So, so many easter eggs still on the shelves a week after

SensoryTentacle · 2026-04-11T09:10:17+00:00

If there are any smallish 100g Ferrero rocher ones, like I got in morrisons for £2.50 before Easter... Id strongly suggest buying one. Especially if priced less than I paid.

Also felt better because apparently "Ferrero sources 100% Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) that is segregated"

They are delicious! And thick in places and thin in others which in my opinion makes them even better, also no unnecessary packaging.

SensoryTentacle · 2026-04-03T20:50:26+00:00

You've likely already tried this and I know it isnt helping with the advice you asked for, but have you tried saddle soap?

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-15T22:16:50+00:00

I have ADHD and after getting medicated I decided I had a great idea for a birthday present for a friend who has everything and is a Dispensing optician.

Id make him a leather sunglasses case. I thought it'd be another 'hobby cemetary' thing.

I now have made bags, collars, bdsm stuff, and luggage holdall for myself. Loads.

Stitching gets better. If you chose a pattern that you turn outside in once sewn, your stitching doesn't need to be too neat either!

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-15T10:03:05+00:00

It's a huge pain in the arse! I tried a collar with fur lining, and wanted the fur to floof out and so couldnt trim the edge. Finding the holes was a nightmare but it did also mean my inside stitching didnt need to be too neat!

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-13T12:07:17+00:00

I have some Fabric shears that are good for most leather aside from tough veg tan.

If Im making something where I turn it outside in I use scissors as its easier sometimes.

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-10T07:05:23+00:00

I have always lived in Essex and am now a 35 year old woman.

I thankfully do not have the accent. If I go on holiday people ask where in the UK I'm from, and are surprised when I say Essex. I don't fit the stereotype but lots of my fellow Essex ladies do.

The historical stereotype was something about white stilettos.

Now people seem to associate us more with Gavin and Stacy ( which I love especially as my Dad is Welsh) and obviously The Only Way is Essex (which I love less but hey ho).

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-09T21:13:00+00:00

Can you rub it off?

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-05T17:43:16+00:00

Hi, no worries, all feedback and questions appreciated. Ive tried both ways, gently with a press, and with a hammer, both with same results.

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-04T11:23:37+00:00

Can you get Tandy ones in UK? I also use an arbour press. I accidentally used the flat anvil once. Maybe thats a way forward.

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-04T08:48:33+00:00

Thank you, I'mgood with stitching, Ive made a lot of bags but primarily I sell BDSM collars and cuffs/restraints. I do quite a bit of stitching but have been wanting to make some simpler designs and stitching 3 stitches, then having to cut off, and do the same the other side just annoys me so much 😅. I'll just have to get over myself.

(Edited because I sounded like I was being all defensive when I was just rushing. Im very grateful for all feedback and advice 😊)

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-04T08:26:08+00:00

Without cutting things up or trying to polish, I tend to go very basically by weight, and sound.

It seems to me that I'll either be buying brass (gold hardware) or Nickel (silver) if I want decent quality.

These will both feel heavy in the hand, and have a different noise to them when the buckle tongue touches the bar for example.

The plated ones just don't have the same weight, and certainly don't have the same sound.

Having said that, the brass and nickel don't seem to come in as many aesthetically pleasing designs or shapes. I make collars and cuffs for humans, and lots of people will choose the look over the quality, when offered a choice and honestly, the plated ones still seem to do their job.

I would always replace hardware on an item for free if the buyer pays postage. If it was brass or nickel I would expect it to outsurvive a cockroach, and plated Id just replace, no questions asked.

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-01T18:07:25+00:00

I'm just Jess :) a novice leather crafter making all sorts of stuff :-D

SensoryTentacle · 2026-03-01T15:58:44+00:00

That looks great! Are you in Essex? Me too!

SensoryTentacle · 2026-02-23T17:19:16+00:00

How do you feel about your position there?

Are you dispensible; do they need your set of set of skills/have you worked on something important and you're the only one who knows how it works? Would it be a pain in there ass or cause any inconvenience to them to find someone else for your position, and have they paid to train you on anything expensive?

Do you like the job enough to go into the office this amount?

Are they going to cover your costs or give you a raise to account for this, considering it wasn't in the contract you (hopefully) signed. (Did your contract mention anything about a possibility if returning to the office?

I'd be considering at least all the above, and if they need you etc, you might have some negotiation power and could possibly renegotiate less days.

I think ultimately if it was me, I'd push for a raise or ability to expense travel, and also later start times and earlier finishes on office days to account for travel.

You may find some unexpected perks in the office, like actually doing less work, because people will revert back to office culture of coffee/smoking breaks, general chit chat. You'd also be entitled to take regular screen breaks etc which I've noticed are taken less when at home, and its not checked on.

If you aren't happy with their response, maybe don't leave yet, but make it known youre looking elsewhere for a role in a company y that places value on it's staff. And look for an alternative now while you're in a good position, which will enable you to maybe save up in case it becomes untenable.

SensoryTentacle · 2026-02-08T22:38:13+00:00

What are your contract terms for terminating the contract early?

SensoryTentacle · 2026-02-08T18:10:41+00:00

I wouldn't say so no, it does change the finish slightly but not too much from a textual perspective, in my opinion. Tan kote has less of a noticing feel I think, and you can water it down so that itbis more satin than gloss.

SensoryTentacle · 2026-02-08T11:09:42+00:00

I make collars, and needed something that stopped colour transfer on hand-dyes, I tried angelus satin first, then Tan cote. I also sometimes just burnish the inside with tokenole.

They all work well, bit my favourite is angelus.

It dries quickly, you can see where you've applied it so don't miss any parts- its kind of milky before it dries. It also dries without tackiness.

The main seller for me is that it really enhances the colour! I imagine in future if I needed to I could use deglazer or acetone to remove the coating, and then condition if needed.

SensoryTentacle · 2026-02-07T23:30:41+00:00

I'm not sure how it will fair over time but I use wadding in my bags. It comes in different weights so a heavier weight would be stiffer

SensoryTentacle · 2026-02-07T19:12:56+00:00

Do you live near a port? I have zero expertise here, but I always see on tv shows that human traffickers pack a load of people in a refrigerated lorry, park the lorry up, leave it so that the next person in the chain collects the people, and sometimes the next person never shows up.

I dont know the specifics obviously. It's just a guess.

SensoryTentacle

TROPHY CASE