Shop Talk! November 2016

T H E L E AT H E R R E TA I L E R S ’ & M A N U FACT U R E R S ’ J O U R N A L

Cary Schwarz: Living the Dream

by Nick Pernokas, Senior Feature Writer

BIG

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N OVEM BER 2 0 16

kers

Conc

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S I NC E 1984

Rae Bogle Remembered

W W W . P RO L E P T I C. NE T

H

Sale Ends Dec. 20th O L I D AY

15-50F!% OF

LE A S K B OO $6.50

Leather and Hardware for the Professional Leathercrafter Our Supply Catalog features the hardware you need in a variety of finishes. From nickel plated and brass plated to solid brass and stainless steel, Weaver Leather Supply has what you’re looking for!

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Call 800-932-8371 shop.weaverleather.com

THE LEATHER RETAILERS’ & MANUFACTURERS’ JOURNAL

NOVEMBER 2016

FEATURES 14 Rae Bogle 16 Silver Creek Leather

42

19 Boot & Shoe News 25 Alabama Boots 29 Cary Schwarz 38 Blue Ridge Impressions 42 Conceal in Style

25

Alabama Boots

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Laugh Lines

Cary Schwarz

Published by Proleptic, Inc. • P.O. Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 Ph (828) 505-8474 • Fax (828) 505-8476 • shoptalk@proleptic.net Read Shop Talk! online with links to advertisers and online information. www.proleptic.net

7 Hide Report 17 Goods & Services

ShopTalkLeatherMagazine Proleptic, Inc. is the creator of an original work of authorship entitled "Shop Talk!". Proleptic, Inc. attempts to maintain the highest accuracy of content; however, neither Proleptic, Inc., nor any of its officers, employees or agents, warrants, makes any warranties, guarantees or representations as to the accuracy or timeliness of any information published or referenced in "Shop Talk!". Under any and all circumstances, Proleptic, Inc., including its officers, employees and agents, shall be held harmless from and against any loss caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information.

51 News, Notes & Queries 57 Classifieds COVER PHOTO: Cary Schwarz Saddle, Bill & Vicky Nordan Bootmakers, and Woolstenhulme designer concealed handbag.

2 NOVEMBER 2016

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SHOP TALK!

Shop Talk! is published monthly (ISSN 1547-0121) by Proleptic, Inc. Subscription rates are $36 annually, $39 (US) for Canada and Mexico, and $54 (US) for all other countries.

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SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 3

________________ Ø ____________________

LAUGH LINES

Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year.

And then

discover that once a year is way too often.

—Johnny Carson

___________________ Ø ____________________

BUTTERBALL

HOTLIINE! When a Talk-Line staffer asked a caller what state her turkey was in— meaning how thawed was it— the caller responded with “Florida.” ___________________ Ø ____________________

A flustered father called the Talk-Line a few hours after his wife had given birth to their first child. He was concerned their Turkey had been thawing in the fridge for too long while he was at the hospital.

When the staffer asked the man how much it weighed, he replied, “the turkey or the baby?”

After determining the turkey’s weight and thawing time, she assured him he would be able to deliver a safe, delicious thanksgiving dinner by the time mom and the new baby returned home.

A disappointed woman called wondering why her turkey had no breast meat. After a conversation with a Talk-Line operator, it became apparent that the woman’s turkey was lying on the table upside down. ___________________ Ø ____________________

A lady from Colorado called about “how to thaw” her frozen Butterball. She proudly shared the fact that her turkey was stored in a snow bank outside as it had snowed the night before.

It dawned on her, during the conversation, that she didn’t have a clue which snow bank her turkey was in. At that point, the conversation was over because she was now on a mission to go find her turkey. The woman never called back. ___________________ Ø ____________________

Asked to write a composition entitled, “What I’m Thankful for on Thanksgiving,” little Johnny wrote, “I am thankful that I am not a turkey.” ___________________ Ø ____________________

I never understood why the Lions and Cowboys always get to play on Thanksgiving Day. Shouldn’t the Patriots play the Redskins and then steal their stadium.

4 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

Advice from a Country Farmer Where I come from, they hang whiners!

— Roy English

Thanksgiving Trivia: The traditional cornucopia was a curved goat’s horn filled to the brim with fruits and grains.

According to Greek legend, Amalthea (a goat) broke one of her horns and offered it to the Greek god Zeus as a sign of reverence. As a sign of gratitude, Zeus later set the goat’s image in the sky which is known as the constellation Capricorn.

Here’s one of those funny Thanksgiving facts: turkeys have heart attacks. When the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barrier. Fields of turkeys would drop dead.

Fossil evidence shows that turkeys roamed the Americas 10 million years ago.

A spooked turkey can run at speeds up to 20 mph. They can also burst into flight approaching speeds between 50-55 mph in a matter of seconds.

Columbus thought that the land he discovered was connected to India where peacocks are found in considerable number. And he believed turkeys were a type of peacock— they're are actually a type of pheasant. So he named them “tuka” which is “peacock” in the Tamil language of India.

Wild turkeys while technically the same species as domesticated turkeys, have a very different taste from farm raised turkeys. Almost all of the meat is dark, even the breasts, with a more intense turkey flavor. Older heritage breeds also differ in flavor.

The Guinness Book of Records states that the greatest dressed weight recorded for a turkey is 39.09 kg (86 lbs.) at the annual heaviest turkey competition held in London, England, on December 12, 1989.

91% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Thomas Jefferson thought the concept of Thanksgiving was “the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard.”

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 5

Thanksgiving Trivia Cont.

Benjamin Franklin wanted national bird to be a turkey.

the

Contrary to popular belief, Native Americans did not eat cranberries. They did, however, find them extremely useful for dyeing fabric and decorating pottery.

Originally, cranberries were called crane berries. It derived its earlier name from its pink blossoms and drooping head which reminded the pilgrims of a crane.

Q: How did Albert Einstein celebrate Thanksgiving?

Q: What are unhappy cranberries called?

Q: Why can’t you take a turkey to church?

Q: What do you get when you cross a turkey with a banjo?

Q: What do you call the day in November when your son and all his cousins get rowdy?

Q: Why do turkeys always go “gobble, gobble”?

Q: If the pilgrims came on the Mayflower then what do teachers come on?

Q: What did the monster say to the Thanksgiving turkey?

6 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

In October 1777 all 13 colonies celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time; however, it was a one-time affair commemorating a victory over the British at Saratoga.

Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, campaigned to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1827 and succeeded.

A: He was very thinkful.

A: Blueberries!

A: They use fowl language.

A: A turkey that can pluck itself.

A: Spanksgiving.

A: Because they never learned good table manners.

A: The scholar ships.

A: Pleased to eat you!

YOU R GLO BAL P ERSP ECT IVE

The Hide Report

HIDE REPORT

STEADY, STEADY, STEADY, UNCHANGED

If you wanted a quick and dirty overview of the world hide market, then probably the best way to describe it would be “steady.” Prices on some selections may go up one or two dollars and prices may go down one or two dollars on other selections. That’s about it. A person does read about inadequate demand for hides but you don’t know if that’s a temporary thing or the beginning of a trend. Of course, there are a lot of factors which determine the demand for hides and the cost of leather—population growth or decline, economic trends, fashion trends, use of alternative materials in the making of shoes and bags, how many automobiles are sold worldwide, etc. If auto sales are off, for example, then the demand for leather will be off.

Prices for the following selections remain steady: Heavy Texas Steers, Branded Steers, Butt Branded Steers, Heavy Native Steers, and Heifers.

CANADA’S LARGEST FEEDLOT TO CLOSE According to a CBW report, Canada’s largest cattle feeding operation is to close after 58 years in business. The closing caused concerns in Western Canada. Western Feedlots Ltd., based in High River, Alberta, said its shareholders have decided to voluntarily wind down cattle ownership and cattle feeding operations….

The following summaries are of reports which have appeared on hidenet.com, the world’s leading source for information about the international hide and leather markets. By the time this issue reaches you, these reports will be at least a month old; while the information is not current, it should at least suggest how markets are behaving and trends to watch for. Enjoy.

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 7

The Hide Report CBW ranks Western as Canada’s largest feeding operation with 100,000 head of seating capacity in three feedlots at High River, Mossleigh, and Strathmore.

Western began operations in 1958 at Strathmore with 975 head of capacity in a few pens. It quickly became known as the pioneer of modern commercial cattle feeding in Canada as it grew.

Western hired current CEO Dave Plett as general manager in 1986. The following year, it began shipping cattle to US packers. It then became a major supplier of cattle to Cargill’s High River plant after it opened in June 1989.

Western also gained a reputation for applying the latest technologies to cattle feeding and for instituting a value-based pricing grid for cattle.

Western’s large presence in cattle feeding will leave producers forced to find other outlets for their calves and feeder cattle. In turn, Cargill and JBS Canada (with its plant not far away at Brooks) have to turn to other feedlots in the province for their life cattle supplies.

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8 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

USHSLA SESSION ADDRESSES CRITICAL TOPICS The hide supply availability, traceability, and credit markets were some of the topics addressed at the annual meeting of the US Hide, Skin and Leather Association meeting which was held in Chicago during the first week of October.

