Nelson Custom Leather

It's been too long since I did a small fender, so I broke out the smooth pear shaders and did a classic Hamley pattern from the 20's.

Strap work has its own beauty. Construction matters.

I love making special things for special people. Mouse pad with very old style flowers, old style birds eye background, basket stamped with a Don King basket tool, and a classic Carlos boarder. Number that have meaning. This is for an old cowboy at heart stuck out in Virginia who's making the world a better place. Love ya 187. A Squad.

All done. And on to the next couple of projects!

Everyone wants to carve flowers. Learn to finish an edge glass smooth, and then we'll talk. Details matter, and if you don't understand construction, you're just putting lipstick on a pig.

Almost done. Stitches are all saddle stitched by hand. White on the edges at 8 per inch and black down the spine at 9 per inch. Gotta rub edges, dye, and hot wax them. Then oil on the inside after shaping. Well, maybe not almost done, but a bit closer anyway!

Added a couple hours of decorative hand stitching in black thread. 9 stitches per inch. Because I can. 😄

White stitches on an antiqued piece is more work, but man I love the way they look.

Two needles and one awl. Details matter.

The inside pocket has to be pretty too.

Bringing out those details.

Dyed background is done one drop at a time.

I know it's been a while, but I haven't had any special to post, but I think this one is going to turn out nice. Looking forward to putting some oil and antique to this padfolio!

It was time for a new sling on the ol' 06'

Old school cool. Got another of the miniature fenders done. This is an original S.D. Myres Saddlery pattern from the late 1880s.

Okay folks! We're drawing today for the two carved boxes! Thank you all so much for helping support Kathryn, my daughter, with this raffle. We'll have the winners soon!

Only 14 days left to get your chance at one of these boxes. Please don't wait if you're wanting a spot on the list. We'll draw on August 1st! All the money raised will go towards Kathryn's UCLA medical program. Thanks for all the support for others dreams!

S&W and leather.

(I was asked a good question, so this is an edit to the original post. If you were to order one of these boxes from me it would be $1000. I hope this gives folks a chance to get one at just a fraction of that price. As always, thank you so much for your support and encouragement!) Okay folks, here's the idea. I've had so many people following me over the years that would love to have something made, but for one reason or another, they haven't been able to. My oldest daughter is now trying to move toward a career in nursing and has been invited to a very select medical program at UCLA. She will be a senior in high school next year and has been doing more than her part to achieve that goal. This is an opportunity I can't let her pass up, but it is very expensive. Here's the idea. I have made these two boxes that have over 13 hours and over $100 in materials in them. I'd like to have a raffle! We will sell 100 spots and draw two names on August 1st. Spots will be $50, and you can buy as many spots as you'd like. If we sell at least 40 spots, we'll hold the drawing. This is your chance to own a custom leather box that is 100% American made for a fraction of what it would cost you to have one made. You'll also be helping a wonderful young lady take a huge step toward her goal of helping people through a nursing career. Just send your PayPal payment to the PayPal address below, or contact me here to arrange another way to pay, and I'll add your name to the list! If we get to 100 spots before August 1st, we'll draw sooner! Thank you all for your support and kind words over the years. Good luck!

paypal.me/Levi5406

I know it's been a long while, but I have something in the works I hope everyone can enjoy and get a chance at one of these boxes for a fraction of what they cost. Stand buy!

Quality starts with material and must incorporate design, construction, and detail. High quality doesn't mean fancy, and fancy doesn't mean high quality.

Belts are harder to photograph than to make. And ranger belts are harder to make than others, but I sure do like em!

Work it out, and make it finer. 1/8 inch basket takes some concentration.

Fads come and go, but truly classic design and quality are forever.

Leather speaks its own language.

A few hand sewn loops today.

Finished up a box in-between other projects. I do like making these but they take awhile. I make my own lace and everything is hand stitched and had laced. The one piece lids are tricky too, but a good challenge.