In the beginning......

Welcome to my blog. If your here, you either have my card, know me personally or are one lucky mutha. Either way, if you see something you like or want to have something done, shoot me a email, just click HERE 

I am not a web designer or a geek, so don't expect too much. I just wanted to find a place to post some of my work to give you some idea of what I do so if you decide you want me to do something for you, you'll know what your getting into. A couple of things you should know up front:

I ain't fast

I ain't cheap

I'm good. Pretty good if you ask me.

I am always willing to horse trade cuz I believe in the old way......the way it used to be back when you had a tool bag and not a cell phone. Back when folks stopped when your scoot was on the leaner in the shoulder. Back when......

Sorry, got up on my well worn soapbox. Anyway, here's a few photos to get it started.

***UPDATE***

I've been getting a lot of heat lately because folks want to buy my stuff, but I don't have a store.

I have officially named the leatherwork end of Big Johns Shop "Flatback Leather"......this name was borne on a little bike trip I took with one of my nephews thru the mountains. He made one of those smart ass comments that just kinda stuck in my head. Where he came up with this shit I'll never know.......


Anyway, problem solved!

Follow this link http://flatbackleather.com/ and you'll end up at my new website, complete with a store where you'll find stuff I have in stock, ready to go so check it out! Of course, I am still taking custom orders for everything I do, but now you have a choice in how you contact me. You can click on any email link, like this one Big John, or you can go to my "contact" tab on my website


Now, back to the good stuff.


One of my brothers, Scotty, has decided to open his own shop. He's way over there on the left coast in Huntington Beach so I'm not able to just walk in, plop down and drink beer with him everyday, nor was I able to hand him a bottle o' booze as a "shop warming" gift. I got to thinking and came up with, what else, a flask and some grips. I know he'll use the flask, and was thinking he would find a place to hang the grips in his shop somewhere. Who knows, maybe one day when one of the big motorsickle mags does a write up on his shop, my shit will end up in one of the photos! 

I just finished up a order from a few folks and thought I would post the outcome

Here are a few flasks...

When the local swap meet came around, I decided to set up and put a few items out there to see what could be seen. I made a few flasks and some grips, and sold 'em pretty quick. ***please note that me regular photographer didn't do all of these, that's why the quality is not what we've all come to expect here at the blog. Once he is back in the swing, I'll update everything***

While I was set up at the swap, I was handing out cards to folks who thought they might want something in the future. One of those cardholders, a really cool guy, called a week or so later and ordered up a kidney belt.

 And the proud owner....

I also posted some of my work on a site that is frequented by "my people", and a few folks ordered some stuff. I don't know if making whatever I want or making what someone else wants is cooler! A dude in California, where everyone's favorite herb is now "legal" for those who care to indulge, ordered up a set of grips for his custom scoot

And another brother shot me some artwork he wanted on a flask, and asked for some custom lettering to be added for that "one-off" touch

Next up, I was asked to make a couple of wallets....one for a Nana and one for a sister. Turns out Nana has 6 grandkids (busy kids!), 4 girls and 2 boys. It was decided to use roses to symbolize the girls and football/soccer ball for the guys. From what I hear, we have a happy Nana!

Now for the sister.....no explanation necessary!

And with that same order, I had the pleasure of making another flask. I love making these things....so simple yet just the right size to do something really cool. Someone is carrying around their booze in style!

And for the last new product for this post, we have another cell phone case. This is not just any phone case, this is for one of our heros.....I'll just let the photos do the talking...

Remember, you want something cool for yourself or someone else, shoot me a email!

Big John

This is the front of a wedding album I made for my nephew and my new niece.

and, yep, you guessed it, this is the back.

Who said mailboxes need to be boring?

Everyone loves flames, even on a marbleized background

There's a local shop, Southeast Custom Cycles, that I do some work for every now and again. Check these guy's out..... They're a full service shop that has been around for awhile and they do quality work at a reasonable price...just click on the link below.

  SOUTHEAST CUSTOM CYCLES

And while we're on the subject of shameless plugs, you need to check out my cousin in laws site. I know there's enough of you sicko's that will groove on this site........it's a great place to pick up that one of a kind gift. No shit.

