Horse Brass Mounts

Dating as far back as 527 - 565 AD in Emperor Justinian - a roman emperor - horse brasses were prevalent. They were used as harness straps on horses.

It wasn't until Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 did the horse or pub brass straps come into popularity. It was Mr. Crawford, who was a robe maker and designer of coats of arms and heraldic banners, that made this possible.

Being married to a history enthusiast and Englishman made me familiar with horse brasses. Nary a pub or fireplace in England would you find without a horse brass mounted.
Over the years I acquired some beautiful horse brasses but couldn't find the leather strap to house them. Luckily for me and John we worked with leather. Our first project was that of a 5 tiered strap from a buyer at our local farmers market. Once we designed and created it there was no stopping us. I had a china cabinet full of these wonderful treasures and nowhere to put them. It is often the desires of others that compels us to make these things for ourselves. With the pattern we created I made several other straps for our brasses. My personal favourite is the Prince Charles and lady Diana collection. I was her age and back in 1981 when the fairy tale romance began. I, like many other girls that age, wanted the dream. I got my prince in shining armor. How about you?

If you find yourself in a quandary about where to have a custom horse brass strap made - look no further. We can accommodate your very needs. Contact us or visit our sites.

Leather Made Nice - Etsy

Leather Made Nice - Artfire

Anne ^i^

ADOPT- A- FAMILY

About this time twelve years ago I was happy with three young children, a wonderful husband and a thriving career in law enforcement. Having a double income lifestyle made everything comfortable for us. I was preparing to return to duty after my maternity leave when life presented a unexpected change. My career ended and my husband and I found ourselves with half the income we had previously enjoyed for several years.

Christmas Ornament Earrings - Box set of 2 - $9.50

I was devastated. The commitments that we easily met before were difficult to fulfill. Things like coffees, take-out and buying clothes became luxuries to us. There came a day that buying milk for my youngest daughter, approaching her 1st Christmas with us, was non-existent.
Worried for the welfare of our children we did the only thing we could. We visited our local food bank sponsored by the Salvation Army and received a box of food and a $25.00 food voucher.

It was a humbling experience, but we were grateful it was available to us. Christmas wasn't as elaborate as we had wanted and our children were confused because it was so lean. We explained to them, in a way a child could understand, our circumstances.

Box set of 2 pairs of Earrings

Miraculously, our situation worked out in the long run. It was a long, tough road ahead but we survived. The following Christmas we saw a Christmas wish tree in the mall. It was then that we decided to pass it forward. We picked two names from the tree, a boy and a girl, to buy gifts for. It filled our hearts knowing that some child, like ours, would have a Christmas.

Last year I started selling glass ornament earrings at our local farmers market and donated the proceeds to Adopt-A-family. The results were overwhelming. With every $50.00 we raised, our money provided a turkey with all the fixings and a small gift for the children in the house.

Glass Ornament Earrings - box set of 2

As I write this I feel overjoyed about the recipient families. This is a time to help one another and what better way than purchasing a gift box that includes 2 sets of ornament earrings and helping to give a Christmas to another family.

You can either contact me (type "Adopt-a-family" in the subject box and I will invoice you) OR click on the title link to purchase this set Or visit our shop at Catch A Shining Star.
Please note that the earrings will vary in design (glitter and pattern) so when you order please advise what colour you want.

I will post the amount raised each week on this blog. 50% of the proceeds (the rest to cover the cost of materials) will be delivered to the Town of Cobourg Women's services via the LCBO drop off.

Thank you and God bless,

From our family to yours!!

Anne & John

Gift ideas for co-workers, friends or for those who are difficult to buy for

I would have to say that John and I are free thinkers. If it can be thought, it can be created.

This has demonstrated itself to us many times over by repeat buyers asking us to make things that no-one else will look at.


So, in saying that, this is the time of year when bosses, supervisor's and co-workers start to think about what they can give to each other as a decent gift. I know, because I was there. It is difficult to buy for someone you don't really know. Sure, you work with them every day but do you really know them? Well, I have to say that through our experience people love to see their name or initials on items they receive. Pictured are just a few of the items that seem to receive the most accolades from buyers.

Personalized leather book marks - $7.50

For the boss that has everything - wouldn't you gain brownie points giving him/her this all- leather monogrammed magnetic money clip.

Personalized Magnetic Money Clip - $25.00 (major brownie points earned here)

Or..., for your friends/co-workers that will be enjoying their holidays in the sun and/or away from the office.... I do sense a tad of jealousy here... it can't be helped because I wish I were there too :D!!

A Personalized Leather Luggage Tag - $15.00

OR...., for a more practical gift.... for friends and/or co-workers that will be commuting to their family's homes over the holidays, one of our personalized leather key chains.

