I hope that this post finds you and your family well.

At the moment I am still able to complete and process orders. My buckle and leather supplier is still operating a limited service and should still be able to deliver everything that I need. And the Post Office is still carrying out deliveries. And as I work alone I can still continue to work. As my workshop is in one of my fields I am keeping my social distancing at around 200m!
Anyway. On a better note! As a big thankyou to our NHS and hard...
Continue reading ...

https://youtu.be/rdWIbMKd0YI
Continue reading ...

A quick search of the internet will throw up hundreds, if not thousands of handmade items. But what actually constitutes a handmade item?

The Cambridge Dictionary has its meaning as

“Made by someone using their hands rather than a machine”

With that in mind lets have a look at what companies and businesses class as handmade. Obviously, I am going to base this on leather goods as that is my craft. I will go through the basic process of crafting a leather belt and compare the differenc...

Continue reading ...

Just a few notes on white stitching on my handmade leather goods.
Firstly, white stitching does look nice on many of the leather colours that I use. That being said - it doesn't stay white for long!
White thread is actually described as whitey/brown thread. See even the manufacture can't keep it white for long!
By the time that I have waxed it - I keep a different piece of wax especially for white thread - it starts to take on a slightly yellowy/brown hint. Not much, but I can see it when it is ...
Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

In celebration of our hard-working Armed Forces and bluelight personnel I have set up a 10% discount especially for you. Check out your relevant discount service to access the codes.

For Armed forces visit https://www.defencediscountservice.co.uk/ and for the Emergency services check out https://www.bluelightcard.co.uk/

If you are not already a member of either of these services I would suggest that you join immediately (assuming you can - fortunately I can!). They offer discounts on many high ...
Continue reading ...

"Can your camera straps support the weight of my *insert camera model*? It weighs *insert weight*?" Is a very common question I am asked. And the answer is invariable. Yes! Yes it can!
Now as a picture is worth a thousand words I thought that I should test one.


So this is my Globetrotter camera sling supporting a 25lt water container. And yes it is full! so that is around 25kg supported quite happily.

This then made me think. What else could I hang from that strap. Hhmm! What's that in the backg...
Continue reading ...

I have been tinkering with some new websites recently. I decided now was a good time to have some web specific names and to split some of my store items. I also needed to buy up some domain names like www.oaksidesaddlery.uk using the recently introduced .uk web address. It was also a chance to play with some settings and see what I could come up with.

Having my store with Ecwid makes it easy as I only have to add the store to each website - and viola! there it is.

The majority of my websites ar...
Continue reading ...

To be honest I haven't got a clue. I don't think anyone else has either really!
My suppliers are UK based so in theory this shouldn't be an issue.
Shipping to Europe will probably change as you can guarantee that your government will want to charge an import tax on your goods!
I will also expect postage costs to Europe to increase. Not because it will be more expensive to ship there, but because they can!
Anyway, once those in charge finally get their act together, and work for the country, inste...
Continue reading ...

https://youtu.be/uIOLliPDpNU



Continue reading ...

I have had a change around with my shipping. I now have 2 options for UK shipping;

Free Delivery with standard crafting time of up to 8 weeks,
and,
Rush Delivery with up to 4 weeks shipping time. I will bump this order up my to-do list and try and make your order quicker.

Obviously this will only work if most people choose the free delivery option. Too many rush orders and I won't be able to keep up! Makes it a bit pointless then and I will have to have a re-think.

Anyway. I will see how it goes.Si

Continue reading ...

Recently I have been inundated with spam through my contacts forms. I really can't understand what they hope to achieve! Most of it is in a foreign language, some doesn't have links. What exactly do they hope to achieve!
It is bad enough getting junk emails but at least I can filter that. But my own contact forms all come from a source that I need to be able to see.
Even with a capture running the spammers must be using 'human farms' to paste crap to the form, enter the capture and send the for...
Continue reading ...

Happy New Year!

To bring in the New Year I have revamped my website. I have lost a few pages, added some more and had a general cleanup. I have changed the style to a more modern look that is responsive to the viewing device. A must I think now days as over 80% of my traffic is from mobile devices. Hopefully this will make it easier for you to find what you are looking for.

A common question I receive is “What colour leather is that?” So I have now moved my leather colours to the side of my...

Continue reading ...

Midwinter is finally upon us!

Use the voucher code XMAS2016 for a discount from www.oaksidesaddlery.co.uk

Continue reading ...

