery, so hopefully you'll see something there soon. Once I figure it out. Hope you have a great day!

Thanks Monica and Doubletap!

Thanks Wild Bill!

Album here - http://imgur.com/a/2FUDZ#0 This was my first attempt at making belts. I've been doing this as a hobby for about 8 months now. My stamping got off a bit with his name, but other than that I'm pretty happy. My wife asked me to make the fashion belt for her. It proved to be a challenge with the petal layout because my rivets were only long enough to go through the belt and one layer of petals, not two petals.