Argent Lion Leatherworks

Crafting of Fine Leather Goods Q/A

Q: What is an Argent Lion?

A: "Argent" is Latin for the color White (I believe). It is one of the primary charges on my SCA Heraldic Shield Device. My lady (DeAnna/Tierrynna) actually came up with the company name. I loved it so much that it just kind of stuck! Has a nice ring to it as well. Its also has a personal meaning for me.

Q: How did you get into leather working?

A: Well, I guess it started when I was a kid. I always loved leather and I always loved to be creative. I never went through boyscouts or clubs where leather work was offered as a class, nor have I ever had any formal training. I get an image in my head. I work out the dimensions on paper, then I make a cardboard patterns. If it works, I use the pattern with the leather and BANG, its done and I look it over and decide if I like it. Necessity has always been my teacher. 90% of everything I know of leather working is because I needed or wanted something made of leather, so I did it myself. My dad was also a big inspiration for me as well when he made me my first sling. I was 6 or 7 then...

Q: Why leather books?

A: It started with a sleepless night on Jan 2, 2008. I had couldn't sleep because I had so much going through my head. When that happens, I go WINDOWS shopping (eBay, Amazon, Buy.com, etc). I was watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at the time. I noticed Henry Jones' "Grail Diary". I decided that I wanted one. I looked on eBay and all over. I didn't like what I saw. Permanently stitched bindings, cheap upholstery leather, etc... I knew I could make one, so I thought about for a while, pulled out the leather scraps that I had, and went to work. Within an hour, I had my first book! Took it to work with me the next day and within 3 days had 10 orders...the rest is history!

Q: What makes your books so much better than anyone elses?

A: Alot of things really. I use only the very best leather that I can lay my hands on. None of this cheap assed upholstery leather or used leather jacket material. My motto has always been, if you are going to make something, make it to last and don't take shortcuts. Use the best materials that you can and stand behind it, no matter what. Hence my Guarantee. My guarantee may die with me, or it may be held up by an apprentice or one of my family. Either way, I stand behind everything I make. Each item carries a piece of me in it. My word of honor is in every stitch and screw. I have always been a man of my word, even when it went against me. Also, my personal belief that I won't sell anything that I wouldn't be happy and honored to own myself. If I don't like it, it doesn't get shipped out. End of Story.

Q: Do you only make books?

A: No, I don't only make books. Books are just something that I am good at and something that I really enjoy making. I started out with a simple, replacible spine/page design, but am working on Codex binding designs as well for larger projects. Every custom order is a challenge to me and I love a good challenge. My only real obstacle is artwork. I can stamp anything that already has an existing stamp pattern, but to create a design and tool it into the leather, well, thats a bit more than I can do personally, so I farm that part out to a master leather artisan that I know. Hence, why tooling is offered here, but is VERY expensive. I can craft almost anything you like from writing cases, to blue-print tube holders, book covers, sheaths, belts, bedrolls, strapping, and all kinds of other things. I like to come up with new designs and new twists on old favorites.

Q: What are your future projects in Leather Crafting?

A: Well, I plan to design a round writing case with a shoulder strap, and a variation of that as a shoulder pouch. I am toying with the idea of a codex bound full size leather sketchbook of my own design, if I can find decent paper for it too. I am looking into creating leather SCA tankards for my friends and family (probably not as a retail sales item listed on the site). I am also looking into creating tankard belt straps with intricate border and stamp designs, which will probably be offered here. I have a few other designs that I am working on as well for custom orders, but am keeping things simple for the time being.

Q: What if I have you make something and I don't like it?

A: Thats a very good and common question. I try to communicate with a customer as much as possible until we both understand exactly what is to be made and how you want it. I will describe it to you multiple times until I get it right. I'll make pictures and send them to you so that you have a better understand of what I am seeing through your descriptions. Once we hammer out a design and terms. I make the item. As long as its not personalized with initials or something proprietary, I'll take it back at my own expense and either refund your money or remake it to your specifications. The reason that I won't take back something that has initials or is personally proprietary is because I won't be able to resell it to recoup my costs of the materials. Thats also why I demand payment up front before I do any work. I got burned taking only half payment and ended up eating the entire project. That was an expensive loss for me that I won't repeat.      Its my job to make you happy with your purchase and keep you coming back for more. I will do right by you! I'll do almost anything to make you a satisfied customer. My name and my word are all I have, and I stand by both in order to make sure that you are satisfied.

Q: Whats with this whole barter and trade idea? Business don't normally do that!

A: Hehe, I know. Thats the beauty of it! I am not running this business to get rich or to quit my day job. I'm doing it because I love it. I love crafting things and making people happy. Thats the bottom line. Here is how I came up with this concept. I recently went to the SCA Estrella War XXIV in Florence AZ. There, I met members and merchants alike who were having a hard time in the cash area. It was raining, muddy, and miserable for the first half of the event. I set out just perusing the merchants and their wares. I saw so many wonderful and beautiful things there that it almost made me cry. I was inspired by all of the creativity that the merchants showed either in the their wares or their booths/tents. Some were absolutely amazing. I approached a fellow leather worker the first day I arrived. We got to talking shop and after a couple hours, he offered to put a couple of the books that I had made on his own table so that they would get some exposure. (Thank you Ray of Hawk & Dove Custom Leather Craft). His partner and I talked as well, and he (being another great leather crafter) was interested in trading some of his stuff for a couple of my books. It turned out to be a wonderful idea! Thus, I figured that a good trade/barter didn't have to end there. I could do it out here in the "real' world as well!

Summery

I guess that it all boils down to the fact that this is my business and something that I enjoy. I am the sole proprietor and owner. Ultimately, it up to me how I decide to run things. With that in mind, I can do anything I want with it. I could give books away if I wanted. I could trade them, barter with them, or sell them outright. I could copy other peoples work and sell it as my own, but thats not likely to happen. I use other peoples designs as inspiration, to make something of my own.      My goal is to have fun making and designing exceptional quality leather goods for me, my friends, my family and for you folks out there. If I don't sell a book for 3 months, thats not going to put me in the poor house or make me go bankrupt. I won't throw my hands up and say "I quit". Thats not my style.      I make my crafts the very best that I possibly can. If you like them, thats wonderful! If you don't, well, there is always someone else that might. I love to make things and to make people happy. Thats what Argent Lion Leatherworks means to me. Its my commitment to you and to myself. I always hope that with each book and project, I am not just creating a repeat customer, but that I am making a friend as well.      Have a great day folks, Travis C. Masters Owner/Craftsman of Argent Lion Leatherworks