Care of your Hayden Harnett

[jandelvis]

I'd like to reference here two of cooper1's excellent hand-holding steps through use of Wilson's spray:
CARE and FEEDING of LINEA PELLE
CARE and FEEDING of LINEA PELLE

Good for spray-phobes :)

[cooper1]

Originally Posted by jandelvis

I'd like to reference here two of cooper1's excellent hand-holding steps through use of Wilson's spray: CARE and FEEDING of LINEA PELLE CARE and FEEDING of LINEA PELLE Good for spray-phobes :)

Thank you, sweetie! I am flattered! I am referenced!

No really, I am flattered, and I can tell you the stuff is awesome, very mild and gentle, and works like a charm with EVERY bag I have used it on, which is now EVERY bag in my collection!
Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have ?'s!

I am so glad it is working so well for your YAMMIE, Jandelvis!

[jandelvis]

Originally Posted by cooper1

Thank you, sweetie! I am flattered! I am referenced! No really, I am flattered, and I can tell you the stuff is awesome, very mild and gentle, and works like a charm with EVERY bag I have used it on, which is now EVERY bag in my collection! Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have ?'s! I am so glad it is working so well for your YAMMIE, Jandelvis!

You and your little muppet camera-hog doggie model are the BEST! Very patient and thorough explanations. Super helpful for the klutzy, accident prone or craft-novices or all of the above like moi.

Know what's NOT the best? the fact that the spray is sold out on wilsons.com... indiaink warned us of the Wilson's closure coming up... going to have to find a retail store and buy all their loot! i think i have 1.5 bottles left.

[cooper1]

Originally Posted by jandelvis

I'd like to reference here two of cooper1's excellent hand-holding steps through use of Wilson's spray: CARE and FEEDING of LINEA PELLE CARE and FEEDING of LINEA PELLE Good for spray-phobes :)

ACCKKK!
I just read my own thread (first link) which mentions the COACH leather products. Throw them in the garbage! I used the COACH leather conditioner on a bag and it made little dark spots all over the bag. I have since learned they use silicon distillates in their products which can cause some darkening on lighter colored bags. I was soooo upset, I tossed it immediately in the trash and have since been using the Wilson's TLC Lotion if any bag needs conditioning/cleaning. I am NOT a fan of COACH products.

***PLEASE stick with the Wilson's TLC, and stock up now while they are so cheap online!!! This product is mild and gentle and works well on all leather bags (except Stormy says steer clear of metallics, which I have NOT tried this product on) and all colors of non-metallic leather. Have fun!!!

[cooper1]

Originally Posted by jandelvis

Know what's NOT the best? the fact that the spray is sold out on wilsons.com... indiaink warned us of the Wilson's closure coming up... going to have to find a retail store and buy all their loot! i think i have 1.5 bottles left.

OH no!

I have 4 bottles in my closet... what will we do when we run out???
Yowsa!
Soooo not cool.....

[h82bl82]

That's right, I heard the same thing. I guess I had better stock up on Wilson's TLC too.

[Kibby]

^ I just bought 2 bottles of the lotion, and it came down to $7.58, shipped! Turns out they're running a 30% off clearance + free shipping! Of course I don't have the spray so I need to stock up on that...

stormyheart and all the knowledgeable ladies, since I can't pre-treat my lead Big Mimi, what can I do so it can take all my abuse? I've already noticed some scratches [not deep] from just being carried...haven't tried the Magic Rub eraser, is that OK to use on the lead leather?

any tips and advice would be appreciated!!

Also, just to confirm -- the TLC spray is OK to use on the blueberry Tamasin, right? I've been dying to carry her but too scared that my accident prone self would end up staining/tearing/killing her on her first trip outside

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by Kibby

^ I just bought 2 bottles of the lotion, and it came down to $7.58, shipped! Turns out they're running a 30% off clearance + free shipping! Of course I don't have the spray so I need to stock up on that... That was a sweet deal, the lotion is great. stormyheart and all the knowledgeable ladies, since I can't pre-treat my lead Big Mimi, what can I do so it can take all my abuse? I've already noticed some scratches [not deep] from just being carried...haven't tried the Magic Rub eraser, is that OK to use on the lead leather? No eraser for Mimi. any tips and advice would be appreciated!! Also, just to confirm -- the TLC spray is OK to use on the blueberry Tamasin, right? I've been dying to carry her but too scared that my accident prone self would end up staining/tearing/killing her on her first trip outside

Your spray should be fine on Blueberry. Later on the lotion will be OK, too.
It looks like one of the HH leathers that will hold up very well.

Have you posted pictures of Tamasin ?
The Reference thread needs updates.

[Stormy Heart]

the Arsenal ~
(shoe stretch doubles as suede cleaner, it 'breaks in' shoes or stiff leather bags in about an hour without altering the leather.) not pictured: Amodex

[mlinky]

So stormy, if we run out of Wilson's TLC leather protector, is the KIWI a good substitute?

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by mlinky

So stormy, if we run out of Wilson's TLC leather protector, is the KIWI a good substitute?

Yes'M

[mlinky]

YAY! Thanks!

[Stormy Heart]

I have posted this elsewhere but will cover it here so it's easier to locate.

Animal skins have natural variations. Any individual hide will have thicker and thinner parts with different textures. For example, the shoulder area is heavier than the rest, edges are thinner. A fat old cow will have wrinkles. A scar from the field or a Brand mark will show. Your handbag lived a previous life, in other words. Sheepskin, beacuse of it's wool, is more protected than goat or cowhides.
The younger the animal, the smoother, softer, and finer the hide. Lamb, kid and calf are always much nicer hides.
Additionally, leather sometimes goes through a process called 'grain correction'. This makes a natural hide produce a higher square footage yield of matched leather. Because it removes the very top grain, it is not desirable, IMO. H-H does not do this!
High end leather goods makers trim carefully and match panels when sewing finished goods. Hayden-Harnett uses just about every bit of the hides. They do not match panels for texture. If you have a bag that is beautifully matched, you just got lucky.
Quality, as far as wear and dye-acceptance, is not affected much by these variations. There are things you can do to even out colors a little, if that's an issue, but generally speaking, if you don't love all the possible individual characteristics of leather, there are some that won't make you happy.
One thing you can be certain of with H-H bags. No two are exactly alike. Yours is uniquely your own.
To appreciate enough to care for anything, understanding it's nature is important.

[cciele]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Stormy! Your posts about leather are really helpful and show your love of leather craft.

[gingeybear]

Thank you, now I'll appreciate the subtle nuances in every item I own even more. I always learn so much from your posts and advice even when I don't comment.