What Should I Do With This Leather?

[reddevil76]

Ok, I've posted these for sale in this forum, but there doesn't seem to be much interest. So I've decided to do something about them.

The story behind these is, I've got a friend who does leather work full time, but does not own a credit card. So he gets me to place orders for him whenever it needs to be done through the internet, using my card. Recently, he mentioned he's looking for camo print leather, and when I found these, he said he'll take 10 of each. So off I go, placing the order, when the whole lot came, he said what he said was a casual remark, it's only a "Maybe" he hasn't confirmed his intentions yet! Well, not only I don't make a profit from doing this, I have to bear the loss when this kind of thing happens.

Anyway, enough of the rant. These are goat skin, and very thin. Only about 1mm thick. I am told the UK army uses the desert pattern for their gloves.

Since I am a hand-sewer, I am used to work only on projects which uses 3-4 or 4-5 oz leather with a medium firm temper.

I've thought of lining small projects with these, but what I am worried is when it comes to burnishing the edges, this particular layer will not burnish to the same effect as the other layers of veg tan.

So other than usage as a lining, does anyone has any suggestions on the type of projects to use up about 40 hides of these?

[bison]

Maybe as an insert in a cover of a log book for hunters? Something like this image?

[Randy Cornelius]

Are they big enough to hide your friends body! LOL seriously, how about a womens purse, hunting gear, gun sligs, back backs etc.

[reddevil76]

Yes, other than lining, I've thought of using it as inserts. That's why I posted a question in another section asking about sheaths and holsters. As I have no access to guns or dummy ones, someone said I could use the patterns in Tandy's book. So I will be looking at that as well. But I didn't know hunters uses log books! Thanks for the tip.

Randy - I've thought about women's purses and bags. LV and such has produced camo series in the past. However, I gave up the idea as I have no idea how to use a sewing machine. And typically women's bag require a finer kind of finishing, so hand sewing with waxed thread might not work. Even if I used triple loop lacing in lieu of hand stitching, I noticed every hand bag has a cloth interior to provide separate compartments in the bag, and that will require machine stitching as well.

So currently, I am set for using them as inserts for hunter gear. But with each hide at 4-5 sq ft, I've got alot to work through! So anymore ideas with a larger usage?

[Randy Cornelius]

Sounds like you need to get money up front for special orders.

[reddevil76]

Don't think that's gonna happen

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

I think in order to use up this quantity quickly you will be looking at larger items like purses, backpacks, jackets, skirts, leggings for brushy areas, etc. Learning to use a sewing machine may be a good thing for you to do. It will increase your capabilities for future projects. One is never too old to learn, and gain new skills.

[Suze]

from now on YOU do get the cash up front - no arguments - just plain refuse to order it without cash in hand

when he gives you the cash THEN you order the stuff

I mean he has to pay for it anyway if he wants it - right?

it would save you from being "stuck" with leather you have no real need for

[bkingery]

Sorry to hear about your dilema, I was recently talking to an archery guy the other day trying to drum up some interest and he mentioned off hand that to him it seems the archery hunters seem to be left aside because there is just no really good camo accessories so maybe that would be something you could do, I don't sew yet either but I,ve been looking at a lot of stuff and alot of it seems like it coule be hand sewn. Use it to cover light foam so it moves easily or maybe an insert. Just wondering though what the tensile strength of stuff that thin would be cuz I think it would look cool cut into lace. Just a couple thoughts.

Peace

Bryan

[reddevil76]

Hi Suze, it's a unspoken "trust" thing that makes it awkward to bring up the topic of money. Even now, whenever I see him, I don't bring up the topic of this leather anymore. He has taken 3 pieces of it, and it has become "a favour to me" to take that few pieces! Anyway, I am a bit more careful now and now focusing on moving on and trying to come up with ideas to use it.

BigGun - As affording and storing a machine is somewhat out of the question in the near future, I don't think I will consider that. My current worktable is in my bedroom, and it is only 30" X 20" big. But I will not rule it out entirely in the distant future.

