good for you man! dont give up and keep pushing forward. ive spent a lot of money on leather tools and know what you mean about howw expensive it can be. im also looking into getting a sewing machine for long stitches its a killer! i will defenitly follow your progress. Good luck on your business venture!
Thanks, I am leaning torwards the Cobra 26. Very close to biting the bullet and going for it. What could go wrong? Lol! Seriously, as much as I try to keep in shape, my wrists do hurt after hours of handstitching. The sewing machine should help to give me a little extra longevity in the craft. Thanks for the comment and good luck to you as well.
@@Amado9424 Agreed. I have a nephew that’s pretty good with that kind of thing. Been thinking about asking him for webpage suggestions. Have to work on my photography too.
I'm creeping towards retirement as well. I have a good chunk of hand tools, sewing machine, etc and I also do tooling in addition to using some of the leathers you also use. Any money i made selling items i rolled back into tools. It's still a hobby for me at this point. I have an etsy shop and Instagram that i put some of the things i make but i'd definitely make a shopify website if i was going to truly turn it into a business, etsy brand overshadows personal branding on etsy. It wouldn't be cost effective for at this point as i like to challenge myself with different things and build at my own pace vs create a product line and churn things out. Treating it like a full on business is not really why i started working with leather. For your case, you really need distinguish your brand and to identify your target customer, then decide on a fairly narrow product line. Its better to have less products of high quality then a broad selection that requires you to have more overhead from different leathers and hardware. The people i know that sell at markets usually sell small things like keychains, bracelets to cover their table costs and use their table to display and hope to take orders/deposits . Being able to personalize items is something that will help sell things. For small items consider getting some letter stamps. I have a cheap tiny wainlux laser (3000mw) that i can use to add initials or small symbols or designs, you can run it off your phone. If you don't have one already, get an Instagram account for showing off your wares and your process and if you are adventurous tiktok. There are a lot of regular folks that have gotten a lot of customers via tiktok. The sooner you can get away from hand stitching large projects the better, the average customer doesn't appreciate hand stitching unless that is going to be your hook/target. You can always offer it as an option after you have a sewing machine. For what you are making, you'd make good use of a cobra class 26 or a techsew 4800. They have cylinder arms (good for bags) and you can get tables for them, the closest thing to an all round machine that can sew wallets, bags, hat patches and belts etc. cheers
Excellent points. Thank you for taking the time to leave me your thoughts. I'd have to agree with you on everything. Shopify appeals to me or a website which I would have to work on driving people to it via social media. Those two sewing machines are the ones I've narrowed my search to. Funny you mention the same two. I've tried tik-tok and started an Instagram recently. Definately need to work on my social media and photo skills. A narrow product line would be enough so I'm not all over the place. I don't multitask as good as I use to! Wouldn't be bored in retirement though. Good luck with your craft. Sounds like you have a good handle on it. How long have you been at it?
One point I forgot to make. I was making tote bags and stitching by hand. My main two competitors were using sewing machines. I could not sell my bags for more. People didn’t seem interested in paying more for hand stitching. If you can’t beat them, join them 😂
Perfect! Good point. I agree with that saying too! I feel when someone is digging out their hard earned dollars, they aren't as concerned whether it was 100% hand stitched as they are concerned with the bottom line, imo.
