St july 2015

The Leather Retailers' and Manufacturers' Journal

July 2015

Shop Talk! with Boot and Shoe News

A Celebration of

Things People Make

Free Flea Western Artist Awards Society of Independent Tack Stores North American Saddle School Since 1984

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June 2015

Laugh Lines 6

The Leather Retailers' and Manufacturers' Journal

With Boot and Shoe News

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Boot & Shoe News 14 News, Notes & Queries 56

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Free Flea....................................15 Western Artist Awards..................28 Things People Make......................32 Society of Independent Tack Stores...42 North American Saddle School........47

Pg. 47 Cover photos clockwise from top left: Peter Main, Knife Sheath; Chuck Smith, Guitar Cover; Lee Miller, Boots; Harry Brown, Sheath with Fringe; Ann Ross, Pineapple Button.

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published by Proleptic, Inc. P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816 Ph (828) 505-8474 | Fax (828) 505-8476 www.proleptic.net

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. Shop Talk! is the official monthly publication of the Saddle, Harness, and Allied Trades Association (SHATA). SHATA members receive a $4 discount on annual subscriptions. For more information on subscriptions, advertising rates, or SHATA membership, contact us at (828) 505-8474 or www.proleptic.net

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Laugh Lines A story was told many years ago about a young Hispanic man who was new to the United States of America.

Feeling a little out of place, but desperately wanting to fit in and learn about the culture of America in general, and the popular sport of baseball in particular, José decided to attend a local baseball game.

This particular game was played on the Fourth of July.

He was a bit surprised, before the game started, to see the massive crowd stand to its feet and begin to sing. As José was not a man of large stature, he became a bit dismayed, wondering if he would be able to see the game with the large numbers of tall Americans standing all around him.

As soon as they faced the flag and raised their voices in song, however, he was put at ease. How welcoming they all were, he thought! Their concern for him touched his heart deeply.

The very first thing that gigantic mass of people sang to him was: “José, can you see?”

The Founding Fathers were sitting around a table some time in 1776, working on the Constitution. It had been a long day. First father: Whew! It’s getting rather warm in here, isn’t it? Second father: Shall I open the window? First father: No, that’s all right.

I’ll just take off my jacket and roll up my sleeves. Second father: Hey, that’s a good idea. Why don’t we include that in the Constitution? First father: What? That we’re allowed to take our jackets off and roll up our sleeves while at work? Second father: Yeah, but that doesn’t sound very smooth. How about, “Everyone shall have the right to bare arms?”

*

Of the Founding Fathers who became President, George Washington was the only one who did not go to college. John Adams graduated from Harvard, James Madison graduated from Princeton, and Thomas Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary.

*

John Adams was the first President to live in the White House in Washington, D.C. in November 1800. However, he was only there for four months before losing the election of 1800 to Thomas Jefferson.

*

George Washington gave the shortest inauguration speech in American history on March 4, 1793. It was only 133 words long. William Henry Harrison gave the longest at 8,443 words on March 4, 1841, on a cold and blustery day in Washington, D. C. He died one month later of a severe cold.

*

Upon graduating from Harvard, John Adams became a grammar school teacher. “My little school, like the great world, is made up of Kings, politicians, divines, fops, buffoons, fiddlers, fools, coxcombs, sycophants, chimney sweeps, and every other character I see in the world. I would rather sit in the school and consider which of my pupils will turn out to be a hero, and which a rake, which a philosopher, and which a parasite, than to have an income of 1,000 pounds a year.”

*

Thomas Jefferson sometimes spent $50 a day (about $900 today) for groceries for his lavish entertaining. The wind bill for the eight years he served as president was $11,000 (about $198,000 today). He was also the first president to grow tomatoes in North America. Jefferson is also remembered as having died financially insolvent.

*

John Adams died on July 4, 1826, at the age of 90 years, 247 days. He had the longest marriage of any former president. He and Abigail were married on October 25, 1764, and the marriage lasted fifty-four years. His wife died in 1818.

*

Fascinating Facts about our Founding Fathers

*

George Washington was born on February 11, 1732, but in 1751 Great Britain changed from the Julian to the Georgian calendar. An act of Parliament added eleven days to make the adjustment complete and in 1752 Washington celebrated his birthday on February 22.

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Thomas Jefferson at 83 years of age felt that he would not live through the summer of 1826, but he hoped to live through July 4th, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Both he and John Adams died on July 4, 1826 after long and distinguished careers. They had earlier been friends then became political enemies, and by the end of their lives had maintained a steady correspondence. Adams’ last words were, “Thomas Jefferson still survives.”, not knowing that Jefferson had expired earlier that day in Virginia.

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A: Why did the duck go bang?

B: Because he was a firequacker.

A: What’s the difference between a duck and George Washington?

B: One has a bill on his face and the other has his face on a bill.

A: What quacks, has webbed feet, and betrays his country?

B: Beneduck Arnold.

A: What protest by a group of dogs occurred in 1772?

B: The Boston Flea Party. *Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. They came from the newly formed thirteen colonies. Pennsylvania had the most signers with nine; Rhode Island had fewest with two. *The document was not signed on July 4th but approved by the second Continental Congress on that day. It was signed on August 2, 1776. All of the men were not present and it was not until January 1777 that all fifty-six signers put their name on the Declaration of Independence. *The Fourth of July did not become a paid federal holiday until 1941. From 1870 until that time, it was an unpaid federal holiday.

Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812

[The following article appears in Encyclopedia Smithsonian on www.si.edu.]

Making the Star-Spangled Banner In June 1813, Major George Armistead arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, to take command of Fort McHenry, guarding the water entrance to the city. Armistead commissioned Mary Pickersgill, a Baltimore flag maker, to sew two flags for the fort: a smaller storm flag (17’ x 25’) and a larger garrison flag (30’ X 42’). She was hired under government contract and was assisted by her daughter, two nieces, and an indentured African-American girl.

The larger of these two flags would become known as the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Pickersgill stitched it from a combination of died English wool bunting (red and white stripes, and blue union) and white cotton (stars). Each star is about two feet in diameter, each stripe about twenty-four inches wide. The Star-Spangled Banner’s impressive scale (about one-fourth the size of a modern basketball court) reflects its purpose as a garrison flag. It was intended to fly from a flagpole about ninety feet high and be visible from great distances. At its original dimensions of 30’ x 42’, it was larger than the modern garrison flag used today by the United States Army which has a standard size of 20’ x 38’.

The first Flag Act, adopted on June 14, 1777, created the original United States flag of thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. The Star-Spangled Banner had fifteen stars and

MPEC

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fifteen stripes, as provided for in the second Flag Act that was approved by Congress on January 13, 1794. The two additional stars and stripes represented Vermont (1791) and Kentucky (1792) joining the Union. (The third Flag Act, passed on April 4, 1818, reduced the number of stripes back to thirteen to honor the original thirteen colonies and allowed for one star for each state--a new star, to be added to the flag on the Fourth of July following the admission of each new state.)

Pickersgill spent between six and eight weeks making the flags, and they were delivered to Fort McHenry on August 19, 1813. The government paid $405.90 for the garrison flag and $168.54 for the storm flag. The garrison flag would soon after be raised at Fort McHenry and ultimately find a permanent home at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. The whereabouts of the storm flag are not known.

The War of 1812 in the Burning of Washington Although its events inspired one of our most famous national songs, the war of 1812 is itself a relatively little-known war in American history. Despite its complicated causes and inconclusive outcome, the conflict helped establish the credibility of the young United States among other nations.

It also fostered a strong sense of national pride among the American people, and those patriotic feelings are reflected and preserved in the song we know today as our national anthem.

Britain’s defeat at the 1781 Battle of Yorktown marked the conclusion of the American Revolution and the beginning of new challenges for a new nation. Not even three decades after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which formalized Britain’s recognition of the United States of America, the two countries were again at conflict. Resentment for Britain’s interference with American international trade and imprisonment of American sailors, combined with American expansionist visions, led Congress to declare war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812.

In the early stages of the war, the American Navy scored victories in the Atlantic and on Lake Erie, while Britain concentrated its military efforts on its ongoing war with France.

But, with the defeat of Emperor Napoleon’s armies in April 1814, Britain turned his full attention to the war against an

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ill-prepared United States. Admiral Alexander Cochrane, the British naval commander, prepared to attack the United States coastal areas, and General Robert Ross sought to capture towns along the east coast to create diversions, while British Army forces attacked along the northern boundaries of the United States.

In August 1814, General Ross’ seasoned troops landed near the Nation’s Capitol. On August 24th, at Bladensburg, Maryland, about 30 miles from Washington, the 5,000 member British force defeated an American Army twice its size. That same night, British troops entered Washington. They set fire to the United States Capitol, the President’s mansion, and other public buildings. The local militia fled, and President James Madison and his wife Dolley barely escaped.

The Battle of Baltimore With Washington won, the British next set sights on Baltimore, which at the time was America’s third-largest city.

Moving up the Chesapeake Bay to the mouth of the Patapsco River, they plotted a joint attack on Baltimore by land and water. On the morning of September 12, General Ross’ troops landed at North Point, Maryland, and progressed towards the city. They soon encountered the American Ford line, part of an extensive network of defenses established around Baltimore, in anticipation of the British assault. During the skirmish with American troops, General Ross, successful in the attack on Washington, was killed by a sharpshooter. Surprised by the strength of the American defenses, British forces camped on the battlefield and waited for nightfall on September 13th, planning to attempt another attack under the cover of darkness.

Meanwhile, Britain’s naval force, buoyed by its earlier successful attack on Alexandria, Virginia, was poised to strike fort McHenry and enter Baltimore Harbor. At 6:30 AM on September 13, 1814, Admiral Cochrane’s ships began a twenty-five hour bombardment of the fort. Rockets whistled through the air and burst into flame wherever they struck.

Mortars fired ten and thirteen inch bombshells, but exploded overhead and showered fiery shrapnel. Major Armistead, Commander of Fort McHenry and its defending force of a thousand troops, ordered his men to return fire, but their guns couldn’t reach the enemy’s ships. When British ships advanced on the afternoon of the 13th, however, American gunners badly damaged them, forcing them to pull back out of range. All through the night, Armistead’s men continued to hold the fort, refusing to surrender. That night British attempts at a diversionary attack also failed, and by dawn, they had given up hope of taking the city. At 7:30 on the morning of September 14th, Admiral Cochrane called an end to the bombardment, and the British fleet withdrew.

The successful defense of Baltimore marked a turning point in the war of 1812. Three months later, on December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent formally ended the war.

Because the British attack had coincided with a heavy rainstorm, Fort McHenry had flown its smaller storm flag throughout the battle. But, at dawn, as the British began to retreat Major Armistead ordered his men to lower the storm flag and replace it with the great garrison flag. As they raised the flag, the troops fired their guns and played “Yankee Doodle” in celebration of their victory. Waving proudly

1967

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6/19/13 9:42 AM

over the fort, the banner could be seen for miles around— as far as a ship anchored eight miles down the river, where an American lawyer named Francis Scott Key had spent and anxious night watching and hoping for a sign that the city— and the nation— might be saved.

The Inspiration of Francis Scott Key from Poem to Anthem Before departing from a ravaged Washington, British soldiers had arrested Dr. William Beanes of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on the charge that he was responsible for the arrest of British stragglers and deserters during the campaign to attack the Nation’s Capitol, they subsequently imprisoned him on a British warship.

Friends of Dr. Beanes asked Georgetown lawyer Francis Scott Key to join Captain John S. Skinner, the United States government’s agent for dealing with British forces in the Chesapeake, to help secure the release of the civilian prisoner. They were successful; however, the British feared that Key and Skinner would divulge their plans for attacking Baltimore, and so they detained the two men aboard a truce ship for the duration of the battle. Key thus became an eyewitness to the bombardment of Fort McHenry.

