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A quick (not that quick, really) question about dyes... acrylic dyes, to be specific. Question #1: Once I apply one of these I can kiss any pull-up in the leather goodbye, right? I ask because I'm looking for a very dark brown or chestnut color, but I have only natural color leather at hand. I've made some progress with stains and dyes through trial and error, but I'm not quite where I want to be in terms of color (I've actually found a color I' might use on another project). All straps have the same base: 9 parts brown stain, 1 part black stain, 40 parts light paint thinner (UN number 1263... in case that means something). All straps were dip-stained in that soup and let dry. The differences: From left to right: - #1 and #3 were resisted with neatsfoot oil and dried before staining. - #2 and #4 were stained first and then neatsfoot oiled once they dried. - all of them received an extra layer of neatsfoot oil when dried from the previous steps. - #3 and #4 were dyed with acrylic dye, #3 without diluting and #4 at 50% dilution (diluted with the same paint thinner mentioned above). (NOTE: These look rather dull in the photo, but are actually quite shiny and nice) Once dried, all received a coat of Fiebing's Tan-Kote The color I'm after is basically the one in #3 and #4, but, having used an acrylic dye, I'm afraid they loose that nice, light pull-up I've got from #1 and #2 (shown below)... #1 and #2's by the way, is the color I mentioned I'll use for another project... Question #2: Is there anything on the market that can give me the color I want without loosing the pull-up effect? Thanks in advance!!

Just finished up this bag for a customer. My first women item. She wanted a tote style business bag but she may need it as a carry-all. I built this one differently than other bags. This one is lined with a horsehair canvas and top layered with a beautiful purple Japanese Bemberg. The Bemberg is stronger than silk and breathes better than cotton allowing the leather air. This was a steal from how custom handmade men's suit jackets are made. I borrowed this technique from my clothing days and it really worked out nice. The bag has a nice structure to it with out using heavy or stiff leather. I tried bag stiffener inserts before, but tore them out, I didn't like the feel. The outer shell is an Italian pull-up leather 2/3 oz. those of you that have used pull-ups before know how soft that is. The other pieces are constructed with Herrmann Oak veg-tan. Like the corner bumps, helps give the bag more protection from scraps and added structure. I'm most proud of the handles. I think the style and structure came out great. I also like the belted top, keeps the bag from fully opening if you hold it by one handle. Finally, she wanted a "Coach" style plaque on the front of the bag. After calling every trophy shop in town, no one wanted to make me one... they would make me 100 but not one since I needed "not the standard plaque". I found an old nerd technique online how tech folks would make their own PCB boards. I used this method on solid brass with some metal stain and it came out awesome. All the leather is hand sewn saddle stitched with Tiger Thread. I went down to the smallest I could find. 0.6mm. Has I nice feminine look. Kind of a mix between a doctor bag, hunter bag, in a tote style. Dimensions are 18" wide x 15" tall x 4" depth