Personalized Leather Key chain - $10.00

Nothing is better, in our opinion, than a personalized gift. It shows that you had the foresight to think ahead of time to plan for a unique and personal gift.

Thanks for stopping by. Visit our shop for more gift ideas.

Anne & John

The Dye Makes it Unique

It dawned on me the other day, when talking with some friends, that quite a few people assumed that the leather we use to make bracelets comes to us coloured. That is not the case. The leather John and I use to make personalized wristbands, portfolios and wallets.., etc. is "Live Oak" premium tooling leather. We choose the premium leather rather than the usual crafters less expensive econo grade vegetable tan leather because it has less scars and flaws on it. We buy it by the hide in its natural state, flesh tone.

Each project requires certain leather thickness, or ounces weight to be more precise. (a topic I will cover in a subsequent posting). Presently, I will briefly describe the creative process of making a leather name band.

A) I select an area on the hide that is even in thickness and cut out the dimensions of the wristband using a utility knife. The thickness on the edges of the hide are thinner then that of the thickness in the center. This has to be carefully considered when making an item that requires a lot of leather.
B) Once it is cut I determine where the text/name will be stamped and dampen the leather with a sponge.
Some crafters use a pencil to draw a faint line on the leather but I prefer to eye-ball the line. When I have finished stamping the text or design I let it air dry.

This is an assembly line of orders in various stages

C) When the leather is completely dry (that can be determined by the coolness of the leather. If it is damp it will be cool to the touch and darker in colour) I can apply the dye colour. If it is a gel dye I use my finger and rub it in vigorously into the leather. With liquid dye I use a wool dobber and apply it in a circular motion. Two coats are usually what I apply for an even finish. If I want a darker hue I apply more coats to the leather. I use a flat sponge brush to apply coloured liquid dyes.

I prefer liquid dyes for belts and bigger projects and gel dye for smaller project like wristbands and wallets. Liquid dyes do not work well with highlighting text so I have found.

NOTE: dye colours my vary slightly in hue with each pieces of leather. Older or grainier leather may dye darker or unevenly.

Here I removed access gel dye from the leather

D) After the dye as been applied and sufficiently dry I use a soft cloth to buff off any residual colour.
E) For best results I let the dye dry over night and apply three coats of eco-wise, waterproof finish with a wool dobber (I usually wait 10 minutes between applications). It is applied in circular motion with the excess squeezed out.
F) When the protective/sealant coat has dried it can be buffed with a clean cloth.

We will use shoe polish on larger items to give them added luster.

Dying takes some practice and can be quiet frustrating. A few factors that effect the dye finish are; drying out, age and temperature. If done incorrectly the dye may appear blotchy or streaky. If applied too thick it will crack and fall off in time. I have scrapped a few projects in the past due to this and it was a costly lesson. From these heartbreaks I have learned and acheived my own technique with which I am happy with.

G) When the dying process is finished the item is ready to be completed with snaps, lacing or stitching to create a stunning piece of fashionable jewelry.

The two sample wristbands were custom made and similar items can be created for you when you visit our Etsy or ArtFire shops.

I hope this post was helpful to folks that thought the leather in our personalized items started with coloured leather.

Thanks for dropping by!

Anne ^i^

Amongst Good Company

I was having one of those days when staying in bed would have been my best option. The sales I made buyers either forgot to pay or left out important information that I needed to start their order. My heavy sighs of frustration could be heard throughout the house.
With little energy or enthusiasm I had left in me I sat down in front of the computer and read my emails. Nothing piqued my interest until I came across one that read, "You have been featured in Dedicated Follower of Fashion - dated August 19, 2009. The Fall Forward: Stunningly Studded - Loud #4.

Without hesitation I clicked on the link and there they were, my studded earrings, in the middle of the "Loud"spread. I was so excited. My earrings were in the company of Nordstrom, Guess and Forever21. OMG!! My dream of having my products out there amongst the greats had started - if only in this single feature.

DIVA - Pyramid studded earrings - $17.50

Although it may be a pipe dream - dreams do come true. This was a crowing moment and I relished every second of it with total excitement.

P.S. Thanks so much, Edi for you wonderful words of support. <3

Anne ^i^

A Piece of Him to Cherish

I have always maintained that one of the greatest rewards in leather work is when a client comes to us with an cherished article of leather that has some sort of sentimental meaning to it and asks us if we can revamp it into a functional piece of jewelry, accessory or bag - whatever the case may be.

About a week ago, I received an email from a lady, Leslee, and she requested just that. She sent a picture, see below, of two pieces of leather and explained, "It belonged to my husband's father who died when he was very young and I want you to redo it for him as a birthday gift...," Not in our nature to turn down a challenge, John and I readily accepted it.

It arrived in the mail a couple of days later in a tight package. We could tell by the way she packed it, it was revered as something very special. As always we handled it with care.