When he saw “by the dawn’s early light” of September 14, 1814, that the American flag soared above the fort, he knew that Fort McHenry had not surrendered. Moved by the site he began to compose a poem on the back of a letter he was carrying. On September 16, Key and his companions were taken back to Baltimore and released. Key took a room in the Indian Queen Hotel and spent the night revising verses he had written about America’s victory. The next day he showed it to his wife’s brother-in-law, Judge Joseph Nicholson, who had commanded a volunteer company at Fort McHenry. Nicholson responded enthusiastically and urged Key to have the poem printed. First titled “The Defense of Fort McHenry,” the published broadside included instructions that it be sung to the 18th century British melody “Anacreon in Heaven”— a tune that Key had in mind when he penned his poem. Copies of the song were distributed to every man at the Fort and around Baltimore. The

first documented public performance of the words and music together took place at the Holiday Street Theater in Baltimore on October 19, 1814. The music store subsequently published the words and music under the title “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

During the 19th century, “The Star-Spangled Banner” became one of the nation’s most loved patriotic songs. It gained specific significance during the Civil War, a time when many Americans turned to music to express their feelings for the flag and the ideals and values it represented. By the 1890s, the military had adopted the song for ceremonial purposes, requiring it to be played at the raising and lowering of the colors. In 1917, both the Army and the Navy designated the song the “national anthem” for ceremonial purposes. Meanwhile, patriotic organizations had launched a campaign to have Congress recognize “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the United States National Anthem. After several decades of attempts, a bill marking “The Star-Spangled Banner” our official National Anthem, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Herbert Hoover on March 3, 1931.

2015

COMING

THI S OCTOBER

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(828) 505-8474 • www.proleptic.net • e-mail:shoptalk@proleptic.net

(We ship worldwide.)

10 | juLY 2015

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The Hide Report

your global perspective

The following articles originally appeared on www.hidenet.com, the leading source for news about the global hide and leather markets. The information is dated from early June 2015. Enjoy—as we’ve reported for the last four issues, hide prices continue to decline.

Hide Prices Continue to Soften Heavy Texas Steers are down $2. Both Branded Steers and Butt Branded Steers are off $1. Heavy Native Steers are steady to up $1. Heifers are down $2-4.

ISA TanTec already has award-winning tanneries in China and Vietnam. It has made a name for itself, a supplier of sustainably manufactured, premium quality leather, taking its concept of LITE (Low Impact on the Environment) leather to the global shoe industry.

ISA TanTec Officially Opens in Mississippi

Brazil Leather Exports Decline

In a recent press release, tanning group ISA TanTec held an event to mark the official opening of its new tannery in Mississippi on May 29. This formal opening comes just over a year after ISA TanTec announced it would open a new tannery in the US with Vicksburg, MS, as the location.

Economic difficulties felt by several sectors during these first months of 2015 have now caused an impact in the Brazilian leather sector. The value of exported leather and skins in Brazil has decreased 19.5% in relation to the same period last year.

It is a project that means an investment of more than $10 million and will create more than 350 new jobs. It comes at a time when government policies to source US-made shoes for use by the Department of Defense are driving footwear manufacturers to set up again or increase production on home soil. This change will potentially affect the manufacturing and sourcing policies of prominent ISA TanTec customers, including Wolverine, Deckers, New Balance, Keen, The North Face, Rockport, Timberland, and others.

In April, leather shipped to foreign countries generated $206 million US. In April 2014, this amount was nearly $256 million US. In comparison to March this year, it was also a reduction of 19.4%. During the first four months of 2015, Brazilian leather exports reached value that is 12.5% lower than in 2014.

US Footwear Prices Outpace Apparel in April Children’s footwear prices continue to strengthen in April, driving up the overall footwear CPI for the tenth straight month, according to data released

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in late May by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, helping to offset the big drop in apparel prices that pressured the combined apparel and footwear price index. www.kellylarsonsales.com Ostrich Caiman Crocodile Nile Crocodile Nile Croc Backstraps Outsole / Insole Bends Pre-Cut Outsoles Elephant Hippo Giraffe Stingray Python Goat Skins Heels Welt

The overall footwear price index increased by 2.7% in the month of April. The boys’ and girls’ footwear price index jumped 7.7%, slightly less than March’s huge increase and the continuation of a trend begun a year ago in which parents are investing again in higher quality shoes for their children. Men’s footwear prices rose by 1.8% while women’s edged up by less than 1%.

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Selection

Weight (lbs.)

April (early)

May (early)

June (early)

Price Last June (early)

$85-86

$85-86

$100-101

$101-102

$90-91

$115-117

Heavy Texas Steers

60-62

$88-90

Heavy Texas Steers (Hvy)

70-72

$101-102

Branded Steers

60-62

$88-90

$84-85

$84-85

$99-100

Branded Steers (Hvy)

70-72

$95-97

$90-91

$90-91

$113-114

Colorado Steers

60-62

$88-90

$83-85

$82-83

$98-100

Butt Branded Steers

60-62

$97-98

$96-97

$93-95

$105-106

Butt Branded Steers (Hvy)

70-72

$106-110

$105-109

$100-105

$117-119

Heavy Native Steers (Hvy)

70-72

$108-110

$107-109

$107-109

$117-118

Heavy Native Heifers

48-52

$81-82

$76-78

$72-74

$89-91

Branded Heifers

48-52

$77-78

$73-74

$72-74

$85-87

Heavy Native Cows

48-52

$68-69

$65-66

$60-63

$82-85

Branded Cows

48-52

$63-66

$62-64

$57-62

$67-69

Spready Dairy Cows

48-52

$77-79

$75-77

$68-72

$86-87

100-110

$77-79

$77-79

$77-79

$90-96

Native Bulls

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Dealer for C.S. Osborne & Co. Leather Machine Co. Barry King Tools Tandy Leather Factory Top Grade Leather Hermann Oak Wickett & Craig Thoroughbred Leather

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Colonel Carter’s Merchantile, Inc. 26575 W. Commerce Dr. Unit 507 Volo, IL 60073 847-270-0806

www.colonelcarters.com

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Boot & Shoe News

PEOPLE and PRODUCTS and PLACES

111th SSIA Convention This year’s convention will be held on July 25-26 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL. You can call (888) 421-1442 to reserve your room.

ANPIC It’s the largest footwear and leather show in North America—ANPIC. It will take place this November 5-7 in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, at the Poliforum, right across from the Holiday Inn! It’s a great place to either exhibit or attend. You name it, they have it—everything from lasts to leather and every

finished products and components. Vendors from around the world. Details at www.anpic.com.

Boot Contest is Back!

Once again there will be a Boot Contest at the Roundup in Wichita Falls, TX, Oct. 2-3. Mike Vaughn will once again coordinate this popular event. So you better get started! For all the details please contact Kathy Kimmel at Kimmel Boots, 2080 County Road 304, Comanche, TX 76442, (325) 356-3197, www.bootandsaddlemakertradeshow.com.

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Big Annual FREE Flea Here it is and it’s mighty fine! Lots and lots of specials and closeouts which will SAVE, SAVE, SAVE you money! So enjoy!

Please mention the July issue of Shop Talk! when placing your order. And MANY THANKS to everyone who sent us listings!!! *Antique Saddles *Bits *Children’s Western Clothing *Elastic *Equipment *Fabric *Fleece *Fly Spray *Free Shipping *Halters *Hardware *Leather

*Miscellaneous *New Items *Plastic Hdw. *Rein Grip *Saddles *Saddle Trees *Spots *New Items *Stirrups *Thread *Ticking *Vinyl

Antique Saddles Western Specialties 3106 Cedardale Rd. Mt. Vernon, WA 98274 (360) 708-4201 (360) 424-4464 Ben Day at Western Specialties is liquidating his entire operation so please call for complete details. 100’s of items and they all must go.

--Nine antique saddles that include a quilted planation saddle, Kentucky spring saddle, WWII Japanese office saddle, and others.

Bits American Saddlery P O Box 130 Rossville, GA 30741 (800) 251-7288 www.americansaddlery.com Assorted Trammel Bits—all $39.95 ea.

--Sweetwater 4 ½” SS shanks, 5” mouth.

--Med 4 ½” SS shanks, 5” port mouth.

--Med 6 ½” SS shanks, 5” med port mouth.

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--Correction 4 ½” SS shanks, 5” sweet iron port.

--Copper roller bit 6 ½” SS shanks, 5” 3 pc.

--Med 6 ½” SS shanks, 5” SS med port mouth.

--Training snaffle 3” SS rings, 5” sweet iron.

--Correction gag 4 ½” SS shanks, 5” mouth.

--Med gag 4 ½” SS shanks, 5” sweet iron med.

--All Around 7” SS shanks, 5” chain sweet iron.

--Training/Transition 7” black shanks, 5 3/8”.

--Training/Transition 7” black shanks, 5” wire.

--Show bit square high port 4” cheeks, 5” mouth.

Children’s Western Clothing

Like new. Weaver EZ Strap Edger. New $875. Sell for $725. **Landis Sales & Service 115 E County Road 500 N Arthur, IL 61911 (217) 543-3464 Here’s a new bobbin winder that Eli Schlabach has come up with which will work for most any machine--

Western Border and Co. P O Box 512 Mead, CO 80542 (970) 779-0382 www.westernborderandco.com --Wholesale child and baby Western apparel with accessories such as soft boots, skirts, T-shirts, creepers, etc.

--FREE shipping on all domestic orders of $150. MUST MENTION July issue of Shop Talk!

Elastic Shelton-Reynolds 11516 N. Port Washington Rd. Suite 1A Mequon, WI 53092 (800) 877-7150 www.sheltonreynolds.com --1 ½” black hvy. duty woven elastic. 1sts on 36 yd. rolls, 1,512 yds. Available. $.15/yd.

Equipment Custom-B-Tack ** 13 Davis Rd. Ethridge, TN 38456

16 | JuLY 2015

And this is a Randall Harness Stitcher Eli recently rebuilt—what a lovely job! The man’s got talent! The treadle stand is also something that Eli is making new so if you need one, you had better give him a shout!

North Star Leather Co. ** P O Box 307

Ruby, SC 29741 (800) 338-7637 www.NstartleatherWHSL.com

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--2—USMC splitters. One has new blade. $750 ea.

--motorized hook setting machine.

--Mutual Machine Co. Bonis (fur sewing machine).Completely rebuilt. $500.

--hand crank strap cutter. $150.

--3-in-1. $150.

--2—hand snap presses. Dies not included.

--various sewing machine clutch motors.

--numerous mallet dies.

Can send pictures via e-mail. Contact: nstarleatrher@shtc.net.

**

Valley Head Saddlery P O Box 44 Ider, AL 35981 (256) 657-6130 www.valleyheadsaddlery.com --USM clicker $2,800.

--USM splitter $2,800.

**

Western Specialties 3106 Cedardale Rd. Mt. Vernon, WA 98274 (360) 708-4201 (360) 424-4464 --Artisan patching machine, $1,500.

--Landis 3 harness stitcher, $1,500.

Fabric Shelton-Reynolds 11516 N. Port Washington Rd. Suite 1A Mequon, WI 53092 (800) 877-7150 www.sheltonreynolds.com --66” 8 oz. white vinyl “Tuff Tex” mesh on 200 yd. roll. $2/yd.

Save 33%. One roll left.

--61” 22 oz. yellow vinyl coated polyester truck tarp fabric. 100 yd. roll. $5.40/yd. One roll left.

--61” 14-16 oz. glass white vinyl laminate. 2nds. 50 yd. rolls. $3.50/yd. Ideal for table covers.

--61” 14 oz. translucent (water clear-reinforced). Vinyl laminate.

2nds on 50 yd. rolls. $3.25/yd.

Fleece Sew What?! Supplies 400 Travis Ln. Unit #28 Waukesha, WI 53189 (800) 390-9503 www.sewwhatsupplies.com

We stock over 1,000 types & colors of leather!

New & Improved Full Color Catalog Upon Request

FeatURINg: Chap Leather (125 colors available), embossed Cow Sides, garment & Hair-On Hides, genuine Buffalo, genuine Salz Latigo, Harness Leather, Metallic Cow Sides, Patent Leather, Skirting, Strap & Upholstery Leathers Complete line of decorative accessories & full line of leather crafting tools.

