Hello from an Irish dog lover living Down Under!

[ruthless]

Hi,

I know Kanga from a dog forum and she suggested I join up here. I recently started taking leather classes as I'd like to eventually make and sell dog collars and leads. I've made four collars, but I've only photographed one!

Here's a few pics of it, modelled by my Amstaff, Trixie

I've had no end of dramas with it. To give you some background info, I started with a piece of natural hide. I dyed it on both sides and then gave it several coats of hide seal. It was incredibly stiff so I brought it back to class and asked them if there was anything I could use to soften it. They told me to soak it in Laceol [sp?]. This worked wonders, so I finally started using it as Trixie's everyday collar. She's got awful skin problems. I think they're seasonal, but after wearing the collar for a few days she came up quite red around her neck. After her walk, if it's hot out, she'll jump in the paddling pool. We noticed the dye from the collar was coming off on her neck, so we stopped using it.

I went back to class on Saturday and expressed my concerns and the teacher said to give it several coats of hide seal. As I'm doing this, the dye is coming off on the rag. I asked her was that normal and she said to ask the girl that runs the shop. She said she didn't like hide seal and would recommend that I use top coat instead. In fact, she said in future I'd be better off starting with a piece of pre-dyed leather. Sigh. I'd already given the collar several coats of hide seal, so I just dried it off, wrapped it in newspaper and brought it home.

When I got home I was taking all my stuff out to show my OH and he asked me to take it outside because the chemical smell from the hide seal was so overpowering. I left them out in the garage until today thinking it would go away, but I just took them out and they still stink. Do I wash them? Do I condition them? How do I make them wearable?

Ideally, I'd like to make and sell collars and leads some day, but I really need to work out all these issues I'm having first. Is there anyone on here who specifically makes dog stuff that would be willing to help me with some advice?

Cheers :D

[Ian]

My opinion would be that if you're going to be making solid color collars - skip all the dyeing and finishing and used pre-dyed and finished bridle leather. When you're doing things in quantity to sell, you need to skip as many steps as you can (while maintaining your quality, of course) if you want to make a profit. The few cents more per collar that the bridle leather will cost will easily be made up by the time and materials you'll save.

[Kanga]

Hi Ruth! and welcome, glad you joined, I am sure you will get the help and advice you need here.

Linda

[ruthless]

My opinion would be that if you're going to be making solid color collars - skip all the dyeing and finishing and used pre-dyed and finished bridle leather. When you're doing things in quantity to sell, you need to skip as many steps as you can (while maintaining your quality, of course) if you want to make a profit. The few cents more per collar that the bridle leather will cost will easily be made up by the time and materials you'll save.

Thanks Ian! That seems to be the general consensus. Hopefully I can convince my local leather shop to stock a range of colours for me!

Hi Ruth! and welcome, glad you joined, I am sure you will get the help and advice you need here.

Linda

Hi Linda! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction

[Scott1952]

Which dog is Irish?

Welcome!!!

Edited February 25, 2009 by Scott1952

[ruthless]

[Arturo]

Ruthless:

Is that an Irish pit bull, Australian pit bull, or an American pit bull? In any case it is beautiful dog with a very nice collar!

Arturo

[ruthless]

She's from the pound, so your guess is as good as mine! She's chipped as an American Staffordshire Terrier, but she's no papers.

Edited March 9, 2009 by ruthless

[Sasquatch]

Ruthless welcome. I'm a fellow Pittie/Dog lover and volunteer quite a lot of time to bull-breed rescue.

I have recently started to do custom dog collars to sell. Its a real trial and error experience I have gone through a few different options; when working with tooled leather I like to use Eco Flo Hi-lite, neatsfoot oil and a wax topcoat(I have been using Snow-Seal for its waterproofing quality).

For dyes I use Fiebings, let it dry overnight, deglazer(Nail pollish remover) and then neatsfoot oil, Carnauba creme for the front and Gum Tragacanthfir the back and edges.

As far as pre-dyed leather it limits you to only a few options and cost is always more. I am always a fan of doing things myself whenever possible. Anthing he can do I can do too, or atleast try.

Here is my Girl:

[ruthless]

How'd I miss this?

I love that first collar, nice work. You're dog's not too bad either!!! Gotta love those big staffy smiles