Kevin Good, senior market analyst and manager of corporate accounts for CattleFax, presented the “Situation and Outlook of the US Cattle Heard: Will Expansion Continue?” Overall, Good noted that in 2016, the herd is definitely bigger. For 2017, he forecast that it will continue to expand but at a slower rate. The moisture situation is good, feed is cheap, and producers have a good cash situation. By 2018, however, Good said that he expects beef herd size to be flat or two slightly decline. On the dairy cow side, herd size will be flat going forward.

This year, the herd is still expanding but at a bit slower pace. In early October, beef cow slaughter was up 11% and in the past few weeks it was up 20% Good noted. The dairy cow herd is stable. In North America, Mexican beef cows have picked up lately with increasing feeding and packing capacity. In Canada, the herd has been flat and declined in recent years.

Globally, there are fewer beef cattle, down 7%, and more dairy cows which are up 5%. Good said that a 2 to 3% increase in slaughter over the next two years is a conservative estimate. Also, capacity is likely to be an issue in the years to come: it will be a bigger seasonal problem from May to September every year….

The Hide Report INADEQUATE DEMAND … Of course leather business could suddenly pick up right after the Chinese holidays, but this would come as a surprise to the brands and tanners with whom we regularly speak. Businesses is insufficient in Europe and Latin America per our European and Latin American weekly market reports, and about all automotive tanning centers say that they anticipate lower volume in 2017. They are already seeing the effects of lower automotive sales. The prevailing softness in leather consumption is not due to price, although this is always a factor to varying degrees, but instead simply due to a lack of adequate demand compared to the supply of bovine material available around the world.

BRAZILIAN EXPORTS OF FOOTWEAR COMPONENTS WITH 40% INCREASE According to Assintecal, the Brazilian Association of Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear and Manufactured Goods, exports increased in August, contributing to the overall increase for the current financial year.

According to data from Footwear Components by Brazil (FC by Brazil), a project to promote exports carried out by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brazil) and Assintecal, manufacturers of components for the leather footwear industry increased their participation in foreign markets.

In August FC by Brazil exported US $27.8 million worth of goods, a 2% increase compared to the same month the previous year. This contributed to a year-to-date figure of US $186.2 million from January to August, showing a growth rate of 40% compared to the same period in 2015 when exports amounted to US $133.1 million.…

The main export destinations were China, Argentina, India, Germany, and Mexico, and the highest growth rates in value terms occurred in the following markets: China, Germany, Argentina, and US.

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0715N 900W• Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-768-3080 ext 2 SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 9

The Hide Report

Ralph Lauren is Winning in Online Luxury The American clothing accessories brand captured top market share among luxury brands with 19.2% of total online visits, followed by Michael Kors with 18.5%, according to the most recent trend reported by PMX. The report measured the success of top luxury apparel brands online, using metrics like site visits, brand searches, and social media interactions to understand reach and shopper engagement within the luxury apparel market.

Coach right third place with 12% market share, followed by Louis Vuitton with 9.5% and Gucci with 5.3%. Site visits are down from the prior year, however, PMX found that social media growth across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube increased 40%.

In particular, social media activity on “image rich” sites like Instagram provide the ideal platform for lecturer products.

Instagram generated 94% of the “likes” and comments made across the four social media platforms.

Editor’s Note: But do “likes” result in revenue? There’s a lot of sizzle here but where’s the meat?

10 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

ADIDAS DEBUTS ROBOT BUILT SHOE Companies are increasingly turning to robots to create their products. Robots will take 5 million jobs in the US alone by 2020, according to the US Census Bureau. And the International Labor Organization reports that 137 million Asian workers could lose their jobs to robots in the next 20 years.

Shoemaker Adidas is betting big on the robotic revolution. They’ve been operating a factory in Germany almost exclusively staffed by robots, and we are now seeing its first shoes.

Adidas has also automated shoe design through ARAMIS motion capture technology. This determines the strain intention in an individual’s skin or bone to create a better shoe.

“The new facility [Speedfactory] allows us to use data and analytics to shape the future of performance products— we can create issue using real-life insight which can then provide real benefits to the athlete,” according to Ben Heath, vice president of design.

The company is trying to shake up the industry with its Futurecraft line, but is only offering 500 pairs for now. We can expect to see more shoes coming out of their Speedfactory when it goes commercial in 2017.

The Hide Report LEATHER GOODS MARKET BOUND FOR $258.4 BILLION BY 2020 Leather goods remain a lucrative product category with an upward trajectory is expected to continue at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 4% through 2020, according to a report by Technavio. As the primary pillar of many luxury houses, the leather goods market is expected to reach $258.4 billion by decades end. Technavios’s “Global Leather Goods Market 2016-2020” report analyzes the market in terms of revenue and emerging trends, as the demand for luxury goods is interconnected with the sale of leather products such as footwear and accessories.

The driver of leather goods is the durability of its material. For high ticket items such as luxury handbags, the assurance of quality and longlasting durability are appealing to customers. By product, Technavio found that in 2015, footwear led the leather goods categories at 58.35% of

purchases. Handbags and small leather goods such as wallets comprise 23.92% of purchases, and luggage comprise 16.93%. Accessories such as belts were only .8% of the total market for 2015.

Footwear is the largest segment of the leather goods category, led mainly by athletic brands such as Adidas and Nike, who have begun to focus synthetic or faux leathers. Doing so will propel the categories growth rate over the next five years as materials are less costly, more durable, and align with consumer consciousness as many are foregoing animal hides.

As the quality of faux leather increases, and the availability of additional color choices and textures become readily available, luxury houses may swap authentic for synthetic.

As the decade comes to a close, key markets such as the United States, China, Japan, and France will see significant growth in leather handbags and small accessories sales. This segment of

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 11

the leather goods market is expected to see a CAGR of 5.3% in the next five years, according to Technavio’s findings.

Power players include Louis Vuitton as the market’s largest, followed by Coach, Gucci, Prada, and Hermes. These five brands and other premium designer leather handbags dominate the market. Likewise, the styles put to market by these brands influence the tastes and preferences of both affluent and aspirational consumers.

Social media has worked to brands’ advantage as the various platforms available allow for advertising in a climate where trends change relatively quickly.

Technavio found that following tote bags, clutch, saddle, and satchel style handbags are the most popular sellers. Technavio suggests that leather travel bags is the fastest-growing portion of the leather luggage market. For the forecasted period, Technavio expects the segment to post a CAGR of 6.8%.

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*Premium South American Skirting, Bridle & Harness *Large assortment of Oil Tanned and Chap Sides *Full color range of Upholstery and Garment Leathers

127-25 Metropolitan Avenue  Kew Gardens, NY 11415 Ph: (718) 441-2226  Fx: (718) 441-2299  email: sales@msokol.com 12 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

OCTOBER 2016 MARKET IN REVIEW Selection

Weight (lbs.) wts. vary month to month

August (early)

September (early)

October (early)

Price Last Oct. 2015 (early)

Heavy Texas Steers

62-64 $68-72 $67-68 $66-67 $67-68

Heavy Texas Steers (Hvy)

70-74 $74-75.50 $70-71 $70-71 $76-78

Branded Steers

62-64 $64-66 $61-62 $61-64 $65-66

Branded Steers (Hvy)

70-74 $73-76 $69-70 $69-70 $72-73

Colorado Steers

62-64 $60-62 $60-62 $60-62 $64-65

Butt Branded Steers

62-64

$72-73 $71.50-72.50 $72-72.50

$72-73

Butt Branded Steers (Hvy) 70-74 $78-80 $77-79 $77-79 $76-79 Heavy Native Steers (Hvy)

70-74

Heavy Native Heifers

50-52 $57-58 $57-58 $57-58 $55-57

Branded Heifers

50-52 $57-59 $57-58 $54-56 $56.50-58

Heavy Native Cows

50-52 $39-40 $38-40 $39-41 $38-40

Branded Cows

50-52 $28-31 $30-32 $33-35 $33-40

Spready Dairy Cows

50-52 $46-48 $46-48 $50-51 $57-59

Native Bulls

$79-80

$80-81

$80-81

$82-83

100-110 $47-50 $47-50 $48-51 $55-60

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 13

C. Rea Bogle

February 13, 1943 — April 11, 2016

by NICK PERNOKAS, SENIOR FEATURE WRITER

Anyone in the central Texas area who uses a sewing machine in their business lost a friend on April 11, 2016. Rea Bogle, owner of Bogle-Greenwell Machinery in Grand Prairie, Texas, passed away unexpectedly, leaving a void that can’t be filled.

Rea was the “go to” guy if you had a sewing machine to repair, buy, or sell. His business kept not just the saddle shops in Fort Worth going for many years but also the upholstery shops, boot shops, and many other custom fabrication businesses.

Rea inherited much of his knowledge and interest in sewing and other industrial fabrication machinery from his father, Clifford. Clifford started working for a shoe company at the age of twelve and eventually combined his knowledge of the shoe industry, with his knack as a traveling salesman, into a thriving leather machinery business. In 1953, 14 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

he formed the Clifford F. Bogle Machinery business to serve the booming post-World War II Texas leather industry.

In 1972, the company’s name was changed to Bogle-Greenwell.

