T.M.I.

It has been a long time since I have posted my last blog. I would like to say it was because we were terribly busy with sales but then I'd be lying. Actually, if the truth be told, I am enjoying a lull in the action if you will. John and I haven't had a holiday in a while. I think our trip to Disney 4 years ago was our last.

Anyway, John and I have taken this time to re-discover, create and re-new. Leisure time has become our playground. I was digging around in our leather supply and came across this very expensive piece of crocodile embossed leather. As anyone who knows our work, I readily thought of our "For your eyes only" series of wristbands. Here comes the T.M.I. part. I was looking at my dear husband working in the kitchen, oh yes, he cooks and like a god!!. Anyway I looked at him and thought, "I want you tonight". Dare I say more. *giggle to myself* Hence, my newest wristband.

I discovered, as I am sure most folks my age or wiser young people do, that life is too short to squander so I "carpe diem"( seize the day)! I made a matching set of FYEO wristbands for John and myself. He chuckled and thought it VERY interesting but I, as I sit and write this, am wearing my wristband. heehee!! SO!! I wish you all a good night. I am sure I will have one also.

P.S. I have created our own website ( still a work in progress) and if you feel so inclined to visit, we invite you to take a browse and leave your comments in our guest book section. Leather Made Nice or our Etsy shop

Night all!

Anne *evil grin*

VANCOUVER 2010 - Welcoming the winter Olympics

As a proud Canadian and a former athlete (many, many years ago) I am both thrilled and delighted that Canada is hosting the 2010 winter Olympics in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. Although I cannot be there personally I will be watching my favourite winter event on T.V.

As a young girl I watched Karen Magnussen (famous NHL brother, Keith - Chicago Blackhawks - defense) and Dorothy Hamil (I even got my hair cut like hers. LOL) float like angels on the ice. Like many girls, I dreamed that one day that would be me. Although I am much older now - I still dream.

I made these leather wristbands to commemorate the occasion. It is not limited to Canadians but a unique keepsake for fans, friends, family or participants of the Olympics.


After these wristbands were finished I checked the Internet to see if I could use the Olympic logo (the five rings) on my wristbands.

Unfortunately, I cannot. Any use of the logo, without permission, is an infringement of copyright laws. :(

However, I will continue to make and sell the following wristbands and any deviation there of, that a buyer can imagine (minus the logo) to create a special moment in time for you.

VANCOUVER 2010 - Leather wristband

I can stamp names, countries, events..., whatever it is that makes this momentous occasion special for you.


Let the games begin!!!

Contact us with your ideas and we can discuss the possibilities.

Thanks for viewing,

Anne & John

Leather Made Nice

It's in the bag

I am quite excited about this artisan. I am not really sure where exactly it was I met her but I fell in love with her deerskin waist bags instantly.

I would like to introduce Linda, my new friend and owner of HighsmithStudio . She is the creator of these very practical and gorgeous waist bags.

I am particularly fond of deerskin. It is a wonderful medium to work with. I have always been reticent to use the rough edges of a hide but after seeing her work I may have to re-think my decision. I am sure I have a long way to go before I can create something as stunning as Linda's waist bags. But with practise and imagination one never knows. :D

As a motor bike rider Linda created this style of bag for hands free convenience. There are spring clasps on the side of each bag so it can be attached to a belt or pant loops.

The white deerskin bag below is my personal favourite. She utilizes the entire deerskin to create these one-of-a-kind bags.

As you can see, her work is very well thought out. I like her use of contrasting colours and placement of feathers and heart cut outs - quite striking actually. I find myself staring at each bag and examining every little detail. Just beautiful.

Linda has not been a member of the Etsy community for very long so I invite you to visit her shop and take a browse. You won't be disappointed - I wasn't.

Thanks for viewing,

Anne

Leather Made Nice

A Knife Sheath Like No Other

If there is one thing I learned about men, especially sportsmen, is that they take their knives seriously. Over the years I have had all kinds of knives in my home while my husband handcrafted a custom sheath for them. Some of them quite impressive while others I wouldn't use in my garden. But all of them have something in common. Sentimental value to the proud owner.