The craftsmanship was impeccable and I could see why she wanted to resurrect it. The artist paid great attention to detail and I was in awe over it.

As our client further explained, "The leather comes in two pieces. It was from his dad's office blotter edges that he had tooled for him when he was just starting out."

We were committed to this undertaking and respected the delicate condition in which the panels were in. They are very old and if mistreated would break apart.

John and I worked together on this project. We had to measure and re-measure it to gage how much of the pattern we could afford to cut away to work into a 1 1/2 inch wide belt. The process took days of looking and re-assessing until we were both satisfied with our decision of where to cut. Because, once it is cut there is no going back.

We dyed the tooling leather, as close as possible, to the dye color of the antique strips. John undertook the task of hand stitching both pieces to the belt.

We were both thrilled with the outcome and can only wish to be present when Leslee presents the belt to her husband. But for now her reaction to the end product with do.

We welcome you to bring your sentimental articles to us and perhaps we can work together to deliver to similar results.

Thank you for dropping by.

Anne & John

Our Etsy shop and Our Artfire shop

Minimize and Accessorize

Over the years I have found that less can be better. Once that diaper bags and huge messenger bags full of kids' teddies and toys were no longer required, I liberated myself and carried only what was necessary. The large totes that I adored in high school and college no longer hold the appeal they used to. It's hands free all the way. I do wear a mini leather shoulder bag, across the body, and that is it. And on days when even that is too much, I carry my cell phone on my belt.

Alligator Embossed Leather Cell Phone Case $30.00


I wanted something elegant and durable. This cell case has two layers of leather. I finished with a matching topstitch and celtic concho to dress it up. I used a velco closure to prevent damage to the phone.

Also available in our ArtFire shop.







The interior was finished in a rich black dye with two coats of waterproofing conditioner.




The metal spring belt clip that was used on this cell case will secure nicely to your belt. All interior rivets are covered with felt to prevent scratches.

This is a sample of our handstamped cell case. This is the classic basket weave pattern with rope concho closure.

Our cases will hold most flip phones and can be personalized with initals and other patterns.

If you are looking for something unique this is where you will find it.

We have various colors including; walnut, med brown, acorn, mahogany, red, blue and green.

If you have any ideas that you would like to pass by us, send me an email and we can discuss the possibilites. Visit our shops at Etsy or ArtFire.

Thanks for viewing and have a great day,

Anne ^i^

How Do You Rate?

When I started as an Internet seller one of my biggest fears was to receive a negative rating from a buyer. Seriously, I would stay up nights fretting over the possibility that a dissatisfied customer would leave me bad feedback and if they did, how it would affect my small business. It made me physically sick sometimes - waiting.


Why did I worry so? My first experience was with an alchemy request on the Etsy site. The gentleman prospect was looking for someone to design and create a leather duffel bag. I was thrilled and sent him an email with pictures of some of the leather bags I made. He reply. "Sorry but you have no feedback for me to compare your work." Feedback has its place for prospective online buyers. They do look at it. No feedback, no purchases. That very gentleman returned to my shop several months later and asked if I would design a journal for him so that he could have it reproduced elsewhere. I respectfully declined.

My husband and I have enjoyed our Internet business now for just over 13 months. With 463 sales under our belts, so to speak, we have received only one neutral feedback from a customer. The woman purchased a pair of my Spatz and didn't like the way the spots looked.They weren't exactly the same on both Spatz. But instead of contacting me and trying to rectify the problem, she left a neutral rating. I understand her feedback could have been worse and am relieved it wasn't. I could have made another pair of Spatz for her and replaced them for the ones she had. It was my suggestion that she return them, which she finally did after about 40 days. It also appeared that they had been worn.

Sometimes we all have to make exceptions. I was devastated over that ordeal, as I still can be when feedback doesn't read as I anticipated it should. In the end, I remained civil and returned positive feedback on her site.

As a buyer and a seller, I always take a few things into consideration before leaving a rating.

1) Did I receive the item that I purchased? If yes - a positive rating.

2) Did it arrive in a timely manner? Most mail delivery arrives between 5 to 7 business days after being posted. One must also consider the location from which the item is coming and if there are holidays surrounding it that may affect the shipping date. If yes - a positive rating.

3) Did it arrive in the condition as described in the listing. (worn, antiqued, faded, new, etc). If yes - a positive rating.

I have personally never left anyone a negative rating but if it were warranted I would try and resolve the issue first and only as a last resort, not comment.

Although there are other factors, which I consider important, they do not weigh in my feedback.

Packaging -if it is neat and secure, that is all that is required. Added gift wrapping and notes are very nice but not necessary for ranking. (I do both and include a business card as well - its my personal touch in this impersonal world). Some shops charge the same shipping cost for additional items. If that is an issue with you, contact the seller first to arrange alternative shipping fees. If they do not concede don't buy the item. Remember, it is always - Buyer beware!