Bogle-Greenwell is a small, family run business but they do have a large facility. Rea and his wife of fifty-four years, Sharon, sold a variety of new sewing machines, clickers, splitters, and odd lots. You could walk in there and test anything you needed to build something. In recent years, a majority of their business was selling rebuilt machinery which fit in well with the budget of many of the small shops in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Rea, with the help of a small staff, also repaired machinery. In some cases they were the only ones in the area who were able to work on the old, unique machinery that is found in small shops.

David Bearden, of Bearden Sewing, worked for Rea for twenty years.

“Rea taught me the business of sewing machines and the leather trade. They were honest people

who worked hard and sold a good product,” says David. “Rea cared about his customers and many times would do a payout so they could afford what they needed. He was just a good man.”

“Rea loved visiting with his customers and selling the machinery,” says Sharon. “He truly enjoyed the business.”

At this time, Sharon and Rea’s grandson, Cameron, are keeping Bogle-Greenwell up and running.

Sharon has mentioned that the business could be purchased. She hopes to keep it intact so that Bogle-Greenwell can continue to serve the Texas craftsmen who depend on it. She may be reached at (972) 262-8652.

Editor’s Note: Farewell and godspeed to our oldest continuous advertiser of over 30 years. Thank you, Rea.

In 2006, Rea said, “I have no reason to retire. I enjoy working and the buying and selling of the machines.” He never did.

Rea is survived by his wife Sharon, son Cliff Bogle, Jr., and his wife Becky of Arlington; daughter Cristy Keating and her husband John of Wichita, Kansas; and five grandchildren, Cameron Bogle of Arlington, Madelyn Ketchum and her husband Derek of Tomball, Texas, Paige Bogle of Arlington, Hannah Keating of Wichita, and Elizabeth Keating of Wichita.

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 15

SILVER CREEK LEATHER CO. EXPANDS TO JEFFERSONVILLE PLANS INCLUDE MORE THAN

25 NEW FULL-TIME POSITIONS Jeffersonville, IN. (September 23, 2016) – One Southern Indiana (1si), in coordination with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), announced today Silver Creek Leather Co., LLC’s intention to move from its present location to a 30,000 square foot building at 5035 Keystone Boulevard in Jeffersonville, INy. Silver Creek Leather Co., LLC, will invest more than $2.3 million in the project over the next five years.

Plans also call for the full-time employment of 25-30 new workers in addition to the 45 currently employed.

Greg Sartor, owner of Silver Creek Leather Co., LLC, said, “After years of significant growth and several expansions, we have acknowledged our current space is simply too small to meet our current requirements and future development.

We were happy to find a location to accommodate our manufacturing, packaging and warehousing needs. We are looking forward to moving to our new location, located off Highway 62, which will increase our space by 25%. Since we will own the new building, and there is room for further expansion, we feel the company will be poised for new opportunities when they are presented to us.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered the Silver Creek Leather Co., LLC, a grant of up to $40,000 from the Skills Enhancement Fund which provides assistance to businesses to support training and upgrading skills of employees required to support new capital investment.

“Across the state, homegrown Hoosier companies like Silver Creek Leather Co. continue to grow, contributing to a record number of more than 156,000 new jobs added since 2013,” said Jim Schellinger, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “As the best state 16 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

in the Midwest for business, we have cut costs, lowered taxes and reduced regulations, equipping job creators with a winning formula for business growth. Today’s news marks yet another success for Hoosiers, and I’m proud to celebrate Silver Creek Leather’s continued growth and job creation.”

Silver Creek Leather Co., LLC, is a full line wholesale leathercraft supplier. Products include leather lacing, leather trims, kits, tools, dyes, and other components used in leathercrafting. More than 70% of these products are manufactured in Southern Indiana and are offered under the company’s Realeather brand, as well as private label for national retail chains. Silver Creek Leather Co., LLC, products are available nationwide at more than 3,000 retail locations as well as numerous specialty distributors and catalog companies.

Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore said, “Business continues to thrive in Jeffersonville with the addition of Silver Creek Leather Co. on the Highway 62 Manufacturing Corridor. Silver Creek Leather is one of those ‘homegrown’ Southern Indiana manufacturers that continues to grow year after year, and will offer employment opportunities while providing tax revenue to the city. We congratulate Silver Creek Leather on their recent expansion and stand ready to help them continue to grow.”

Greg Sartor Silver Creek Leather Co., LLC Phone: 812-945-8520 E-mail: greg@silvercreekleather.com Web: www.realeather.com

Goods & Services NOVEMBER 2016

There follows a listing of leather specials from Maverick Leather: • Horween 7/8 oz. & 9/10 oz. black Chromexcel - $5/sq. ft.

• Horween 5/6 oz. brown Chromexcel embossed w/alligator print - $3.50/sq. ft.

• Horween 5/6 oz. Apache tan shrunken shoulders - $3.95/sq. ft.

• Wickett & Craig 9/10 oz. chestnut bridle $175/side • Hermann Oak 9/10 oz. London tan bridle $195/side

We got this too late to mention in the last issue but there was a sale of zippers, zipper parts, zipper supplies, and zipper tools at Quality Zippers & Supply through October 21. Sorry. So you better give them a call and get on their mailing list— (800) 245-9515, P O Box 5204, Grand Forks, ND 58206-5204, www.qualityzipper.com. They have a huge selection of different styles, lengths, types, and colors. PLUS parts.

• Hermann Oak 8/10 o. Cuban brown holster backs - $195/back • European veg sides & shoulders - $5/sq. ft.

• Red, green, and purple bison 3.5/4 oz. sides - $2.50/sq. ft.

• Misc. handbag leathers - $1.50-$3.00/sq. ft.

• 3 oz. cream boot/glove lining - $1.75/sq. ft.

• Rosley kick presses - $250 (10 available)

63055 Corporate Place, #6 Bend, OR 97701 (877) 845-0080 www.maverickleathercompany.com

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 17

18 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

PEOP LE PRODUCTS P L AC E S

Boot & Shoe News

SUPERIOR THREADS SHOW ‘N TELL BOOT CONTEST Send your best top stitched boot photo entries to Ellen Franck at Superior Threads by e-mailing them to: industrial@superiorthreads.com with “Shop Talk CONTEST” in the subject line.

Photos must be clear and show the detail of the stitching. Multiple pictures OK. E-mail should contain all contact information of boot maker and any additional information about the boots you wish to share.

Rules: Overall use of top stitching will be judged on detail, use of color, and uniqueness. Entries must be received by Nov. 25, 2016. Open to US, Canada, and all international boot makers.

Winner: Winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Superior Threads to use toward needles and thread. Winner to be announced in and appear on cover of Shop Talk! Winner will also be highlighted in Superior Threads e-mail newsletter.

ALSO: To sweeten the pot, Shop Talk! will throw in a $100 cash prize on top of Superior Threads’ gift certificate.

SELL THAT CONDITIONER! Now is the time to do it! Get out a case and set it beside your cash register and offer a can or bottle of it to each and every customer that you ring up! It’s about salesmanship! Extol the merits of the marvelous mixtures and SELL, SELL, SELL! It’ll keep your feet dry and is also good in salads and soups!

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 19

Boot & Shoe News IT’S A BEST SELLER Wow—we’ve been selling Lisa Sorrel’s new book The Art of Leather Inlay and Overlay like nobody’s business! Hey—it’s an excellent book, it’s a keeper, and, no matter if you’re working on belts, boots, or bags, it’s got the information you need to improve the quality of your work.

We’ve got them for $34 plus SH. Please contact: Proleptic, Inc., P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

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GOODS & SERVICES Lining leathers and leather for uppers on sale are available from Maverick Leather so you better give “Goods & Services” a look. Maverick also stocks a nice selection of horse fronts and butts from Horween Leather.

Boot & Shoe News BOOT MAKING SCHOOLS Here is a real handy list of schools and people who teach boot making which comes from Jennifer June’s handy website, www.dimlights.com. If you make footwear of any sort, then Jennifer’s website is a mighty handy source of helpful information.

Here goes—thank you, Jennifer!

Please note: Most all of the following instructors are very, very experienced teachers and boot makers, some with over 40 years’ experience as well as a few awards under their belts. Some are world famous. So it’s a very good group of craftspeople from which you can pick the right person for you to study and work with.

3 students at a time. Call (541) 659-1260, e-mail: info@leathercraftingschool.com.

Chappell Bootmaking Seninars. Carl Chappell in Saint Jo, TX, offers 2 week intensive group classes and one-on-one seminars. Class size is limited to six students, and classes are offered a few times a year. You will also receive a set of DVD’s and the Boot Book as part of your “Basic Boot Making” seminar. Contact: C. T. Chappell Boot Shop at (940) 995-2600, e-mail: chappellboots@gmail. com.

…Group Classes…

Alden’s School of Leather Trades, Rogue River, OR. Classes are offered for boot making, leather carving, holster, and chap making. The Western boot making class is 3 weeks long and limited to

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 21

Boot & Shoe News Dan & Keni Schwarz in Dillon, MT. This fatherdaughter team teaches 2 week courses in boot making. Students spend all of their time in a working boot shop and gain a basic understanding of the boot business. Affordable housing available locally. Contact: Schwarz Custom Boots at (406) 683-6652, e-mail: schwarzcustomboots@yahoo. com.

