RatherBin, those classic Kiowa sets are almost all beaded on hard leather, rather than braintan. Common material was the leather from old boot tops, but not exclusively so. If you can get a commercial vegetable tan or bark tan, that works really well. You don't want it heavy, like saddle leather, but thin. Bead, and then oil heavily. I just use mineral oil. The only braintan you will need is for fringe and tie thongs.