Become a Preferred Customer:

Benefits of becoming a preferred customer: Very best pricing for the leathers you use the most. Receive immediate notification of leathers going on sale. Added luxury of choosing only leathers that interest you, thus eliminating unwanted emails. Notification of new products and services as they become available ensures the personal service you deserve.

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l 595www.hidehouse.com Monroe St., Napa, CA 94559

800-4LEATHR (800-453-2847) Fax: 800-255-6160

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--58” 1st grade. Closeout. Double sided. Available in navy, sky blue, blue plaid, butterflies, and baby pattern. $3.99/yd.

Fly Spray Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply 3025 Irishtown Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (717) 768-0174 Ultra Shield Fly Spray --Qt. with sprayer. $18.20 ea. $205 cs. of 12.

--Qt. $17.80 ea. $203 cs. of 12.

--Gal. $52.65 ea. $200 cs. of 4.

Free Shipping WBC Industries 625 Central Ave. Westfield, NJ 07090 (800) 818-2932 www.wbcindustries.com --Free Shipping on any purchase that includes a pair of their Special Scissors.

Hardware

**

American Saddlery P O Box 130 Rossville, GA 30741 (800) 251-7288 www.americansaddlery.com Call American for all the buckles, rings, dees, clips, and other types of hardware they are closing out.

--3” rings NP. $.05 --3/4” Conway bkl. NP $.24 ea.

--5/8” Conway bkl. NP. $.15 ea.

--1/2” girth bkl. $.10 ea.

--20” SB chain. $1.50 ea.

--30” SB chain. $2.50 ea.

--SB bull snap. $1.95 ea.

--1 ½” NP ring. $.08 ea.

--1 ¼” NP ring. $.04 ea.

--1” swedge bkl. Malleable iron. $.10 ea.

--20” NP lead chain. $1.82 ea.

--1 ¼” ring. NP. $.05 ea.

--1 ½” ring. NP. $.08 ea.

--1” #5705 bkl. NP. $.12 ea.

Halters Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply 3025 Irishtown Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (717) 768-0174 --#1 padded halters with some black dye smudges. Assorted colors. Mention sale price when ordering.

--1” stallion $35.35.

--1” horse $35.10.

--1” cob $34.65.

18 | JuLY 2015

Shop Talk!

--3/4” #5705 bkl. NP. $.10 ea.

--1” dbl. bar web buckle. $.15 ea.

--3 ½” hvy. dee NP. $.75 ea.

--1” halter square w/ 3 slots. $.33 ea.

--3/4” halter square with 2 slots. $.25 ea.

--1” swivel. $.35 ea.

--3/4” #5 bkl. NP. $.10 ea.

--1” #5 bkl. NP. $.10 ea.

Leather

**

American Saddlery P O Box 130 Rossville, GA 30741 (800) 251-7288 www.americansaddlery.com Call for complete list of assorted leathers, sides, bellies, exotics, and more.

**

Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply 3025 Irishtown Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (717) 768-0174 --1 ½” zpm trigger snap. $2.10 ea. $1.90 ea./c --plain SB rosettes. 1 ¼”. $.53 ea. $.47 ea./c --plain SB rosettes, 1 5/8”. $56 ea. $.52 ea./c --plain CB rosettes, 2”. $80 ea. $.72 ea./c New Items --1” NP wire snap. $.13 ea. $.115 ea./c --1 ½” NP wire snap. $.15 ea. $.131 ea./c --1” SS wire snap. $.48 ea. $.431 ea./c

--13/15 oz. natural sides.

A. $115/side B. $109.95/side C. $98.50/side --13/15 oz. natural. Grade C. Can split 7/8 oz. and up. $79.50/ side --Drum dyed strap. 13/15 oz. Can split 7/8 oz. and up.

Mahogany. $115/side Chocolate. $115/side Black. $115/side Chestnut. $138/side --Natural strap/bridle. All $5.85/sq.ft.

6/7 oz., 7/8 oz., 8/9 oz., 9/10 oz., 10/12 oz.

Buggy Builder’s Bulletin

Bi-monthly trade publication for Carriage & Wagon Makers $25/year in U.S. ~ $30 (US funds only) in Canada

Buggy Builder’s Bulletin

Restores Natural Gloss

795 Mason St.., Dayton, VA 22821

(540) 879-9260

Neoprene Sheets Hook & Loop Fasteners Also Available • Laminated with Nylon, Lycra, Terry, UBL…etc.

• Common uses: Wet Suits, Waders, Knee/Elbow Pads…etc.

• 6 Million Yards in Stock • Sizes from 3/8” to 6” • 30 Colors Available

• TPU Laminated Fabrics • Tricot Fabrics • Mesh Fabrics • Hot Melt Adhesive Films • Webbing, Buckles, Elastic, Zippers…etc

Shetler’s Collar Shop WE MANUFACTURE A FULL LINE OF HORSE AND PONY COLLARS A QUALITY COLLAR AT A REASONABLE PRICE

SALES REP WANTED IN SOME TERRITORIES

5351 Oceanus Drive, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Tel: 714-898-5989 • Fax: 714-894-8018 • E-mail: info@perfectex.com • www.perfectex.com

WRITE FOR OUR FREE PRICE LIST 5819 FLAT IRON RD., CONEWANGO VALLEY, NY 14726

Shop Talk!

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--Golden strap/bridle. All $6.25/sq. ft.

6/7 oz., 7/8, oz., 8/9 oz., 9/10 oz., 10/12 oz.

--Chestnut strap/bridle. All $6.25/sq. ft.

6/7 oz., 7/8 oz., 8/9 oz., 9/10 oz., 10/12 oz.

--Chocolate strap/bridle. All $6.25/sq. ft.

6/7 oz., 7/8 oz., 8/9 oz., 9/10 oz., 10/12 oz.

**

Barta Hide Co. 888 Lakeville St. Petaluma, CA 94952 (707) 762-2965 Fax (707) 762-7013 --1,000 lbs. 8/10 oz. latigo belt scrap. Avg. lengths 35-40”. $1/lb.

--7/9 oz. veg tan dbl. shoulders. $3.60/sq. ft.

--Full hides for upholstery. Printer gator, lizard, etc. $1.50/sq. ft.

--Hair-on calf. $4.50/sq. ft.

--Hair-on #1 buffalo hides. Good quality. $750/hide.

Call for a complete list of specials.

--4 oz. chocolate oiled reverse sides. $2.25/sq. ft. Good for aprons and work boots.

--7/8 oz. dk. oak belt sides. $2.75/sq. ft.

--Deertanned sheepskin. 7-10 sq. ft. 2/2.5 oz. Wedding white, saddle, and smoke. $3.50/sq. ft.

--3 oz. raised gator print sides. $1.95/sq. ft. Blue/black and brn.

--Hair-on cowhide pieces. 1-5 sq. ft. Mix of brindle, speckled, tri-color, and Hereford. 2.5 lbs. for $20 ea. 5 lbs. for $40 ea. And 10 lbs. for $60 ea.

--Full grain pig. Chocolate. #1. $1.85/sq. ft. Lower grade for $.75/ sq. ft.

--Napa cow bundles. Earth tones or hi-colors. Black only available. $1.35-$1.60/sq. ft.

--Exotic bundles. Misc. prints: snake, lizard, gator, etc. $99 for 80 sq. ft. or $69 for 40 sq. ft.

--Printed pig, sheep, and goat bundles. $70 for 80 sq. ft. $50 for 40 sq ft. Colors, prints, and designs.

**

The Hide House 595 Monroe St. Napa, CA 94559 (800) 453-2847 Hide House carries over 1,000,000 sq. ft. of leather in stock.

That’s a million. And it carries a huge variety of types, colors, weights, and finishes. If they don’t have it, then you probably don’t need it.

**

E. C. Leather 7364 E. 38th St. Tulsa, OK 74145 (888) 207-3305 E-mail: ecleather@aolo.com E. C. Leather has several pages of specials each month so please contact for complete list which is extensive and changes month from month. All items subject to prior sale.

--Drum dyed veg. 8/9 oz. black dbl. shoulders. Bright finish. $5.75/sq. ft.

--Drum dyed veg. 8/9 oz. black saddlebag sides. Also available in dk. brn., med. brn., and tan. $5.75/sq. ft.

--4/5 oz. black chap sides. $3.25/sq. ft.

--Milled glovey whole hides. $2.50/sq. ft. Will cut in half. Burgundy, brown, chocolate, and rust.

New Both Sides Vinyl in 8 Colors

Can you bevel a side of lace leather in 35 minutes?

Sure you can with the Nettles Lace Beveler! * easy to use * bevels both sides at once * as fast as you can pull your laces Nettles Country Store • Nettles Stirrups Madisonville, TX 936-348-6541 • 800-729-2234 Call Us Today!

20 | JuLY 2015

Shop Talk!

--Asst. natural hair hides. 35-40 sq. ft. $145 ea.

--Spotted dk. brn. hair-on calf. Short hair. $65 ea.

--Asst. European upholstery whole hides. 50 sq. ft. av. $1.95/sq. ft.

--Wickett & Craig russet skirting. 8/10 oz. #2. $139 ea.

--Argentine veg tan dbl. shoulder. 7/9 oz. $3.50/sq. ft.

Call for complete list of specials and new leathers.

Sew What?! Supplies 400 Travis Ln., Unit #28 Waukesha, WI 53189 (800) 390-9503 www.sewwhatsupplies.com

**

--3/4 oz. black upholstery leather scraps. $1.49/lb.

**

Tennessee Tanning 915 NW Atlantic St. Tullahoma, TN 37388 (931) 455-3441 --Bleached rawhide. 40 pcs. $40 ea.

--White alum. 5/7 oz. 80 pcs. $3/sq. ft.

--8/10 oz. TR black latigo. 60 pcs. $5/sq. ft. if you take lot.

--10/12 oz. TRB burgundy latigo. $4.50/sq. ft.

--5/7 oz. brn. latigo. $4/sq. ft.

Miscellaneous

**

Beachy’s Nylon Harness Shop 2815 Township Road 182 Baltic, OH 43804 (330) 897-1350 --Equine massagers (deep muscle). 110V or inverter. Sale $379.

--Mini Pro 2 massagers for humans. Sale $209. Six or more $189 ea.

**

Western Specialties 3106 Cedardale Rd. Mt. Vernon, WA 98274 (360) 708-4201 --Harness fly nets. $150 ea.

--Ox yoke. $50 --Latigo bridle reins. 8’. $20/pr.

--60” hvy. tie straps. 1 ½”. $20.

--Nylon off billets. $5/pr.

--Nylon tie strap. $5/pr.

Yoder’s Harness Shop ** E149994 RD 82 La Farge, WI 54639

Custom made

produCts

We make custom show stall curtains with decorations Also tack box covers, table covers, etc.

• Horse blankets & sheets, shipping boots, harness bags, hay bags, & related items • Reflective bands • Carriage covers 4285 Township Road 628 Millersburg, oh 44654

phone: 330-674-0879

Lasting Quality and Style Matte Finishes Many Colors

Easy Cleaning Easy Sewing Durable, Flexible

BETTER PRODUCTS & BETTER PRICES

P.O. Box 593, Columbia Station, OH 44028 Voice: 800-357-5070 Fax 440-243-5326 Email daves@firstlocal.net Website www.ohiothane.com

Shop Talk!

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Sales on items while supplies last.

Plastic Hardware

--Energizer industrial AA batteries. $6.75/24 pk.

--Squincher electrolyte drink. $115/case.

--16.5 gal. packs (make 80 gal.) orange flavor. $7.50 --Free shipping while supply lasts

Sew What?! Supplies 400 Travis Ln. Unit #28 Waukesha, WI 53189 (800) 390-9503 www.sewwhatsupplies.com

New Items

--2” black cam bkls. $.25 ea.

--1 ¼” black side release bkls. $.10 ea.

--1 ¼” black tri-glides. $.05 ea.

--1” white tri-glides. $.05 ea.

--1” white looplocks. $.05 ea.

--1 ½” white looplocks. $.08 ea.

