Let me start from the beginning, I have done Leather work now for about 8 years. Of course, I have carved the normal things like belts, purses and such, I have also made my own pair of chaps, cover a wooden hope chest (2’ x 3’ x 1 ˝’) and other items. I really wanted to modify a motorcycle seat. I got a few stock Harley- Davidson Seats and recovered them. I contacted Oliver, the founder of the Love Ride, now in its 26th year, about donating a seat to the Love Ride as a Raffle item and wanted permission to carve their Logo.

Oliver told me to bring in my idea, and we would talk. I carved the logo from a previous year, and I hauled it to his dealership, Glendale H-D, for our meeting. He asked me to create the seat for their raffle bike, rather than raffling it off separately. What an honor!!

Now let me tell you a bit about why I offered to do a Custom Carved Leather Seat. It was actually purely selfish. It’s called KARMA. When I lived in Wichita, KS, I was part of a group at a rock radio station that did community improvement projects. Whenever my life was in the pits I would call and see if the group had any thing coming up to rebuild. No matter how bad life is for you at that moment, there is ALWAYS someone out there who is facing incredible phyical, mental, or financial obstacles. Volunteering to help out those less fortunate makes a world of difference in my life.

Since leaving KS I had not been able to find a charity group to support. BIKERS ARE THE BEST! I've discovered numerous motorcycle groups involved in specific charities.

Now here is proof; I was unemployed for about a year. I contacted Oliver to see if there was anything else I could help with. I started helping with the Love Ride Foundation, and the next thing I know I received a job offer.

I am impressed by the number of different charities supported by the Love Ride. I believe it is now up to 11 charities, with Autism Speaks to be the newest charity to be added to the list. How impressive is that! I am hoping that by donating the seat and volunteering to work at the Love Ride, that I will make connections with some of the local bike groups, so the I can become involved in community support groups. Although, at the time I do not have my own bike it is in my future plans. I once received regular rides in Kansas from a friend and miss it very much.

Since I am a Leather crafter, I would like to share a tip with you and others. TAKE CARE OFF YOUR LEATHERS and Condition them! There are many products out in the market for treating Leather. Depending on the type of Leather you have, Chaps – Chap or Garment Leather, Custom tooled Leather seat – Veg tanned, items with Exotic skins – Snake, ostrich, stingray; it all needs to be taken care of. Condition your leathers with the proper products. Contact a Leather store. They can advise you regarding which product to use. Your Leathers will last much longer.

--Anne Newkold
Newkold’s Leather Emporium
Reseda, CA
818-285-9761
Anne Newkold

PS. I do not have a website yet but people can find me on Facebook and myspace at
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/AnnNewkold.LeatherEmporium?ref=name
http://www.myspace.com/newkoldsleatheremporium