Happy New Year to everyone. It's New Year's Eve and a white one for those of us located just below the Oregon border in California. Who knows what the weather will be like in a week, we could even wind up with an Indian summer.Looking back on the past year, I can only say that I have learned a vast amount about Ace Highs business side. A business is like a growing entity that needs nurturing, integrity and focus. It's like riding a bike; a fine balance between focus and total enjoyment, you need to have both and they should be a team.

Product wise I've expanded. I have found a new interest and passion which is making luggage such as trunks for not only bikes for traveling in general. I now have on my wish list a bigger stronger sewing machine that can handle the type of heavy leathers I want to work on this coming year. You'll no longer see boot stirrups on our "Other Cool Stuff" page. I've ventured further into alterations and I'm proud to be an affiliate of Fox Creek Leather who continually sends customers to me.

Bob Trim aka "Mr Wizard" is working on totally new site. The reason for this is simple, it's time for me to take charge of the site and make changes as I see fit. I'm very anxious to do so as I will be able to change photos as needed, add descriptions and "tweak" things over a cup of coffee in the morning.

Customer wise I can only say that I continue to be approached by a high quality of people who are looking for the customer service that I provide; one on one. You folks out there are the ones who have kept me going over the past 4 years and I've been privileged to serve you by putting your ideas on leather. In return many of you have given me new ideas for products and your feedback has allowed me to improve my techniques and quality.

This coming year is going to mark my 5th year with Ace High Leathers. I have no idea just what kind of adventure I'm going to be embarking on but it will be fun to reflect back at the end of next year. Blessings to each of you in the coming year and thank you for being a part of my business.

Hi Everyone! This is my first posting on my first blog site! My awesome web guy Bob, gave me "full rein" so that I can "write to my heart's content" and this will make both of our lives not only easier but will give you a chance to "talk" back to me as well.

One of the things that I wanted to start off with is winter time and how our apparel suddenly just doesn't fit right. Of course, it may have something to do with amount of layers we have underneath them. Cold weather riding can be a nice experience but the bulk can also restrict your movement and cause you to loose "touch" with your controls. While leaving a gas station I almost dropped my bike a few weeks ago because the gloves I had on were not only bulky but the fingers where too long.....ooops pop went the clutch in first gear. So please make sure you do a dress rehearsal with any winter glove before you head out.

Now let's talk about jackets, coats and chaps. Ok, so you are now fully dressed and look like the Michelin Man. Word is getting out through my buddies at Fox Creek Leathers that I make zipper extensions for jackets and vests. (They make zipper extensions for FCL chaps). I can make any length of extension you might need. It's a pretty cool thing to keep in your saddlebags and are easily removed. A jacket extension will give you the movement necessary to bundle up and maintain your flexibility, just like chap or vest extensions. All extensions include shipping: chaps are $55 a pair, jackets are $35 and vests are $35. Give me a call or email me. I'd like to hear from you!

Sept 2009

Date: Sept '09

It’s interesting how birds of a feather flock together! My advertising budget isn’t the greatest so I’ve found that through my customers and contacts I’ve made along the way, word is getting out. I have made two “email buddies”, both share my passion: creating wonderful things out of leather. These two ladies are not just down the street from me... we’re states apart!
Bev Jones of Bev Jones Saddlery lives in Wisconsin and Denice Langley of Denice Langley Leather and Silver lives in Colorado. Here are two women who I have never met but have shared their passion for leather work with me via emails and phone calls.
The interesting thing is that they both know that I specialize in the “iron horse world” and they are of the “real horse world”! Sharing ideas and swapping patterns is what it’s all about, not competition for orders and customers. We all know that our work is as unique as the leather smith creating the order. One of the things that we are enjoying most is that lady leather workers are not something you come by very often and in my case, a woman who not only works leather but knows some thing about motorcycles is unique.
I can only say that it is an HONOR to be in touch with these two professional women and I will create the possibility, to meet them in the near future! Thank you Bev and Denice for welcoming an “iron horse girl” into the “real live” horse world of leather!
Below is a bit about each of them and I also invite you to visit their sites, contact them with questions or just to say “hello”. Take a look at their work. I know you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
From Denice: “…..it seems that these sports lend themselves to creative ways to express yourself through your tack and apparel.

Having always been a creative individual, my first official way of earning money was making the elaborate show outfits you see pleasure and equitation riders wearing because I couldn't find ones that fit me personally or seemed 'nice' enough. As a result of making my own, doing that soon turned into its own business. Much the same has happened with my leather. My first leather sewing machine was purchased so that I could make my own 'fancier' show chaps for cutting and as a result of them I received orders for several other pairs that ended up paying for that machine and the next heavier machine which in turn has led to an entire room full of tools and machinery. Its great fun most of the time and very gratifying to create something and see someone using it, whether it's a belt, purse, sandals, or pair of chaps…..”
Visit: www.denicelangley.com

From Bev: “B D Jones Saddlery was founded in Central Wisconsin for the purpose of creating high quality custom tack and saddles. I take pride in creating high quality products and use only the best materials. I use only top quality products such as Wickett and Craig and HermanOaks brand as well as stainless steel or brass hardware.

Other products available also include custom chaps, spur straps, knife sheathes, waist belts dog collars, and other leather products.
I also provide saddle and tack repair as well as horse blanket repairs.”

Visit: www.dbjonessaddlery.com

Until next time...

Nanci

Ace High Leathers