**

North Star Leather P O Box 307 Ruby, SC 29741 (800) 338-7637 www.NstarleatherWHSL.com

Rein Grips

--iPhone sleeves and wallets.

--Passport cases

Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply 3025 Irishtown Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (717) 768-0174

**

Standard Rivet 265 Bear Hill Rd. Waltham, MA 02451-1003 (781) 890-2033 www.standardrivet.com --Express, bevel, pyramid, and round spots in anodized aluminum in 7 colors.

--1 ½” red, white, and blue crystal “peace sign” concho.

--1” daisy beaded and sand dollar conchos.

--Pearlized smooth cabochons in 7, 9, and 11 mm.

Equus Rein Grips (SP—small pimple. LP—large pimple) --5/8” x 30”. SP. Blk. $15/pr. $14.50 ea./24 pr.

--3/4” x 30”. SP. Blk. $15/pr. $14.50 ea./24 pr.

--5/8” x 30”. LP. Blk. $15/pr. $14.50 ea./24 pr.

--5/8” x 30”. LP. Dk. brn. $15/pr. $14.50 ea./24 pr.

--3/4” x 30”. LP. Blk. $15/pr. $14.50 ea./24 pr.

**

Valley Head Saddlery 10670 Alabama Hwy 75 Ider, AL 35981 (256) 657-6130 www.valleyheadsaddlery.com --Knife belt slides.

--Holsters in different styles.

Sew What Supplies?!

400 Travis Ln., Unit 28, Waukesha, WI 53189 (800) 390-9503

Zippers YKK Hook & Loop Thread Webbing trucker tiedown nylon halter polypro Shock Cord/Cording  

Nylon Fabrics cordura Elastic pack cloth Fiebing Products oxford cloth Grommets Vinyl Coated Mesh Hardware Vinyl Coated Truck metal Tarp plastic Imitation Sheepskin 

www.sewwhatsupplies.com

22 | juLY 2015

Shop Talk!

--3/4” x 30”. LP. Dk. brn. $15/pr. $14.50 ea./24 pr.

--#17 Trail Saddle. Special. $400

--1” x 18”. SP. Med. brn. $11.60/pr. $11 ea./24 pr.

--1” x 18”. SP. Blk. Same price.

--1” x 18”. SP. Dk. brn. Same price.

--1” x 18”. SP. Red. Same price.

--1” x 18” SP. Kelly green. Same price.

--1” x 18”. SP. Yellow. Same price.

Saddle Trees

Saddles

American Saddlery/Big Horn **O Box P 130 Rossville, GA 30741 (800) 251-7288 www.americansaddlery.com

--Big Horn Sil Cush Trail Saddle. $1,995 --Big Horn Show Saddle. $3,995 --American Saddlery Roping Saddle. $1,295 Call for complete list.

**

Valley Head Saddlery 10670 Alabama Hwy 75 Ider, AL 35981 (256) 657-6130 www.valleyheadsaddlery.com

Shop Talk!

Ralide 213 Dennis St. Athens, TN 37303 (800) 613-1486 www.ralide.com Many items are discounted 40-50%.

--12” seat. Semi qtr. Recycled material. $22.44 --Little Wonder. 13” seat. Semi qtr. Recycled material. $31.61 --Barrel racing. 13” seat. Semi qtr. Flex material. $63.99 --Barrel racing. 14 1/8” seat. Semi qtr No horn. $34.59 --Roper. 15” seat. Qtr. horse bars. $47.03 --Roper. 15” seat. Qtr. horse bars. Flex material. $70.17 --A fork. 15” seat. Qtr. horse bars. $72.87 --Reiner. 15” seat. Qtr. horse bars. Flex material. $72.20 --General purpose. 15” seat. Semi qtr. Recycled material. $35.70 --Barrel racing. 15” seat. Semi qtr. 5” cantle. No horn. $41.08 --Reiner. 16” seat. Qtr. horse. Flex material. $71.31 --Barrel racing. 16” seat. Semi qtr. Recycled material. $36.99 --Barrel racing. 16” seat. Semi qtr. No horn. Flex. $62.59

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24 | JuLY 2015

Shop Talk!

--General purpose. 17” seat. Semi qtr. Recycled material. $36.80 --General purpose. 17” seat. Semi qtr. 5” cantle. $48.32 --Pack Saddle. T-style. 18” seat. $41.26 Spots Standard Rivet 265 Bear Hill Rd. Waltham, MA 02451-1003 (800) 367-4838 www.standardriver.com Also look under “New Items” for new products from Standard Rivet.

Closeouts --Mounted acrylic faceted jewels. All 4/16” prong leg. Most colors. 35% off.

--5/8” square cut out spots. All finishes. 40% off.

--Swarovski rose pins. Seven colors. 10ss, 16ss, 20ss, and 34ss. 40% off.

--Must call to order. (781) 890-2033 Stirrups

--No. 92 nylon size M bobbins. Tobacco. 1 gross/bx. Only $10/ gross.

--No. 415 white nylon thread on 8 oz. cones. $5/cone. ($10/lb.).

30 lbs. left.

--No. 554 black nylon thread on 8 oz. cones. $5/cone. ($10/lb.).

64 lbs. left.

**

Sew What?! Supplies 400 Travis Ln., Unit #28 Waukesha, WI 53189 (800) 390-9503 www.sewwhatsupplies.com --No. 69 nylon thread. ½ lb. cones. 5-6 oz./cone. 1st grade.

White only. $9/cone.

Ticking Coblentz Supply 3216 County Road 160 Millersburg, OH 44654 (330) 359-5936 --Ticking. $2.16/yd. 150 yds.

Ralide 213 Dennis St. Athens, TN 37303 (800) 367-6549 www.ralide.com

New From Jim Arndt Clod-kickin’ style for little cowboy feet! Well-worn small-scale vintage boots, cute-as-can-be for little cowboy and cowgirl feet.

Many items are discounted 40% to 50%.

Ask about their new 3” bell stirrup.

--Improved bell. Natural color. 2 1/8” tread. $4.15 --Visalia. Recycled material. 2 1/8” tread. $3.15 --Roper. Extra deep. Orange. 3” tread. $3 --Roper. Regular deep. Orange. 3 ½” tread. $6.50 --Roper. Regular deep. Natural. 3 ½” tread. $11.32 --Roper. Extra deep. Natural. 3” tread. $16.20 --Contest. Natural color. 1 ¼” tread. $5.02 Thread Shelton-Reynolds ** 11516 N. Port Washington Rd. Suite 1A Mequon, WI 53092 (800) 877-7150 www.sheltonreynolds.com Shop Talk!

Buckaroo Boots Hardcover. 128pp. Color 7 1/4” x 7 1/4” $14.99 +SH

Boots and the kids who wear them.

Plain • Fancy • and Really Cute Proleptic, Inc. • P.O. Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 828-505-8474 • Fax 828-505-8476 • www.proleptic.net

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MADE IN USA

For free catalog please contact us: 125 Jersey St. Harrison NJ 07029 Phone: 973-483-3232 26 | JuLY 2015

Email: cso@csosborne.com www.csosborneleathertools.com

Shop Talk!

Vinyl

**

Coblentz Supply 3216 County Road 160 Millersburg, OH 446754 (330) 359-5936 --Marine grade vinyl. $6.82/yd. 40 yds.

**

Shelton-Reynolds 11516 N. Port Washington Rd. Suite 1A Mequon, WI 53092 (800) 877-7150 www.sheltonreynolds.com --1” black vinyl binding. 200 yds/spool. (1,200 yds. available.) $.15/yd.

Webbing

**Sew What?! Supplies 400 Travis Ln., Unit 28

Waukesha, WI 53189 (800) 390-9503 www.sewwhatsupplies.com

CHINO TACK Saddle Trees: Stirrups: wooden or iron, rawhide covered Rawhide: natural, bleach, black, red, etc.

Saddles: Casa Zea Blankets: assorted and solid colors

1-800-696-4649

www.chinotack.com • chinotack@gmail.com

CLASSIFIEDAds REALLY WORK $26.50 FOR THE FIRST 20 WORDS

--2” polyester seatbelt closeouts. 100 yds./roll. Royal blue and yellow. 1st grade. $.32/yd.

Shelton-Reynolds ** 11516 N. Port Washington Rd. Suite 1A Mequon, WI 53092 (800) 877-7150 www.sheltonreynolds.com

--1” blk. polyester webbing. 2nds. 100 yds./roll. $.25/yd.

--1 ½” blk. polyester seatbelt webbing. 2nds. 150 yds./roll. $.25/ yd.

--1 ½” red standard weight nylon halter web. 1st. 50 yds./roll. $.60/yd.

--1 ½” blk. vinyl coated polyester webbing. 1st. 110 yds./roll. $.57/yd.

**

Western Specialties 3106 Cedardale Rd. Mt. Vernon, WA 98274 (360) 708-4201 --5/8” BioThane hunter orange. $.50/yd.

--Webbing. 1”, 1 ¼”, and 1 ½”. $.25/yd.

Shop Talk!

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Troy West Mahogany Saddle

Chuck Smith and Troy West Win Academy of Western Artists Awards

by Gene Fowler

C

ongratulations to Chuck Smith of Valley Center, CA, and Troy West of Azle, TX, for winning, respectively, the Will Rogers Master Leather Artisan Award and the Will Rogers Saddlemaker Award for 2014, from the Academy of Western Artists. The 19th Annual AWA Awards were presented this past March in a ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel in Irving, TX. Troy accepted his award in person, but Chuck was unable to attend due to a recent hip replacement.

When we spoke with him in early June, Chuck was on the mend and back in the saddle.

Raised in North Hollywood during the era of the great “B” Westerns, Chuck Smith is especially known for his distinctive Western Floral “Hollywood” style of leather carving. He developed a special fondness for the fancy saddles and gun leather while exercising horses for the movie studios as a teenager. He learned the art of leather carving from some of the greats, including Al Shelton, Joey Smith, Lad Haverty, Al Stohlman, Cliff Ketchum, and Kenny Griffin.

Work by Chuck Smith, Chuck Smith Tools

28 | JuLY 2015

Chuck designs, manufactures, and markets the Ol' Smoothie line of swivel knives, blades, and sharpening tools. His online catalog (http://chuck-smithleather-tools.myshopify.com/) features 36 carving tools, including Mulefoot and Hourglass Serpentine stamps. You can also inquire on the site about Chuck's occasional Western Floral “Live” Seminars, a hands-on, six-hour intensive workshop limited to ten students.

“This is right up there with winning the Al Stohlman Award in 1996,” Chuck says of the AWA honor. He thinks one recent creation that might have gotten him special notice by the academy was the leather guitar cover he crafted for Eric Clapton.

Troy West is perfectly situated for a saddle maker in Azle, a small community on the western edge of Cowtown, Fort Worth, TX. Troy has been making custom saddles for thirty-five years and says one thing that makes his saddle unique is the way it fits both the horse and the rider. “I build my own saddle trees,” he explains, “using raw poplar wood, and each part is sanded to a smooth finish before assembly.

Shop Talk!

Chuck Smith's guitar cover for Eric Claption

“This is right up there with winning the Al Stohlman Award in 1996,” Chuck says of the AWA honor.

Then I cover the tree with rawhide or fiberglass. I also do my own leather tooling and my own silver work.”

Troy says saddle makers are a lot more helpful to each other these days than they used to be, sharing tips on tools and techniques. “There's a lot of good carvers out there today,” he adds. “It's tough to get started and keep at it.”

Troy is a member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts As-

Long 7 ¹/2" head allows you to work in narrow spaces and makes tacking up easier.

Weighs approx. 8 oz.

11 ¹/2" hickory handle.

Made in the USA!

Troy West on left receives award from Jim Linnell of Tandy Leather Factory

sociation, an organization “dedicated to preserving and promoting the skills of saddle making, bit and spur making, silversmithing and rawhide braiding and the role of these traditional crafts in the cowboy culture of the North American West.” The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City hosts an annual group exhibition and sale of the association members' work. Check it out at tcowboyarts.org, and see more of Troy's work at troywestsaddles.com.