Lisa Sorrell in Guthrie, OK, teaches small boot making classes. Also sells boot making DVD. Call (405) 282-5464. …One-On-One Classes…

Blucher Custom Boot Co. in Beggs, OK. James “Smitty” Smith takes one student at a time. Call (918) 267-5393.

DeWitt Custom Leatherworks. Mike DeWitt taught at the Oklahoma boot making school for many years. Now offers custom classes at his home in Henrietta, OK. Call: (918) 304-4231, e-mail: mdewittsaddles@gmail.com.

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Boot & Shoe News Frank English teaches two week beginner courses near Taos, NM. Call: (406) 260-1179, e-mail: frankenglishcustomboots@gmail.com.

David Espinoza in Phoenix, AZ, teaches boot making and boot repair. Courses customized to student’s needs. Call: (602) 263-8164, visit: www. espinozabootmaker.com.

D. W. Frommer II in Redmond, OR, offers three week seminars in classic Western boot making.

Author of three books on boot making. Call: (541) 923-3808, e-mail: frommer@bootmaker.com.

Roberto Herrera School of Bootmaking in Tijuana, Mexico. Spanish not required. Roberto offers a classic shoe and boot making workshop.

Learn to make shoes or boots. From US call (408) 217-3147, e-mail: sjkroberto@yahoo.com.

Dave Hutchings. Call for class scheduling. (303) 289-6726 or write: 8410 Garfield Way, Thornton, CO 80229.

McGlasson Custom Boots in Spokane, WA. Gary and Clara McGlasson teach private classes that last 2-3 weeks. Call: (509) 891-1756, e-mail: gmcglasson1@msn.com.

McGuffin Custom Boots. Boot maker Deanna McGuffin teaches both at her shop in Albuquerque, NM, and in Santa Monica, CA. She offers a verity of seminars about boot making and the business of boot making so call her to discuss your options. In Santa Monica Deanna teaches a 10 day seminar— all supplies and tools provided. Call: (505) 5501113, e-mail: bootwoman@mcguffinboots.com.

Tex Robin teaches two week course. Call: (325) 691-5700, e-mail: trboots@sbcglobal.net.

Al Reynolds teaches boot making in Wickenburg, AZ. Call: (928) 684-3134.

Woodward Custom Boots in Boulder, CO. offers a two week seminar. Call Jack Woodward at (619) 504-5867, visit www.johnallenwoodward.com.

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Receive a free thread card with your first order when you mention this ad.

435-256-6419 industrial@superiorthreads.com www.superiorthreads.com

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 23

Boot & Shoe News PLEASE NOTE: if we’ve missed anyone inadvertently, please let us know so we can include a mention of you! Thanks! …Sources & Supplies…

Here are a couple of sources for information and supplies which you’ll find helpful—if you know of others, please let us know—Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleoptic.net. Thanks. www.dimlights.com www.customcowboybootsandshoesforum.com Sorrell Notions & Findings, 217 E. Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie, OK 73044, (405) 282-5464, www. sorrellnotionsandfindings.com. Carries tools as well as supplies and lasts. Great source.

Kimmel Boot Co., 2080 County Road 304, Comanche, TX 76442, (325) 356-3197, e-mail: kimels@cctc.net. Eddie Kimmel has developed a unique line of tools and equipment for boot

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makers as well as carries many unique supplies.

Good man to know.

Thornapple River Boots like Kimmel Boot Co. makes tools and boot making equipment which can be found no place else. Everything very nicely made. Contact: N8566 Winter Rd., Ladysmith, WI 54848, (715) 532-6301.

Honourable Co. of Cordwainers, 5 Foxcroft Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188, (757) 229-1000, www.thehcc.org. Organization of craftspeople specializing in period footwear and period techniques.

Sweet Home Alabama – Bill and Vicky Nordan L one B ootmakers of the Y ellowhammer S tate

Based three miles northeast of Robertsdale, Alabama (and 30 miles from Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida), Bill and Vicky Nordan may be the only cowboy bootmakers in the state.

by GENE FOWLER, “There was a gentleman in STAFF WRITER the northern part of the state who made boots,” explains Vicky, “but he passed away.” And in addition to that singular status, the couple specializes in making boots for folks with misshapen feet, a demographic that can have trouble finding custom footwear close to home.

Bill started out as a farrier and blacksmith, then branched out into leatherwork. He repaired saddles and as his skill increased, he began making them. In 1979, to upgrade that knowledge and skill, he went to Oklahoma State Technical College in Okmulgee, where he also took a boot making class and made his first two pairs of boots. Returning home, he continued making saddles and fiddled with boots. As he became more adept at boots, his business soon morphed into boots, boots, and more boots.

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“I had done finish work on the boots,” Vicky says, “and when I retired from my career as a nurse, Bill encouraged me to learn how to make boots.

Under his watchful eye, it was a process of trial and error, like anything I suppose.” Her husband must have been a good teacher because Vicky won the journeyman category for best pair of boots by a beginner at the 2013 Boot and Saddle Makers Roundup in Wichita Falls, Texas.

“So now we work together,” she adds. “I'm more of the finish and design lady. I pick out a pattern and do the sewing, too. If we can see it, we can try to get it on a boot for the customer.”

Today, the couple works very carefully, producing about one pair of boots or shoes a month, mostly for clients with deformed feet. Bill has become a certified pedorthotist, meaning he has specialized training to modify footwear and utilize supportive devices to address conditions that affect the feet and lower limbs. Many of the boots they make have zippers or laces due to the customers' special needs. They also produce footwear for prosthetic feet.

The Nordans still do some saddle repair, and they also work on bridles, reins, and breast collars. And Vicky makes leather tote bags.

405 FM 3083 RD., CONROE, TX 77301 USA TEL: 936-539-1400 ~ FAX: 936-539-1411

WWW.CAMPBELL-RANDALL.COM 26 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

1-800-327-9420

SALES@CAMPBELL-RANDALL.COM

Most of their work is in standard cowhides, but they also do some exotics, mostly ostrich with some elephant, and hornback lizard. “We don't really have any problem with sourcing leather,” notes Vicky. “We buy from factories in Texas and California. Once in a while, we'll get some hides that are not very good. I think the distributor might figure, 'Well, these people are in Alabama, and we don't know them, so we'll send them something that might be a little substandard.' But we always send it back, and it's cheerfully replaced.”

Bill and Vicky Nordan may be contacted at 24220 Baldwin Beach Express, Robertsdale, AL, 36567, (254) 979-3371, e-mail: vnordan@yahoo.com.

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Cary Schwarz: Having His Cake

In the moonlight, the Bitterroot Mountains look like a forested blanket that constantly folds in on itself.

As you descend towards Salmon, Idaho, the night is quiet. Like much of Idaho, this scenic wilderness has resisted the advance of

by NICK PERNOKAS, SENIOR FEATURE WRITER concrete. It's easy to see the attraction of living here.

Cary Schwarz lives just outside of town. The saddle shop is on the bottom floor of the contemporary house which he and his wife, Rose, built six years ago. The saddle shop windows look out on mountains that have already had a dusting of snow. Firewood is stacked up as high as those windows in preparation for the coming winter.

I get to Cary Schwarz's shop before dawn. Cary is about to leave to deliver a canvas wagon top

for a sheep camp. I called him the night before and he's gotten up early just to visit with me and welcomes me into his state of the art shop. Along with the usual assortment of tools, there are sketches on the walls that he's drawn, and one of them is framed with an intricate leather frame that he made.

Cary calls it a "killer" shop, and he's right. As the sun comes up, I see just how nice the light is for tooling. Over a cup of coffee we talk.

Cary grew up in a farm family in southern Idaho. In 1971 his parents gave him a Tandy Leather starter kit for Christmas and Cary loved the leatherwork.

Within a couple of years he'd outgrown the Tandy projects and was making items of his own design.

Cary's other love came later when he was bitten by the horse bug in 1977. Cary learned much of the horse business the hard way: trial and error.

"I was fascinated with the hunting and packing end of things," says Cary. "I wound up running a trap line off of a mule."

In 1981, Cary went to work for an outfitter in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness as a packer and guide. Cary would typically pack eight mules, and one bell mare, in a string. He and one other guide would lead and follow.

"Ray Holes saddles and pack saddles were the order of the day up there."

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 29

Cary enjoys carving saddles but he still builds rough out saddles as well.

In 1979 Cary worked for Chet Hillman's holster shop in Twin Falls. Chet had a well known line of holsters for Ruger. He also had a contract for holsters for the Thompson Center Contender pistol which was very popular in the late 1970's.

Cary and twelve other employees blocked out an average of 300 holsters a day.

"That was a very important experience for me because we had the pressure of having to produce a certain number in a certain period of time, but we couldn't let the quality slip either."

Cary went to college in Boise. While he was there, he worked for Idaho Leather, building holsters, and also for Michael's of Oregon which had their leather division there.

The packing business called to him in the summers, but in 1982 he chose another path and began making saddles. Jerry Holes recommended a saddle making school in Spokane, Washington, that was taught by Jesse Smith. Cary's experience of sewing holsters with a harness stitcher for 30 NOVEMBER 2016

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eight hours a day was more than many of the students there had.

