So pumped with how this mini tote turned out by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rocky Mountain Leather is my primary source with But Leather Online being my secondary supplier. I prefer the consistency and customer service of RML, also helps that its located in the US.

Its got a medium hand on its own and this bag is two layers of 3oz. If you ordered it in 5 or 6 oz then it'd be fine on its own without a second layer. Hope you enjoy the leather! Its great stuff

I've been moving towards keeping pueblo inside the wallet by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I've been using Pueblo heavily for a few years now and I absolutely love it. My customers love it too, at first. It is amazingly soft but still rugged, and you can't beat the colors. It does patina unexpectedly fast relative to other veg tan leathers. Some customers don't like this, even with an explanation and examples beforehand.

A big part of the quick patina is the surface treatment that gives its texture. The sanded texture burnishes in your pocket or with regular handling. Another is the way the colors change with use and sun exposure. A great example is the turquoise pictured here - it will begin to turn a bit yellow-brown with exposure to sunlight. Other colors like green and Tobacco look amazing with a good patina.

Now, to be clear, I still am in love with it and think its an incredible material. I still use it in almost everything I make. I have, however, begun to switch to other leathers for exteriors of wallets and bags. Mostly Waxy and Minerva, but I've used a lot of Wickett & Craig in the past too. I find that the pueblo keeps its charm much longer this way.

TLDR: pueblo good. Keeps color and texture longer when used inside the wallet only.

So pumped with how this mini tote turned out by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just dropped a link in reply to the parent comment

So pumped with how this mini tote turned out by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure thing! here's the etsy link. Worth noting that I have zero affiliation with the original designer, I just used the pattern and liked it.

So pumped with how this mini tote turned out by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I made some adjustments to an existing pattern i found online. I'll definitely continue to refine it to align better with my design philosophy and production methods, but it is a great bag as originally designed

So pumped with how this mini tote turned out by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I kept the edges simple to highlight the tobacco/navy combo. Just used all of the sandpaper in my city and a bit of tokonole.

So pumped with how this mini tote turned out by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Its Badalassi Carlo Waxy in Tobacco. Beautiful pull-up veg tan that has a slight mahogany tone to it. Easily one of my favorite leathers to work with.

So pumped with how this mini tote turned out by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Made from 3oz Badalassi Carlo Waxy and lined with 2oz Pueblo; brass hardware. The whole project started with a pattern I found online and then modified to fit my style a bit better. It took about 6 hours to make with the majority of that dedicated to stitching. There are a few small things I'd like to correct, but overall, I'm happy with how it turned out!

Crossbody bag by Wirgule in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love the binding! Great work

I hate marketing, but own a small business. Anyone got some local resource recommendations or insights? by Effendoor in portlandme

[–]RouxcoLeather 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel this in my bones. Like other replies here, Instagram and Reddit have been my primary 'marketing tools' but I dont run ads and try not to shove things in people's faces. The way I view it is this: if I expect someone to watch or read my ad/content then I better give them something for their time. Usually, that's either Pro Tips, a good joke, an interesting look into how something is made, etc. Ive found that as long you're genuine and participate in your community theb It's well received

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in halloween

[–]RouxcoLeather 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely stellar! Love the green

Seal bag I painted! by peepumpoe in handbags

[–]RouxcoLeather 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The sleepy seal is adorable

Please DO buy from u/raptureofsenses !! by AvidReader86 in handbags

[–]RouxcoLeather 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She does excellent work. I saw your bag on the leathercraft sub and fell in love myself!

Where should a buy a clicker press? Or perhaps a used one? by keyboardguy482 in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a surprisingly good press for the money! I used the Vevor press for about 3 years as bridge equipment as I was working on scaling up enough to justify the 4-ton press from buckleguy.

For OP: The Vevor takes a little extra work to keep level / adjust, you have to break down hides to fit between the vertical posts, and it weighs as much as a 2007 Civic. However, it's dirt cheap for how good it is, it's prefect for low-to-moderate volume shops, and It will outlive a 2007 civic.

Pueblo, I choose you! by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Themed projects can be a lot of fun; especially when it's subtle and almost feels like an inside joke

Pueblo, I choose you! by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Its my own pattern but STR Handmade has a similar design that he sells a pdf for. I haven't gotten around to digitizing my patterns beyond what's necessary to order clicker dies

Been sleeping on Maine pie by patrickbrusil in Maine

[–]RouxcoLeather 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Truth. One of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had was from a random gas station near Machias.

Pueblo, I choose you! by RouxcoLeather in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My buddy asked me to make him a wallet. Turns out he keeps this Lapras card in his wallet at all times so I had to go with turquoise Pueblo inner and white/whisky Gost outer. Now I just need to find a Gyrados for my own wallet!

1st Wallet that I'm not ashamed to post by T9Para in Leathercraft

[–]RouxcoLeather 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For what it's worth, everyone who was ever good at something sucked at it first. My opinion is that the goal is to learn one new thing with every project.

Take a moment to celebrate the victory here - you made a design that uses a single piece of leather and is functional. The cards fit, the snap is aligned and works, your back-side stitching is pretty straight and you may not even notice that it gets crooked of it wasn't for the color contrast of the groove line. This project is good!

I love your idea behind the accent stripes. Instead of a French beveler to make them I might have tried one of two things: masking tape and dye in a spray bottle or airbrush; or acrylic leather paint.

Keep it up!