Jump to content

ButtonLady

Contributing Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    144

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by ButtonLady

  5. Posted · Edited by ButtonLady
    Someday I will learn to spell...     · Report reply

    8 hours ago, chrisash said:

    You need a niche market you can exploit to the full rather than compete with thousands of other hopeful's selling the same basic items, make something different that stands out...

    I dabbled once with a few retail products, mostly custom magnets and pins made with brass or nickel rims.  My big draw was that I could make them on the spot because I dragged my equipment to shows.

    I learned pretty quickly that (potential) customers really only care about products that represent a specific interest.

    For example... at a juried arts fair, the woman next to me was crazy-busy selling metal hair clips.  Nothing special, I thought.  She told me she bought barrette blanks from China and spot-tacked? —glued?  metal charms to them that represented things like nursing, teaching, cats, etc.  People came by asking, "Do you have anything for _____?" and she usually did.  The vast majority were purchased for gifts.  She also said she advertised nurse-themed clips in a nursing publication and sold a LOT that way.

    You're not necessarily going to sell something just because it's made from leather; leather is almost secondary.  People seek out things that appeal to their hobbies or personalities or professions, etc. —leather might just be a bonus.

    If I ever attempt this again, I will cater specifically to interest-themed events (car shows, or  marching band competitions, or... whatever) and only have products that appeal specifically to that.

    Your mileage may vary. :P

  6. Posted · Report reply

    On 3/25/2022 at 4:18 AM, fivewayswelshcobs said:

    I would never put metal prongs against any animal...

    If set properly with a good die, the prongs are well buried.  Aside from that, please note that the spots in this example are set with exceptional care (!) —the direction of the prongs is perfectly consistent:

    image.png

    The raised center of a machine die pushes the prongs upward into the material (leather, Biothane, etc.):

    image.png

    Prongs that are just flattened?  Absolute total agreement with you.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    On 3/27/2022 at 6:40 AM, chuck123wapati said:

    i sell quite a few plain holsters and knife sheathes a lot of guys want the function and fit of hand made but no bling lol. 

    "Plain" is a lot harder because you can't hide your mistakes with bling...  Really nice work!

    Do you use standard release, or soft "EZ" release snap sockets for holsters?  The lighting makes it look like.. brass?  The old one is nickel?

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Greetings, fellow Masshole! B)

    Assuming you're talking about "industrial"-type ring spring snaps:  Post width should always be the same.  Extra long post lengths are available for #24.  Scovill DOT makes an extra short #20 post, but not extra long.

    You need better snaps!  I have Fasnap, DOT, and Osborne on hand —I'll mail some samples if you provide your address via message.  Not really familiar with other types of snaps, but working on it.

    I set snaps with a press, either Fasnap PM5 or Osborne (taking a break from doing it right now, in fact).

     

  19. Posted · Report reply

    3 hours ago, ButtonLady said:

    This example was clearly set after sewing because spots are covering the stitching... but presumably it's lined (?):

    Bling for Equestrian | Dreamtime Creations

    https://www.dreamtimecreations.com/page/bling-for-equestrian/

    Missed the edit window:

    It's possible these "spots" are actually rivets added after stitching.  Maybe even Chicago screws —can they be called "conchos" if they're that small?  Either way, I think the biggest issue would be punching a neat, well-placed pilot hole.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    4 hours ago, fivewayswelshcobs said:

    I would never put metal prongs against any animal so all my harness and collars etc is lined as is most of what I've seen . The only evidence of no lining is some which has been botched by an amateur or foreign made.

    Thank you for weighing in!  This is a fascinating subject —it's the reason I joined the forum.

    Here's a dog collar from Karma Collars:

    Zion Leather Dog Collar, Collars, Karma Collars, Karma Collars: Custom Leather Dog Collars

    https://karmacollars.com/collections/designer-bling-custom-handmade-leather-dog-collars/products/zion

    Prongs are exposed but points are buried in the leather... only possible with a die.  Machine-set, I assume —is there such a thing as a hand-set die that does this?  For those just learning (like me), here's an example of a machine die:

    Die For Preset Rhinestones (Bedazzler)

    https://allstarco.com/en/setting-tools/6831-die-for-preset-rhinestones-bedazzler.html#/206-size-5mm

    The raised center of the left (bottom) die pushes the prongs upward into the material.  I tried a machine die from a Chinese manufacturer (Dot-Gas), and all it did was flatten the prongs.  Really disappointing (sizing was off, too... different story).

    So... on to horse tack.

    I revisited the Biothane tack link from last year:

    https://www.twohorsetack.com/images/product/icon/29_1_.jpg

    https://www.twohorsetack.com/p-29-bling-beta-biothane-western-bridle-with-full-browband.aspx

    Rhinestone spots on the reins are exposed/points buried, but presumably the rest is lined —because there is visible stitching?  Is it possible to set spots in the top layer and then stitch THAT CLOSE to them?  Same thing with leather, too.

    This example was clearly set after sewing because spots are covering the stitching... but presumably it's lined (?):

    Bling for Equestrian | Dreamtime Creations

    https://www.dreamtimecreations.com/page/bling-for-equestrian/

    There's a LOT I don't know about this.

  22. Posted · Edited by ButtonLady
    Made images smaller.     · Report reply

    On 4/27/2021 at 3:11 AM, Klara said:

    I think that I just possibly might leave well-set rivets uncovered on the inside, meaning I'd use them on an unpadded collar. Maybe. 

    If the set is clean and smooth, and there's nothing exposed that would cause irritation... sure!  Rivet caps have a nice finish.

     

    On 4/27/2021 at 6:48 AM, Alexis1234 said:

    I use prong spots on collars I've made with a liner because I think it looks nicer. However,  on horse harness they will put spots on parts that aren't lined. The prongs are just bent over  and flattened really well.

    I have learned (since starting this thread a year ago...) that 2-prong spots tend to have stronger and longer prongs (claws?) than 4-prong spots.  They are the only type that will penetrate collar-thick leather.  I have also (since then) tried setting metal and rhinestone spots:

    image.jpeg.13718de5edfa8a28532a6b53e9eb836b.jpegGEMAGIC PEARL Studs Size 20 4.5mm 200 Pcs

    You are spot (ha! :lol:) on. 

    I am by no means an expert, but at least I understand now what you're describing.

    Machine setting forces prong points into the leather due to the shape of the die.  Hand setting creates prongs that "are just bent over and flattened really well" ...at least for 2-prongs.  4-prong spots are thinner and don't flatten as well when set by hand (in my oh-so-humble opinion) —they're designed more for fabric and thinner materials, and to be set with a die.

     

    On 4/27/2021 at 3:11 AM, Klara said:

    As for the templates: I make my own.

    You are far more talented than I can ever hope to be...  Chris Mantz has some nice templates for spots and rhinestones.  Here's the website I couldn't remember before:

    https://www.tacktemplates.com/online-store/Spot-Setting-Template-p81157850

  24. Posted · Report reply

    8 hours ago, Samalan said:

    Guilt by location should you ever need a heavy stitching machine I have a cobra 4 you are welcome to use just because your a fellow Masshole.

    Awww... that's really nice of you! :) Haven't done much sewing lately, though (although I really should).  I actually joined because I'm interested in spots (rhinestones, metal, etc.) for leather.  Oooh... shiny... :wub:

×
×
  • Create New...