Big Papa Leather

Hi guys.... Awhile back I made a post about wanting to collect maker's stamps. I finally got my workshop built and have been attaching the marks that were sent to me onto the 2x4 supports for the shelving I built. I was hoping that I could entice a few more folks into sending me some of your marks. If you are interested, I can send you a self addressed stamped envelope and a piece of leather. All you gotta do is say "yup, I'll send it to you" in a pm or email to bigpapaleather at gmail dot com. I'll need an address to send the SASE to and when it arrives, stamp the leather with your mark, stick it in the envelope and give it to the mail man. Simple huh? If you want I'll even send a few of mine if you'd like to start a collection. For those who do not have a stamp and you want to participate, I will send the same set-up and you can mark it however you mark your work. Do you use the Tandy "Made by-----" stamp and fill in your name? Cool I'd like one of those. If you just put your name like an artist signature? Awesome! I'd like that as well. Whatever it is you do to identify the work as yours, I'd like to display it in my shop. That's it folks easy as pie! Thanks for looking and hope to hear from EVERYBODY! Allen

PM sent

Here is wallet I just finished. Brown shark with a green lizard inlay. The interior is cowhide. Nice green paisly liner. Laced with whiskey (irish whiskey) kangaroo Thanks for looking. Allen

Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but it's been a month and I haven.t herad from 99centtaco. I have tried emails and no response. If anyone knows how to contact him, please lket him know I'm looking for him. He switched web sites since this "contest". Allen--Big Papa

Awesome hood. Bad ass stylus. PM sent. Allen--Big Papa

Gary, those things look sharp! Good work bud. Allen

If Kevin doesnt have them yet, here is the number...480-223-3130 Gloria is her name. Tell her I said hi. Allen

I don't think I ever played Parcheesi but might take it up if I had a board like that! Awesome Allen

The ostrich leg is my favorite. Nice work Allen

OK I don't want your money... Ok I'll take it but this is not a "For Sale" type deal. I am wanting to trade a box of Ostrich skin remnants for something you have. It could be tools, patterns, craftaids, leather, extremely good looking sister in law... whatever you may have that you would like to trade for a Priority mail Large flat rate box of Ostrich skin remnants. I picked up a huge box one afternoon and will never use it all. I am especially interested in cut patterns/templates. Could be older Tandy purse patterns, maybe a unique something or other you got somewhere and no longer want or need. Here is the deal. You send me an offer to bigpapaleather@gmail.com for what you think is fair for 5 lbs (+/- an oz) of ostrich remnants. I have not picked over it and it may have pieces of croc, hair on hide, elephant or snake as I have found some mixed in just looking around inside the big-o-box. Most pieces have quill, some have alot some have a little. There is range of colors. I just grabbed up some and filled the boxes. I have three filled like the photo, but will do more if offers come in. If I do not liquidate it by the first of the year, I'll prolly go to eBay. I will look over the deal and if it is acceptable, I'll ship it to you, you ship your item. The package will come USPS Priority. Don't be shy to make an offer. That's it. Any questions email me at the same address. Mods, if this is not the right place for this then move it if you like.

Once upon a time there was a young mother who was very sick, she was carrying two babies at the time and knew she probably would not survive childbirth. So she went on a quest to find her unborn children loving families. Shortly after finding two loving families to take in her children, she went into labor and unfortunately did not survive the birth of her children.... The two families were from completely different backgrounds one was wealthy, the other was from a rural and rugged area. The wealthy family took their baby and raised it to be a stately young man. He was given all the best clothing and dress. He was prim and proper. He is seen here dressed to the nines: Although he was smartly dressed he was 100% premium cowhide under the pinstriped outer shell. He did possess a premium calf interior with 6card pockets and a cash slot. Neatly wrapped in a clean black kangaroo lace. His brother was raised by a modest family in a rural area. He was rugged and possessed a unique looking bison exterior. Although his exterior was rugged and textured, he was truly a soft kind hearted wallet with a supple hand. He too contained an interior of 6 pockets and a cash slot, but he was constructed in a rugged pig hide interior and a distressed cognac kangaroo lace. They both had been told about each other and after a long separation the two were finally reunited and met for the second time in thier lives. Enjoy the family photo. The end...

Awesome. Great win there Marlon. Congrats Allen

Here is a bracelet/bracer I did using Gary's article/tutorial. It was a fun project, not hard to do. The lacing of the stingray was a chore though. It is abrasive and tough on the lace, not easy to punch either. Anyway thought it was a cool first attempt.

On you site it says you must submit the item. Then it says atleast three in progress photos by the 12th. So do the contestants have to send the item and photos or just photos? Allen

Thanks Art, I understood what she was saying. I was commenting that buying from them I knew I had to buy a whole side. I am hoping that maybe someone knows a supplier other than the tanner who can provide the leather in smaller qties. I guess if all else fails I can make a butt load of stuff from this reduced thickness bridle leather, but would rather have a go at a smaller purchase initially. Allen

That would be ok for my needs. I have had 3-4 requests for wallets made from bridle leather..?.. Thanks for the response. I'd hate to buy a hole side if I didn't have to. Allen

Anyone know who stocks a light weight (3-4 oz) bridle leather? I looked online and lightest weight I have found is 8-9 oz. Thanks! Allen

Were not a gang... were a posse. Greetings from Deep in the Hill Country of Central Texas! Allen

Thanks guys for all the cool comments. Allen

I used a a cotton fabric material. I use spray 3M Super 77 glue. Thanks for the comments! Allen

Thanks guys, Gunter, if you walk through the everglades just hold up the wallet and say "WHO'S NEXT!!??!!..... yeah I thought so " That's how bad ass you have to be to carry this wallet! LOL Allen

Here is a wallet I just finished. I haven't posted much lately, been pretty busy. Anyway just a quick run down: Cognac Cayman Crocodile Chocolate brown interior with 12 card slots, 2 cash slots and a zipper compartment. Pale Paisley green liner Laced with Dk brown Kangaroo Thanks for looking! Allen

Called and placed an order just yesterday with Ron at Hidecrafters. Items in stock. Phone still work and there are employees. Website can use some help, but those who are complaining... do you have a updated, functional e-commerce site? What's that... No? Yeah I thought so. Until you have an proof of a supplier closing the doors, keep your personal opinions about the viability of businesses to yourself. I have always found Hidecrafters to be a friendly, well stocked and valuable resource. And if they ever lock the doors and close shop maybe then it will appropriate to opine about your opinions on their employee staffing, stock, and whatever else you may choose to whine about. Now if you have a complaint with a supplier and can't get it resolved then yea, by all means let someone know. But to plant a seed of doubt and then run a potential customer away because of an unsubstantiated rumor... ? If this post offends anyone.... Good. It was meant to. The lack of common courtesy displayed by some in previous post set the precedent. Allen

Just wanted to drop a note and say thanks for doing this series. Both to Paul for putting it together and to leatherworker.net for providing the space, effort and time to get it on here. I look forward to the lessons and hope that every who can, takes advantage of the opportunity provided. Thanks Paul! Thanks leatherworker.net! Allen

Bruce, To clarify... On the FIRST pass he, nor I bought anything. But the second, third and fourth trips through we did. Boy did we. I bought a sewing machine the first evening and that took a hunk of tooling tool money out of the picture. I picked up a couple of Wayne's geometrics, King's X got ALOT if Barry's stuff. LOL Plus I bought quite a few conchos, and other stuff. Allen