I slipped once, while at our local Farmers Market, when an avid knife collector brought three knives to our table. They were wrapped and bounded in layers of soft cloths. I looked on as the owner gingerly unwrapped each one and recalled the story behind the knife. With cautious consideration he handed my husband, John, one of his Bowie knives. John with the same care handled it like it was gold. I slipped, something I will never do again, and stated rather quietly, "it's only a knife". If ever I felt small it was then. The gentleman gave me a look that would freeze alcohol.

I have since learned to respect and understand the value of one's prize possessions. In retrospect it is like comparing an aluminum camping pot to a set of Lagastino cook wear. The user will know the difference.

That said, I will show you some of the awesome custom knife cases John has made for some very satisfied customers. Only recently has John found the time to make the sheath below for a knife he has cherished for over 40 years. Both knife and sheath were handed down to our son, Chris.

The next case was one of several made for a collector - the gentleman I previously spoke about at the Farmer's Market. The buyer choose the sheath to be able to slide on his belt. He also choose the stamp pattern and dye colour.

The next two cases, which will be used to house the pictured knife, are used for underwater divers. I personally wouldn't suggest leather for underwater but the owner was okay with it. The sheath was hand formed around the knife to give it a fitted appeal.

One case was customized with the owners surname and the other with wolves.

The following cases were handcrafted according to the owner's specs. One for a left handed person and the other a right handed person. Every detail right down to the thread and snap colour are left to the buyer.

When John makes each case he actually creates a new pattern, a new design. As I have seen there have never been two the sheaths the same. And that is the beauty of a custom case.

What John has been doing lately is making cases from knife outlines. As we all know it is virtually impossible if not insane to attempt to send a knife over the boarder. So in an attempt to fulfil orders he has been working with cardboard cut outs. We are happy to report that it has been successful thus far.

For the most part the majority of knives John has created cases for are antiques. There is nothing quite like it to see the face of a customer when John hands him/her their knife in a new case. It is like they have just received fine crystal and mustn't drop it. I have asked John to wait for me to be home when a buyer drops by the house to pick it up. If you can imagine it can be rather spiritual. But only someone on the receiving end will understand. I can only aspire that people receive my work with that kind of reaction. Luckily John is a very modest man so I will do the bragging for him.

The sheath below, in my opinion, has to have been one of John's favourite ones to make. It was made for a Bowie knife that has no hilt. Many hours of planning and pondering went into this one. The owner didn't want snaps on the back of it because he is a hunter and felt it would most likely fall off when he bends down. As a matter of practice now, John hand stitches all his sheaths rather than snap closures over belts.

Each one of these knife cases are unique and as individual as one's finger prints. I have not attempted to make one yet, and maybe I won't too soon. But for now I will leave this aspect of our business to the true master - my husband, John :D

'Nuf said. If you would like to chat with us about having a knife case custom made please do not hesitate to email us. We are always happy to create something special for you.

Thanks for stopping by and do visit our shop Leather Made Nice

Anne

Celebrating fellow artisans!

I promised myself that this year I would be more active in the appreciation of fellow artisans. I often sit in amazement at the skill and talent that goes into these works of art.

Today I came across one such artisan. The shop is Miamiamia designs and the wonderful creative force behind these original pieces is, Esen.

My jaw dropped as I browsed her shop.


Some of the most intricate and stunning beaded cuff bracelets I have ever seen were on sale for a fraction of the already inexpensive price. Esen is closing her shop but will be re-opening another under the name Mystic Fibers.


I have "hearted" several pieces that I have added to my wish list. But the way things are moving they won't be available too much longer.

I invite you to view her awesome shop and possibly pick up one of her designs for a song.

The pink and silver surf style peyote beaded cuff below was in the sold file. Sorry ladies.

