It's great to hear about your passion for leatherworking and vintage fashion, and how it has inspired you to learn new skills in sewing and pattern making.
Regarding your question about finding unique and decorative hardware components for your leather jackets, this is actually a great opportunity to apply the skills you've learned in researching and sourcing materials. In fact, learning how to find and select the right materials is a key part of any creative process, whether you're making clothing, art, or any other type of product.
One potential avenue to explore is to connect with other leatherworkers and enthusiasts, either through online forums or in-person meetups. They may have suggestions for where to find rare or unusual hardware components, or be able to point you towards suppliers or vendors that specialize in these types of items.
Another option could be to experiment with making your own hardware components, using techniques like metalworking, etching, or engraving to create unique designs and patterns. This would not only give you greater control over the final product, but also allow you to develop new skills and expand your creative toolkit.
Overall, your question highlights an important aspect of the educational process, which is the ability to apply and adapt what you've learned to new situations and challenges. By continuing to seek out new sources of inspiration and information, and developing creative solutions to problems like sourcing unique hardware components, you are furthering your own education and expanding your horizons as a leatherworker and designer.