Pro-Saddler

 Custom Shops • Saddle Makers • Harness Makers  Tired of bulky hammers that obscure your work and mash your fingers? No More! The Pro-Saddler is slim, elegant, and perfect for professional leatherworkers.

$4250 +

Wholesale Pricing Available

S/ H

NNo wHw ew anitdhleDDoesuigbnle SteBeelttW ereFditg! es!

Proleptic, Inc.

PO Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 | Ph. 828.505.8474 • Fx. 828.505.8476 • shoptalk@proleptic.net

www.proleptic.net

Shop Talk!

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Academy of Western Artists

by Gene Fowler

The nonprofit Academy of Western Artists was founded in 1996 by Rope Burns publisher Bobby Newton and a few friends who saw a need for preservation and interpretation of the traditions and living history of the American West. The AWA promotes all things Western, from saddles and boots to music and books. It recognizes and encourages the men and women who excel in performing arts, fine arts, and practical arts.

AWA membership is open to individuals who love the history and lifestyle of the American West and want to support exceptional, hard-working artists in a wide range of fields, including saddle making, boot making, engraving, braiding, music, poetry, and books.

award recipients. Excluding special circumstances, the award winner must be present at the ceremony to accept the award.

Other winners for 2014 include Don Butler of Sheridan, WY, Don King Memorial Saddle Maker Award; Annie Wieden, Australia, Engraver; George Blackwood, Blue Ridge, TX, Bit/ Spur Maker; Whit Olsen, Canistota, SD, Braider; and D.W. Frommer II, Redmond, OR, Boot Maker.

For a complete list of categories and winners, see http://awaawards.org/?page_id=27.

The primary purpose of the AWA is the annual Academy of Western Artists Awards. Each year, the Academy honors artists in cowboy trappings, entertainment, and media at its Annual Awards Dinner. Nominations can be suggested for the awards categories by anyone who wants to send in the name of someone they believe qualifies for one of the categories. All material being nominated for an award must have been produced from the middle of the previous year through December of the current year. For example, the 2015 nominees have to produce their art from mid-2014 to December 2015. The person nominating the artist does not have to be a member of AWA, nor does the nominee have to be a member. There are seventeen categories in music, nine in trappings, two in books, and two in media/radio. There are also two special awards, Lifetime Achievement and Young Artist. A group of anonymous judges cuts the nominations to ten, then to five, and then finally decide upon 30 | juLY 2015

Shop Talk!

GENUINE New from Juki

JAPANESE MACHINES

New from Juki

$2,995

$5,500

LU-2"8Th1ro0at

NEW 13 /2" thick Sews over 1 hread Up to T207 T

$3,950 Cylinder Arm

$6,500 Cylinder Arm

PLC-2710

NEW 13" Thro at Sews Over 1 /2" Thick Up to T207 T hread

$2,750

TSC-441

Flatbed

16" Throat Sews Up to 7/8" Thick Up to T415 Thread

MADE IN JAPAN

LS-1h3ro4at1

10" T /2" Thick Sews Up to 1 hread Up to T207 T

LU-1508NH

10" Throat Sews Up to 1 /2" Thick Up to T207 T hread

Nick-O Sewing Machine, LLC

www.Nickosew.com • 7745 Hwy 76 S • Stanton, TN 38069 1-800-526-4256 • ph (731)779-9963 • fax (731) 779-9965 Shop Talk! juLY 2015

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Things People Make We really appreciate all the great pictures folks send us from time to time—thank you! It’s encouraging to see how many talented craftspeople are out there and the impressive work they do—keep it up!

Now let’s hear from YOU! Please send your pictures to: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

(FYI—we’d also like to see more pictures of bridles, breast collars, harness, chaps, and personal leather goods like bags and cases.)

Centennial Boot

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1915-2015 www.davelittleboots.com 32 | JuLY 2015

Shop Talk!

Knife Sheathes by Peter Main

New from Proleptic, Inc. Wheels Across America, Vol. 2

Hardback with dust cover.

134 pp. Color. Over 400 photos of historical carriages, wagons, hearses, stage coaches, commercial vehicles, and more.

Chapters include:

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$34 plus S&H

Proleptic, Inc.

P.O. Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 Ph: 828-505-8474 • Fax: 828-505-8476

Contact: Peter Main, 3210 Chris Dr., Houston, TX 77063, (713) 532-0606.

Shop Talk!

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shoptalk@proleptic.net

JuLY 2015

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Holsters by Alain Eon

5 ½” and 7 ½” barrel Gallup style for Navy Colt

J. S. Collins style (T. Roosevelt Model) SAA 7½” barrel

Contact: Alain Eon, 168 rue Maurice Arnoux, Montrouge, France 92120, e-mail: alain.eon@free.fr

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Braided Romal Reins by Ann Ross, Ross Custom Leather Approximately 1,740 feet (580 yards or almost 1/3 of one mile) of brandy, red, and saddle tan kangaroo leather was used to handcraft this set of romal reins. The reins are a 24 braid over 1/4” leather core. The romal is a 32 braid over 3/8” leather core.

This set is comprised of the following leather lace widths - reins and rein connectors .0550 inches, romal and romal loop .0545 inches, and button .0470 inches. As a point of reference, 1/16th of an inch equals .0625. All braided leather is manually stretched three times, cut, split, and beveled. Due to its molecular composition, kangaroo leather maintains greater tensile strength than other leathers of similar size and weight. Kangaroo leather is lightweight and durable.

Braid Kangaroo Leather Romal Reins

The entire set contains 127 visible buttons and 111 groundwork buttons.

At the bit end of the reins and popper end of romal there is a long, tapered brandy pineapple button with saddle tan and red herringbone interweaves.

The romal top loop is a 20 braid over a 3/16” leather core. The hourglass shaped brandy pineapple button also features saddle tan and red herringbone interweaves. The visible portion of each button requires over 23 feet of leather lace. The rein and romal repeating button sequence includes a brandy Turk’s head with saddle tan herringbone interweave, a brandy Turk’s head with red herringbone interweave, and a brandy Turk’s head with gaucho interweave. Between each button in repeating sequence there is a two-pass, red Spanish ring knot.

The rein slide is a large, round brandy Turk’s head button with saddle tan and red herringbone interweaves. Almost 15 feet of leather lace is required to complete the visible portion of the rein slide. The rein slide and large pineapple button interweaves are identical.

The Turk’s head button with gaucho interweave serves as rein wear leathers. The rein connectors are an eight braid with three visible buttons. The

36 | juLY 2015 37

Shop Talk!

Rein Slide

Rein Tapered Pineapple Buttons

Rein Slide, Rein-Romal Connector, Romal Button

end of each connector features a round, brandy Turk’s head button with brandy herringbone interweave and red leather center. A red Turk’s head button with gaucho interweave comprise the slide and button attaching connector to rein.

The rein and romal connector is a twelve braid and has the same button sequence as the rein connectors.

Rein Tapered Pineapple Button

The popper exterior is genuine American alligator leather. A 3/4 oz. veg tanned leather interior strip has been cut smaller than exterior to provide weight and contoured definition to popper. Brandy Australian kangaroo leather is used for lining the back exterior. The popper rolled edges are double needle, hand sewn at 12 stitches per inch using approximately 27 feet of brown silk thread. When hand sewing an item with two needles, one needle is inserted from the back and one needle is inserted from the front in the same hole at the same time.

The thread crosses over itself in each hole. This manner of sewing produces locked threads that will not unravel for several stitches if broken. A brandy Turk’s head button with herringbone interweave requiring approximately 12 feet of leather lace attaches the popper to the romal.

Contact: Ross Custom Leather, P O Box 577, Blackstone, VA 23824, (434) 294-7528.

Photos courtesy Ann Ross.

Shop Talk!

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Sheath by Harry Brown

38 | JuLY 2015

Contact: Harry Brown, Silhouette Leathers e-mail: brown2@frontier.net

Shop Talk!

Hope Saddle by La Sellerie du Thymerais

Contact: La Sllerie du Thymerais, 18 rue du Docteur Taugourdeau, 28170 Chateaunuf en thymerais, France, e-mail: www.selleriegb-28.com.

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Proleptic, Inc. • P.O. Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 828-505-8474 • Fax 828-505-8476 • www.proleptic.net Shop Talk!

juLY 2015

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Brandy full quill ostrich and black kangaroo with barb wire border and pricky pear cactus inlay in the tops

Contact: Lee Miller, 2222 College Ave., Austin, TX 78704, (512) 443-4447, e-mail: texastraditions@mac.com.

Photos courtesy Lee Miller.

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JuLY 2015

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Independent Tack Stores Form Virtual Community to Share and Survive

by Jennifer Fulford, East Coast Bureau Chief

W

ith retail trends eating away at margins and profitability, independent tack and accessory retail stores are trying out something new: bonding together to fight Big Box mentality and online vultures.

founder of the group and owner of The Tack Warehouse in Woodland, CA.

More than 160 tack retailers are participating in a group on Facebook specifically targeted to find ways to stem the tide of shrinking profits. The Society of Independent Tack Stores, or S.I.T.S., is sharing information on a page dedicated to preserving brick and mortar stores.

“I’d say in the last year, it’s the hardest to stay in business as it’s ever been since I’ve been in business. And the reason for it is the margins are so small and the companies are expecting us to turn the inventory,” she says. “I’ve seen more stores go out of business since October last year to current than I have since I’ve been in business.”

The number of independent stores has shrunk exponentially over the years, according to Brenda Wilson,

Wilson, 45, who runs a large 12,000-sq. ft. store which has been open since 1991, has seen a significant erod-

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ing of her profitability, to the point that she spends most of her day trying to compete with large competitor’s and manufacturer’s prices by continually monitoring merchandise and sales trends. It’s the classic David vs. Goliath syndrome: the competition looms large and the small store is the scrappy underdog.

Think Wal-Mart vs. Main Street. When the Internet boom happened in the late 1990s, the beating began.

“I started to see my friends go out of business,” Wilson remembers. “So we had probably forty-five tack or tack/feed stores within a 100 mile radius of us and these started to fall off like flies.”

The downturn can be traced back to around 1996, when PetSmart, Inc. bought State Line Tack. PetSmart acquired State Line by purchasing its parent company Sporting Dog Specialties for $45 million mostly paid in company stock. PetSmart then opened more than 160 full size (3,000 sq. ft.) equine departments inside its pet stores. Later in 2007, PetSmart put the State Line Tack name and catalog/Internet business up for sale, discointinuing all in-store sales. State Line became exclu-

sively an online retailer as a subsidiary of TABcom, LLC, which is now a large web retailing conglomerate.

TABcom’s websites include Dog.com, Horse.com, Garden.com, Ferret.com, Fish.com, Bird.com, Petsupplies. com, and StatelineTack.com.

According to the www.TABcom. com homepage: “There are now over 5,000 sites under the TABcom umbrella and one million unique visitors click through these sites every month.”

“Nobody wanted to talk. The stores used to see each other as the enemy,” says Wilson.

Well, folks are talking now. The S.I.T.S. Facebook page stays active with small tack retailers posting daily insider info and ideas about fighting the wave. One of the biggest beefs of the small retailers is the unfair pricing practices of some of the companies they buy products from. Granted, the small stores don’t have the same clout as say a large retailer that buys and sells products in large quantities, and that’s exactly why the tack shops are rallying together.

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“It can help all of us provide a better customer experience and can help us make better choices for our stores,” posted Brenda Grass, a member of S.I.T.S. “We share what manufacturers are working with us, not against us.

We share ideas on things from new products and sales to displays. It also lets us know we are not alone.”

Here’s an example of a recent Facebook post by a small retailer: “Have a <large tack retailer> 7 miles from my store.

Called <accessories company> today to find out why <large tack retailer> hasn't raised their <accessory> prices yet which we were required to do on February 1. Seems that <large tack retailer> doesn't have to raise their <accessory> price until April 1 because they already have catalogs out with old pricing! Was told I was free to match the lower price until April when <large tack retailer> must raise theirs! Called the store and they have raised their prices but people look to the website and sale catalog. Again the independent loses!!

Call <accessories company> and complain!”

