joeyrsmith

Simple question really. Who is doing one or all of the above? and who has done all of the above? What has been the most successful and why? I have been incorporating some small stuff (wallets,iphone,belts,dog collars,etc) into my art shows that I do for a living. Which is fine art photography. Has been interesting. At my high-end shows I do not bring out my leather work. Been selling items and generating alot of custom work from people who see it. Here in South Florida there seems to be not that many leather workers. So people are pretty interested in it. So who does what and why has it worked for you? Thanks from a new life-long member. Joey

DoubleC, Will you have a wall behind you at the new location like I see in the thumbnail pic you posted? If so, that would be a great place to put a banner up or something similar if they allow it. Keep it simple with a USP. Which means Unique Selling Proposition. Plus your website info. I stopped using biz cards a long time ago. I now keep a journal where I can write the potential customers email address down. If they do that, they are a little more interested in your art than the "do you have a card" To me thats a easy and nice way for them to reject you by asking for a card. I now use these little stickers with my info and hand them out. Its the address label size, This way it "sticks around" Haha, get it. It has worked better than cards. Banner would be cool though. Joey

Cheryl, Hi new here but not to the world of craft and art shows. Read the thread and I know that I can help with the show side of things. I am the show chairman of the Florida Keys Art Guild, so I do know a thing or two. Still trying to learn a thing or two or more about leather crafting. Its been 20 + years since I did it last. Fine art photography is my main thing. 1st up is that its hard to do a craft show like you explained in a cold climate like you just did. (if its a well know show anything is possible) At this time of year, look for your local Chamber of Commerce shows that are holiday related. Now all of the professional crafters/artists are coming to Florida for outdoor shows. Art shows are a whole different beast, but they are very lucrative if done right. I am slowly working in my leather work around my main line of photography. Small table nothing to crazy. I like your work and I am sure other people will too. The trick is getting it in front of people. And having enough of it. Nothing worse at a show and you only hve a few things. Go to your local Sears store or whatever store you like and study how they have the merchandise displayed and setup. This is how a small art show tent needs to look. Classy, neat, clean and full of stuff. It will take time. If there are any shows left up in Vt. You need to go and study them. I guess they are done. Coming into winter now. I have alot of links for show info if you want to know how to do it. Just let me know. JOey

So, how many people have their designs/products down to a tee? Or are you creating new ones all the time looking for a best seller? Just wondering.

Thx guys, yes I am learning that the thread I started with is not that great. Will have to get what katsass suggested in another answer to a question I had earlier.

New here. Soaking everything in. New to leather work and loving it. Quick ? on using a lighter to seal the ends after a saddle stitch run. On the backside of course. I am getting that little ugly bump, probably because I am using artificial sinew. Its melting the ends and just doesn't look right. Any other ideas for a newbie? Thx Joe

Thx for the reply. Any more ideas? Or does katsass cover it good. With all that history its sounds great to me. What about punching with one of those 3-4 pronged deals? I have a set coming very soon. I used an old-fashioned awl from the hardware store for my 1st attempt. Not right I know. But I had all of the other supplies except the punch set. Could not wait, had to make something.

With my first question ever on this forum. I want to say that I am new to leather working and pulled off my 1st iphone case with decent success. Question refers to thread. When I used Tandy for my supplies I really didnt know which to get. I got small rolls of artificial sinew and their 10pk stitching needles. After reading some of the posts on stitching and thread I am a little confused. I just want to start with small projects. Cases, Key Fobs, cell phone, wallets that kind of thing. Learning my way up to holsters and cycle stuff. So I guess I am asking for is, what is the basic proper setup of thread and needles for what I starting to do. Hit me with suggestions and the path to enlightenment. Thx and I am glad to have found you guys. JOey