I retired and started doing leather about 5 years ago. I kept upgrading tools and buying better quality leathers. I started to sell on Facebook locally. Started to attend markets. Went to a bunch of markets to see what other sellers are selling and for how much. I started a website and sold some stuff. My wife and three daughters gave me input on what is in style etc.. This is my best advice. See what buyers want. For me it was a variety of cross body bags and smaller hip bags. I make a few of these and have them on hand for online sales or markets. I have a full line of wallets that I only have 1 or two of each made at any time. This way I don’t end up with a lot of products that sit around and don’t sell. If something takes forever to sell I only keep one or I stop making it after that one sells. As for pricing I could not justify adding my labour. I priced everything at material cost x 2. This covered the cost of materials and a bit of tools etc.. As I progressed and improved my quality I slowly increased my prices to match the competition around me. I just recently bought a Techsew sewing machine. Don’t look at it as a total cost. Yes you need the initial cost but you can sell it down the road and it only cost you from what you paid to what you sell it for. Better yet if you can find a good used one you won’t lose that much over time. A bag that would take me 8 hours to hand stitch I can do in less than a hour now so I use it for the bags etc.. I still hand stitch a lot of the exposed stitch’s on a lot of items but machine sew most turned big items. By no means am I profitable yet but I am covering my material costs and a bit more. I don’t buy many tools anymore so most of my markup goes to cover materials. I love making leather products so I can cover the costs of all those hides and a bit more I am happy. If that grows then bonus. If I ever decide to stop I can sell off my tools and try to recoup some of my investments. People my age golf or have other expensive hobbies. If over 10 years I invested 10g in equipment and never got anything back it isn’t too bad compared to all those golf memberships and clubs etc
That's definety true about all hobbies, especially golf. Those are great points you make. I feel the same about the stitching. I enjoy the therapeutic feeling I get stitching but it's those long stretches that end up in the bottom of the bag that aren't so much fun! Thank you for telling me the straight facts of how you are working your hobby/side hussle. I can see me in the same shoes and that would be fine. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. Best of luck ahead.
No, sorry. Those are one-offs sketched out on a napkin. Next ones I know what needs to be planned better. Maybe in the future I'd give patterns a whirl.
Do you do western tooling as well? I have an old friend that was an amazing saddle maker but got out of the business after a decade of struggling. He’s been a carpenter ever since that was maybe 20 years ago.
I have tried some basketweave stamping. I made a video of a belt I stamped. Took forever! Stamping and tooling is an art in itself. Much harder than it looks . I enjoy watching Don Gonzalez videos. He's a saddlemaker and does excellent western style tooling.
@@brillonleather I watched the video in silent I didn’t listen to what you were saying but from reading the comments I’m assuming you’re trying to transition it into a business but trying to weigh the cost of adding more machines? I would say keep it a hobby and enjoy yourself. I didn’t add in my first comment but my father and older brother were Silversmiths in Roseville Ca for over 40 years. They were the epitome of American Made every single piece they made was 100% hand cut, and engraved soldered together by hand stone set by hand everything. I know because I spent countless hours as a young man cutting tiny flowers 1/4” in diameter out of sheets of Sterling or brass for the buckles. My father made a living by following Quarter horse shows and selling his tack and silver. Started in 1973 in the garage at the house I grew up in and they still live. As a kid he was gone at least 2 weeks out of month at a show. I get nostalgic about his business and when my dad finally retired my brother took it on for a couple years but couldn’t keep it going. I went a different direction myself. My point is nobody wants to pay for American Made they just like to say it and get the T shirt but only if it’s cheap enough. Look up Carlos Silver Roseville Ca you will find a few pieces that people are trying to sell but they never got a website or did any RU-vid stuff the doors were shut before that became popular. I wish my brother would at least get another engraving vice and start a channel because he was a master engraver. Both my dad and brother are master hand tool engravers. I would watch them at their benches everyday engraving and sharpening their hand tools.
I use to love watching my Dad twist gold,brass or sterling wire together and solder it for buckle rope edge. He would have a section 15’ long with his oxy acetylene torch in one hand and solder in the other soldering the rope together.
@@rcppop3090 Great story. Thank you for sharing. I've watched some videos on engraving and found it very interesting. Quite the talent. Yes, I am thinking about adding a sewing machine to speed things up so prices would be more in-line. Expensive hobby if there is no return to cover materials.
I have an elk hide I shot 20 years ago. It's really thick and very soft. It's been rolled and packed away because I never knew what to do with it. Maybe I'll finally do something with it.
@@BurninatorTheTrogdor That would be something! You would be at the start of the process. Have you watched the tanning videos? The work those guys put in is amazing. It must be rewarding to take it from the raw hide and end up with a beautiful piece of leather that will last for years.
The fight against meat and the vegan/vegetarian/weatherclima propaganda will make acquiring leather more and more expensive. There will be less tool manufacturers making those more expensive too if the demand drops. That even though leather is fantastic for the environment and can last decades if not centuries. Love your channel! Leathercraftibg is exciting and fun.