Wilson says last year was her hardest ever. She watches her sales slide everyday. So much so, she decided to re-launch her own Internet sales and start the S.I.T.S. group. Like her cohorts, she says she looks for any way possible to land a sale, even when her profit might be only a dollar per item. Not too many of those products hang around her store long. S.I.T.S. members believe they are more than dressing rooms.

exclusively because they have been burned by the ‘catalog companies’ again and again.”

An emphasis is placed on patronizing companies that deal fairly, but S.I.T.S. members can name only a few companies that resist the pressure to maximize profit at the expense of the little guy. Noble Equine, Tipperary, and KL Select are a few. They are far outnumbered.

“The [online] companies cut deals with the bigger manufacturers that as a small tack store, I can’t do. I can’t buy 400 pairs of breeches. The other stores can’t either. It’s unrealistic,” she says.

The pressure is on. Dover Saddlery, Inc., a large online retailer and publicly traded company (NASDAQ: DOVR), has added brick-and-mortar stores to its strategic growth. Now with twenty-five stores, the company announced it will open more retail outlets each year. Dover recorded record sales and profits at the end of 2014, according to Market Wire, with revenue of $101.8 million representing an increase of 8.5% in a year.

Stephen L. Day, present and CEO of Dover, told Market Wire, “We closed out the year with a very

“When you walk into my shop, I am going to answer all your questions and, if I don't know the answer, we are going to find out TOGETHER,” writes Sara Lyness of the Orinda Village Horse Shop in California.

She answered questions from Shop Talk! posted to the S.I.T.S. group. “I have gained a number of customers that had been coming in sporadically when I took the time to ask the right questions, gave personal experiences, put in that little extra, who now shop with me

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strong holiday season, breaking all previous sales records. As we continue to execute our omnichannel expansion plan, we are looking forward to opening five to seven new stores in this year.”

Meanwhile, back in the trenches, small tack stores are seeing pressures from other angles. Take saddles, for instance. Saddles companies are selling direct to trainers, so showroom saddles may sit for years as a non-consumable good. A lot of small retailers just don’t bother to stock saddles anymore,

consumer sales. In Ariat’s defense, it is among a few sympathetic manufacturers that have directly discussed with S.I.T.S. ways to keep the small business owners viable – because a sale is a sale, whether it happens online or in a tack store. Product manufacturers still have a stake.

“So far, we have had meetings with Beth Cross, CEO and co-founder of Ariat, and Rial Chew, VP of Sales, to develop a small retailer program,” Wilson says. “This has not been completed but we are doing this through

“When you walk into my shop, I am going to answer all your questions and, if I don't know the answer, we are going to find out TOGETHER,” writes Sara Lyness of the Orinda Village Horse Shop in California.

Wilson says. Saddles coming out of online sales from India, marketed under a legitimate looking brand, are another thorn in the side of the small shops.

“I had one that was actually put together with dental floss,” she says, still a little dumfounded.

Like saddle companies, Ariat has started direct-to-

our group, and stores have come up with some great unique ideas. Toklat has said they would be offering members of our group special promotions. Every day, stores are trading product between themselves to help other stores out, say a manufacturer is out of stock or one store may not be able to sell an item that another store can.”

Shop Talk!

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Some pressures involve tight product turnaround and endless consumer options. New lines in fifty color options come out more frequently now, and, if the old lines haven’t moved, a loss is almost inevitable.

“We’re sitting on huge amounts of inventory and barely scraping by, and it shouldn’t be this way,” she says.

Her answers have been to start mobile units for shows and horse events to sell her merchandise direct to consumers; to use Facebook to reach customers through promotions; and to support a second online Facebook group just for horse folks who support shopping local (Support Your Independent Tack & Feed Stores).

says. “By getting together and talking, we found that we are not alone.

We can have a voice and support one another, and the other store is not the enemy.”

To join the S.I.T.S. group on Facebook, e-mail Brenda Wilson of Tack Warehouse at tackwarehouse@ yahoo.com or call (530) 661-0222, and she’ll determine your eligibility and send you an invitation to join.

To see her business, look up www.

TackWarehouse.com or visit 917 Main St., Woodland, CA, 95695.

“We look to stock and educate customers on items that are MAP protected (minimum advertised pricing),” she says. “We look for companies that we make a 50% margin on. Also, we are trying to find smaller up-and-coming manufacturers with good products that we can sell so there is not so much competition. A trick is to look for companies that do not have a bar coding system yet, as the big guys all require bar codes. So you know you have some time to promote a line beforehand.”

The S.I.T.S. Facebook group is private and only open to current owners or employees of brick-and-mortar stores. No manufacturers, sales reps, trainers, or mobile units qualify. But frequently, a Trojan horse tries to sneak in, Wilson says. Some members of the group are afraid of being retaliated against which Wilson has experienced first-hand. But the dialogue and camaraderie continue.

“Before this group, many of us felt very disenfranchised. Many of us felt like they have wasted their time and money on an unforgiving industry,” Wilson

46 | JuLY 2015

Shop Talk!

Old World Skills and High Technology at The North American Saddlery School

by Virginia Perry Daffron, Staff Writer

A

s Master Saddler Ian Hastilow asked course participants in the North American Saddlery School to introduce themselves, the room filled with anticipation. Everyone was curious to know: what kinds of people travel to rural Maryland to learn both traditional saddle making and leather working techniques as well as insights drawn from the latest technology?

The horse enthusiasts and professionals from across North America included: • Tack shop owners and employees from Washington State, Connecticut, Ontario, Quebec, and Michigan

• An equine bodyworker from Chicago • A native of Taiwan who now rides dressage horses and fits saddles in Missouri • Chiropractors for both humans and horses • A retired police officer turned saddle fitter from North Carolina • A former mechanical engineer turned saddle fitter from Virginia • A farrier pursuing qualification as a saddle fitter from Maryland • A writer for an equine journal These diverse participants came together to learn from an elite team of saddlery experts and allied professionals as part of the education program of the North American Saddlery School, a unique partnership between the Society of Master Saddlers in the United Kingdom, City & Guilds London, and Qualified Saddle Fitter Annette Gavin in the United States.

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Americans, says Ian Hastilow, are “desperate for knowledge” about saddle making and fitting. The American market for tack, he explains, is more driven by competition between brands for sales than by objective, independent standards for quality, and proper fit. The North American Saddlery School (NASS) was established nine years ago to provide traditional saddlery education, as well as a pathway to certification by the Society of Master Saddlers (UK), for those who wish to pursue the world’s most recognized English saddlery credential.

The highly structured program, Hastilow says, gives saddle fitters, saddle makers, and harness makers the education and confidence to grow their careers and to better serve their human and equine clients.

An Introduction to the Principles of Saddle Fitting Held most recently on May 1-3, 2015, at Troupe Run Stables in Cearfoss, MD, the Introduction course is often the first step on the journey to becoming a certified saddle fitting professional or a Master Saddler. Whether or not course attendees pursue eventual certification, the program pro-

vides a multidisciplinary overview of the factors affecting saddle fit and its impact on the performance of the horse and rider.

As Course Coordinator, Ian Hastilow serves as the official representative of the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) for the program, as well as one of the instructors. In addition to his work with the SMS (of which he is a past president), Ian is one of the leaders of Hastilow Competition Saddles in Surrey, England, which was founded in 1982 by his father Frank Hastilow. The elder Mr. Hastilow, a renowned Master Saddler, still works in the business on a daily basis at the age of 82.

Andrew Hastilow, Ian’s younger brother and also a Master Saddler, is another instructor in the course. Andrew is head of production at Hastilow Competition Saddles, overseeing the manufacturing workshop.

Another Master Saddler and past president of the SMS, Laurence Pearman, rounded out the U.K. contingent of instructors. Owner of Cirencester Saddlers in Gloucestershire, UK, Pearman was granted the Freedom of the City of London in 2005 in acknowledgment of services to his trade, after which he was made a Liveryman in

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Ian Hastilow of Hastilow Competition Saddles.

the Worshipful Company of Saddlers. An avid fan of motorcycle as well as horse sports, Pearman notes that the common thread is, in a single word, balance.

Annette Gavin, owner of Hastilow USA and an SMS certified Qualified Saddle Fitter, is an in-

Laurence Pearman discusses saddle tree designs.

Shop Talk!

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structor in the program and a mentor to several apprentice saddle fitters. Annette also serves as unofficial hostess, plying course participants and instructors with a seemingly endless array of homemade meals and treats. When one student remarked, “You won’t go hungry if you take this course,” Annette quickly chimed in, “We’ve loads of chocolate and pots of tea!”

Although the course primarily uses English saddlery to illustrate the concepts of saddle fitting, Gavin explains that the concepts and fitting principles are equally applicable to Western saddle fitting. Many times over the weekend, course instructors and participants discussed how specific concepts would apply to Western saddles.

The Qualified Saddle Fitter certification offered by the SMS is one of the world’s only independent education programs for saddle fitting. The standards required for qualification are set by a consortium of experts representing a number of different companies in the United Kingdom. Unlike certification credentials established by individual saddle makers, the QSF certification is independent and unbiased, allowing clients to receive an objective and highly professional opinion about what saddle works best for a specific horse.

The course kicked off with an evening introductory session, complete with a pizza supper served with salad and wine. Bright and early the following morning, participants began the classroom component of the day’s instruction, learning about tree design, saddle construction, leather used in saddle making, recordkeeping for saddle fitters, and equine movement.

After lunch, equine veterinarian Moira Nusbaum of Maryland provided an introduction to some

of the anatomical considerations that influence saddle fit and horse health. Midway through Dr. Nusbaum’s presentation, course participants regrouped in the facility’s modern arena to watch the veterinarian perform a physical examination focused on soundness, range of motion, spine health, and movement. The interactive session provided students with an opportunity to observe how to incorporate insights gained from a physical examination and a horse’s medical history into their saddle fitting procedures.

Following the veterinary presentation, Annette Gavin and biomechanical physics expert and professional saddle fitter Ann Cromwell demonstrated the use of the Pliance testing system, a cutting edge technology to assess the dynamic interaction between the horse, the saddle, and the rider. The Pliance system measures the pressure distribution between the saddle and the horse using a thin elastic sensor mat. The rider wears a belt containing a data acquisition unit which either stores data on a flash memory drive or transmits its findings wirelessly in real time to a computer.

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Shop Talk!

which allows the dynamic pressure distribution information to be directly compared to synchronized video footage.

Amber Markley, operations manager for Hastilow USA, rode at a variety of gaits to demonstrate the changes in pressure experienced by a horse

Pliance pressure testing readings demonstrated by saddle fitter Anne Crowell of ADC Saddlery.

Amber Markley of Hastilow USA wears the data collection belt pack for the Pliance pressure testing system while Luke (her horse) wears the special Pilance pad under his saddle.

ridden under saddle during movement. Course instructors and students analyzed the pressure readings and then suggested alterations to the saddle pad and removable padded inserts to observe how changes affected the pressure data.

Course coordinator Ian Hastilow commented that the insights gained from the Pliance testing system had been a factor in the dominant performance of the British Equestrian Team during the 2012 London Olympics.

While the Pliance testing system still requires specialized equipment and knowledge, Gavin and Cromwell pointed out that new systems geared to a more generalized audience are under development, and their influence on saddle fitting and testing will undoubtedly increase in the future.

After the Pliance demonstration, Annette Gavin led sessions instructing students in visual assessment of the horse in motion, conformation assessment, and safe handling of the horse during saddle fitting.

The second full day of instruction commenced with a discussion of saddle and fitting faults. Using a collection of faulty saddles assembled for this purpose, the instructors demonstrated how to examine and evaluate both new and used saddles. Next, the crucial process of creating templates to record the shape of the horse being fitted was introduced and demonstrated. These templates have two main purposes. First, the template provides a record of the size and shape

Shop Talk!

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of the horse at the time of its saddle fitting; it also gives a basis for comparison of changes that occur in the horse’s condition over time. Second, the templates can be provided to a manufacturer to create a custom saddle for a specific horse.