"I probably had more experience at a harness stitcher when I was nineteen than most saddle makers have in a lifetime," says Cary.

Cary also had an artistic side, and the saddle making allowed him to express it.

"The art was easy for me but I've had to work at it. If you look at my designs from thirty years ago, you'll see they've come a long way," laughs Cary. "The hard work of saddle making is trees, riggings, and ground seats."

outfitters. A few had a little tooling on them.

Many were basket stamped. In 1987 he was juried into the Trappings of the American West Show in Flagstaff.

"I thought that was the place to be. It was a who's who of people I respected like Chuck Stormes and Chas Weldon. I thought if I could get to know those guys and have my work exhibited there it would be a good thing."

1983 found Cary working at a saddle shop in Bozeman, Montana. On his way home to see his parents in southern Idaho he stopped to see an old saddle maker in Salmon named Joe Houver.

Joe was ready to retire and talked Cary into taking over his small shop and retail store. In 1984 Cary borrowed the money and bought Houver Saddlery. The sign on Main Street changed to Salmon River Saddlery. The retail store paid the bills for four years while Cary built a half dozen saddles a year.

"I always knew that the retail part was just a stepping stone. It was frustrating to have to drop everything every time a customer came in."

Cary liked to work alone and had to cope with the activity of having a business in town. As soon as the saddle business was self sufficient, he distanced himself from the retail store. Most of the saddles he built were for ranchers and

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 31

The show opened a whole new world to Cary.

He loved pushing the envelope with the artistic side of his work, but that work took more time.

The show gave him hope that a saddle maker could do top quality, time consuming work, and still make enough to raise a family with it. As his prices went up though, he began to lose local customers.

Over time Cary has incorporated other activities in with this saddle building. For example, Cary teaches a lot through the Traditional Cowboy Artists Association mentorship program as well as through the local Salmon Arts Council. He also has a saddle construction clinic once a year.

"At my saddle construction clinic I really emphasize the harsh reality of trying to make a living doing this, and the necessity of getting billable hourly rates up there where they need to be. Plumbers and electricians have been doing this for years."

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Cary feels that many saddle makers are reluctant to admit that art is a part of good craftsmanship.

He thinks that even a ground seat is a combination of technical skill and art. The decoration part is what sometimes the customer doesn't want to pay for, and the saddle maker feels guilty about charging for.

"The cowboy culture is so utilitarian driven that it seems to think that art is play, and work is the utilitarian part. But cowboys cowboy, not because there's money in it but because its play.

It's a lifestyle choice. They could be working in a gold mine in Winnemucca or the oilfields in North Dakota. I don't begrudge anyone for the way they try to make a living, but the craftsman should be treated the same way."

Today, at 56, Cary gets to do a lot of really nice carved saddles, but he still builds plain ones as well. Cary likes building rough outs for cowboys, and he also likes being able to build the loaded, and carved, saddles for his wealthier clientele.

"I want to have my cake and eat it too," he says with a smile.

The TCAA Cowboy Crossings show has given him a good place to experiment with his artistic ideas and collaborate with other craftsmen. In fact, Cary was one of the TCAA's founders. His love of art shows up in other ways as well. Cary plays the banjo. He draws in pencil and pen and ink. He always enjoyed cartooning and thinks this gave him the basis for laying out carving patterns. Both are similar in that you have to lay out the rough information and then layer it. Cary teaches the principle of working from basics to specifics in tooling.

"Most people who don't have any art training try to draw the flea before they draw the dog," according to Cary.

Cary works out most of his complex patterns on paper before he draws them on the leather. His bold scroll work starts out with a small beginning

This Wade demonstrates an unusual direction in Cary's carving. He has clustered his main characters in a boquet instead of tying them together with scroll work.

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 33

foundation of the pattern for the most part. It was free form. Then I became acquainted with the Sheridan style. The circle is the foundation of that and eventually the circle found its way into my decoration. One of the distinctive things about my carving is that I like to vary the size of the circles. That variation is a remnant of the Knight-Holes style. I like that variety. Everything I carve is either drawn on the leather with a stylus or on paper with a pencil. I'm not using tap offs.

I'm creating out of whole cloth."

Some of Cary's flowers and leaves probably don't occur in nature.

Cary varies his flowers as well as the size of his circles.

and ends dramatically. It's a complimentary form to the rest of the design. Cary considers his flowers to be the dominant characters and the scroll work to be ancillary. His goal is to achieve a three dimensional effect.

"My carving started out under the influence of Bill Knight and Ray Holes. The circle wasn't the

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"I borrow from nature until I get to a point where I have to stylize it to make it artistically doable."

Cary has chosen to use some of the finest silversmiths in the West rather than make his own silver trim. One of the silversmiths is Scott Hardy (Shop Talk!, April 2015). Their collaborations for

the TCAA shows have been so successful that in 2012 they chronicled them in a book. "Saddles & Silver: Collaboration in the Traditional Cowboy Arts" was written by A. J. Mangum. The book shows the thought process that went into each unique saddle and also includes sketches of silver and leather patterns as the saddles progressed.

In 2009 Cary was The Academy of Western Artist's Saddle Maker of the Year. In 2010 he won the Idaho Governor's Award for the Arts. He has won a Best of Show at the Trappings of Texas Show for one of his saddles. Cary feels, though, that the best award you can have is a happy customer.

Cary reads a lot and calls writing his hobby. He has a blog which is excellent. As a fellow writer, I'm glad he's chosen to focus on his saddles. His set of "how to" DVD's are available through his website and cover many facets of saddle making, tooling, and tool use.

This Cary Schwarz Wade style saddle shows the variety of his tooling patterns.

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"Social media is a necessary evil. It's a way that the world can come to your door," acknowledges Cary reluctantly.

Cary runs his hand over the cantle of the 3/4 floral carved saddle that he's working on. �This saddle will cost over $6,000. I have two kids in college, one still at home, and a mortgage. My wife works part-time. It takes a lot of money to turn a wheel nowadays. As that happens you're going to lose some customers. It's inevitable.

You have to be prepared for that. Your sphere of influence has to grow. I don't know of anywhere in the world where a guy like me can stay busy on local work."

Looking at the clean lines and distinctive tooling of this saddle, I don't think he'll have to.

To find out more about all of Cary's projects, go to www.caryschwarz.com or call (208) 756-8383.

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Before

After

By Alain Eon Alain is one of the foremost restorers of collectible saddles in world. He shares all his secrets about how to restore worn out and "dead" leather in his new 64 page book. His methods are practical and easy to understand.. $45.00 + $3.25 SH 15% OFF SALE: $38.25 Order your Copy Today: Proleptic Inc.,

PO Box 17817, Asheville NC 28816 Phone 828--505-8474 Email: shoptalk@proleptic.net • www.proleptic.net

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Virginia-based

Blue Ridge Impressions Carves Out Niche Business

by LIISA ANDREASSEN, STAFF WRITER

Blue Ridge Impressions makes a number of products, including customized stationeries and paper products, rubber stamps, and name plates. The company is especially known for its custom lines of products for faith oriented businesses.

Starting with stamps

Jonathan Lee, 51, and his wife, Anita, have owned and operated the business since 1996. Together, they have taken their dreams of owning a creative arts oriented business and made it a successful and satisfying reality.

Lee admits he got into the business somewhat by trial and error.

“I always knew I wanted to run a home based business,” he said. “Beyond that, I wasn’t really sure exactly what I wanted to do.”

Then his father met a man who made, of all things, customized rubber stamps. The idea of starting a potentially lucrative business with very little start up piqued Lee’s interest.

“This intrigued me,” Lee said. “I wound up with some metal types and a little rubber stamp press and some other supplies and I was in business.”

It didn’t take too long for Lee to learn a simple but important lesson: in order to get customers, he had to be fast and accurate. So he started searching for new and faster ways to make his products. Lee began attending trade shows, reading articles, and talking to people in the business. All this self-education helped him open doors he didn’t realize existed.

“I went to a trade show and learned about rubber art stamps which led to computerized stamps and imaging,” he said.

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Expanding the product line Lee found another niche to add to his business lines: name plates. This has now become a large part of what Blue Ridge Impressions does. In fact, if you have ever bought a shed, fine cabinets or furniture, a barn, even a bird house – anything that sports a company logo done on a metal, alloy, or plastic/metal nameplate, it’s a good bet Blue Ridge Impressions made it.