@@jasonanthonywilper True. I didn’t realize how large the meat industry currently is. I do feel I’m doing a small part to repurpose hides that otherwise would end up in the landfill. It’s very cool to think that leather working has been around way before us for many purposes. Thanks for the feedback and watching the channel. I appreciate you. Take care.
@@karinmacdonald6607 Same here. I better make something nice from these hides that someone thinks is nice enough to purchase! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 😊
Holsters and range bags would be a nice addition. Big three-gun community out there. cowboy action shooters too. (Old style revolvers) how about fishing tubes to protect and carry your fly fishing rods. Don't give up.
@@Ruteger100 good ideas! I’m heading up north soon for a few days. I’ll have to notice them guys on the river and see what they are using for their gear 👀. Can’t give up. It’s in the blood now! Thanks for the comment too.
Try selling products at farmer markets or craft sale markets. A sewing machine will help to drop your costs to create a product. Hand sewing is nice but the product will be just to high for the public to pay. The choice is yours to make but enjoy the craft ,there is a lot to learn.
@@edwardbella3871 I can see you would never stop learning. I wish I would have started many years earlier but no looking in the rear view mirror! Definitely would be difficult to make a fair hourly wage hand stitching. Thanks your suggestions and commenting. Nice to meet you.
I just found your channel. I use the same leathers. I can’t agree more. Also recently retired. I’m on a hobby that is expanding bit by bit. Around here (local), I’m about the only leathercrafter that still uses the old methodes (except for the introducing of a laser to make up for bad eyesight). So people start to get to know me and love the veg tan choice (alltough it is more expensive). I love your personal touch in your video. I will be following you.
@@ericdekeersmaeker5780 Thank you very much for the kind words. Congrats on the retirement life and on your thriving hobby! Glad to hear it. Thank you for the sub and comment. Stay in touch.
I make a lot of the same selections. The Conceria market in Tuscan leathers is just outstanding. Never been disappointed in their varieties. If you're looking for some equally outstanding quality leather I can't recommend *District Leather Supply* enough. Especially their MPG Tannery (also a Conceria member.) The hand on the leather is a bit more oiled than the Buttero, Badalassi or Pueblo and the color richness is superb. I purchase a lot of the MPG Graffiti, MPG Apollo and MPG Aragona series'. The character on the MPG Aragona will stun you. Perhaps start with a few panels. Impossible to be disappointed. (The shop is in Georgia and ships from there.) Regarding the edge paint, I usually avoid it unless I'm working with cheaper chrome tannages. The liquoring process makes burnishing them difficult due to excess fat, oil and wax infusion. With veg tan I always prefer edge dye markers then wax burnishing. It just finishes with greater appeal. Transforming the hobby into a paying side hustle can be a challenge. My recommendations: 1) Create a Sole Proprietorship and have your business registered (for tax deductions.) 2) Shop for a book keeper and deliver them your expenditure receipts monthly (leather and supplies become tax deductible.) 3) Open an account at ULINE or other suppliers for items like gift boxes, mail shippers, latex gloves and cotton, satin or felt bags (for the products.) It's also good to get various cards made (inserts, business cards, Thank you cards, etc.) 4) Open an ETSY account and/or a business website (costs can also be deductible if done by another business.) 5) Lastly, it's also possible to lease a private vehicle to your own business and make maintenance/fuel tax deductible. Your crafting space, internet and electricity can also be deducted as a business espense. Regarding photography, I also struggle with it quite a bit as it's not even remotely interesting to me. What I've done is create a shadow box area where I can insert products depicted with various decor to give them scale. Wooden items work quite well next to leather. Bowls, old coins, metal ink pens, bird feathers, marbles, baseballs, you name it. It all photographs nicely. Just be sure not to place trade marked labels in the images. I think a lot of us come to leather craft from a variety of backgrounds but arrive at a place where making sales to support our passion becomes necessary. When I started making leather repairs at sea for shipmates then collecting cash for it, I was struck by the simplicity of it. Here I am 34 years later crafting 80+ hrs/week and can say that I've never regretted my time as a maker. Thanks for the content. Cheers Brillon.🥃
@@pepleatherlab3872 Thank you so much for all the information. I’ll refer to this comment as I move forward. I have used District Leather and always received nice panels. I will check out Uline also. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Nice to meet you!
Go to craft fairs and see what they are making and what their costs are. Then start to attend them to show off your wares. Start small to test the waters.
