Wow, so many questions.
It has taken about a week of every spare minute, and a lot of very hard pulling and pushing as it is all made from 4mm bridal leather, I chose this as it has a waxy coating that give it a fair amount of weather protection.
I got it from a local leather finnishers, that unfortunatly do not do retail sales.
The snap hooks are there for anything that you may wish to use them for, but no real reason.
If there is anything that anyone wants, don't be afraid to pm me.