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gregd

Advice Really Needed

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As a cancer suvivor pushing 50, my odds at a"normal" job seem kinda bleak. I'm getting ssi so we're ok for now. Thanks to a couple of exceptional strangers I'm hooked on this leather thing. I can make most things I try to but carving is another story. I'm sure with a LOT of practice , maybe I could trick somebody into thinking I knew what I was doing. My question is this ; is it likely that a guy could make a living doing this stuff? I know some of you Texans can but I live up here in Indiana. Not many cowboys... Just kiddin guys, truth is I'm jealous of your country. What I've seen looks real nice. Are there many of you that are in internet sales? How do you drum up buisness? I know the questions are kinda vague , just kinda putting out feelers. Thanks in advance for any replys ,oh and if you see Ferg tell him I said thanks again, Greg Ditton

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As a cancer suvivor pushing 50, my odds at a"normal" job seem kinda bleak. I'm getting ssi so we're ok for now. Thanks to a couple of exceptional strangers I'm hooked on this leather thing. I can make most things I try to but carving is another story. I'm sure with a LOT of practice , maybe I could trick somebody into thinking I knew what I was doing. My question is this ; is it likely that a guy could make a living doing this stuff? I know some of you Texans can but I live up here in Indiana. Not many cowboys... Just kiddin guys, truth is I'm jealous of your country. What I've seen looks real nice. Are there many of you that are in internet sales? How do you drum up buisness? I know the questions are kinda vague , just kinda putting out feelers. Thanks in advance for any replys ,oh and if you see Ferg tell him I said thanks again, Greg Ditton

hello greg yes it is possible to make a living doing this i have for 20 plus yrs. my suggestion would be start small a neighbor of mine does a lot of gun shows, and he is always trying to get me to go and sell belts, but i dont have time , but you sould make a bunch of basket stamped belts and some geometeric stamped one and sell the ones they sell are not lined . some only have border stamp. maybe some small wallets and things like that would sell.also if there are any crsft shows that might be an outlet to sell something. feel free to visit my gallery and if i can help in any other way just let me know hope this helps john

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I'm in the same sort of boat as you Greg. I have Cerebral Palsy, so the outlook on a "normal" job is just as bleak for me. I don't know if I'll make a full living doing leatherwork(that I leave entirely up to God) but I enjoy it. And thus far I've met some fantastic folks here on Leatherworker.net that are more than willing to help.

Keep on Truckin' brother!

God Bless, Ray

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Build yourself a web site and put the web address on cards that you hand out at shows. On your web site put pictures that are big enough for people to see detail. Get a Esty store http://www.etsy.com/ and sell on there. Make up some of your archery stuff and take them to a shoot. Sell things on ebay and put a link to your site on your me page. The internet part takes a while or has for me but people will tell other people and soon you have a business.

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Definitely carry around with you something you've made. That way, when someone asks, you have something to show. I usually have at least a business card case and wallet; sometimes I carry my folio around with me to meetings, or my Bible cover to church. When you go to events, talk up people who might want what you make. I don't do gun leather, but as an example you could meet folks at gun shows and talk to them about making holsters. If archery is your thing, well then go to relevant events (for me, that'd be a Renaissance Faire!)

I'm not a huge fan of Internet sales, but certainly it works for alot of folks. As to learning carving, that was hard for me as well, but I had a determined teacher and she made all the difference. However, there is ALOT you can do that doesn't involve carving.

Best wishes to you!

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As a cancer suvivor pushing 50, my odds at a"normal" job seem kinda bleak. I'm getting ssi so we're ok for now. Thanks to a couple of exceptional strangers I'm hooked on this leather thing. I can make most things I try to but carving is another story. I'm sure with a LOT of practice , maybe I could trick somebody into thinking I knew what I was doing. My question is this ; is it likely that a guy could make a living doing this stuff? I know some of you Texans can but I live up here in Indiana. Not many cowboys... Just kiddin guys, truth is I'm jealous of your country. What I've seen looks real nice. Are there many of you that are in internet sales? How do you drum up buisness? I know the questions are kinda vague , just kinda putting out feelers. Thanks in advance for any replys ,oh and if you see Ferg tell him I said thanks again, Greg Ditton

Sounds like we have a lot in common, I am a cancer survivor, past 50, retired and trying to start a small leather business in central Indiana. For general questions and some classes on various business subjects I found the Indiana Small Business Development Center (isbdc.org) you might want to check them out. Business cards have worked for me so far but like I said I am just getting started just as you are. Work your family and friends to help get the word out that you are doing this, you may have to expand your offerings at first simply for profit but as you grow you can narrow to the archery field. After one month of being in "business", I am getting a few orders but am not making a living at it yet. Good luck.

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Yes, you can make a living working leather.....you'll get out what you put in. I only work leather on the weekends, and not every weekend at that, so I'm only seeing limited sales. If you spend more of your time doing it, you'll find the areas of opportunity for your locale.

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