Lets talk about sales (or lack thereof)

[Silverd]

Five years at this and I have learned a lot about selling my goods.  I will make some custom things for the right customer.  They need to be willing to wait for delivery cause I'm slow.  Selling about $6 - 8k  a year through an art center in town and through direct sales via word of mouth.  My primary interest is in bag making but I also make high quality sandals, belts, mini wallets and card holders, wine totes, dog leashed and collars etc.  All of it adds up and periodically I'll sell a bag for $500.00.  

On 7/20/2021 at 12:20 PM, Silverd said:

Hello Helpful Folks

Can anyone help me identify this type of stitching?  What kind or type of sewing machine makes this stitch?    Image is from a vintage leather Doctor style bag or suit case that I'm remaking around the existing hardware.  It appears to me that the leather panels were stitched together using a unique machine...Possibly a post bed or???  Certainly some hand stitching seems to have been used but its not totally clear?     A lot of these cases were made and there was likely special machines used in the manufacturing process.   Anyone have information?   

Thank you in advance!

 

Silverd

 

 

On 1/7/2022 at 1:39 PM, TomE said:

That is a sharp looking bag.  I am particularly impressed with the handles.  I tried making a similar handle for my wife's briefcase and it turned out a bit lumpy and asymmetrical.  I am buying time watching it break in, while procrastinating about making another.  Mine was based on a pattern in Stohlman's Art of Making Leather Cases.  He used a plywood form to shape after sewing but I don't have or want a band saw.

 

On 2/25/2022 at 6:24 AM, Mulesaw said:

First of all, beautiful work!

Second: Since they look so good and in leather, I was wondering if you could substitute the lower reinforcement with some leather as well? I think it will hold up better, but it is just a guess. Kind of like that beautiful upper soft looking round cushion.

For leather I would go with heavily oiled veg tan, I am not an expert by any means, but for horse gear I like to use something that can just get the same treatment as the rest of the gear I use. It is possible that you can also do it with chrome tanned, but again I am not that much into that science.
 

Would you perhaps be so kind as to show a picture of the backside and the inside too? I would like to make a set of those for our son's jumping horse, and it looks like you have really nailed it with those (That is if you don't mind me trying to make a copy)

Brgds Jonas (awestruck with those that you have made)

 

On 2/25/2022 at 6:14 PM, RockyAussie said:

Hi Don,

I am not sure of your meaning when you say what link? The picture above your question is a link showing off the narrow needle plate set I designed. This video shows it well enough - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a83lCJe4JKo&t=94s Sharon Harne got a set from me back in November I think and should testify to its usefulness if you ask her. The price for the narrow needle plate set delivered anywhere in the USA is $110 US dollars if you want a set.  I have one of the tall post machines coming in sometime next week and I will do a video showing it off asap. Follow my youtube channel if you want to be sure to see it soon.

 

 

On 2/26/2022 at 12:07 PM, dereckwest said:

Hi, Kenneth is willing to part out High Post-Bed Machine. You can try reach him at kenneth.krom@aol.com‬ .Thanks
 

 

On 3/13/2022 at 6:01 PM, Silverd said:

Inspired by a commissioned project for a manbag, this version is an attempt to soften the edges and improve the refinement.  Looking for opinions as I've only made one before.  Thought I should probably carry this one for a while to see what I learn

Silverd

 

On 3/14/2022 at 5:20 AM, Samalan said:

20 Years ago I did some work for a company that had 2 custom conference tables made at a cost of 14,000 each the first day they were in a guy walks in and throws his briefcase on the table not good the company had glass fitted to the tops your concern made me think of that the company was Digital Equipment 

 

On 3/13/2022 at 7:46 PM, Spyros said:

I always have opinions :D

Overall opinion: I love it, it looks rigid and durable like an old Swiss army map satchel but at the same time with luxury touches like the turned or polished edges.  I can't quite figure out what you did with the strap attachments but it's a great idea, I find what often happens in other bags is the strap keeps hitting the top flap and ends up bending and damaging it over time (particularly any edge finish on the flap would be ruined within days).  The way you've done it it keeps the straps further out and clear from the flap which is great.  Now since you've made more room for the flap maybe you could take that opportunity and make the flap a little wider, it would help it sit better over the bag and cover the openings, and would give you some room to make those two folds you made.  Kind of like this (obviously a totally different bag and softer leather, just look at the flap design)

I'd also probably lose the feet, instead I would consider stitching the bottom the other way round, if you know what I mean?  Turn the bottom the other way with the edges facing down and then stitch.  You lose a tiny bit of interior space but you get a nice, rigid bottom that helps the bag stand and doesn't make this annoying sound when you put the bag on a hard surface.  Probably easier to stitch from the outside too.

Another option to consider is a simple leather strap and loop closure, it is visually appealing on those tall & narrow bags because it follows the lines of the bag.  Like this one.  (Or a simple strap and buckle would do the same). 

What are the rivets on the front, is there an interior pocket?  Do you have more photos? 

Well done anyway, it looks great as it is, just throwing some ideas in case you make another.

Cheers

SP