Custom Leather Zaurus Case - Updated!

The description posted in the previous file is still accurate and 
is included in this file.  However, playing middleman is now 
impossible as I'm out of the country for five months.

I spoke with Valerie Szarek, the leather artist in Boulder, 
Colorado (Breezy Lady Leather).  She said that she'd be glad to 
do more cases via mail order.  Since she does each one by hand, 
she's even able to do changes if you want (for extra $$).  She 
does fine work, and is the sole maker of those Izzo two-shoulder 
golf bag straps you see the pro's caddies using on the pro tour.
(The retail versions are not nearly as nice).

The cases are US$50 plus shipping and possibly sales tax.  She 
does a high volume of work, and sometimes it takes her several 
weeks to get to your job based on her backlog.  The wait has
always been worth it for me.  Plus, you’ll probably be able to 
use a credit card now.

Her number is 303-494-8773.  She will be available after June 
20th, 1996.  If you are reading this file, say, a year or two 
later and find she is no longer at this number, send an e-mail to 
rad@rmii.com and I'll try to track her down.


History of the Custom Zaurus Case

I had been looking for a case for my Wizards then my Zaurus 
that was small, slim and high-quality.  Something that would 
allow me to take the Z everywhere and not worry about leaving 
it on the restaurant table, in the Red Carpet Club or on a 
client's desk.  I didn't need extra pockets for PCMCIA cards or 
credit cards or cables, or any such thing.  (I did make a small 
allowance for carrying the Z with CE-FM4 modem attached.)  My
search was fruitless.

Then I found a local leather artist based on a third-party 
recommendation and roughed out a design with her the first week
of January 1996.  She finished it in April 1996.  It took so
long because she needed "inspiration."  As I've said elsewhere,
I'm glad I waited for her to be inspired!

The final product is made from wonderfully heavy, black 
leather.  It looks as classy as possible for something the size 
of a Z and meant to ride on your hip.  It sits under a suit 
coat wonderfully (except those slim European cut suits that I 
can't wear!) and looks fine when out in the "open."  Now that 
she's made the pattern, she can turn them out fairly quickly
and has offered a quantity discount if she can make four or
more at a time.

The more exact description:

Custom, handmade, heavy grade leather case sewn with 
unbreakable nylon thread. Made from two pieces of leather, seams 
turned inside. The flap is double-thick so it won't curl and 
has a two-position velcro closure; it carry the Zaurus with and 
without the CE-FM4 (side-car) modem attached. Nylon-stich-
reinforced leather belt strap. The Z fits into the case as if 
it were a glove.  A couple of weeks of use breaks it in to a 
"holster-like" condition.

I posted a GIF of this case in the Sharp Zaurus library here on 
CompuServe.