That's probably a great idea. In my area there aren't many craft fairs and I never see leathercrafters at the fairs I have attended. I always get the feeling people at fairs treat everything like a yardsale and want to knock prices. I guess I won't know unlit I try it!
Know your market! Indepth research into your customers. I send sample work to trusted individuals for honest criticism. At no cost to them. Always open to suggestions on desired design changes. Multiple points of sales can also be a benefit. Just a few thoughts, hope this helps.
I'll be honest... Unless you are making very small goods, you'll never be able to make money without sewing machines and skive machines. You won't get people to pay enough for the items to pay yourself a fair wage/profit. If you have 10 hours into the dopp bag, how many people will pay you 300+ dollars for it? Hardly any. You need to produce goods fairly quickly.
@@jamesw.3491 Your on point with this comment. I agree with you. Putting a stopwatch on my stitching time was a real eye opener. Thanks for your input. Appreciated.
It looks like my 400 grit sandpaper in the video. Depending on how much I need to scale back, it could be anything. I have 220 on the sander to really take down if needed and I'll move up through the finer grits. Usually I don't have the patience while trying to make a video. If it's for someone else I'll finese it and fine sand between burnishes too. I have all grits, (400,800,1200, etc.). whatever I'm feeling and stop when I'm satisfied. Are you a crafter? Do you have a particular method you stick to?
I am a retiree who is just starting to get back into Leatherwork as a hobby. Back in the early 70s I had a shop in a college town, but that was a long time ago and I have a lot fewer resources now. There are also a few resources available here in Israel (where now live) so I am making do with hundred grit and thousand grit with nothing in between.
@@achadhaamoratsim7098 That’s good to hear you are picking it up again. I wish I had started earlier. I won’t get years of experience at this point but it is a very satisfying hobby. Thanks for messaging me. Stay in touch. Good luck.
@@carelbrits yeah, I liked it too when I saw Ethan’s video. He does a couple of different patterns if you want to try some. I had to give it a go after I watched it!
@@AlejandroGomezgomez-h3l Hello! I just tried a 3” pc of scrap and it fits. The unit has a 4” blade but the actual opening is ~ 3 3/4”. Do you post your straps? I’d love to check them out. I have a video with my strap (shoulder pad style). I’m going to attempt a full leather strap. Would you still make a 3” for a bass guitar or would you go wider?
Wonderfully relaxing. I enjoyed this video with my morning coffee. RU-vid recommended me this video because I'm big into alt cycling, and I'm glad it did!
@@Davidesrajohn Thank you very much for taking the time to leave me this comment. It’s nice to know you watched and enjoyed it. I really appreciate it. That made my day!
More practice and you can start selling. The quality is still not enough. But, good luck. Mascon Leather is the best tuber to learn. Also remember that the more you use machines to help, the less it is real handwork. You use little bit wrong ”bumb jigs”
Thanks for watching and commenting. I've watched Arte's videos many times using his jigs. Couldn't for the life of me remember what they were called! Sometimes the distractions while making a video, I tend to forget a name or some terminology. Everything is a learning process.
Really nice, I have just started in leather craft, and have made a few minimalist wallets, but as a beginner they didn't turn out the way I wanted them to, So practice practice practice.
Welcome to the leathercraft community! I found wallets a challenge to make. Maybe because of their size, any flaws really show. Everything has to be spot on so you learn quickly where you need to hone your skills. Good luck ahead and let me now how your doing. Thanks for watching my video.
Your stitching is getting better and better compared to your first wallet😊. Doing good with fast forwarding and skipping some of the tedious parts. Keep these videos coming.
Thank you for the comment. So much work goes into making a video between filming and editing. Never mind trying to make a decent product. It’s nice to hear that some progess is happening!
Now I want to make one for my Yeti tumbler. I take it it's a friction fit, able to slide on and off when you want it to but hold onto it when you're using it? How did you figure out how tight you needed it to be around the Yeti?
Slicking the backside with Tokenole probably wasn’t the best idea. The full tumbler is quite heavy and it was sliding on me. I glued a thin piece of scrap around the inside and it doesn’t slide at all now. I use it daily and it’s been good. I have to work it with all my fingertips to slip it off.