Bkingery - I'm not too sure about the tensile strength of these. But I do know these were made by Pittards UK to supply the military. So it has to be tough. But they are very expensive, and I would be reluctant to cut them into lace. Morever, I think the camo effect might be lost if used as lace? But the archery goods is a good tip, and I will include that in my "to research" list.

[Suze]

wll as far as the "trust" thing

just tell him that "money is tight and I need it up front to order stuff from now on"

and really don't you think that he sort of blew the "trust" thing this time?

you ordered 20 pieces of leather FOR him and he took THREE as a "favor to you"? for something that you have no idea of what to use it for and by your own admission is "expensive"

[reddevil76]

wll as far as the "trust" thing

just tell him that "money is tight and I need it up front to order stuff from now on"

and really don't you think that he sort of blew the "trust" thing this time?

you ordered 20 pieces of leather FOR him and he took THREE as a "favor to you"? for something that you have no idea of what to use it for and by your own admission is "expensive"

Yeah, I understand what you mean. Its based on trust then, but with this happening, I sure am not going to do this again in the future. I have been jobless for the past six months, and it couldn't happen at a worst time. I kept looking at the leather and thinking if I hadn't order these, i would have the cash in my pocket now which is definitely handy for times like this.

But right now, I have to focus on making them work, so I can move on instead. With the suggestions I received here, I am now brimming with ideas!

[Studio-N]

Easy solution is educate him that walmart and many other venues sell prepaid Visa and Mastercards or the type that he can add money to.

After that he can use his own 'credit card' to place orders.

[Suze]

ouch -- one thing

do you do any kind of leather shows?

if you do - take the leather with you to sell "as is" (not made up into anything)

although there are a lot of good ideas here

how about covers for binders or journals? it does seem like camo anything is up for sale right now

or the other way out

can you send it back? without loosing too much money?

Or heck -- does anybody HERE want camo leather? You may be able to reduce the amount you have by selling some of it off here.....

[Suze]

just had anouther idea--- not knowing how much they cost in the first place

but they look like they would be good to use for layouts for role playing figures....

any game stores in your local area? you might be able to sell a few hides that way. especially the green ones.

[bkingery]

ouch -- one thing

do you do any kind of leather shows?

if you do - take the leather with you to sell "as is" (not made up into anything)

although there are a lot of good ideas here

how about covers for binders or journals? it does seem like camo anything is up for sale right now

or the other way out

can you send it back? without loosing too much money?

Or heck -- does anybody HERE want camo leather? You may be able to reduce the amount you have by selling some of it off here.....

What would the shipping be to get them here to America and what was the initial cost of them maybe we can help??

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Other venues to sell the whole hide

As much as I dislike them E-bay. AKA E-pay, evil bay, etc.....................

Local leather shops.

Craigslist.org

Etsy.com

Since you don't have the sewing machine, do you have someone who could do the sewing for you? You cut the parts, and have them sew them up.

Wonder how they would work as a Chamois for drying a car.With them being camo they might appeal to truck owners/hunters.

You could get all artsy with these too. Find a taxidermy mannequin of a goat, and put the hide on it. Make a few up, and set them around. Camogoats

[reddevil76]

ouch -- one thing

do you do any kind of leather shows?

if you do - take the leather with you to sell "as is" (not made up into anything)

although there are a lot of good ideas here

how about covers for binders or journals? it does seem like camo anything is up for sale right now

or the other way out

can you send it back? without loosing too much money?

Or heck -- does anybody HERE want camo leather? You may be able to reduce the amount you have by selling some of it off here.....

Well, there aren't any shows or events here. I did browse through over 20 pages of ebay listings to get an idea of what camo products is out there. It seems that mostly is camo patterns from Mossy Oak.

I've listed it several times on Ebay and sold only 3 woodlands hides to a lady in Texas. As Big Gun has aptly named it, after the listing fees of the previous listings, the final value fee, the paypal fees, I made about a 15% loss. But I'm happy to just get back some money. Then I listed postage at $19, but actual postage was $31 for registered articles. Which was fine, I'm happy to pay a little more to ensure all goes well.

