rickybobby

Tom, I'm sorry to say, you have a major project there! I believe there are some you tube vids about braiding a horn, or you can see if the customer will go for a leather cover horn. (lots of how to info for those). Either way, you need to lift the swell cover to make it look right.

Nice work! I like the front strap, it is a unique feature. Your tooling is excellent too!!

Looks great! and a very cool idea!

Hi !! Welcome to the forum! Upload some pictures of your work, we would all love to see some of your projects!!

Nice clean work. I like to additional pockets in the gusset, that is a great idea!

Lonnie worked/trained under Ellis for some time and he and his wife took it over a few years ago after Ellis passed away (great guy, met him years ago at a leather show in Ventura Ca.) I own tools from both Lonnie and Ellis and they are all top quality. I damaged a large Basket tool that I bought from Ellis and 10 years later I sent it in to Lonnie to be repaired and he sent back a new one at NO CHARGE! The transition for the customer has been seamless for this maker. Lonnie and his wife are great people and the tools are top notch, affordable, and will improve the looks of your tooling significantly! All contact info is the same. Start with the 15 tool basic set and go from there. You must be really "Wacking" those tools!! lol!! You might give Lonnie a call and tell him about the bending. He may want to see them. The only tools I have bent have been the Craft tools and some that I bought from Hidecrafter, all were edge border type tools.

I started using weldwood several years ago for leatherwork. It works very well! I thin mine with acetone. I get better results spreading a thinner material.

p.m. sent re; elastic

Tandy is for most of us "the introduction to leather working". It is for the casual crafter, not trying to make money, just making things for themselves, friends and family. As your skills increase you realize their limits as well as your own about some of their practices. I only use them when it benefits my needs, whether it is an item/material they put on sale I can make money with or I did not plan well and need an emergency package of rivets or fasteners to complete an order. One thing that you may consider is to go online and apply for a EIN number as a business. There is no cost for it and you can print it within minutes, take it to tandy so they have it on record and BINGO, you have a discount! You will need to collect tax on items you sell and send it in but this will get you wholesale prices at tandy. As "Tree" has mentioned, MOVE ON! there are so many other suppliers that do a better job then Tandy! Use them, get to know them. Use the search function here on the forum for special issues you come across, many of us have already had whatever trouble you may run in to and the answer might be here! Or just ask in a post if you cannot find it yourself. Good luck, I would hate to see a potential leather worker pushed in to another hobby/craft because of Tandy's mismanagement and inability to service customers. Hope this is a help,

You may consider an Oil Tan hide. I think would have the durability needed for the foundry. Do not confuse some of the "oil tan" sides that Tandy has. I have seen some that do not have the characteristics you are looking for. What to look for, the leather has a "Pull up" color change when bent, scratch marks will rub out with your hand, it will look like it is "oiled" when new. I would think a heavy side would be best, maybe 6/7 oz. There are several dealers that carry this, call around and ask for samples to be sent.

I have had the best usage from the "Rein" elastic from Weaver Leather. #6100 It is not white, it is a light green w/burgundy stripes, but it holds up well. I see they now have it in black now too, I don't have the number off hand. Others I have tried break down and stretch in a short amount of time.

I only use my Ron's edgers, The others are in my tool stand just taking up room!

If your sale falls through I am interested. I was not able to send a p.m.

Aurelie, Nice job! Barrel Racers like the "unconventional look" Can't wait to see more of your work!!

Nice Job on that one Big O !!

S L C = Springfield Leather Company http://springfieldleather.com/ Great place!!!

Great job!

Welcome to the forum! Post some pictures of your work, we always enjoy seeing the progress!

I like to use Fiebings Tan Kote or Bag Kote. It leaves a bit of a "shine" finish but seems to mellow to a mat finish that will remain flexible. Remember, apply a lite even coat for best results.

Excellent job!! When do you start saddle #2? lol!! That is a beauty!

Very nice bag! This is your 2nd? WOW! I would need to pull my second out of the "junk box" to photo it, lol!! I'm a slow learner A nice piece, your work is top notch.

I like it! It is very cool! If you like making them there is a market for them. Selling a few may help finance your leather habit hobby. The Ren Faire crowd and some other LARP groups really like top hats and will buy them right off of your head! I have a friend the goes to RF's as "Top Hat" the pirate, and as you might guess he make leather top hats. He keeps a few in his car to show people and shows pictures from his phone and will usually sell all he takes with him and also takes a few orders. His sell for $120 to $140 depending on trim he puts on. Yours look as good as his (maybe a little better! lol!) he is a pirate, they can be a little messy lol!!

Nice Work! I like your choice of tooled leather against the rough out seat. The hardware has a nice touch to the whole package too!

You are already ahead of the game! Knowing some people in the organizations is a a huge help. As far as getting attention to just sell, try a different tactic, do them a favor by giving them a place to have some repairs done. Make your banners slanted toward repairs. Once they come to you and have some faith in your abilities they will start asking about custom work and products (always have some around for viewing). I have turned several repair customers in to custom orders like that. And YES, there is some great talent in Canada, I meet several here in AZ. during the winter ropings!

I just came back from a 2 day Team Roping event. 250 teams on Sat. and 700 teams on Sun. I took in a little over $7000.00. It was all retail sales of ropes, gloves, leg boots, ect. (I only sold a few pair of reins I made) The largest sale was a "Calf Roping Dummy" that was $2200.00 it was presold over the phone the week before and delivered at the roping, I only sell 4 or 5 of those a year. Point is, I had a captive audience with the right equipment on board. When I started I tried to "Do it all" stock items that please Barrel Racers, Ropers, ect. You spend to much on stock and confuse the customer when they are shopping. Barrel Racers do not want plain color leg protection, they want Zebra Stripes in NEON colors, Ropers want black, maybe blue. Barrel Racers want the proper amount of "BLING" I think that amount is "to totaly cover any signs of leather" in crystals, silver studs, ect. I think next will be LED lights! lol!! The 2 event types you mentioned could not be further apart Rodeo's and English Horse Shows. For you to have a presentable sales area (inside and/or outside the trailer) that is double inventory for you to stock. I would pick an audience and go in that direction. Speak to organizers and see which has more events to attend Most events want a vendor fee or a donation of a piece of tack. check up front to know your costs Find out if you are the only person sell those items at their events Sell items that are appropriate for that events use, people/horses use Don't knock yourself out making a lot of items, have some available to see but don't rely on only selling those Hope this helps