Alexis1234

It is antique " pinking" punch They are attached using brass wire bent in figure eight pattern

Thank you

Thank you! My advice is to go for it! Don't be intimated. If it's something you want to pursue- just start

It's a body strap of bells- draft sized. I made up 2 short keeper straps as well for attaching to harness to help keep it in place

Graduated strap of 29 antique sleigh bells, approximately107 " long x 4" wide( including billet). Largest bell is a #15. Wavy cut, tapered harness leather strap, hand stamped border, crimson colored pinked wool felt edge,raised billet, fully lined in chestnut bridle leather. I don't think I'll be making another one- this was a bear to get stitched up. I had to rearrange my shop to be able to do so. I hand punched almost 4 yards of felt for this one. On a side note, finally figured out how to resize pics for this site. Thoughts, critiques always welcome!

I have the same manual and remember the author mentioning it... I'm curious as well. It's something I've kept in mind, as I try to buy the weights I need. I've noticed my splitter tends to stretch the strap and I use my round knife when skiviving. I wouldn't be so worried about the integrity of a purse strap or case compared to horse harness when it could be dangerous. Just my 2 sense, I could be totally wrong.

Beautiful work! What leather did you use?- love the color, so rich looking.

Thanks guys. This was the first time I've made up a pattern like that- it was a struggle.

Do you have access to the "Art of hand stitching " by AL Stolhman? He explains it better than I can. Basically, sew the one side up as you normally would, the other side, tuck and tack. You make larger stitches than normal, working out of the same holes on the face of the loop( angling the awl).You would than emboss, hiding the holes.

I've been busy cleaning bells and making up new strap work. This is my latest project- cleaning and reinstalling antique brass sleigh bells on new strapwork as a neck strap for a horse. 15 graduated bells, largest is a number 10, bells get smaller closer to the buckle. Handstamped border, rich Chestnut bridle leather liner , tapered strap that swells out at each bell. Handstitched and creased keeper, chape and billet. Unfortunately, these are the only pics I can load, I don't know how to make the files smaller

Lol, I think that's one I'd have to turn down!

Thank you The book is called The Harness Maker's Illustrated Manual. There are a few ones out there and some of them were incomplete. Find the version w/ pics. It is available for free online. Wonderful source!

Yes, I looked at antique photos- just wonderful, both the dogs and goat... Some vehicles were beautifully built just like miniature horse carriages!

I will! I know very little about driving goats but I'm very intrigued. Told customer - I need pics, lol

I didn't know folks still drove goats, but after this- I want a pair:) Yes- carts or wagon

haven't posted in a long time, but thought I would share my latest " unusual " project... I was commissioned to make a custom GOAT driving harness. Certainly not fancy/ high end by harness work standards, but unusual in today's world of nylon and beta. This harness has rolled patent leather breeching and breastcollar, a 2 in flexible padded saddle and tan English bridle leather lines. I'm still working on a few parts to get it finished and sent out, but thought I would share. I used a 1907 Sears Roebuck catalog and a vintage harness makers guide book for guidance/I haven't posted in a long time, but thought I would share my latest " unusual " project... I was commissioned to make a custom GOAT driving harness. Certainly not fancy/ high end by any harness work standards, but unusual in today's world of nylon and beta. This harness has rolled patent leather breeching and breastcollar, a 2 in flexible padded saddle and tan English bridle leather lines. This is the tiniest harness I've ever made I'm still working on a few parts to get it finished and sent out, but thought I would share. I used a 1907 Sears Roebuck catalog and a vintage harness makers guide book for guidance/ inspiration. Let me know what you think- Thanks!

I do not do it that way...However, on I've seen it done on work harness.

I've been putting Resolene on W & C bridle leather( almost every leather, actually). I made a bridle leather bag a couple years ago that I use on a daily basis- still looking great.

This person uses cooking lard that he keeps in the fridge. Great information guys. I was intrigued by it, so I just had to ask. Now I know what to use if I'm ever in a pinch.

Final Update: Despite the delayed shipment and extremely poor communication from the company, I had a family attorney take a look at the contract. Based on the contract, company would have had design rights to anything and everything that was coming out of my shop- even if it wasn't equine related and also to any customer info. I would have been getting paid by the hour, not by the job, which was not the way it was supposed to be.. It was a totally one sided contract . I decided not to pursue any further communications with this company.

Someone I know swears by the use of LARD to condition leather. I used tallow one time when I was a teen and it caused the leather to mold. Is lard a good leather conditioner? I would think it would go rancid and attract mice out in the barn. Any thoughts? Personally, I stick with neats foot, but always open to new ideas. Thanks!

Update: I just received the tack set back a couple days ago- I'm very relieved! Thank you all for the input.

That makes me feel better. I'll wait it out and see what happens. I

Both excellent ideas! Its been 2 weeks but I'm going to wait a bit longer- just to be sure.

I should clarify- I could not take pics and post them to social media . I did take pictures of the tack set as a work in progress and it is unique enough to be identified.