Why not type in the code XMAS2016 at the checkout and you will receive a little Christmas present from me!

Happy Christmas everyone
Continue reading ...

With Christmas fast approaching and that frantic search for the perfect present! I know a beautifully Handmade Leather Belt, or the perfect handmade leather dog collar and lead for your best friend? What about a lovely leather camera strap for the photographer? A a plaited leather sling for the field sports fanatic's rifle?

Unfortunately you are too late to order from me now. Awwwww!

But all is not lost. You can pretend that you was always going to treat them to the perfect Christmas gift from ...
Continue reading ...

Everything that I make is stitched by hand. That's right, I stitch through the average 7mm of leather using traditional, time-honoured skills of the saddler.
I use 4 cord linen thread which I wax before stitching. 4 cord/18 linen thread is a bit thicker than the norm but makes for a stronger stitch.
I stitch using a double-hand technique. This has one piece of thread with a needle on each end. Each needle is passed through the same hole from opposite sides, crossing in the middle, before movin...
Continue reading ...

Fed up with a long, flappy, end on your lovely handmade leather dog collar?
Then simply opt for the additional loop option and I will hand stitch an extra leather loop after the dee ring. This loop keeps the point tightly against the collar and prevents it from spoiling your pets perfect pose for that excellent photograph.
Continue reading ...

The weather has finally warmed up. And the British - being British are already complaining that it is too hot. Only last week we was complaining that it was too cold, and when are we going to actually get some summer weather!

So to celebrate this fact use the voucher code "SUMMERTIME" at the checkout and receive a 10% discount

Don't forget that shipping is free to the UK

Si
Continue reading ...

I make my leather goods using traditional saddlery methods. These methods have been perfected over hundreds of years. As the art has developed saddlers adopted a set of rules to work to for a uniformity to their products.
I use some of these rules but certainly not all of them

• Never edge the outside edge of a loop.
• Adjustment holes are spaced the width of the strap apart (A one inch wide leather belt will have holes spaced at one inch intervals).
• Always have an odd number of holes in a strap (Thi...

Continue reading ...

Wishing all of my visitors a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Enter the discount code XMAS2015 for a 10% discount at the checkout.
This offer is only valid between Christmas Eve and New Years Day.
Continue reading ...

Being as it is the time of good will use the code XMAS2015 to receive a 10% discount on your order.
valid between Christmas Eve and New Years Day only

Happy Christmas
Continue reading ...

This is a special post for those that read everything on my website - thank you!

Enter the code
EPPPFM6GSLPH
For a discount at the checkout.

Si


Continue reading ...

How do you measure your Dog’s existing collar to get the right sized Handmade Collar from Oakside Saddlery?

First take your a look at your current collar on your dog. Does it fit OK? If not now is the time to make so changes. Make a note of which hole the collar is buckled to and then remove the collar from the dog.

Lay the collar out flat and measure from the inside edge of the buckle to the hole that it was buckled to.

You can see the mark on the collar where it was buckled to on this pictur...

Continue reading ...

I have changed the way that I post your orders to you.
I now use myHermes for all deliveries including UK, Europe, and I|international.
Why have I changed?
Well obviously cost is an issue! Which means that I can still offer free UK shipping. But also Hermes is a tracked service, which enables you to find out where your order is and when you should expect it. This is also tracked for overseas deliveries as well.
For my benefit Hermes will collect my shipments from my workshop, or I can just drop t...
Continue reading ...

So you have problems when you buy a belt! It is either too long and has a huge long bit hanging round your waist, or it buckles on the last hole and sticks out! Neither of which improve on your style.
So to get around this why not order handmade? And to be honest it probably wont cost you any more than a fancy shop brought one.

So what do you get when buying from me?

A Bespoke service
Every item that I make is made to order. That's right I don't stock any 'standard' sizes.

Made to Measure
As I only...
Continue reading ...

It didn't take as long as I thought to put all of my leather dog collars and leads into the new store. I'm really quite impressed with Yola on that one.
So go and visit http://www.oaksidesaddlery.co.uk/canine.php
The original pages are still there while I decide what to do with them. Will it affect my SEO if I delete pages? Or will it affect it more if they are dead pages with no links?


Continue reading ...

I am gaining a large pile of stuff that I have made recently that has just not been paid for (which is annoying)! I'm hoping that when my new store is properly up and running it will stop all of that.
I'm not sure what the cause of the problem is. I know that some customers just don't receive my PayPal invoices as their email client has decided that the email is spam. This is bad for me as;

1. I don't get paid for my work. A loss that I can't write off against my tax return.
   
2. The customer just think...

Continue reading ...

