10/05/2026
⚡ NEW ⚡
Behind the Seams! ✂️
♤ Tips and tricks for fall/winter weather and storing your 'valuables' 😉 on my *NEW* semi regular (still a one woman show) column on the website -right on the home page- 😁...
Heres a few I have been preaching for DECADES. 👀⤵️
𝙈𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣🌦
𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔. 𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒕, 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒄.
⚓️Blot/wipe (don't rub) excess moisture with a clean cloth, then let the piece dry naturally at room temperature. Keep it away from heat sources like radiators, wood stoves, or direct 🌞 sunlight, which can cause the leather to stiffen, crack, or warp.
⚓️Once fully dry, apply a thin layer of conditioner to restore suppleness. For items used regularly in wet or muddy conditions — like chaps, horse tack, or saddle bags — a water-resistant leather finish/creme or wax can offer added protection without sealing out the leather's natural breathability.
⚓️Salt from sweat can also dry leather out faster than plain water. Wipe down any salt residue with a barely damp cloth before it has a chance to set.
𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚📦
𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒕. 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒔:
⚓️Keep it dry and ventilated: Avoid plastic bags or airtight containers, which trap moisture and invite mould.
⚓️Avoid direct sunlight 🌞 for long periods: UV exposure over time can fade and dry out leather.
⚓️Maintain shape: Stuff bags with acid-free tissue paper if storing for longer periods to help them hold their form. Hang chaps on a rounded hanger, or chaps stand instead of a nail or hook - to avoid irreversably damaging the back belt.
⚓️Separate from rubber or vinyl: These materials can transfer chemicals onto leather surfaces over time.
Pieces used seasonally — such as chaps or spur straps — should be cleaned and conditioned before going into storage, NOT after being taken out.
...and even more on the website. 🥰
Enjoy the 'before & after' restoration 📸 of my own personal saddle by Andy Knight(40+ hours of scraping fly p**p, blood, sweat, and saddle soap off of it😆)...
I really think its time to see if he'll teach me to MAKE ONE with him, do ya think? 🤔🤞....
K, off to go walk the Turkeys🦃🍗....
Rockin' AL⚓️