Leather Projects You Can Do Volume I

• Installing Strings on a Western Saddle • Replacing the Wool on a Western Saddle, Part One & Part Two • Replacing Western Stirrup Leathers, Part One & Part Two • More Tips & Tricks for Replacing Western Stirrup Leathers

$21.50 ON SALE $18.30

Volume IV

• Making a Pistol Holder • Making a Western Gun Belt • Making Shell Loops • Making a Detachable Shell Carrier • Making an Adjustable Rifle Sling with Shell Pouch

Volume VII

• Making a Leather Log Box • Making Leather Pockets for Billiard Table • Repairing a Leather Gun Case: New Straps & Handle • Replacing Trunk Handles • Rerigging a McClellan Saddle

$19.50 ON SALE $16.60

$17.00 ON SALE $14.45

Volume VIII

Volume II

Volume III

• More Western Saddle Repairs • Making a Carpenter’s Apron, • Making an Old Fashioned Part One & Part Two Western Bridle • Making a Farrier’s Apron • Making Tapaderos: • Making a Custom Tool Pouch Different Styles & Sizes • Making a Walkie Talkie Case • More Tapaderos $19.50 ON SALE $16.60 • Repairing a Western Saddle Horn

$22.50 ON SALE $19.15

Volume V

• How to Make Rounds • Making a Rounded Throat Latch • Making a Mule Riding Bridle • Making a “Brollar” • Making a Team Breast Collar • Fast Facts

$22.00 ON SALE $18.70

Volume VI

• Collars, Couplers & Leashes, Part One & Part Two • Installing Spikes & Spots • Making Dog Harness • Making Dog Tracking Harness • Making a Dog Muzzle

$19.50 ON SALE $16.60

• Making a Possible Bag for Black Powder Shooting • Restringing Bells • Making Leather Suspenders • Making Cow & Horse Hobbles • Making a Knife Sheath • Making a Double Bit Axe Sheath • Making a Single Bit Axe Sheath

$22.00 ON SALE $18.70

P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816 | P 828.505.8474 | F 828.505.8476 | www.proleptic.net | shoptalk@proleptic.net

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 39

“Basically, we make metal or metallic nameplates for companies to place on all types of products,” Lee said. “It’s really all about the customer’s goals and what will work for them within the budget they have set.”

Lee says that they work with a lot of storage barn companies too.

“We offer consecutive numbering (serial numbering) which is a great service for manufacturers. For example, say a customer needs to have a window replaced.

They can read the serial number off the window and give it to the manufacturer.

This saves the company time in that they do not have to go out to see what type of window it is, but rather can trace the serial number, get the window from the appropriate storage barn, and deliver the window. Serial numbers save time and money,” Lee says.

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The plate process Blue Ridge has a number of different plate printing processes for customers to choose from too. The process will depend on types of alloys or materials being used as well as intricacies of design. Much of the design work will be done via computer graphic design program. Once Lee has come up with a design the customer likes, he can then make a template and manufacture however many are needed for the order. On average, the following is a good rule of thumb:

Product highlights • Laser: Best for small plates, low quantities (less than 250) • Screen printing: Best for small plates, larger quantities (250 or more) • Injection molded: Durable and economical for higher quantities and repeat orders Most plates range in size from 1” x 1.5” to 6” x 13” and, on average, minimum orders are 25.

You can download a free catalog on their website at: www.blueridgeimpressions.net.

• Art stamps (e.g., children and pets, Christmas and Winter, inspirational, nature) • Stamp accessories (e.g., acrylic blocks, stamp cleaners • Coloring (i.e., pencils, chalks, ink pads) • Paper and envelopes (e.g., muslin paper, spun silk cardstock) • Punches and cutting (e.g., die cutters) • Glitter and glue • Name plates

Contact: Jonathan Lee Blue Ridge Impressions PO Box 50 Port Republic, VA 24471 (540) 298-6681 LeeJohn64@gmail.com https://blueridgeimpressions.net/

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 41

Shoot from the Hip?

How about a Handbag?

Artistry and aviation an interesting career path After starting from square one in April 2009, the first 1,500 Italian leather handbags bags were in stock and ready for sale on

by LIISA ANDREASSEN, Kate Woolstenhulme’s website, STAFF WRITER D e s i g n e r C o n c e a l e d C a r r y. com. It’s where fashion meets function, according to the website’s tagline.

“These bags are created for self-defense and crafted for self-confidence,” says Woolstenhulme.

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Woolstenhulme grew up working on her family’s ranch in Idaho while actively pursuing outdoor sports such as skiing and horseback riding. In college she earned an MFA in studio arts with a focus on drawing and painting, fiber, and sculpture.

After graduate school she traveled extensively including a stint living on a houseboat on the Nile in Egypt. During her 20’s and 30’s, she taught and exhibited. Mid-career, she migrated into the aviation business where she and her husband, Roger Humiston, developed a company that managed, maintained, and refurbished private jets.

Her art/design background was put to good use choosing the colors and materials for the aircraft interiors as well as selecting paint colors and schemes for the exteriors. She sourced all the materials and worked closely with the craftsmen in their shops to redesign the seating and cabinetry and other features to maximize functionality and comfort. She would later discover that this skill set would readily transfer to the handbag business.

While she and her husband were living in Coconut Grove, FL, the south edge of Miami, she was waiting for her concealed carry permit to be processed. During this four-month process she searched for a stylish, yet practical handbag. Such an item was nowhere to be found.

“Miami is a very international, stylish, and colorful city,” she says. “At the time, there were three, at most four brands available, but their offerings were basically black or brown. Two of the companies primarily

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 43

made holsters, jackets, vests, and some men’s tactical bags, so the ladies’ handbags were developed as a sideline to fill a need for law enforcement or the small group of women who began to carry handguns once it became legal.”

After looking, but not finding what she was looking for, she tried, unsuccessfully, to modify

some handbags. She also shopped for one that would “do” by having an exterior pocket the right size to hold her handgun, but with the thousands of handbags available in the Miami area, she found none that would work.

She hated to give up carrying her favorite Bottega Veneta handbag, but if she wanted to carry her handgun, what were her options? Wearing a holster was not an option as she normally wore sun dresses or lightweight capris and sandals. This was her “lightbulb moment.” She was at Saks Fifth Avenue in a large mall, surrounded by handbags of every price and style and color, but none met her needs. She couldn’t imagine she was the only woman with this problem—choosing to carry a handgun while doing it safely and effectively, but with style.

“I have received many heartfelt thank you’s from women,” she says.

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Currently, the bags are manufactured in South America. In production now is a saddlebag which will be for sale in November as well as a “sculptural” shoulder bag. She keeps in close touch with the in-house designer at the manufacturing facility, and they talk a great deal over Skype.

It’s in the bag “I study the current trends and work out the designs in order to keep one or two versions of several basic styles in our line, for instance: hobo, tote, satchel, shoulder bag, bucket, and cross body.”

Additionally, as she received more gun training and talked with a lot more trainers, women in law enforcement, writers, and customers, she became more knowledgeable about the technical requirements and features that would make the product more functional and better meet the requirements of the women who carry them whether they are short or tall, lean or plus, left-handed or right.

For example to solve the problem of making a bag that would work for either right or left-handed women (without being worn inside out), she came up with the removable adjustable holster concept introduced on early 2012 products.

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 45

“I am constantly asked to set up drop shipping arrangements with the myriad of websites that have popped up to sell concealed carry products, but I have not taken that path,” she says. “Every year we add new customers who discover our website, though many of our sales come from prior customers who are ready for a new color or style.”

These handbags are primarily available from: DesignerConcealedCarry.com and a handful of retail gun stores.

SUN BIAS, INC.

INDUSTRIAL SEWING SERVICES 1718 N. 1ST. STREET ** MILWAUKEE, WI. 53212 Serving the needle trades 90 years.

POLYPROPYLENE WEBBING Firsts & Seconds. 28 colors on Firsts 59/60” NYLON FABRICS Firsts & Seconds Urethane Coated. 60 colors on 1000-Denier & many other fabrics.

HOOK & LOOP Sew on 1/4” to 6”, some widths in 35 colors.

P. S. (Stick on) 5/8”-5” Rubber & Acrylic.

SPECIAL Hook/Loop. Call for prices ELASTICS Woven H D 1” thru 3” & Ex H D, also knitted & braided types.

PLASTIC & METAL HARDWARE for webbing & miscellaneous items Grommets Washers 3 colors & Snaps 39 cap colors.

Firewood Bundle Webbing Handles Automated Hot/Sear Cutting on webbing, Elastics and Hook & Loop. For no-fray ends use Hot cutting on webbing for belt tip ends.

2-1/4” Electric Webbing & Rope Cutters for cut it yourself.

Self-Locking Nylon Ties (Cable Ties) 4” thru 15”.

BIAS or STRAIGHT CUT fabric binding tape slitting SINGLE & DOUBLE folded Bias Tapes * 200+ colors.

CORD EDGE PIPING 200+ colors & Asst. Cord Fillers for horse blankets.

Up to 200 Catalog color pages available.

Save paper order as needed from our catalog index pages and the latest changes by e-mail in the same day to sales@sunbias.com (or USPS mail takes longer) TOLL FREE NATION WIDE 1-800-425-4747 • FAX 1-414-265-5353

MOST IN STOCK MATERIALS ARE SHIPPED WITHIN 24 HOURS. MASTER CARD,*VISA,*DISCOVER & E-CHECKS

46 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

Woolstenhulme is excited about their first big change happening this November. A new website will have a searchable feature and also use newer “architecture” with the most current coding techniques to better interact with search engines and mobile devices.

What’s on deck for the future? She says that they have selected some fine leathers from Brazil and these should arrive just in time for holiday giving. In addition, she is continually adding new styles and seasonal colors and plans to expand the men’s product line and make their messenger bags in more feminine colors and with a slightly more delicate shape to appeal to her women customers. She is also planning to add back more of the higher end couture and exotic line.

“Due to their price point, I must be careful to get those absolutely right,” she says. “So, they may need to wait a bit.”