So I have decided to 'bite the bullet' and open a store. It's not something that I really wanted to do as I don't want to look just like any other shop!
Anyway, I decided to go for Yola's online store. Why?
The price was good for a start! But also after watching Yola's youtube video it had everything I seemed to need. The problem I have had with most other means of selling my products was a lack of options. When ordering a collar for instance. It is not just the style of collar, but what colour...
Continue reading ...

Don't panic!
I have had a few orders that after I have made their order have then just not paid.....Bugger!
Great I still have an item, but as this was made to a very specific style it is difficult for me to resell.
So.
I will soon change the time that I will invoice my customers. Presently I invoice once I have completed. What I will be doing is invoicing when I receive your order. This will mean that I get your money earlier (excellent for me!) But unfortunately you have to part with your hard ...
Continue reading ...

My standard colours of Bridle Butt Leather
Tan (Foreground)
Black
Dark Havana (Brown)
Australian Nut
Continue reading ...

When you place an order with me I will reply (normally within 48 hours) with a confirmation of your order. If you do not get this email it probably means that I have either not received your order, or, that your email details have not come through properly.
So if you have not heard from me after a couple of days please contact me.

Si

www.oaksidesaddlery.co.uk
www.oaksidebelts.co.uk
Continue reading ...

I'm sorry to say that I have got to increase my prices!
This is due in part to increases in prices from my suppliers.

But remember when comparing my prices with other handmade suppliers CHECK THE POSTAGE charges. More often than not you will have to add another £5 to your order for delivery!

Order from Oakside Saddlery and the price you see is the price you pay.
It's Free delivery on all of my handmade items
Continue reading ...

The point when making leather is the part of a belt or strap that passes through the buckle. There are a variety of designs and styles that a Cordwainer can use, and sometimes traditional methods dictate what style of point a strap should have. Nowadays, on leather belts and the like, this is just a case of personal preference.

There are two styles of point that I use and both are traditional designs.

Cathedral Point

The cathedral point, or harness point, is probably the most common point end in...

Continue reading ...

The usual reason is that many belt buckles are named after towns. This is more than likely that that style of buckle originated in that town.

If a buckle is not named then my naming convention goes to the town from where my first order for that belt originated.

Simple really!

So if you want to be the first with a belt named after your town, pop over to Oakside’s Custom Belts and design your one=of-a-kind masterpiece!

Si

www.oaksidebelts.co.uk

www.oaksidesaddlery.co.uk

Continue reading ...

Measuring your dog for a slip collar

The measurement that I require to make your leather handmade slip collar is not the same as a traditional collar. This is due to the way that a leather slip collar fits on your dog. As a slip collar does not open it needs to be able to pass completely over your dog's head without pinching or rubbing.

To measure you will need;

• A fabric tape measure,

• and your dog of course!

Simply take your tape and measure around the largest part of your dog's head....

Continue reading ...

Measuring your dog for a Handmade Leather Dog Collar from Oakside Saddlery couldn't be easier!

Method 2

Using your dogs existing collar to measure for your new handmade Leather Dog Collar. You will need the following items;

• Your dog's collar.

• A fabric tape measure or other ruler.

How To

Before removing your dog's collar check the fit and note which hole that the collar is buckled to.

• Remove the collar and lay it flat.

• Lay your measure alongside the collar.

• Take the measurement from the inside of the o...

Continue reading ...

To measure your dog for your new Handmade Leather Dog Collar from Oakside is quite simple really.

Method 1

You will need the following items;

• A fabric tape measure (this can be in inches or centimetres)

• Two fingers

• And your dog

Hopefully you have all three of these otherwise you may have to improvise!

Place the fabric tape around your dogs neck where the collar will go. The tape needs to have enough slack to easily slide two fingers underneath it. This is the size of the collar that you should order...

Continue reading ...

Hi all,

My name is Simon, I am the Cordwainer at Oakside. My two websites are www.oaksidesaddlery.co.uk and www.oaksidebelts.co.uk. I specialise in hand stitching heavy English Bridle leather and making bespoke leather dog collars and leads, horse bridles and hand made leather Belts.

I hope to be able to use this blog to inform you about some of the products that I make, give you an insight into leather and the skills that I use, and to also provide some advice to help you make an informed deci...
Continue reading ...