After an in-depth examination of the principles of a good saddle fit, course participants took a break for lunch and readied themselves for the practical portion of the course. In the afternoon, students circulated between stations covering horse conformation, templating, rider influence, dressage saddle fitting, and general purpose and jump saddle fitting.

Nathan Ropp of Sprucewood Tack Shop in Ontario, Canada, had the surprising distinction of being the only “bloke” in the course. Nathan is a recent college graduate who is exploring his family’s tack business as a career path. He found the Introduction course valuable for quickly getting up to speed on a full range of saddle fitting considerations.

Completion of the Introduction course, says Ian Hastilow, provides attendees with insight into what clients expect from the saddle fitting process.

He points out that this is an attendance-based

52 | JuLY 2015

course, rather than a qualification-based course.

If students wish to pursue certification as a Qualified Saddle Fitter, they will begin an education and apprenticeship process which spans approximately three years of training and practical experience and which is the prerequisite for sitting the qualification examination in the United Kingdom.

City & Guilds Levels Courses at the North American Saddlery School For students interested in pursuing a traditional saddlery education or qualified saddle fitter certification, a City & Guilds Levels course will often be their next step after attending the Introduction to Saddle Fitting. City & Guilds is a London-based organization which certifies several levels of mastery over vocations including saddlery.

This year’s Levels Course participants were a group of aspiring saddle makers working at Level One. Some had previously attended an Introduction to Saddle Fitting course, while others came to the course with experience working in tack shops performing repair and fitting services.

Janice Rosienski, for example, has worked at The

Shop Talk!

was largely self-taught himself. She decided to attend the Level One course to learn to do things, as she said, “the right way,” noting that the weekend was her first experience of hand stitching.

Janice found the class an enjoyable week spent in the company of others who share her passion for leather work.

Janice Rosienski of Avon, CT, heats a tools in the Level One course.

Equestrian Centre in Avon, CT, for almost twenty years, repairing tack as well as assisting customers in the retail shop. Janice learned her trade on the job from a former owner of the business, who

The Level One course introduces beginning saddle, bridle, and harness makers to the basics of their trade. Throughout the week of class lectures and hands-on projects, students learn the balance and feel of traditional leather working tools including the round knife, stitching awl, punches, edge finishing tools, and mallet. Each day a new skill is introduced and a project begun to practice that skill. Over the course of the week, students make a needle case, an Irish martingale, a pair of stirrup leathers, and a bridle crownpiece. Several of this year’s students also made belts for themselves.

By the end of the week, Ian Hastilow says, students know how to cut straight by hand and to use their tools with confidence. Students are able to take their newly acquired skills home to their own workshops to practice and further refine their capabilities. The course also introduces students

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to considerations for positioning cuts on different areas of a leather hide, different weights and qualities of leather, different types and weights of thread used in leather work, and selecting the proper materials to ensure the rider’s safety.

Mandy Chao of Wright’s City, MO, took the Introduction to Saddle Fitting course in May 2014 and returned to try her hand at the Level One course in May 2015. Mandy works as a full-time saddle fitting consultant through her business, Integrity Saddle Fitting. In her area, Mandy says, there are plenty of sales reps for high-end saddle brands but almost no other saddle fitters. She sees horses being ridden with $5,000 saddles that just don’t fit, and her mission is to educate riders and to help horses feel and perform better.

Many Chou of Missori completes a belt in the Level One course. Also pictured are Andrew Hastilow, Annette Gavin, and Lin Month.

Lin Month owns Jerrilin Tack Shop near Montreal, Canada, where she fits saddles and performs repair and customization work. In addition to English saddlery, she also enjoys fitting and modifying Western saddles. Not only that, but Lin is the only person with expertise in saddle fitting in Quebec who is able to consult and also teach other fitters in French as well as English. Although Lin has been crazy about horses all her life, she came to the tack business after a long corporate career.

Like many of her fellow students, she is passionate about promoting horse wellness and welfare.

Additional Courses Offered in May 2015 Following the Introduction to Saddle Fitting and Level One courses, other duties called, so Shop Talk! was not able attend two additional courses offered by the NASS this year. These courses were the saddlery Bench course, covering workshop repairs, adjustments and maintenance, and the saddlery On-Site Adjustment course.

The three-day Bench course focuses on bench reflocking and minor repair work. Participants study saddle trees, types of saddles and design, and panel design, along with assessment of the horse’s movement and conformation in relation to saddle fit. Students receive instruction and practical experience in performing tasks such as panel stripping and alteration, reflocking, lacing in panels, and girth strap replacement.

The On-Site Adjustment course offers experience in on-site flocking and horse fitting to provide balance to the rider and even comfort for the horse. Course instructors provide guidance and advice about when on-site reflocking is appropriate and when alterations must be made in the workshop. Participants study materials used in flocking, the use of templates, analysis of rider position, the many padding options available on the market, girthing positions affecting saddle fit, and practical on-site (at the barn) reflocking. Each participant brings two saddles to work on throughout the course.

Both of these courses are part of the educational program required for progressing toward the Qualified Saddle Fitter certification and the Master Saddler certification.

It All Comes Back to the Horse The North American Saddlery School serves a wide range of leather crafters, horse lovers, and equine professionals but one theme unites every

After the introductory Level One course, intermediate and advanced level courses focus on knowledge and skills specific to the student’s desired path of study: bridle making, saddlery, or harness making. Upon completion of Levels Two and Three and completion of required apprenticeship training, students must travel to the United Kingdom for assessment.

54 | JuLY 2015

Shop Talk!

An Talley of Brevard, NC, works on her Irish martingale with Alyse of Hastilow USA.

approach: “. . . they seem to differentiate between saddle fitting and saddle selling. The Society of Master Saddlers is continually researching how to make saddles that best fit the horse, and when they discover something that they can quantifiably prove (with the Pliance testing, for example), they will restructure their approach, not only in the way saddles are made but also in what the Qualified Saddle Fitter must now take into consideration.” Kelsey Nicholls, Dawn’s assistant, also attended this year’s Introduction course and is looking forward to incorporating her learning into her saddle fitting career.

student and instructor: a passionate commitment to serving the best interests of the horse. Every person Shop Talk! encountered at the NASS courses stressed that their first motivation for attending these courses was to advocate for the welfare of the horses they work with and outfit.

It may well be that a quiet revolution is brewing in the history filled fields of Maryland. As the North American Saddlery School continues to produce highly qualified saddle fitters and saddle makers, horse lovers across the United States and Canada will increasingly have access to the best practices of the Old World, seamlessly integrated with the latest technology.

Qualified Saddle Fitter Dawn Anderson Buzzard, owner of Balanced Equine Saddle Fitting Services of Redmond, WA, and a graduate of the NASS, explains what drew her to the NASS

You may contact Annette Gavin regarding future seminars at 1684 Hendershot Rd., Hendershot Rd., Warfordsburg, PA 17267, (717) 294-6757, www.hastilowusa.com.

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News, Notes & Queries

Business and updates and happenings

Go WESA, Young Man, Go WESA!!

Or young woman. If you’ve never been to the WESA show in Denver, you have no idea about all the wonderful things you’re missing! You’ll learn more in an hour about new sources and new products than you’ll learn all year if you just sit at home!

No joke. It’s always a great experience and so educational. You need to go.

The next show is Sept. 11-13. For all the details, please call (800) 295-1041 or visit www.denver-wesa.com.

Then the next market after that will be the big one in mid-January 2016.

before the Roundup in early October and it will be held in Miami, OK. For all the details, please call (800) 874-1167.

Harness Maker’s Get-Together 2015 Gary Miller at Miller’s Harness called into let us know the correct number to contact him about the Get-Together is (217) 543-3238. The address is 431 N County Road 100 E, Arthur, IL 61911. The consignment auction is scheduled for July 16th and the Get-Together is on the 17th.

There follows a handy map through the corn fields to the Get-Together so you don’t get lost.

Plan now to attend!!

No Saddle Contest at Roundup!

There’s been a slight change in plans at the Custom Boot & Saddle Makers’ Roundup this year. There will not—repeat NOT—be a Saddle Contest this year. There WILL BE a Boot contest! So get busy and get those boots ready. Dates are Oct. 2-3. For all the details please contact Kathy Kimmel at Kimmel Boot at 2080 County Road 304, Comanche, TX 76442, (325) 356-3197, e-mail: kimmels@cctc.net, www.bootandsaddlemakertradeshow.com.

It’s the best—plan now to attend!

And here’s a listing of hotels in the immediate vicinity:

Next Cox Auction Jim Cox at Moser Leather has another auction coming up right

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56 | JuLY 2015

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Horse design Gig Pad ed spine p to avoid ressure !

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• Harness Pads available with Neoprene bottom.

• All pads made with high quality marine grade vinyl & good quality materials.

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Shop Talk!

Sew Perfect!

Whether you need a machine with light, medium or heavy-duty sewing capabilities, we have a new machine from Adler that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to be sure to check out. With the precision German engineering for which Adler is famous, these machines are packed with features that boost your productivity and sewing accuracy. These machines boast a lubricating system with adjustable hook lubrication for easy maintenance to keep them running their best at all times.

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Adler 869 Cylinder Arm Sewing Machine Medium weight machine perfect for working on a variety of projects with three-dimensional or tubular pieces including shoes, leather goods, luggage, textiles and more.

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DAS060315R-1

*Holiday Inn Express Tuscola—(866) 272-4856 *Baymont Inn & Suites—(866) 276-6393 *Super 8 Tuscola—(866) 279-5332 *Days Inn Mattoon—(866) 281-6817 *Baymont Inn Mattoon—(866) 286-0843 *Super 8 Mattoon—(866) 295-5798 *Hampton Inn Mattoon—(866) 298-0996 *Holiday Inn Express Mattoon—(866) 313-6242 *Comfort Inn Mattoon—(866) 608-6760

and a few words about yourself—that’s it! Pretty easy. If you can’t send a pictue of yourself for whatever reason, that’s OK.

Good News for Chuck Smith

Funk and Punk Issue!

We are really happy to hear that Chuck’s recent hip replacement went well and that he’s feeling so much better after years of having terrible back problems—it wasn’t his back that needed work, it was his hip! But he’s up and about and starting to train for the next Southern California Senior Marathon. Anyone needing a (slightly) used walker?

We are inviting the most innovative and cutting edge leather artists anywhere in the world to display their work in Shop Talk!

It’ll be an all color issue so everyone’s work will look great. So please send us some great pictures of what you do and thanks!

But remember—it has to be either punky or funky! The punkier and the funkier the BETTER!

You can reach Chuck and Lana at (760) 749-5755.

Contact: P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

Big Tool Sale!

It’s coming back by popular demand!! This October!! Over 1,300 lots. Our biggest to date! 100's of leather stamps and everything is priced to sell! So don’t miss out. We will print a catalog as well as have it online at www.proleptic.net. Stay tuned.

Plan Now for Pendleton The next Pendleton Show is scheduled for this coming November 6-7, in Pendleton, OR, and hosted by the folks at Sheridan Leather Outfitters at (888) 803-3030, www.sheridanleather.com.

If I Had Only Known

If you’re chosen, then we’ll send you a check for $49.94 PLUS give you a free year’s subscription to Shop Talk! Now that’s a deal!

Please send you information to Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

Martin Carriage Auction Martin Auctioneers will be having their fall auction this coming October 16-17, at the Lebanon Fairgrounds in Lebanon, PA. For all the details, call (717) 354-6671, www.martinauctioneers. com.

Biggest Hitch in North America?

Do people make big hitches any more or is that just a thing of the past? We'd like to know if there is anyone out there still making big hitches so send us the details and some nice pictures—thanks!!

How many times have your head and thought with a certain amount of regret coupled with self-disgust, “If I had only know!”? As folks say, hindsight is 20/20. So why not lend a helping paw to those younger men and women coming into the trades and share some of the things you’ve learned over the years? Doesn’t have to be world shattering. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to move the tack tray closer to my work so I wouldn’t reach so much—brilliant! Thank you, Everight!

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

Now it’s YOUR turn to pass along what you’ve learned so please drop us a line about things like ordering leather, running a business, working with customers, how to charge, your favorite round knife, etc.—whatever has made your life and work a little bit easier over the years and just might help the next generation to avoid some of the same pitfalls. Thanks!