Sock a Cock

OK, back to business. Here are a few photos of brother Berrys Bass Boat flake Road King. Lemme tell ya something, I will NEVER do another paint job like this! I love ya brother, but I was still finding flake in my shop till the day I moved.......

 

Every shop has a fridge, but few have a fridge as cool as this....that is, until I brush one for you

Or maybe a trophy case for all the shit your gonna win with that new custom paint job, custom leather dash panel, custom leather fender bib and maybe a custom tool bag. Or maybe you need a bitchin flame job on your bad ass bass (Rottie not included)

How about these bible covers? I know, not something you'd expect to see from me, but these are special covers for special people.

 

 

Everyone that rolls up on the sinner bike always asks the same question: Is that a sticker? Uhhhh, no asshole, that's a shitload of time and energy (did I mention it took a shitload of time?) not a sticker! Then they wanna touch it.....WTF?!??!

That is one good lookin mutha!

and I must pay homage to my big sinister's leg.......no boring bullshit for a gal like her....no sir, no  way. Balls out all the way, hobbling or not!

and a few more flames for all you fans of "old skool" flames....

Here's a little "southern pride" wallet for a good friend of mine along with a cool cell phone case for my favorite father in law! (yeah, another shameless plug)

I've been wantin' to do a belt for a while now, and a brother of mine mentioned he was in the market for a new one, soooooo..... bada-bing ova dare! 

Here's a little "before & after" on one bitchin belt. Turns out my bro was happy with the result. What else can ya ask for?

                  

OK, so, we have a friend who takes pictures. Takes pictures my ass, more like "photographs"!

This dude's a pro.

 Check out my new header photo and the photos of a few new belts that I just finished up. This guy makes my shit look like I know WTF I'm doin, and with any luck, I can con him into shooting all my stuff so I can "post in style". Thanks Chris, I'll keep buku beer on ice for ya!

Here's a belt for a dude that owns his own business and is proud to display it. This one wasn't easy, but damn if it don't look good!

So, after I deliver this belt, the guy says to me "Hey, I was checkin out your blog and saw that motorhead belt, can you make me one like that, but put Magnum on it?" I figured repeat buisness? Hell Yeah I can do it! Below is what I came up with.....he loves it, hope you do.

and here's a few photos of a belt for a new bro of mine, to whom we'll refer to as "Frankie Roses" for now. It takes a guy with balls of steel to sport roses on his ass. You go Frankie, ya fuk!




OK, so if you know me, you know I don't have an ass, therefore, I need a belt. I know this guy who does leather work so I asked him to make me a belt and below is what he came up with.....

And after that, I decided to make one for myself. This is the front of the belt, kinda over my front pockets

 

And this is the back........like we've never seen this before......

and then we add just a little detail to the "keep" and we call it done.

Well, the belt business is picking up and the other projects keep moving along. Here's a few photos of a set of grip covers and a solo seat I'm working on for the Shovel

and here's a few shots of 2 new belts I just finished up for a friend of mine out in Cali. He was happy with the last one I did for him so he ordered up one for his Pops and one for one of his bro's.

I guess word got around a little bit cuz I got another request from my hook-up in Cali. This belt kinda speaks for itself....a few photos of the before and after just to give you an idea how these things take shape.

In between working on the Shovel and various other projects, I put a little time into leather for Shovel. You've seen a bit of it here and there, but while Chris was here shooting Bigz' belt, he shot a few stills of some of the shit that's in progress. Here's a glimpse of the (as my brother calls it) "Lipstick" bag.....not quite finished yet.

And here's a interesting photo for ya....this is Chris showin off his talents, and as you can see, he is one talented dude! Who else could make my shit look this good!!!

So, we all know how good Chris can make my stuff look, and he won't take any cash for his efforts....maybe a beer or 12, but no other payment. I wanted to do something for him so I decided to make him a belt (imagine that) and a camera strap. What you see below is the result...

and while we are on the subject of belts, here's one that I recently completed. It was a lot of work but the end result is pretty sweet. The new owner should recieve it soon and I sure hope he likes it as much as I do!

and because I am such a fan of black & white photography, and, well, to show off Chris' work, I had to post these...

