“Concealed Carry” chromatic case

Posted on by silverwingit

Folks,

I just uploaded some images of my latest chromatic case to the Gallery page. I’m calling it, for want of better terms, my “Concealed Carry” chromatic case for its resemblance to a hand gun shoulder holster.

CCarryChromeCase-6

It was designed in close cooperation with my old HarpBuddy, Jp Pagán because he wanted a case that he could carry under his arm. He searched the web to find instances of colors and features he wanted in his case and I figured out how to interpret his desires in the practical terms of what can be done with leather and this is what we came up with.

Please check out more pictures on the Gallery page and find current pricing and ordering information on the Contact page.

New Industrial Sewing Machine

Posted on by silverwingit

Well, folks I have dived into this leather thing deep. I just purchased a 125lb. industrial leather sewing machine. It’s huge, sitting on its own caster wheels. The whole thing came on a 325lb. pallet. Sits about 4 1/2 feet high.

Leather Sewing Machine

This is the preferred machine for professional saddle makers and is capable of sewing leather up to 3/4″ thick. It’s clearly overkill for making little harmonica pouches, but it will allow me unlimited growth moving forward.

Thing is, it takes me the better part of a day to hand-stitch a 9″ x 12″ tool roll. With this baby I can do the same job in minutes. This provides my aching, aging finger joints and back a real relief and allows me to price my products to be much more affordable.

Don’t worry, though, there are many items that just can’t be stitched with a sewing machine, like my wet-formed diatonic cases or my chromatic cases. Plus, if you truly appreciate the beauty and strength of hand-stitching, I will always offer that service.

New box-type chromatic case

Posted on by silverwingit

I created a simple box-type chromatic harmonica case for my long-time HarpBuddy, Dane Terry, from San Diego. He carries a number of chromes in a larger briefcase-style gig case. As such, he didn’t really want to have a lot of “stuff” attached to the outside, just a nice, sleek case to cradle his favorite axe, a Hohner 280 Chromonica/64.

After showing Dane a number of possibilities of different types of leather and color combinations, he chose a luxurious brown English Bridle Leather with black accents. Here’s what I came up with:

280 case 5

Please take a closer look on the Gallery page for more photos and details and the Contact page for current pricing and ordering information.

Progress on multi-diatonic cases

Posted on by silverwingit

From the moment I proudly started showing folks my new pigskin-lined single diatonic cases, they almost uniformly said something to the effect of, “that’s nice but I need a case for more than one diatonic.” In gathering information aobut what folks wanted to see in a case that would hold a number of diatonics, many players suggested ones that would hold 6 or 7 harps. That way if they needed a whole set they could carry two such cases. Or if they knew they’d only need a subset of keys, a single case of 7 would often suffice.

Accordingly, I’ve been working on developing the right individual pouch  size and construction method:

test cases

I’m confirming my suspicion that it ain’t easy coming with the right type/weight of leathers and linings as well as accommodating the wide variety of harmonicas out there. My hat is definitely off to Jeffry Spoor of the now defunct Cumberland leather Company!

More to come…

Harmonica Tool Roll à la Richard Sleigh

Posted on by silverwingit

I’ve created a harmonica tool roll in cooperation with Master Harmonica Customizer Richard Sleigh.

Tollrollrolledup

It’s a simple rectangle of thin vegetable-tanned leather lined with pigskin suede and fastened with leather straps punched for Sam Browne studs (buttons). For more pictures and details plus information about how Richard uses his, please see the Gallery page.

 

 

Inaugural product: Single diatonic harmonica case

Posted on by silverwingit

I’ve decided to introduce my new company with its first product, a belt-mounted, wet formed leather case with a full pigskin suede lining. The case is made of vegetable-tanned leather that is wet-wormed to precisely fit particular make/models of harmonicas.

SDiatonic3

The leather, once wet formed and dried becomes very stiff, providing an extra measure of protection for your favorite axe. Please see more pictures and additional details on the Gallery page and the Contact page for current pricing and ordering information.

Thank you for your interest…

Posted on by silverwingit

Thank you for your interest in the SilverWing Leather company and its products!

I am always interested in any questions or comments about or suggestions for current and future SilverWing Leather products. Please feel free to contact me at any time. I’d love to hear from you!

Of course, I’d be tickled to work with you to design and create a fine leather case for your favorite harmonica(s). I don’t make “cookie cutter” products. You won’t find them anywhere else. I work closely with each of my clients to understand exactly how they want to use their new harmonica case and what they want it to look like. With that information I can create an expression of your design that is anchored in the practical world of leather materials and craftsmanship.  In this way I can create a case to your exact specifications that will be built to last for generations.

Or if you see something on the Gallery page that fits just like it is, that’s just fine, too. As much as I try to provide a wide range of colors and leathers, I find that many of my clients have surprisingly similar tastes.

Once we agree on a design I can provide an exact price and lead time.

In the meantime,

Happy Harpin’!

Michelle LeFree
SilverWing Leather
Montrose, Colorado USA
mlefree@silverwingleather.com

Greetings, Harmonica Enthusiast!

Posted on by silverwingit

Greetings, Harmonica Enthusiast! Welcome to the SilverWing Leather web site.

The SilverWing Leather company was created to fill the need for a source of top-quality handmade leather products specifically designed for today’s harmonica player.

Having done leatherworking since my ”Hippie” days in the late 60s enables me to produce unique and innovative products geared for the harmonica enthusiast who demands only the highest quality music-making equipment and appreciates equally high-quality leather goods specially designed to protect the tools of his or her trade.

SilverWing Leather creations are made to stand the test of time while reflecting the kind of lasting beauty that only all-handmade items created in the spirit of old-world craftsmanship can. With minimal care, you’ll be handing down your SilverWing Leather products to your next generation harmonica player!

Each owner of a SilverWing Leather product can rest assured that it was created especially for them as an expression of their own individual concepts of function and beauty. No two of our leather items are ever exactly alike because they are hand-crafted one at a time to the exact specifications of their owners. The top-quality natural leathers and hardware used, coupled with our loving attention through each step of its design and construction give every item a special character all its own.

Please go to the Gallery page to take a look at the products I am currently offering. When you find something that catches your eye please go to the Contact page for information on how to contact me for questions or ordering information.

It is on these Blog pages that I will proudly announce new products as they become available for order as well as new developments at SilverWing Leather. (Remember, you can always find products currently available on the Gallery page). If you should have any question, comments or suggestions about my company or its products, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you like what you hear and see about my products, tell some of your friends. If not, please tell me. I’ll fix it!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoy your stay!

Michelle LeFree
SilverWing Leather
Montrose, Colorado USA
mlefree@silverwingleather.com