Oakside Saddlery

I have been working on a few different leather items for me.
I have always been badgered by a friend of mine to make some leather watch straps. I have been putting him off as I have never made anything as thin and small as a watch strap! Anyway I have made a few now and given them out for testing. The first ones use buckles that I already have. But bridle buckles are a bit big so I will have to change that. Holes need to be smaller so I will be on the lookout for some smaller punches. And the leather needs to be thinner! blimey! I feel like I could just push the needles through without the awl!
The problem is though. I actually really enjoy a new challenge. And I have already though of some different ideas.

Oh and the leather that they are resting on is a piece of Mock-Croc before anyone starts trying to report me for CITIES! Hang on now that is another idea for a watch strap.

The next thing that I made is something that I have always wanted to do but just never managed to get around to it. A small messenger pad and a 2 gusset leather briefcase. Rather than take orders for bespoke versions of these I think that I may just make them as and when and put them up for sale. I could probably take ideas if someone wants something specific.
The small bag took me around 2 days to make and the large briefcase was around a weeks work. The leather was a bit thick and in places was three layers of around 5mm thick leather. Needless to say my fingers ached a bit after a few days of constant stitching!
As with my watch straps I have thought of some other ideas and my next design may just be a messenger bag based on a WW2 saddlebag.


Anyway, stay safe and have a nice day.

Si