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Bumpkin Bears May 15, 2007

hi everyone, this may sound like a strange question, but I'm trying to find suppliers of thin shoe leather!  I have started to make a range of baby shoes and booties in felt, I would now also like to try to make some in thin supple leather.  I've tried searching on ebay with no luck yet.  I'm sure there must be suppliers, just thought I'd check with all of you because with all your knowledge I may come up with a place :)

Here are a few of the shoes I've made in felt  -

Thanks for any suggestions,
Hugs
Catherine
x

Bumpkin Bears May 15, 2007

hi Susan, yeah I can pretty much make any size you would like, just email me with what you had in mind and I can see what I can do for you and your bears.

HUGS
Catherine

Judi May 15, 2007

Catherin, go to ebay.  Search leather peices.  There are sellers who sell very thin leather split hides and scraps.   Cute shoes by the way :clap:     

clare14 May 15, 2007

Oh Catherine, what darling little shoes!!   I looked on ebay under the search ' leather hide' and it came up with lots of pieces.   I once bought some at a fayre, it was leather for making dolls shoes, maybe worth a try there too.    

cherylbruinwerks May 15, 2007

You can also try any professional book restorers or book binders in your area. I recently had an old bible rebound and recovered and the restorer used an absolutely incredible goatskin leather that was unbelievably buttery thin and soft. He said they use goat, as it is very strong but extremely pliable.

Cheryl

pandamac May 15, 2007

Very cute shoes. You could try Tandy Leather Company. They are out of Texas, I used to do lots of leather work and they have all kinds and types of leather from whole sides to small pieces. (or at least they used to!)
pandmac

samanthapotter May 15, 2007

I've bought very fine leather from dollshouse and miniature shops and shows before.  My Mum has used it to make shoes for her miniature dolls whose feet measure no more than 1cm long(!), so it is very fine leather!!  By buying from a place specilising in miniatures, you are guaranteed that it will be lovely and fine.  I don't know if you know of dollshouse shops or shows near where you live?

Bumpkin Bears May 15, 2007

thanks for all the suggestions, I"ll get looking 

thumperantiques May 15, 2007

Catherine,
     This is really coincidental - I was looking for a baby gift about a month ago and found a lovely little pair of felt shoes, but they wanted $45.00 for them.  I decided to make some, and it was fun.  I don't have a pair here to show you, but I was thinking about making some for my website.  Yours are gorgeous.

                                  hugs,

                                  Brenda

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorMay 15, 2007

I bought some really thin leather once from Loptien Leathers, at a Golden Gate doll & bear show in San Jose.  Let me see if I can find their website....

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorMay 15, 2007

http://www.loptienleather.com/

But they've retired!  So this won't help!

However, visiting their site did remind me that the very thin, soft leather I liked so much was the lambskin.  They even mention on the site that it drapes beautifully and is often used in doll shoes.

You might do a search for lambskin specifically!  Comes in lots of colors and it's a dream to work with.  So soft!

Bumpkin Bears May 16, 2007

great, thanks Shelli

Judi May 16, 2007

I recently had an old bible rebound and recovered and the restorer used an absolutely incredible goatskin leather that was unbelievably buttery thin and soft. He said they use goat, as it is very strong but extremely pliable.

Hey that's good to know.  Thanks Cheryl.