Lets talk about sales (or lack thereof)

[kgg]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

The bag was an exact copy of the school bag we in Ulster used to use 50 years ago.

That bag but in brown was the same one the mother would buy every September from the local cobber for me to carry my books to grade school. I would get one year of enjoyment out of them as I used it as a sled for sliding down the snow hill behind the school during recess and lunch, books were optional.

kgg

[chrisash]

How many of the population would go to work each and every day if they just did what they wanted to do

I only make what I want to make appears to be a luxury most cannot afford

If you want to sell something , then make what the customer wants at the price they want to pay, or talk them into a reason to buy

[Klara]

1 hour ago, kgg said:

the mother would buy every September from the local cobber for me to carry my books

Seriously?  Your cobbler would make bags that would only last one year? That's no advertising for leather craftsmen. My shop-bought school bag lasted all 13 years of school and then I mounted brackets on it to hang it on the bicycle's luggage rack. 4 more years of language college. Then I was really sick and tired of it and threw it away before moving.

[chuck123wapati]

18 minutes ago, Klara said:

Seriously?  Your cobbler would make bags that would only last one year? That's no advertising for leather craftsmen. My shop-bought school bag lasted all 13 years of school and then I mounted brackets on it to hang it on the bicycle's luggage rack. 4 more years of language college. Then I was really sick and tired of it and threw it away before moving.

did you use it as a sled every winter as he did? lol

[fredk]

28 minutes ago, Klara said:

Seriously?  Your cobbler would make bags that would only last one year? 

No, its because we abused the bags. Every year my mother used to buy me a new satchel and new shoes for the new school year, even if I didn't need the new satchel. If the old school satchel was still good it went back to the shop [a main shoe shop] and it was sold on to people who could not afford a new one

[Charley1]

IIn order to sell, you have to look at your potential market. What it wants, what it needs, and so on. Price is always a factor as well. Basic and less expensive usually., in my experience, sells better than artsy and more expensive. Remember, Sam Walton became a multimillionaire (big money back then!) by selling stuff for 5 cents cheaper than the competition down the street.

My sales are basically simple holsters, cartridge belt slides, and similar items. I net about $1200-$1500 per month. Not great, but decent for an old retired guy.  

[kgg]

6 hours ago, Klara said:

Seriously?  Your cobbler would make bags that would only last one year?

Yes, snow sliding is terrible on leather. It had nothing to do with the cobbler's ability or the quality of leather but the abuse of daily sliding for months on end. Where I grew up (Newfoundland) you got snow in October and it lasted usually til April or May with the occasional snow storm mid June. Yes, June.

kgg

[Spyros]

50 minutes ago, kgg said:

Yes, snow sliding is terrible on leather. It had nothing to do with the cobbler's ability or the quality of leather but the abuse of daily sliding for months on end. Where I grew up (Newfoundland) you got snow in October and it lasted usually til April or May with the occasional snow storm mid June. Yes, June.

kgg

My previous boss was from Northern Sweden.  At some point he announced he was going back home to visit his family for the summer holidays, and when  he came back and we all asked him how was his summer.  He said: "Not great". 

"Why?  What happened?"

"It fell on a Monday"  

[DJole]

1 hour ago, kgg said:

Yes, snow sliding is terrible on leather. It had nothing to do with the cobbler's ability or the quality of leather but the abuse of daily sliding for months on end. Where I grew up (Newfoundland) you got snow in October and it lasted usually til April or May with the occasional snow storm mid June. Yes, June.

kgg

You're a Newfoundlander? I spent 3 fun-filled years in St. John's going to Memorial. Are you a townie or from out 'round da bay?

[Hags]

I like making holsters, knife sheaths, and axe covers. But, mainly, I like holsters.  That's my thing. I run an add on Craigslist,  locally, with pics of my work. I get many calls, and a lot of I'll call you when I'm ready. I dont put them on my list. This a busy hobby for me. I'm retired, and just love leatherworking. I do not try to compete with master carvers or big time, big box holster makers. But, H.O. leather is not cheap. If people want a garage sale deal, go to a garage sale and find a brand new custom holster. It doesn't take a lot of sales to cover my costs, but this ain't cheap! I'm doing a show locally this summer. I'll probably pass out a lot of business cards. We'll see.