• Swivel Knives • Stamping Tools • Sharpening Tools • • Blades • Beader Blades • Lacing Punches •

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 47

Custom orders are also available.

Finally, she says these bags are not just for women who want to carry a handgun; they are really designed for anyone who has something secure to carry such as a passport, jewelry, etc.

The exterior lockable zippered pocket is ideal for anyone who has something valuable to secure.

CONTACT: Michelle Thompson CWR & Partners, LLP Michelle@cwrpartners.com www.CWRpartners.com

ShoTan LEATHER 800-251-7288 Veg Tanned - Upholstery Skirting

Smooth Grain Shoulders - Suedes Culuttas Exotics - Drum Dyed Harness - Latigo

Reg Price

TR Natural Skirting 13/15 oz TR Natural Skirting 10/12 oz TR Natural Skirting 8/10 oz TR Natural Skirting 6/8 oz TR Natural Skirting 4/6 oz TR Natural Skirting 3/4 oz

$126 sd $121 sd $119 sd $115 sd $111 sd $108 sd

Cowhide Ostrich Asst Colors Cowhide Gator Asst Colors Cowhide Elephant Asst Colors Suede Leather- Assorted

$5.95 ft $6.25 ft $6.50 ft $3.95 ft

ASSORTED HARDWARE CLOSEOUT!

SALE!

$120 $115 $114 $110 $106 $106 $5.75 $5.95 $6.10 $1.50

CALL!

Upholstery and Chap Leather Assorted Colors Lt Grey Lt Green Royal Blue Lavender Orange Red Rust All - $3.95 ft 48 NOVEMBER 2016

SHOP TALK!

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 49

p. 5, National Harness Review and Automobile Accessories, Vol. 82. May 1920

50 NOVEMBER 2016

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NOVEM B E R 2016

News, Notes & Queries

YOU NEED A FLAIR FOR FAIRS!

We get questions from folks asking how they can sell their products, and, to be honest, there’s no magic answer. Rather, those folks who succeed put a whole lot of effort into what they do and they stick with it—they don’t give up. So that’s the first thing: stick with it!

Then, until you do find your niche, folks just starting out often will try many, many different ways to market their products. Over the years the one thing that I’ve heard from many successful business owners who started out small is that at first they went to a lot of craft fairs, flea markets, farmer markets, and horse sales—any place they

could get out and meet people. So they just didn’t sit around and wonder what to do—they DID something. Maybe it wasn’t always immediately successful but, bit by bit, they started learning how to market and whom to market to.

So if you’re wondering how to move some merchandise, find out about the different events in your area or region of the country and start attending them! Be sure and take business cards and pass out as many as you possible can wherever you go—and good luck! Remember: a nice smile and a happy disposition are the salesperson best friends!

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 51

News, Notes & Queries A LITTLE DIFFERENT WEB SITE

IT’S ALL ON ETSY!

www.CustomMade.com connects artisans and craftspeople with buyers. Here’s how it works: Buyers can post a picture or description of what they want to have made and registered makers can bid on the project. In addition, registered makers can also post ready-made items for buyers to purchase. That’s how it works. Check it out.

And we are too! We have a new Etsy store so tell your friends and give it a look! Pretty interesting. https://www.etsy.com/shop/ProlepticShop

BIOTHANE SERVES THE PLAIN COMMUNITIES Nice feature on BioThane and its relationship to plain communities in the October issue of Plain Communities Business Exchange. Give it a read and find out more about how the company has been so successful in gaining a strong following with Old Order users. Contact: PCBE, P O Box 520, Millersburg, PA 17061, (717) 362-1109.

84TH ANNUAL MEETING OF EAIA The Early American Industries Association will be meeting this year at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA, May 17-20. Activities include tours, demonstrations, seminars, and tool trading.

Members only. For all the details, please contact: P O Box 524, Hebron, MD 21830.

CLEVER IDEA Here’s how Joe Burkholder safely handles his hot Pro-Thermal tools—

Just a couple old bits but they are a safe place to put his hot tools—that’s clever! You can reach Joe at Joe’s Harness Shop at 14976 Beechnut, Ethel, MO 63539, (660) 486-3207. Thanks, Joe!

Proleptic, Inc. • PO Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 • www.proleptic.net • shoptalk@proleptic.net 52 NOVEMBER 2016

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News, Notes & Queries FIRE SABRE VIDEO Learn all about how our new butane powered Fire Sabre works by watching a 2 minute video on: YouTube—www.youtu.be/A2odD1bDJEA. You will love it! Highly dramatic! A cast of 1,000’s!!

Award winning.

EXTRA COPIES OF SHOP TALK! ANYONE? YES! We have them. We had someone ask us recently if he could get some old copies of the magazine to handout to people who come into his shop, wanting information about how to do leather work and we said, “Of course!” No charge and THANK YOU! So if you’d like to have some extra copies to hand out, just let us know. They won’t be the latest issue but they will be kind of recent. Give us a shout: (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net. Or write: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816.

Thanks!

• Horween Seconds • Hermann Oak • Wickett & Craig

• Illini “Bighorn” Latigo • Exotic Skins & Scrap • Bag & Chap Leather • Shark Leather • Hair-On Hides • Kangaroo Skins & Lace

• Horsebutt Strips • Double Shoulders • Belt Blanks

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for Daily Deals!

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 53

News, Notes & Queries ON THE LOOKOUT… Elizabeth Irmisher has a fancy breast collar that’s missing some silver diamonds and conchos and needs someone to match what she has. Now there are a whole bunch of talented silversmiths out there—Hansen, Silver King, Burnt Spur, but the person who might be just perfect for this sort of job would be Tim Moore at Moore Bits of Silver.

He’s happy to do these small custom jobs and his prices are very reasonable. Contact: 3 Tonkawa Trail. Wimberley, TX 78676, (512) 847-5489, www. moorebitsofsilver.com.

54 NOVEMBER 2016

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News, Notes & Queries

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! NOVEMBER 4-5 Pendleton Leather Show.

Includes classes. Held at Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate, Pendleton, OR. For more information, please call (307) 737-2450, www. pendletonleathershow.com.

JANUARY 13-17 WESA. Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E. 58th Ave., Denver, CO. (800) 2951041, e-mail: info@denver-wesa.org.

FEBRUARY 18-20 Charlotte International Equestrian Market. Hopper Expositions. Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC. www.hopperexpos.com, (800) 945-1208, e-mail: ginger@ hopperexpos.com.

FEBRUARY 24-26 17th Southwest Leather Workers Trade Show. Prescott Resort and Conference Center, 1500 E. State Route 69, Prescott, AZ. Hosted by Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal, (888) 289-6409, www.leathercraftersjournal.com.

MAY 19-21 24th Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show. Sheridan, WY. Hosted by Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal, (888) 289-6409 www. leathercraftersjournal.com.

JUNE 14-15 Weaver Consignment Auction.

Mount Hope, OH JULY 20-21 48th Harness Makers’ Get-Together and Consignment Auction. Hillside Harness Hardware. Millersburg, OH

FIND US ON FACEBOOK! ShopTalkLeatherMagazine SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 55

56 NOVEMBER 2016

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BU Y, SE LL OR TRAD E

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Classified ad rates are $26.50 for the first 20 words and $.65 cents for each additional word. Words (or groups of letters) fewer than three characters are not counted when calculating the cost of the ad. Street addresses are counted as one word. City, state, country, and zip or postal code are combined and counted as one word.

Enclose payment when submitting ads. Ads received without pay-

ment will be held until payment is made. Ads must be received no later than the fifth of the month prior to the month you wish the ad to run (e.g. ads for the February issue must be in our office by January 5). Typed or neatly printed ads are preferred. We are not responsible for mistakes due to handwriting. Faxed ads must be typed and are accepted with MasterCard, VISA or Discover only.

WANTED

FOR SALE

WANTED: New subscribers from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Delaware. Now is the time to renew! Give us a call at (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net or visit www.proleptic.net.

LAME OR SORE HORSES? Limber Res-Q might be your answer. Agri-Tonic: Taking your animal’s potential to the next level. Contact: Oregon Ag, LLC, 1150 E. Oregon Rd., Lititz, PA 17543 or (717) 656-0067.

WANTED: COMPLETE TOOL COLLECTIONS. Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

WALLETS AND BI-FOLDS FOR SALE: Black and brown.

Excellent quality. $4.75 ea. $57/doz. Can mix. Contact: Don Livingston, 3092 Ravenwood Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601, (724) 219-3400.

WANTED: BENCH EQUIPMENT. Any condition.

Skivers, splitters, pressers, spotters, etc. Also parts and pieces—bolts, frames, springs, blades. We pay shipping.

Contact Shop Talk!, P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

WANTED: GANG PUNCH with self-center, air or foot punch. Please call (717) 656-9838.

S CLASSIFIED T BUY! S E B R U O E AR rs .....

tential buye o p f o ’s 0 0 0 Reach 1, $26.50!! for as little as

WHOLESALE HARNESS SUPPLIES: Brahma web, nylon webbing, threads, hardware, BioSheer, PVC belting, Healzall, and much more! We also manufacture the Care Free horse collars in buggy, all purpose, and draft styles. Harness in all sizes and a full line of harness parts. Large inventory for immediate shipping. Ask for free supply catalog. Contact: Countryside Manufacturing, 504 S. Humbert St., Milton, IA 52570 or call (641) 656-4246 between 8 and 9 am.

