First try with leather...

miker84 wrote:Well I know squat about leatherwork, but the doublestitch looks better to me than the single. Tell ya what, I'll haul off all those holsters and only charge you $20.

I agree with the stitching - just looks better. I decided to incorporate the stitching around the belt loops as a long term thing - not that the leather would separate but I don't want to give it the opportunity. This kept me from being able to carry the double stitching all the way around with the double belt loops. The orange gun is a railed 1911 and that holsters going to a new home in Texas, and the other black one is going to another MSGO member. I'll make you a deal on the two light brown ones though!

I'll make you a deal on the two light brown ones though!.

Cool I'm always up for a deal, especially trades.

miker84 wrote:

I'll make you a deal on the two light brown ones though!.

Cool I'm always up for a deal, especially trades.

Only if it's russian....

And here is the first of the string that's completed. I'm happy with it!

Andddd done:

glad i told you basket weave on the black...definitely like it! maybe i'm more sure now because I actually have on my glasses for a change?

I know what you mean Jake, I was really hesitant to attempt black again but think that one and the other non tooled one I did helped to ease my pain with them. I'm doing my best to have yours for you at the M&G but with my school schedule I can't guarantee it! I'm so fortunate that you guys have been so patient with me - I just want them to be the best I can make.

Eaglestroker wrote:I'm doing my best to have yours for you at the M&G but with my school schedule I can't guarantee it! I'm so fortunate that you guys have been so patient with me - I just want them to be the best I can make.

trust me, I feel you on the school schedule! I only go 3 days a week, but good lord! I've got about four 15 page papers due in 2 weeks, plus 2 group projects, then finals, plus job hunting, etc.....so i'm as sympathetic to that as anyone! quality is much more important for sure, so take your time, not like this is your only commitment

Very impressed with the quality of work you've been putting out! Now you've gotten me interested in leathercrafting--might end up being a good side hobby, especially if I can make a bit of money off it. Would love to come and help out, but I'm waaay to the south of you, and only up that direction 1x/month with no time to spare for something like that!

Very high quality pictures too.

Hey Eric, thank you for the compliments. I also have a few more threads now with better work than was has been posted here.

As far as a hobby goes - as long as it is a hobby you'll never make money on it. You might be fortunate enough to almost break even like me though. Everything I've done this far has been on those initial two sides of leather although I'm desperately low now. My biggest single expense is dye. If you need any help shoot me a PM.

Most hobbies I know of don't end up breaking even--getting close would be pretty fine in my opinion. Part of me really likes working with my hands, and I really enjoyed putting together a leather craft kit (tool/knife holder) some years back in Scouts. I'll check out a few books, see if it still interests me then. Fortunately, getting at least the raw materials may not be too difficult, as there's several slaughterhouses around--I'll need to find out what they do with the skins.

I see it as being a hobby that could well end up being a great thing to do in the evenings. Lemme do some reading and I'll holler at ya if need be.