As I said on in my opening of my blog, I am always willing to horse trade. I found myself in need of a brake cable for the Glide, and I posted my need for it on a forum I frequent. Well, a dude on there jumped on it, sent me the cable and did not want a penny in return. After a few emails, I learned that he was making a spare fuel cell from a old fire extingushier and was looking for a way to hook it to his hardtail. He pretty much gave me the "artistic freedom" to come up with whatever I want, so here it is! 

From time to time, you've seen bits and pieces of my "project" bike, the Shovel, as backdrops for some of my work. I've had TONS of requests to post some pictures of the finished product so folks could see the paint job, gold leafing and leather stuff I did for it. The following are, of course, photos that Chris took.

Lipstick Bag

Inside the lipstick bag

Tool Bag

Here's a few photos of a seat that I did for a guy who is quite talented....he makes most of his own parts and builds some killer bikes. When we spoke, he told me "All I want is the number 1 and "Elenore". The rest is up to you". Thats the kind of thing I LOVE to do...just give me an idea and let me bring it to life. The end result is below...Johnny, the owner, loves it. I hope you do too.

Here's another belt I just finished up. I don't know the dude that wears this as it is a 3rd party order so your guess is as good as mine, but hey, WTF, right?

My father-in-law scored a new phone, so with a new phone comes a new phone case, right? Where do you turn when you need a new one with style? Yer son in law, that's where!

Well, it seems my Mother in law got a little jealous and wanted a cool case for her phone too....how do you say no to yer Mother in law? That's right, you dont!

I manned up and started pounding. What I ended up doing, and she ended up getting is what you see below.



Now, my neighbor who has helped in more ways than I can even begin to describe, needed a belt. He didn't know he needed a belt, but seein's how that's something I'm pretty good at, I figured it was the least I could do. This is what I came up with... 

So, after the belts were done, I needed a drink. What better way to booze it up than with a one of a kind flask? Well, as much as I like it, this one is for Brother Doc. Maybe one day I'll make the "Sun" to go with the moon....

I got hooked up with a dude that has a bitchin custom blade and no way to haul it around. We got to shootin the breeze and ended up striking a deal to make a killer sheath that would hold his blade nice and snug, and look good doing it. His son gave him the knife, and rumor has it that he might have a nautical star inked on him so Pops wanted to give a little tip of the hat to him so he asked me to work one in.... 

So, the ol' lady got her a fancy new toy, no, not that kind of toy you sick sumbitch, and wanted a fancy case for it. After a little "persuading", she got her way and what you see below is the result....a little homage to survival...15 years and counting!

And as is the norm around here, all the projects seem to start at the same time. Right about the time I start the ol' ladys project, a buddy of mine calls and says he has a few things he wants done. I've known this dude forever and he's a stand-up guy....the kind of dude that always does for others. Anyway, I meet up with him at the local wing joint and he lays it on me.....a music stand for his kid's schools Conductor.

WTF???

Well, I can honestly say that I've never done anything like that but what the hell, paint is paint, right? I ended up shooting the school's logo in a few hot rod colors I had. It seems like forever since I broke out the airbrush but after a little cleaning and tweaking, well, here it is, one bitchin' music stand! I really wanted to put sunglasses on the bird and flame the shit outta the thing, but had to show a little restraint....after all, it is a school....

The same dude is also a Scoutmaster, and as a tradition, these guys get a belt as, well, shit, I don't really know why, they just do! Anyway, he didn't want the "normal" belt that is awarded, he wanted something cool. Where do you go for something cool and custom?

Scoutmasters of America, eat you're hearts out!

OK, so, this is a little departure from the norm cuz this next photo is not entirely my work. A brother of mine, whom I've only known a short time, has taken the time to build these pipes for me.  If you know anything about bikes, you'll understand why these are something special. If you don't know squat about bikes, you should know these are something special.

Thank you brother.

Remember, if you like what you see, just hit my name below and shoot me an email with your idea for a belt, grips for your scoot, collar fer yer dog (or ol' lady if yer into that sorta shit), tool bag..........whatever. Don't forget about the custom paint. Christmas is coming and who doesn't need a killer new custom painted mailbox or welding helmet?

Big John

Keep checking back, new shit happens all the time!