Today was belt day! I learned how to make a belt from start to finish. First, a nice hide (one whole side) was picked out and the longest chunk was cut out. Then it was fed through a cutter to make 1 1/2 inch strips. The strips are fed through a machine to shave off the bottom layer to the perfect thickness. Two layers are then glued together with contact cement. The layers go through another machine that rounds the edges nicely. (See picture.) The pieces are then taken to the clicker machine where a dye cuts a nice end and holes for rivets. The edged are barnished [yes, with a "b"] with wax to make them run smoothly through belt loops and the whole belt is sprayed with lacquer and then buffed. The last step is adding hardware.
What an exhausting process! I hope customers can tell and care and craftsmanship that each belt takes.
I also started some flip-flops at lunch today. I need to take advantage of all the tools and machinery at my disposal. Hopefully I'll finish the shoes tomorrow and get some tips to make the next pair even better. Best case scenario: I can buy some dyes in the shape of soles to use with the clicker. Cutting the leather was the hardest part. I heard somebody say today that one particular dye was $1000. I don't think my hope will become a reality any time soon if that's the price. One can dream though.
One guy was making belts for Silver Dollar City to see if they could sell. I mentioned an idea for a bracelet I had and he told me to tell the shop manager. I may someday....
Ideas:
1. bracelet with ribbon laced through
2. shoes made out of the suede that is cut off in the splitter
3. find a way to recycle all the leather scraps
4. woven backpack
5. leather anklet with bells attached
6. embroider a strip of fabric then attach to leather belt
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