Leather Workers Behind Bars

There’s Only Harness It’s just like beef and deer and fish. There is only “harness” which is both the singular and plural forms. There is no such word as “harnesses” which simply sounds uncouth and illinformed! Don’t even ask me about “leather smith”—puke!

Leather Worker of the Month

Shop Talk! has a number of readers who are guests at a variety of state and federal prisons, and we’d like to find out more about their lives as leather workers behind bars. What’s it like? Are supplies hard to come by? What about machinery? How did they become leather workers? What do they do with the work that they produce?

If you’d like to be considered for this monthly honored, please send us a picture of yourself, a couple pictures of your work,

We’d like to hear from you. If it’s possible for one of our writers to interview you by phone, please let us know. Or please send

58 | juLY 2015

Shop Talk!

us your story along with any pictures you may be able to send to: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 5058474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net. Whatever you send will be returned.

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Knife Sheaths Wanted We are still wanting to do an issue which shows the different sorts of knife sheaths people make—big and small, fancy and plain. So please send us a few nice pictures of your work and a little information about yourself—thanks!

Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, email: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

Horse Shows Are Your Best Friend!

Yeah, sure—you’re busy tweeting and you got more friends on Face Book than Jimmy Carter has wrinkles but, friends—if you are not supporting your local horse shows and other agricultural activities (Pony Club, FFA, rodeo), then you are missing out! Take out an ad! Donate a few prizes! It is a great way to get your name out there and attract new customers. And you better get with itOaks because summer is here and it won’t last forever!

Hermann Sm Text Ad_BW03_12_Layout 1 3/4/13 8:13 AM Page 1

On the Lookout. . .

Connie Kyler at (570) 323-5222 is looking for someone who can make a saddle for a Friesian horse. Please give her a call if you can help!

Mark Your Calendar!

*

Harness Makers’ Get-Together will be held on July 16-17 at Miller’s Harness Shop, 431 N. County Road 100 E, Arthur, IL 61911, (217) 543-3238.

*

The next Custom Boot & Saddle Makers’ Roundup will be this coming October 2-3, in Wichita Falls, TX. For all the details, please contact Eddie or Kathy Kimmel at 2080 County Road 304, Comanche, TX 76442, (325) 356-3197, www. bootandsaddlemakerstradeshow. com.

*

Pendleton Leather Show, Pendleton, OR. November 6-7.

Hosted by Sheridan Leather Outfitters, (888) 803-3030, www. sheridanleather.com.

*

15th Southwest Leather Workers Trade Show will be held at the Prescott Resort & Conference Center in Prescott, AZ. Hosted by The Leather Crafters Journal, 222 Blackburn St., Rhinelander, WI 54501, (888) 289-6409.

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For wholesale service, contact us at 1 (800) 325-7950 or fax us at (314) 421-6152 Or contact the nearest distributor listed below: El Paso, TX, Bowden Leather Company 915-877-1557 Ventura, CA, Goliger Leather Company 800-423-2329 Napa, CA, Hide & Leather House 707-255-6160 Billings, MT, Montana Leather Company 406-245-1660 Portland, OR, Oregon Leather Company 503-228-4105 Amarillo, TX, Panhandle Leather Company 806-373-0535 Sheridan, WY, Sheridan Leather Outfitters 888-803-3030 Mt Hope, OH, Weaver Leather, Inc 800-WEAVER-1

Springfield, MO, Springfield Leather Company 800-668-8518 Calgary, AB, Canada, Caledon Sales Ltd 403-252-0232 Botany, NSW, Australia, Birdsall Leather 011-612-9316-6299 Toowoomba, Qsld, Australia, Toowoomba Saddlery 011-617-4633-1855 Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Craft & Company Ltd. 011-81-3-5698-5511 Taito-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, Kyoshin Elle & Co., LTD 011-81-3-3866-3221 Maniwa, Japan, Star Trading Company 011-81-8-6742-8004 What Firminy, France, Logis de Cordes 33-04-61-19-16

Shop Talk!

St. Louis, MO Since 1881

Legends Are Made Of. www.hermannoakleather.com

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Classifieds

Buy or sell or trade

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 payment 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 Wanted: New subscribers from Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Now is the time to renew! Give us a call at (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net or visit www. proleptic.net.

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

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: Equestrian and Western work including prints, posters, paintings, etc. Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, www.proleptic.net.

For Sale For Sale: Randall Edge Beveller with stand. Extra knives and wheels. Excellent condition. Contact: Christie Saddlery, Alvord, TX, (940) 427-3260. E-mail: lcox@christiesaddlery.com.

Singer patcher 29-4 sewing machine. Good condition. Guaranteed to work. $400. Contact: Ruben Yoder, Yoder’s Collar Shop, 25090 County Hwy J66, Davis City, IA 50065, (641) 4422517.

Holster Business for Sale: Prominent, reputable leather holster manufacturing company established in 1972. Owners wish to retire. For details, contact: donlbrown46@gmail.com.

Leather Unlimited. Quality wholesale leather distributor since 1970 including oak, deerskin, garment, rawhide, oiled cowhide, furs, and more. Quality leather goods, leather tools, black powder gear, all steel clicker and mallet dies. Complete Internet catalog at www.LeatherUnltd.com or call (800) 993-2889 for quality leather and friendly service from a USA family-owned and operated business.

Liquidating entire inventory. 7 hvy. Duty sewing machines— Cobras, Artisan, Juki’s. 2 embossing machines. 12” USMC splitter. 12” Aperture band knife. 2 creasers. Singer 112 dbl. needle. 14” strap cutter. 3 Standard Rivet spot machines. 5 nylon hole burners. 2 chap machines. 5 cargo trailer container loads of saddles, bridles, halters, leads, etc. No reasonable offer refused. Contact: Ben Day, Western Specialties, 3106 Cedardale Rd., Mt. Vernon, WS 98174, (360) 708-4201.

60 | JuLY 2015

Leatherman Tools. Rebar $55. Wave $77.50. DeWalt ½” 18V. XRP drill driver with 2XRP batteries, $269. $7.50 SH per order.

Contact: Yoder’s Harness Shop, E 14994 State Road 82, LaFarge, WI 54639

CLASSIFIEDS ARE OUR BEST BUY! Reach 1,000’s of potential buyers for as little as $26.50!!

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. (R&B) 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.

Wholesale Harness & Supplies! Brahma web, PVC sheeting, PVC belting, nylon webbing, nylon thread and hardware. We manufacture a full line of synthetic harness parts. In stock for immediate shipping, including blinds, gig saddles, molded curved crowns, cruppers, winker stays, and lots of die cut parts, etc. Ask for your FREE catalog! Contact: Countryside Mfg., 504 S. Humbert St., Milton, IA 52570.

For Sale: “Making Harness: A Step-by-Step Guide”, $58 plus $5.50 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.

The “Word of the Day” is nefarious .

Shop Talk!

For Sale: Pricing Guide: “How to Establish Prices for the Saddle Maker and Leather Worker.” Only $39.95 plus $4.50 S&H. Contact: (828) 505-8474. (12/12) 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) For Sale: Tools for the Professional—Ol’ Smoothie swivel knives, blades, stamping tools, and more. Contact: Chuck Smith Tools, Smith & Co., P O Box 2647, Valley Center, CA 92082. (760) 749-5755. Fax (760) 749-5355. E-mail: olsmoothie@sbcglobal.net. (R&B) www.theleatherguy.org for all your leather, tool, and supply needs. Friendly, helpful staff at (507) 932-3795. (R&B) For Sale: Juki Pro 2000. Like new. On stand with clutch. Ready to use on line shaft. $4,200, Contact: G.R.T. Saddlery, 149 Chestnut Rd., Dayton, PA 16222.

Shop Liquidation: Selling high quality harness and saddle making tools and equipment. Too much to list. Manitoba, Canada.

Contact: amalt5@yahoo.com or (204) 444-3465.

Shop Talk!

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American Leather Direct....................61 Beachy Blacksmith.............................50 Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply........................47 BioThane...........................................2, 8 Bogle Greenwell Machinery Corp.....48 Bowden Saddle Tree..........................45 Brayer..................................................56 Brodhead Collar Shop........................51 Buckeye Blanket.................................21 Buckeye Engraving............................18 Buckle Barn USA................................ 11 Buena Vista Blankets.........................34 Buggy Builder’s Bulletin....................19 C.S. Osborne.......................................26 Campbell-Randall...............................38 Center Square.....................................42 Chino Tack..........................................27 Chupp Blacksmith Shop......................9 Chupp Brothers Wholesale...............18 Coblentz Collar...................................15 Coblentz Supply.................................56 Colonel Carter's Merchantile.............13 Danny Marlin Knives..........................44 E.C. Leather.........................................42 Fairview Country Sales......................14 Fiebing Leather...................................35 Fine Tool Journal................................16 Gfeller Casemakers, Inc.....................36 Goliger Leather Co., Inc.....................41 Hadlock & Fox Mfg. Co......................49

ADVERTISERS INDEX Hand Plait Leather..............................61 Hansen Western Gear........................53 Hastilow . ............................................53 Hermann Oak......................................59 Hide House..........................................17 Hillside Harness Hardware..back cover International Sheepskin.....................23 J.M. Saddler........................................55 Kalico Products..................................19 Kelly-Larson Sales.............................12 Keystone Leather...............................48 Kimmel Boot Roundup.........................7 Landis Sales & Service......................16 Leather Crafters Journal....................27 Leather Machine Co., Inc., The..........63 Leather Unlimited...............................50 Lyons & Volpi........................................5 Maine Thread......................................54 Mark Staton.........................................44 Maverick Leather................................23 Mid-River Sales...................................17 Milton Sokol........................................12 Mules and More, Inc...........................44 N & A Harness Shop...........................43 Nettles..................................................20 Nick-O Sew..........................................31 Ohio Plastics Belting Co....................21 Ohio Travel Bag..................................48 Perfectex Plus LLC.............................19 Proleptic.................. 10, 25, 27, 29, 33, 39

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RJF Leather.........................................50 Raphael Sewing Machine/TechSew............ ............................................13, back cover Rural Heritage.....................................15 Sam Troyer..........................................14 Sew What?..........................................22 Shelton-Reynolds, Inc........................55 Sheridan Leather................................30 Shetler’s Collar Shop.........................19 ShoTan.................................................46 Sloan Machinery.................................21 Small Farmer’s Journal........................9 Smoke & Fire Co.................................42 Smucker Harness...............................53 Southstar Supply................................47 Sorrell Notions....................................14 Springfield Leather.............................52 Steel Stamps.......................................22 Sugar Valley Collar Shop...................10 Sun Bias, Inc.......................................47 Sweat Pad Shop............................20, 53 TechSew/Rapheal Sewing Machine............. .............................................13, back cover Texas Custom Dies.............................41 Toledo Sewing......................................3 Wayne Jueschke.................................17 WESA...................................................40 Weaver Leather...................................57 Western Mule......................................44 Wickett & Craig...................................24 Y-Knot Lace.........................................36

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Full Page $485.00 Half Page $271.00 Reduce - Reuse - Recycle Quarter Page $147.00 Recycling old magazines, catalogs, and Eighth Page $78.00 newspapers is one of the (Color and guaranteed placement addi- easiest ways to help the tional) environment. To increase the supply of recoverable Setup Charge wood fiber and to reduce the demand $60 per hour with a $18 minimum. Line art on regional landfills, Shop Talk! urges may be inserted at no additional charge. $10 its readers to support recycling efforts in per photo. their communities.

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Shop Talk!

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P.O. Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 • FAX (828) 505-8476 www.proleptic.net

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Distributors of Quality Hardware & Supplies for the Harness, Tack, Saddlery, and Pet Industries

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• BioThane Coated Webbing • Thoroughbred Leather • Quality Stainless Steel and Brass Saddlery Hardware • Fiebing Products • WahlClippers • Fortex & Fortiflex Products • Nylon Webbing • Leather and BioThane Harness Parts plus much more

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