Using Backskins

We got 8 of 9 mounts from our May 2009 hunt back on Friday. This included 7 backskins most of which are in pretty good condition.

My wife would like to have purses made out of 2 of the skins (blesbok and impala), but does not want to take them to a cobbler's or upholstery shop that does not specialize in this sort of thing.

Does anyone know of company that can do a real nice job of this?

Thanks in advance for any advice or direction you can provide.

- browningbbr

PS: Yes, I'll post some pictures when the last mount is done.

browningbbr, A company listed in the AH directory does exactly what you are asking about, custom purses in fur and leather, however as I have never used them before I can't comment on their quality, here is the link to their website: BlueJay Leathers.
There is another company listed in the directory that my wife has bought several purses from as they are at the SCI convention every year, they also do belts, wallets, portfolios... I don't know if they do custom orders however they do work with exotic skins, mainly Stingray but also Ostrich, Kangaroo, Buffalo and furs, and their workmanship is very high quality, here is the link to their website: Infinity.
There is more companies listed in AH directory under Furs & Leather that I know a couple of them do bags, here is the link: Furs & Leather, hope this helps.

Thanks Jerome. Sounds like just what I was looking for. I will contact them.

- browningbbr

Some time ago, I started a thread asking if anyone knew of a shop that could make a purse for my wife using one of the hides from our first African hunt. Members of the forum sent along several links to people who did this kind of work.

Unfortunately, the craftsmen suggested were all "high-end" artists that charged a lot (nearly two thousand $US) for a single purse.

After several internet searches and some phone calls, I spoke with a leathersmith in Florida that is very talented and is not ridiculously over-priced.

She did not specialize in the kind of work that my wife wanted done, but was willing to give it a try.

To make a long story short, my wife's purse was just completed. A picture is attached. The work is outstanding!

The leathersmith's name is Debbie Johns. Her website is "Master Leathersmith and Leather Craftsman. Custom Leather Art, Creations, and Repair. Debbie Johns."

- browningbbr

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Very interesting way to preserve your trophy. It looks very nice.

nd

Awesome stuff browningbbr!

Looks very good!

Wow very well made, looks super indeed ! I'm sure your wife will get loads of compliments ! !!! Maybe you'll get a business proposal on those :-)

Looks great browningbbr, glad you found someone that could do this at a reasonable price. Thanks for sharing the info with us.

Yes, I think the purse looks nice!

Looks great. Only one complaint, now I have to hide this from my wife else I may not have skins left to mount. LOL

A majority of the taxidermists will offer products made from backskins...from leather jerkins to gun bags, hand bags to floor rugs!
I once saw a trophy room bar counter with the facia panels made from backskins behind clear perspex...very nice! The perspex stops people from rubbing the hair off or getting itchy from it and it looks really slick!
I have also seen chairs with backskin seats and backs etc.

The bag looks great! I have an impala skin and a blesbok skin I may not have a good use for. This is a great idea. If you don't mind me asking, what was the cost of the bag?

Rick,

In addition to the purse, we had 3 throw pillows made from hides. (Something to put on the leather furniture in the trophy room.) The whole ticket was about $1000. So, I'm guessing $7-800 for the purse alone.

The pillows came out pretty cool too. Leather on the back, hide on the front. Pieced together with buck stitching to make them look different. I'll see if I have a picture.

- browningbbr