It reach US in a few days and got stuck at NY customs. After 2 weeks, the lady started asking for a refund, though I did provide a tracking number and documentation from the post office to show it has left Singapore and is in US now. Later, I convinced her to help both of us check with her local post office. Only when she went to her local post office, and the people there informed her that it is likely to be at customs (send it for lab test, could it be? Declaration says goat leather and probably they wasn't convinced), did she agreed to wait a little longer. It was something out of both of our control, and I can definitely understand her frustration. Many times I shipped items to the US and this is the first time it has happened. Probably due to the fact that it is leather, rather than finished goods.

Nevertheless, I will definitely try to list it on ebay again, after some time. Recently, I couldn't even get 10 pages views on a listing and all the listing fees were rather draining.

I'm definitely going to try my hand on some holsters and quivers once I have some veg tan available and a Tandy book in hand.

Bkingery - I am warmed by the responses here and it goes to show other than what the newspapers tell us, this world is still full of good people. Following the ebay sale, I thought the only way to move these is to take a slight loss on them. And I rather have the discount go to the buyer than have it go in the form of fees to Ebay. So I've revised my prices in the classifieds some time ago to reflect that. Even then, I wouldn't want anyone to buy them just to help me. Though I could do with some help right now, but I am of the thinking that there are others more deserving.

I would be happy if a buyer could use the leather to make something which could turn a profit for them. I am admitedly rock bottom now with my jobless situation. But I still have food and shelter, and have family. In fact my girlfriend extended a loan to me to order some veg tan from Springfield. Her reasoning is that I could not only keep myself occupied (my thoughts have been swinging to drastic actions recently), after I have made some products, i could sell them and pay her back. She has tried to take me out in the past few months, and I have been resolute in staying home as I believed I should not be spending money which I either did not have or her money. So this works for both of us, as i can be kept busy, and the money is not down a endless hole (for e.g. spending it on entertainment) and could be paid back.

Nevertheless, I am touched by the help extended. And God bless you all for your kind hearts.

[reddevil76]

Since you don't have the sewing machine, do you have someone who could do the sewing for you? You cut the parts, and have them sew them up.

Big Gun, that's an idea too. I've been looking at patterns for Tote bags and i could probably make up a few to be sewed by machine. I'd probably line them with canvas inside. But the only guy in town with a machine to sew it, is my friend who got me here in the first place. Ironic eh?

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

My Mom used her 1950 Singer home machine to sew some of my early Knife sheaths. They were around 1/4" thick. Thin goatskin, and canvas should be within the realm of a good home unit. Seems everyone here has a machine at home.

Then again, you said that you have time, so maybe there is a lot of hand stitching in your future

Are you located in Singapore? Or is that just where it passed through on its way out? I'm not up on all of the different country flags

Something else to look at would be covers for E-readers like the Kindle.

Too bad the UK military wouldn't buy them from you. Could always market them to video games as authentic military grade hides.

[reddevil76]

My Mom used her 1950 Singer home machine to sew some of my early Knife sheaths. They were around 1/4" thick. Thin goatskin, and canvas should be within the realm of a good home unit. Seems everyone here has a machine at home.

Then again, you said that you have time, so maybe there is a lot of hand stitching in your future

Are you located in Singapore? Or is that just where it passed through on its way out? I'm not up on all of the different country flags

Something else to look at would be covers for E-readers like the Kindle.

Too bad the UK military wouldn't buy them from you. Could always market them to video games as authentic military grade hides.

Big Gun, yes I am in Singapore. I've been looking at youtube videos of sewing machines in action. The aerostitch is something i would want once I have a steady job. I'm even daydreaming of clicker presses and dies! Talk about dreaming big.

Anyway, thanks for all the great suggestions

[reddevil76]

To all those who chipped in with suggestions, just thought I'd update that a week ago, the lady (Kim) who bought the leather received it and was kind enough to send me a pic of the first thing she did with them. I thought they looked great!

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Cool, thanks for the update.