looking for: sporran balls/chain

[DWFII]

I'm looking for some pewter, or steel or chrome sporran balls and suitable chain to match.

I know this question has been asked a number of times (I asked something similar...about cantles...myownself). But aside from ClanArt (who don't respond to emails) and one other outfit who was prompt and courteous but didn't sell just the balls themselves, I can't seem to find anything that might even substitute for a sporran ball...in silver. Seems like I've dredged every bead page on the net, then I went looking for hollow steel or pewter balls. No joy. I even thought about casting my own but I don't know the first thing about how to create a spherical mold much less one that yields a hollow ball.

The balls need to be 19mm or thereabouts and hollow.

I would even be interested in salvage--sporran balls recovered from worn-out sporrans.

Any help would be appreciated.

[cavscout]

I had some good responses from clanart initially but toward the point where I was going to buy they stopped responding as well. Turpin has purchased from them though.

[DWFII]

Yeah, that was my take too. No follow-through on the four or five emails I sent them and the one response I got (after the second email that included a a desperate plea for a reply).

I don't understand this--seems like someone could make a bit of change on the side...what with all the skilled DIY'ers on this board...just casting pewter balls. It strikes me that a bullet mold might almost work. Having a source for someone like myself would have to generate a fair amount of interest.

Heck, pewter sporran balls and, some silver or steel chain (widely available on bead sites) would go a long way towards dressing up a fur or fur mask sporran...nevermind even, the skill level of the leatherworker. All I'm saying there is that it doesn't take a professional sporranmaker to appreciate what those silver balls can bring to a fur sporran. Nor a professional to attach them nicely. All it takes is availability.

[sydnie7]

If you're looking for a round silver bead in 18 or 20 mm, try this place, item BSA064 is the 20 mm and BSA063 is 18 mm. I didn't go looking for chain but they should also have quite the selection.

Looks as if the holes in these beads are quite small, more for beading wire than for leather strip. If you are desperate, perhaps you can try drilling them larger? But if you need "hollow" vs. a drilled bead, best of luck!

http://www.genbead.com/

[DWFII]

If you're looking for a round silver bead in 18 or 20 mm, try this place, item BSA064 is the 20 mm and BSA063 is 18 mm. I didn't go looking for chain but they should also have quite the selection.

Looks as if the holes in these beads are quite small, more for beading wire than for leather strip. If you are desperate, perhaps you can try drilling them larger? But if you need "hollow" vs. a drilled bead, best of luck!

http://www.genbead.com/

Sydnie,

Thanks but I don't see the items you listed...and they don't seem to have a search engine. Can you point me a little more specifically at what category, etc., I need to look in?

[sydnie7]

Sydnie,

Thanks but I don't see the items you listed...and they don't seem to have a search engine. Can you point me a little more specifically at what category, etc., I need to look in?

It is not a well-designed site, I give you that. Here's a direct link to the listing (but their site uses frames, so you can't go back from that screen to their home page, or place an order, etc.). http://www.genbead.com/st_a3.htm

To see the listing within their home page frame setup, with ordering functionality: Use the link in my first post to go to home page, where there is a search box. Be sure the "site search" radio button is checked (below the search box). Copy in one of the item numbers I gave, then hit FIND. This should bring up a results list including a link to "sterling beads." Click on that link, and it will bring up the page that includes those beads (and several others in the same size range).

Here's their photo of the item.

[cavscout]

some have used tin cones like these with good results

http://www.crazycrow.com/Merchant2/m...de=530-500-000

[DWFII]

some have used tin cones like these with good results

http://www.crazycrow.com/Merchant2/m...de=530-500-000

Thanks for the link.

Yeah, there are plenty of cones available...leastwise, I've run across them a number of times in my searches.

But I think I'd braid a herringbone or pineapple knot before I go with the cones. Personally, they just don't do anything for me.

[OFCJAX]

I bought some of those cones for my Pepé MacPugh sporran but ended up not using them.