Customer Service - If the product arrived damaged or not at all, good business practises might dictate that the seller replace the item or refund the money. I have replaced items that did not show up for a long period of time. Although I have no control over the postal service, I did feel obliged to replace the item. (I have acquired repeat customers for doing this on a few occasions.) And in some cases, I have replaced an item that the customer had a change of heart about, even though it was a custom order and I was under no obligation to replace it. I want people happy and to return. Unfortunately you cannot please all the people, all the time.

I do not believe the old adage that the customer is always right, because they are not. This statement may not lay well with some people, but how much abuse must a person endure to get a sale or good rating. I have been around long enough now to recognized a potentially difficult customer and have, in a diplomatic way, declined to work with them. It doesn't happen often but when it does they are flagged.

So for both buyer and seller alike, when you are faced with task of leaving feedback - be kind and think of the person on the receiving end. If a bad rating can be avoided, do try and rectify the problem. It will make life easier for all involved.

As I close this posting I received a purchase transaction from a repeat buyer that states, "Hi, I told you I'd be back! LOL!" Thanks Latiffia :D

Anne ^i^

A Band For All Seasons

I don't think Paul Scoffield would mind the deviation in the title of his book, Sir Thomas More, A Man for All Seasons, if it is for the good of higher learning. :P

When I started in this business of customizing leather work, I experienced certain growing pains. As a matter of fact, we still have our ups and downs while discovering and testing new techniques and methods.

The word band we introduced a year ago has progressed from a basic name/text band, with a neat and even dyed finish, to a more distressing and aging appearance. We believe we have mastered the style pictured with positive results.

Coming from an era where a new product should appear crisp and clean, and then finding ourselves lost in this ever changing fashion world where no rules apply, can be quite a shocker. 0_o!!

Sorority - Fraternity House 5/8 inch Leather Wristband - $12.50

This item is available in our ArtFire shop

Or it can be made via our Etsy shop under Personalized leather band

This new look of thinner bands of distressed and worn out finishes was quite removed from your old school practises. But once I dabbled with the leather - mistreating it beyond my very belief - it was rather fun. I have formulated a new appreciation for this style.

I know we did something right when our teen children suddenly acknowledged our work with a "looks good, mom, " rather than the usual grunt of approval or half nod. *big grin*

My oldest daughter is looking at her university options and when she saw these wristbands, it piqued her excitement.

1 inch wide band in medium brown or mottled walnut OR

Order via Etsy under Personalized Leather Wristband

These bands are custom made and can accommodate up to 30 characters (including spaces.) We can engrave team names, fraternity and sorority house names, sayings, band names and text - the options are endless.


The bands are available in both 1 inch wide bands and 5/8 inch bands for only $12.50


Come visit our shops and take a look around. If you can think it, I can make it. Etsy Shop OR ArtFire Shop


Your comments are welcomed.


Anne ^i^

Win A Gift for Your Favorite Seller AND You

I am a true believer in the idiom "what goes around comes around" or loosely translated "Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you". In saying that, I am proposing a contest for our readers.

I, as a consumer and seller, feel very strongly about customer service. It is the back bone of what makes the difference between a mediocre business and an awesome one. John and I strive to be just that - awesome.

So, in appreciation to those people who go that extra length to make a customer feel good about what they just bought - we are going to reward them with a free gift from our shop.

The rules are simple:

If you think one of your sellers falls in the category of "Awesome customer service" - submit their name and/or URL to the comments section of this blog AND what it was that made them so awesome.

At the end of this month John and I will read your testimonials submitted and determine who will be the winner of this contest along with the person who submitted their name. (valued at $20 - plus shipping for both the nominee and person who submitted it)

Kindness and consideration should be rewarded. Make it count and pass it forward.

The free gift will come from Leather Made Nice.

Thanks and have a great day,

Anne & John

We've made it into print

Things are looking up for this little leather store.



I just received an e-mail from a new fashion magazine named VivaLaModa that one of our wristbands was featured in their May issue.



If you are curious check it out page 16 item number 3.







Anne ^i^

WE HAVE OUR FIRST WINNER!!

Yes, we have our first winner of our monthly "Treasure Hunt" giveaway.

This morning I changed the price on one of our listed items to 20 cents. (I could not be lowered any further unfortunately)

At 11:39 a.m. Michael Wu became our first winner by purchasing this item.

Distressed Leather Wristband W/ Black Leather Braiding -Unisex

It will be sent to him free of charge - shipping included.

Congratulations Michael!!

Thank you again to all that participated in this giveaway and I look forward to our next hunt in June. _\00/

Anne and John