Custom Orders by Knotty Linda! 

To be asked by a customer to make a custom order is the highest of praise for my work.  It means that this person really admires my work and is confident in my ability to make their dreams come to life.

The most difficult custom order I ever made was for our very good friend Russ Hempsted.  Always a supporter of my work, it’s because of Russ that I was able to perfect the Ricardo bracelet; a bracelet that he was rarely seen without. 

Russ loved his music.  He played the guitar and sang, and for some time had wanted me to design and create him a leather guitar strap decorated with laced braids.  The braids weren’t the problem, but the construction of a lined leather guitar strap required leather-crafting skils that I just didn’t have at that time.  Nevertheless, armed with a strong desire to give back to a friend who has such faith in my work, I did make a rather beautiful guitar strap.   It was a very difficult job!

I’ll always cherish the memory I have of the moment I gave Russ his guitar strap.  The look in his eyes, the way he took it so gently from my hands and held it, like it was a treasure.    I was overwhelmed by his reaction, astounded by the importance to Russ of what I had created, and forever changed as an artist.   This memory makes me smile!

So many of us have people like Russ in our lives. Perhaps it is simply their faith in us, or maybe just the little things they do, but they make a difference to our lives in a positive and dramatic manner.   And yet, it seems that we rarely take even a moment to tell them thank you, or how much we care.  Please, learn from my mistake and pick up the phone now and call them.  Let them know what they’ve done, how it’s impacted your life and how grateful you are.

Russ passed away in January 2010 at the tender age of 47.  This page is dedicated to Russ, his spirit and to the people who loved him.

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The Klassy Karen:

It always amazes me how the Rene Bracelet can so easily be adjusted to meet the needs and personalities of my customers.  The two Rene Bracelets, and the Ricardo Bracelet in the middle, were all created for Karen whose personal taste and personality can simply be described as "classy."  Although she admires the Rene and Ricardo Bracelet designs, they are just too large for her dainty wrist.

To accommodate Karen's taste, I've narrowed the cow leather base to just 5/16" wide in the area of the laced Rene braid.  Extra fine 1/16" kangaroo leather lace was used to wrap the bracelet base and lace a delicate Rene braid to create an elegant leather bracelet.  I've named this tasteful bracelet design the "Klassy Karen," after an inspiring woman with a big heart!

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Consistently I'm asked to made fashion accessories or adult toys to the specific taste of my customer.  A design may require specific braids or knots, or a colour that has an important significance. 

 This eight-strand herring bone braid bracelet was designed for my friend, Ali.  The kangaroo laced is braided over a cow hide base, and the ends of the braid are covered by a Turk's-Head knot with herringbone interwearve.  This is a distinctive bradelet that offers excellent colour combinations and pride of ownership.

When I first made a fancy button bracelet, I had no idea how many people would ask me to make them a bracelet using their very own button - offen a button that had sentimental value for them.  Depending on the client's wishes, these bracelets can be designed with a four strand spriral or diamond braid, as well as the six strand "Crazy Canuk" braid or eight strand braids. 

Customers have a wide range of kangaroo leather colour choice available and even different types of fancy knots are available for the terminal knot.  This bracelet requires a tight fit to be worn properly and an exact wrist size is important to ensure a high comfort level.

 More to come!!

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Hey Russ.  It’s Linda.  Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to make your guitar strap.  It was a tough job, and yet it was so obvious when I gave it to you that you thought it was a beautiful work of art.  I’ll never forget the look in your eyes or how you held your treasure.  Because of you, and your ongoing support and faith in my work, that I’m not just a more confident leathercrafter, but a better person as well.  Thank you Russ.

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