I have had a major breakthrough, and may be able to start producing leathers on a shop basis (and ramp up to small-scale factory production, pending customers) very quickly. In the process, I may also have stumbled onto a means by which one can remove several steps, and about 3/4 of the tanning time, out of making veg-tan leather, as well. (Though whether my method will allow for tooling remains to be seen).

Go me!

UPDATE:  Yup, it tools, all right.