Linda, that's what I figured was that the other poster had stretched her leather around the rivets but the leather could stretch more with use and then the rivet would just fall out. My dh used to work on jets and used rivets alot so he told me that if I could find rivets he'd do it. (same as your dh) But I want the color to be right so am glad to hear that RM will make some! Are you sending in your long ones or are they making completely new ones? I can't wait to hear back from Cory! I love how the shorter tassels change the look of the bag!!