daleoffshore Report post Posted July 16, 2012 I'm a newbie on this site.I did leather work when in Scouts at home and got away from it for a long time. When Dad passed away,I had an interest and wound up with Dad's Luberto no9,which I'm getting the hang of,and keep pushing to improve my skills. I'm now working with canvas and leather[no tooling yet]trying to find a nich to fill a small market .For thos ewho have horses,I've designed a haybag using 18oz canvas,I've learned that all will be trimmed in leather at opening;[My Mustang and My Wife's horse are my quality control specialists] and I'll be putting a copper rivit in top corners. I'm working on a few other things,and learning from mistakes and use discount leather,but like to make a few things higher end ie hand laced w/tooling to follow. Since I know many people [incliding a few relatives] who have had cancer in one form or another,I made three Pink Leather Satchels[ briefcase size w/sholder straps] for Relay for Life Fund raisers,and want to push it up a notch next year with a few tooled items. I intend to have a few stamps made just for Relay/cancer, As some of you may have seen,I try to buy USA materials.Canvas comes from India and not much choice,but I try to stay away from China made unless I NEED it. For the last two yrs Wife and I have been USA first and china last,and fill in w/other countries products as needed. [For those wanting canvas,Textiles for you is about the cheapest;but 100 yd rolls] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted July 16, 2012 Well Dale you and I have talked before, and share feeling on China products. Yet trying to find USA products can be like a needle in a haystack as we both know. What can we do to help you figure out where to go from here to get a business up and running? Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daleoffshore Report post Posted July 16, 2012 Right now, I need to work on honeing my skills,and to find a place to rent cheap in my area[humbpldt county] as my leather room is 6 ft x 11 ft. I feel that if I really make an effort that I need an 8x 16 layout table. I will also have to be flexible,as repair work could be about anything. I don't want to have a shop/store,I would rather be a shop of custom and semi custom items and repairs.I hope to find a couple of places to sell from and let them deal w/sales tax in ca. I guess internet is also req in this day and age,and if things go well,I'll have to get buisness wholesale #. I've been a Heavy Equipment Mechanic and welder and want to semi-retire in sept 2013.Burned out on wrenching,but enjoy making things;and the Relay for Life donations should be a good way to get known [ I hope ] . I have too many Hobbies,but they do blend togather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted July 17, 2012 Dale I work from all over my house and it's a pain but I do it. I'm moving across the hall to a bigger apartment for the same reason, but I wouldn't make my first goal a store front unless you have a solid customer base already. The overhead will kill you before you get a chance to start. In the new apartment I'll have a room I can dedicate to just leather and sewing stuff and actually have a place to live where as here it's been dedicated to leather and sewing stuff, and I make a running jump to get to my bed :-) Right across the street from me there's a place for lease I've lusted after just to get this stuff out of my life 24/7 but unless you're independently wealthy I'd keep it at home until you are bringing in enough money you'll break even in a store front. If you already have a place that's 6x11 just to do this you're ahead of the game compared to some of us, and I don't mean just me, I mean most people I talk to on here regularly. Just my advice but the advice that was given me that I'm glad I took. EIN numbers are free so get one of those and then you can get your supplies at most places wholesale. Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daleoffshore Report post Posted July 18, 2012 I know not to get in over my head. If it was/is possible,a large layout table would be good.In my area,you don't have much to choose from if you want heavy sewing done;and it could be anything from leather,canvas ie tent repair,or tarps for a trucker. There are only a few choices here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted July 19, 2012 I understand the space issue. With me it's guitar straps and they are 42" long, and only one desk I have is that long so it's constantly piled up with everything from cutting tools to dye. I'd like to have about 3 of the ugly old things, it's an institutional metal desk with a fake wood top. Not pretty but you can find those pretty cheap at school sales, or offices going out of business, etc because that's what it is, a big, ugly, function piece of office furniture. Put 3 of those in an L shape in your space and you could sew the boat, not just the sails :-) Whatever you do Dale, I wish you all the luck in the world. Would still love to see your haybags too. Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleBarP Report post Posted July 19, 2012 (edited) Dale: I read your post with some interest. I just retired and my wife told me to GET a HOBBY. So I'm a novice leather guy. I have gravitated towards CC holsters as my career gave me insight into what works and what doesn't when it comes to CCW… Now building them is a whole new challenge, keeping my mind and hands busy… I have found that when someone tells me about their dream holster asking me if I could build one. I pull out my photo of a pile / box of holsters and tell them the "perfect" one doesn't exist. The application determines the holster. Work space… I have a 30X70 basement. My new hobby has taken over almost a third of it… Stitcher, patch machine, cutting table, TV (when I'm doing edge work), gluing table, also holds buffer, and drill press. Holster press next to that. Vacuum cleaner… and leather supply… Finish area is by sink in other corner. Drying area near that… Now to my point. I have a buddy that makes and repairs canvas for camper tops. In fact he does business all over the US… He bought a bowling alley, cleaned it out and has that setup for his shop…. And he mostly does new stuff, some repair… In a conversation once I asked him why not more repair work… He advised that the customer does not care about his machines and they never bring in clean canvas to sew. It is always full of some sort of gravel or other substance that is hard on the machines….He refers that business to the Amish fellow 5 miles away… Good Luck with your hobby. PS: Are youlooking to make horse tac or leather products in general… I have an interest in Tac but never madeanything… gonna do some spur straps soon… Edited July 19, 2012 by DoubleBarP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daleoffshore Report post Posted July 20, 2012 I'm not going to infringe on saddle makers or retired LEO's making Holsters.You have room to store all the molds etc,and sounds like you have a nice shop. Never thought of thr repairs that way,though most Women wash their horse blankets before giving it to me. I would'nt mind making a few Scabbards though,I do want to be selective though. Take the Haybags for instance,I've made a few proto-types,and each one has improvements.I have no desire to compete with the 19.95 nylon that easily rip [ why I started this quest ] .I have one that I feed my mustang in twice daily;and He finds the weak spots.When I have a final bag that will hold up,I will try to market a few.Cheap? no, but will hold up to all but chewing and severe treatment. The one I've made most is'nt for hanging on the side of your trailer,it's for hanging on a pen or corral for daily use.I made one for my Wife's horse double 18 oz canvas, [ He's the ultimate test expert ] after he ripped the back of a brand new one after My Wife tied it down w/lower D-ring. I've made one w/single strap for horse trailer use,untested though. I may just have to make them now and then for fundraisers "CBCH" and gifts etc;time will tell. A good way to find out is to get a few out there for others to try. Also,I live in Humboldt County,where carbon footprint,organic,recycled are good marketing terms. I need to get someone to show me how to post photos,I finally have a digital camera. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted July 20, 2012 Dale. Download your pics into a folder or someplace where you can browse (look) and find them. Then on the bottom of where you post here you'll see the option of using full editor. Attachments will be one. When you click on that it will give you the option to 'browse' to your computer, find the pictures you want, and click on one. Then tell 'window' to open it. And it will start uploading. Wait until you see the picture before hitting post. Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
