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Not sure if this topic is in the right place. What I would like to do is to get a moderator to 'Pin It' in the most suitable section in the Forums. When I read posts about almost any subject on here, I seem to spend ages trying to hunt down the easily obtainable equivalents to those mentioned in the post. Even if items are obtainable they tend to be very expensive if UK stocked and dispatched and generally out of the question if sent from the States. There are one or two examples of the reverse problem, I'm thinking of Dixon Tools and Tiger thread which you who live in USA find difficulties with. So what I am hoping for are lists of equivalents, suppliers posting with the items they supply at normal UK post rates and so on. So who wants to start? Claire

Hi there, I love the hardware on this old leather bag I have, but have not been able to find anything similar. Antique drawer pulls were too long, Chicago screws are too small. I'm looking for this size, about 15/16" across, to use as the closure to some new handbags. Any ideas of where I might find this or something similar? It seems like all hardware companies have the same stock.

Hello, I have a pair of these: https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/men/styles/slippers/pile-lined-softsole-men And just for fun, I wanted to make another pair, but was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a similar sheepskin? I am guessing it's a 5/6 suede with the sheep fur on? Thanks!

I have been looking for a USA manufacturer of belt buckles for some time. There are a few suppliers out there, but very few and hard to find. I'm in the process of getting some quotes and samples from Philip Machine and trying to gauge how much interest there might be in reselling a good share of whatever I buy. I spoke with a gentleman on the phone there today and they typically require a minimum order of around 500 units for solid brass, which can be broken down into multiple finishes, such as brass, nickel plate, antiqued, etc. I have not gotten a proper quote back yet, but I believe they would be somewhere in the $2 range per buckle. I would likely add some markup depending on how much shipping turned into and how long I though I'd be sitting on them. I'm certainly not looking to get rich on this deal, but I do believe in getting paid a little something for taking on the work and the risk... 500 buckles is probably ten years' worth for my operation. If there's enough interest in other folks buying quality USA-made buckles I would list them on my Etsy store as a regular item. I'd love to be able to get quality US items on the market to folks that will use them. So, any thoughts? Anyone? I know other folks are interested in finding domestic suppliers, so it seems like this should be doable. I'm not really interested in trying to do a group buy or form some loose coalition, as those things just seem to stall or fall apart. You can check out Philip Machine at: http://www.philipmachine.com/ If interested take a look at their buckles and see if they might fit your needs. Let me know if you have any interest and what type/size/finish of buckles would work for you. I'll post updates as I get firmer costs and feasibility, or if they come through with samples. I'll also post this in another forum or two where folks might look for this info. And if it turns into a total bust I'll let you know it's dead. Better yet, if someone has already found the secret to buying high quality USA made buckles in small quantities at good prices let me know that too!! Otherwise I think I'll be headed down the Philip path one way or another. Thanks! P.S. - Before some helpful soul points me to one of the thousand sources for quality imported hardware: "Thank you," but finding a good US manufacturer is really the point here. I know there are some very good sources for imported hardware (and I've used several of them,) but it's important to my brand development, and to me personally, to try to keep my suppliers American. It's a shame that it's gotten so hard, but it is possible.

Hi all you lovely informed leather workers! I am new to leather crafting, and have been getting really into carving and tooling. I really like the suppleness of milled leather for the kinds of bags I am using, and just wondering if anyone has a source for this kind of leather outside of Tandy. The leather I've gotten from Tandy has been nice, but I would love to find a more affordable/wholesale place to purchase, or just any alternative. Any leads or information would be wonderful! Thanks! Hailey San Juan Island, WA, USA

I would like to attempt to make the following tote bag as a first project/gift. http://www.whippingpost.com/collections/totes/products/the-vintage-tote-bag I contacted the site and found out that they use a 5/6 oz veg tan leather, and copper rivets. Here is where the guidance comes in... In being new, i need to know the following: Where should i source the leather from? How do I finish to obtain these results/color? Where do i purchase the hardware/stitching material? Also, anything that you can think of that may help me in the process of creating this bag Thank you all, and what a terrific forum. Matt

Please help, guys. I tried so hard to find this kind of buckle for making bracelets, but I just couldn't find any. Any ideas? Thanks!