So I Am Brand New To This And About To Pull My Hair Out!

[klarr74]

Hello, my name is Kristen and this is the first time I have ever tried any type of "craft". I show dogs so of course the main thing in am interested in is making collars for my dogs The problem is that I am not interested in making "cheap" kit leather collars. I have found many types of collars that I hope to gradually make my way up into making as I gain in skill level.

So my husband bought me the Pro Leatherworker Kit from Tandy leather for our anniversary along with a leather belly. Today we purchased a solid oak work table from Harbor Freight, then returned to Tandy and picked up a Stitch Awl kit from Tandy, some dye (red and black) edge kote, contact cement, sheep wool scraps, some camel hair brushes, copper rivets, decrative conchos, thread (black and white) a cooper rivet and burr setter, buckles (various sizes) and of course some leather remnants to practice any tooling on first.

Here is what I hope to make on my first "project" It seems to be one of the more simple collars that I like with a matching leash.

1st problem: I cannot find the "stafford knot" concho anywhere for sale Here is what it looks like

I have some of my dog friends in Finland, Austrailia, Austria, and Holland trying to find me a supplier if I can't find one somewhere in the USA. (I live in Oklahoma)

2nd problem: The 'hardware" available at Tandy just didn't seem to be high quality to me. Most of the nicer collars I have owned in the past or seen for sale have a much sturdier quality. Where do I find better hardware(buckles, D rings, snaps, quick releases) for my collar and leashes? These will also be use for "working dogs" so it must stand up to hard conditions.

I'm just starting with my first two problems...lol I have many! I've been watching video's online but some of the ones I have found about making a collar just has music in the background and they don't describe what they are doing and they use machines which doesn't really help me much But I have found all kinds of beautiful collars I hope to one day make! Just need guidance.

Thanks for reading

Kristen

[King's X]

Good luck and Congrats!

Try this site.....www.conchos.com

[ferret]

You can get it here , but it does involve shipping across the pond.

[klarr74]

Good luck and Congrats!

Try this site.....www.conchos.com

Thank you... but they do not carry a 'Stafford Knot concho' on that site.

You can get it here , but it does involve shipping across the pond.

My friend also sent me that link so I hope they are a good source for sure!! They DO carry what I am looking for....I also received your email, thank you very much for finding the site. Have you actually bought from them before? Or did you just find the link?

[klarr74]

Okay, so tonight my husband and friend put together the new work bench and I unpacked the tools. Tomorrow I plan on experimenting with the tools! I'm quite excited but at the same time very scared It's not that fancy, but hope to get more stuff as I learn. So now back to reading the forum.

Edited June 23, 2010 by klarr74

[dirtclod]

Hi Klarr, nice looking bench. You have alot better set than i did when i started. My stamping stone was the front porch with a 5 gallon bucket to set on and my bench was a card table. When i got one side of a 10 by 12 foot shed i was in Hog Heaven..LOL. About 5 years ago i built a 24x 36 foot shop to work in. It's like the old saying "ten thousand mile walk begins with the first step" and you have took the first step. You on your way now.

John

[klarr74]

Hi Klarr, nice looking bench. You have alot better set than i did when i started. My stamping stone was the front porch with a 5 gallon bucket to set on and my bench was a card table. When i got one side of a 10 by 12 foot shed i was in Hog Heaven..LOL. About 5 years ago i built a 24x 36 foot shop to work in. It's like the old saying "ten thousand mile walk begins with the first step" and you have took the first step. You on your way now.

John

Thanks John. Very nice to meet ya! I'm glad I'm not starting out with a bucket! I now want to make labels for everything so I can remember what the tool is and what it is used for...and also hope to put a peg board on the wall to hold stuff. Now I need to find a comfy chair. hehehe It has a vice on one side of it and it also has holes in the top of it so that you can mount things to the top. We were thinking of mounting our re-loader to it. We also have a shed outside that has a smaller work surface with electricity....but I kinda prefer air conditioning myself! lol

Kristen

[ferret]

My friend also sent me that link so I hope they are a good source for sure!! They DO carry what I am looking for....I also received your email, thank you very much for finding the site. Have you actually bought from them before? Or did you just find the link?

I've been buying from them for years, very friendly and helpful staff. A word of advice on that sewing awl, don't bother taking it out of the pack. A lot of us bought one when starting out, they are all now stuffed away in the cellar or buried in the yard. Get a copy of Al Stohlman's "the art of hand sewing leather", a decent awl and a pack of saddlers needles. It will save you hours of frustration.

[celticleather]

Looks like what you lack in experience is more than made up for in enthusiasm . . . excellent!! I suggest that Tandy awls are good for cleaning fingernails - not much else!

Le Prevo are brilliant - been using them for over 25 years. They also have a superb Superstrong hide, that is ideal for really serious dog-stuff . . . see http://www.leprevo.co.uk/hides.htm.

Let's see some results soon!

[alb]

you wrote: It's not that fancy, but hope to get more stuff as I learn.

Don't worry - You don't need more stuff! LOL You have a lot of stuff!

time to get cracking and make something! Every once in awhile when I'm in my shop and a bit nervous about doing something for the first time, I'll put it off by sorting stuff..... Pretty soon I realize what I'm doing, force myself to get started and end up making progress.

It can be a bit intimidating to start a new craft. Just remember - don't compare your work to some of the incredible stuff you'll see on this site, especially not at first. Some people feel like throwing in the towel when their early efforts don't compare.

You'll probably be frustrated with your progress for awhile but that can be a good thing. Just keep pounding the leather and ask questions after you've tried things and can't figure them out on your own and practice, practice, practice. The place where you bought your tools can be a really good source for help as well.

Enjoy!

Ann