rodneywt1180b

+1

Pricing is something I struggle with. I sell on Etsy. I spent a lot of time looking at what other sellers on Etsy were making, how much they were selling, and what their price points were when I set up my shop. I then took an objective look at what I was making and the quality I was capable of and set my prices to reflect that level of work. What venue are you selling in? It makes a difference. The same item in a high end gallery will bring more money than at a flea market. I wanted to do online sales. It's what works best for me. I chose Etsy because it's big, it's known and it doesn't have the same degree of cheap overseas goods and bargain hunters as Ebay (I do see some). Be realistic about what you're making. I'm not doing high end work. I don't get to charge high end prices. My work is more in the good daily user range so I price my work in that range. I think I'm close. I sell a cane every few weeks. Is it a living? No. I would have to make and sell a cane a day to even come close. The rate of sales? Looking at other sellers on Etsy it's about normal for my price point and quality of work. I'm hitting my goals for sales. All sales are a competition. To get that sale over the other guy you have to offer something the other guy doesn't. Some get involved in a race to the bottom on prices. Don't bother competing there. Look instead at unique products, niche markets, etc. What I did instead of lowering my prices is I offer what I think is a better designed product than others in the same price range.

Very nice!

I can't help you but what a great find!

I don't know much about it. What are you working on? If it's something like armor I know of this method though haven't tried it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiled_leather My admittedly limited understanding is that rawhides and vegetable tanned leathers are going to be harder than chrome tanned leather in general.

Cool idea! I'm sure our dog would approve too.

Thank you.

Nice classic looking sling. How do you like the neoprene for padding?

Looks to me like you're still capable of some pretty fine work. I would like to someday get that good. I agree. the hospital is one of the very worst places to try to get a decent night's sleep. They apparently don't recognize the value of sleep in healing.

Thanks. The kidskin is dyed, but by the tannery. I decided that my fears were most likely groundless in this case. Something I wouldn't bet on if I dyed the leather myself. I know I didn't have any problems while I was handling it and stitching it on.

I wasn't interested 10 years ago but right now I would say this is a large active and healthy forum. I belong to a couple that are pretty small, sometimes with days between new posts. I do what I can with the ones I'm on to contribute to the discussion. I really don't want to see the forum format get killed off by the likes of Facebook. Forums have a huge advantage in building up large, easily accessible archives of good information. I don't like the "right now" type of format that Facebook uses.

I haven't worked with them. Test a couple maybe? If you don't like the results I think I would look at products intended for wool.

Thanks for getting back to me on this Tony. There was a similar question about your milled veg tan from another member here in the "How do I do that?" section. You may have already seen it. I'm hoping after payday I can order some more leather from you.

I agree there. Oblivion was good but Morrowind had the edge I think. My only issue is it's easy to get too powerful. Oblivion made you work a little harder.

I really like the hex bolt stamp. Great idea. I have two bee hives in my yard so I like the honeycomb look it gives. I love the Elder Scroll series of games (I've wasted many hours playing them) though I don't have a machine that will handle Skyrim (yet). The nails look like a good idea too.

Tiered pricing sounds like a good idea from here. I like it.

I buy Tiger Thread from Egyptian Leather on Etsy. Egyptian sells it wrapped on tubes instead of flat and gives great service. I use only smaller amounts so it makes sense for me to buy smaller quantities for specific projects even if I'm paying a premium for the smaller amounts. I haven't felt a need to try anything different. If something is really low in price I tend to wonder what they left out.

Wow! Awesome job Caitlin!

Good question. Leather isn't my main thing so about I can do is give some general ideas. When my wife and I had our little antique business small, easy to carry items that could be given as gifts tended to sell best. We closed it several years ago because when we adopted our daughter she required all of our attention. I know, nothing to do with leather but the same general idea of smaller gift type items might work out. Key holders, cell phone cases, cup cozies, that sort of thing maybe? What kind of sports, tourism, recreation, etc. is there in your area? Maybe some items to fit those niches? Maybe something like canvas and leather tote bags too. Canvas looks good, goes well with leather, and helps keep costs down. The only problem I'm aware of with flea market type settings is a lot of people are looking for bargains. If you can get into craft fairs or even GOOD farmer's markets you might get better prices. Go for venues where people are looking to buy unique hand crafted items, not just what's cheapest.

I'm pretty much in the same ballpark hourly wage wise on my canes. I end up making around $8.00 an hour, sometimes I under charge and make less. Some is just what the market will bear but a lot of that is my choice. I aim to make good daily users for the most part. I want people to actually use my canes. Too high a price and people would be afraid to take them out and maybe drop them. I'm working on leather handles as a way to stand out from the rest of the makers out there. A part time job would pay better and be more regular. OTOH it keeps me entertained, it's money I wouldn't have otherwise and I'm doing what I want, not what someone else wants, with my time.

Semi custom maybe? Same size, standard colors, custom tooling on the side panels like name, etc? You would still have to make them one at a time but just having a standard pattern helps. It's a great looking kit and like the others said there are people who know quality are willing to pay for it.

That turned out great.

You should be pleased. It's a great looking bag.

I know which one you're talking about. SLC sells it. It is listed as a veg tan. It's one I'm very curious about and interested in. I'm hoping Tony will see this and chime in with more specifics. Does it have a lot of stretch? I prefer a stretchy leather for covering cane handles.

I might try just a regular round sewing machine needle on some scrap first and see how it works. IIRC leather needles have a triangular point to cut through the leather. That may not be completely necessary for what I'm doing.