This peyote beaded bracelet was featured on the from page of Etsy. I just love the mix of solid to translucent beads. I drooled over this one many times today - It was just sold!! *sigh*

This is one of Esen's signature designs which I think is stunning also. Again she combined various beads to create this fascinating and brilliant look.

The last time I looked this hot pink cuff it was still available for only $30.00. What a steal!!! I'm hoping that when she opens her other shop she will have more of these lovelies for us ladies that missed out on this opportunity.

All of Esen's items are shipped to you in a lovely organza gift bag.

I know I will be going back to visit her shop.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Anne ^i^

What would you do?

When I began this Internet business in leather crafting I swore to myself and my husband that everything that left our home would be my best. It is, and will remain, our slogan., "Where quality, craftsmanship and excellence meet."

The "For Your Eyes Only" leather wristbands series was designed exclusively by us. It was our brain child and we wanted every buyer to be part of the process in creating this unique and personalized keepsake that could be looked back on for many years to come.

The contents of each piece comes from the hearts of the person buying it. Only they and the recipient know the true value of the text. It is our honor to be part of something so special and we treat is as such.

Recently, I received a negative feedback to our Etsy shop. I was devastated to say the least. I make a point of reading and responding to all of our convo's and emails from general inquiries to buyers messages. Being a romantic at heart I put my heart into my work - moreover my passion.
To my dismay the buyer sent me an email telling how disappointed she was with her wristband that I made for her. She claimed that the text was slanted and the text went into the stitching. She believed it was "slopped" together. We asked her to send us a picture of it because I know what every item looks like when I send it out. If either John or I disapprove of any aspect of it, it doesn't leave the house. The buyer was very adamant and when we received the picture I could not see what it was that upset her so much. Below is a picture of a similar item that is listed in our Etsy shop.


The picture below is what the buyer sent to us. Both John and I examined the item carefully and couldn't see what she saw. If anything the accent, over the "o", which is above the text was in the stitching. The text appears even and centered.

Knowing how much this meant to the buyer we offered to make her a new one, against our store policy. Because time was an issue - the replacement wristband would not have been received by her in time for Christmas - we suggested that she give the one she had to her husband for Christmas and IF he didn't approve of it we would gladly replace it once she returned the one she had. The buyer was very upset with this proposal. She wanted us to replace the wristband immediately and she would cut up the one she had. We did not concede to this. I had numerous other buyers waiting on their purchases so I thought my suggestion was most feasible considering all factors involved.

As part of my standards I invite your opinion as to what you might think would work best for both parties involved.

I look forward to any suggestions you might have.

Anne

It's a wonderful Life!

December is a month of milestones for us.

My son, Chris, turned sixteen years old. My youngest daughter, Renee, turned thirteen and my dear husband, John turned sixty. Amanda, my oldest daughter will be eighteen in January.

I met my husband in 1989 - well I didn't actually meet him; we worked at the same police station but on opposite shifts.

I remember going to the stations hockey games and watching John goal tend when they made the play-offs. I was in the middle of my "I hate men" period in life when John spoke to me for the first time. He offered me some chocolate covered almonds he had just bought, while I was in the guard room waiting to parade for duty. I ate the entire box. A few days later, to my surprise, he invited me to dinner.

I have to laugh. I told my escort that shift, that John had asked me out. I remember Freddy saying, "go out to dinner with him. You don't have to marry the guy." LOL

Never, in my wildest dreams, could I have imagined that I could love a person as deeply as I do John. He has always treated me with love and respect.

I think the success to our marriage can be attributed to knowing when to stop talking, leaving the room when opinions are at a stalemate and never going to bed angry. We hold true the same beliefs that family always comes first and good times can be had even with empty pockets.

I thank God everyday for my life, my wonderful family and my loving husband. Happy birthday, sweetheart!! May God bless me with many more loving years with you.

John pictured here with my oldest daughter, Amanda in 1992

John pictured here, as handsome as ever, with our youngest daughter, Renee.

May everyone be a blessed as I am.

I would like to wish all our friends and acquaintances a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!

Anne ^i^