Shop Talk!

Homemade Organic Locally Grown

Alwa ys Fresh

SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 57

CLASSIFIEDS SADDLE BUSINESS: Machinery and inventory for sale.

Hydraulic press, USMC splitter. For full list of all inventory, please call (256) 597-2001. Wish to sell entire inventory together.

KREBS SKIVER BLADES new. $200 plus SH. Made in US. Double tempered. Contact: Proleptic, Inc., P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, shoptalk@proleptic.net HITCHING POST SUPPLY has horsehair and mohair cinch cord available in natural and dyed colors. For use in pottery, braiding, hitching, and more. Instructional books and DVDs at www.hitchingpostsupply.com, Call or e-mail Hitching Post Supply for new wholesale and retail catalogs at vickie@hitchingpostsupply.com, (800) 689-9971 or (360) 668-2349 (outside USA).

INSTALL AND REMOVE CHICAGO SCREWS quickly and easily in the shop or on the trail. $16.95 + $4 S&H. Call for wholesale pricing. Contact: JP’s Bridle & Equine Tool, 26266 E. County Road 700 N., Easton, IL 62633. (309) 562-7266. E-mail: jp-equinetacktool@casscomm.com, www.jptacktool.com.

FOR ALL YOUR LEATHER NEEDS. Call Moser Leather (800) 874-1167 or (513) 889-0500. You can visit our website at www.moserleatherco.com. Polyboard clicker blocks for your clicker or workbench in assorted sizes.

FOR SALE: THE PRO-CONCHO TURNER: The only one in the U.S. Makes removal of decorative conchos a snap! Used with electric drill. Take the fuss and bother out of a difficult job with the Pro-Concho Turner! Saves time, makes money! Rubber gripper protects the concho and makes removal or installation easy. Only $29.00 plus $3.95 S&H, 6-inch steel shank, and rubber gripper. Ready to use! Contact: Proleptic, Inc., P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

FOR SALE: “Making Harness: A Step-by-Step Guide”, $94 plus S&H. Specs and instructions on how to make and repair six styles of harness from pony to draft, driving, team wagon and mule. Contact: Proleptic, Inc., P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@ proleptic.net, www.proleptic.net.

FOR SALE: RANDALL SPLITTER. $1,200. Excellent working condition. 100% full blade. Call Texas Saddlery at (903) 765-2600 or e-mail: dmartin@txsaddlery.com.

FOR SALE: PRICING GUIDE: “How to Establish Prices for the Saddle Maker and Leather Worker.” Only $39.95 plus S&H. Contact: (828) 505-8474.

FOR SALE: New and used Adler, Brother, Consew, Juki, Pfaff, Singer machines for sewing bio-plastic, canvas, leather and nylon. Available in single or double needles, standard, long arm, flatbed, postbed, cylinder arm. Contact: Bob Kovar, Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine, 3631 Marine Rd., Toledo, OH 43609, (866) 362-7397 or (419) 380-8540. (11/10) WWW.THELEATHERGUY.ORG Friendly, helpful staff at (507) 932-3795.

NEED HELP PRICING? The “Green Book” Guide to Pricing Repairs and Western Tack. American Saddle Makers Association. Contact us at (719) 494-2848 or www. saddlemakers.org.

BUSINESS FOR SALE: Prominent, reputable wholesale/ retail leather holster manufacturing company established in 1972. Manufactures leather law enforcement equipment, concealed carry,Western, competition, and specialty cases.

Located in Oregon, employs 4-7 employees. Owners wish to retire. For detail, contact: donlbrown46@gmail.com or (503) 407-9448.

HARDWARE CLOSEOUTS! Misc. SB hdw. 376-38 SB mule face plate with very nice finish. $1.75 ea. ST ¾”. Beta PK and VI $.40/ft. 7 1/2’ ss trace chains, $59/pr or 5 or more prs. For $57/pr. Bio mini breast strap driving harness made with durable 401 and 101 material. CB and SS hdw.

Single hip and neck strap—no holdbacks included, $115.

Wholesale. Contact: Woodland Harness Shop, 505 S. Fork Ridge Rd., Liberty, KY 42539 or call (606) 787-2076.

FOR SALE: 6” American Splitter with extra blade. $350 plus shipping. Contact: Hochstetler Harness, 13733 Township Road 199, Kenton, OH 43326

58 NOVEMBER 2016

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CLASSIFIEDS BOOT & SHOE BUSINESS FOR SALE: Shoe repair shop established in 1964 in southern Oregon. Great equipment. Loyal customers! For more information, contact Katherine at (541) 660-0704 or cobbleon164@gmail.com.

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR WESTERN BOOTS sales and repair business in San Antonio, TX. Great climate, economy, and customers. Plenty of boot sales and repair work. Established 28 year old business. One-man operation with inventory of apx. 350 pairs of top of the line all leather Western boots. Great boot repair business.

Complete line of immaculate boot repair equipment. Could be expanded to include saddle repair. Sale includes website (www.shiplerboots.com) and company name. Guaranteed lease in current location for one year at $650 per month.

Retiring. (866) 250-3350 or (210) 215-9158, e-mail: Errol.shipler@segler.net. $175,000.

BUSINESS FOR SALE: Davis Custom Boot located at 1209 E. 11th St., Quanah, TX 79252. Contact: (940) 8396537 for more information.

WANTED: Experienced Shoe Repair Person.

Successful applicant will perform shoe and boot repair at established premier shoe store of forty years. Will train to next level of orthopedics and custom shoe making. Opportunity for complete management of shoe repair shop. Pay/hours based on experience and training required. Located in northeastern Ohio. E-mail resume to: cobblerscorner2003@yahoo.com. For more information contact Heather or Kathy at (330) 482-4005.

FOR SALE: Shoe repair equipment. Finisher, Auto Soler, Landis K Stitcher, Adler patcher, shoe lasts, hand tools, and other small tools. $3,000 for all. Contact: Ervin S. Beachy, 1300 State Route 1901, Marion, KY 42064,

The “Word of the Day� is: pulchritude SHOP TALK! NOVEMBER 2016 59

ADVERTISERS INDEX American Leather Direct........................24 AWA...............................................................12 Beacon Hollow Blankets.........................41 Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply.................................7 BioThane......................................................28 Bogle-Greenwell Machinery Corp........22 Bowden Saddle Tree.................................11 Brayer............................................................53 Brodhead Collar Shop..............................51 Buckeye Blankets.....................................42 Buckeye Engraving...................................47 Buckle Barn USA........................................21 Buggy Builder’s Bulletin..........................51 Campbell-Randall......................................26 Champion Halters........................................9 Chino Tack...................................................17 Chuck Smith Tools....................................47 Chupp Blacksmith Shop.........................47 Chupp Brothers..........................................43 Coblentz Collar..............................................8 Danny Marlin Knives....................................9 E.C. Leather.................................................46 Evener Shop, The......................................12 Fairview Country Sales...........................42 Fiebing Leather..........................................36 Fine Tool Journal........................................54 Gfeller Casemakers, Inc..........................46 Goliger Leather Co....................................43

Hadlock & Fox Mfg. Co............................20 Hansen Western Gear.............................54 Hastilow/NASS.............................................8 Hermann Oak Leather..............................50 Hide House, The............................................7 Hillside Harness Hardware.....back cover IHS ELP, LLC...................................................9 International Sheepskin.........................15 Kalico Products..........................................48 Kelly-Larson Sales....................................52 Keystone Leather.....................................19 Landis Sales & Service...........................54 Leather Crafters Jornal, The.................54 Leather Machine Co., Inc., The................... ...........................................inside back cover Ludwig & Marglin Leather.......................21 Mark Staton Co..........................................41 Maverick Leather......................................53 Mid River Sales..........................................45 Milton Sokol................................................12 Montana Leather Co................................38 Mules and More............................................9 N & A Harness Shop.................................40 Nettles Country Store.............................19 Ohio Plastics Belting Co.........................53 Ohio Travel Bag...........................................53 Orion Calf, LTD............................................35 Perfectex Plus, LLC..................................22

Precision Saddle Tree..............................18 Proleptic, Inc..........10, 25, 27, 30-34, 36 .......38, 39, 48, 50, 52, 54-59, back cover RJF Leather.................................................20 Schwarz Productions ..............................31 Sew What?! Supplies...............................42 Shelton-Reynolds, Inc.............................45 Shetler’s Collar Shop...............................15 ShoTan..........................................................48 Small Farmer’s Journal............................20 Smoke & Fire Co........................................21 Sorrell Notions & Findings.....................51 Southstar Supply......................................16 Springfield Leather...................................22 Steel Stamps, Inc.....................................17 Sun Bias, Inc................................................46 Superior Thread.........................................23 Sweat Pad Shop....................................... 44 TechSew/Raphael’s Sewing....................... 3 Texas Custom Dies...................................15 Toledo Sewing...............................................1 Wayne Jueschke.......................................45 Weaver Leather........... inside front cover WESA............................................................38 Western Mule.............................................48 Wickett & Craig..........................................49

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