How much $$ in tools do you have?

[Zilla]

I need to either win the lottery or find a sugar daddy. Gawd this would be nice to have.

http://tinyurl.com/36zajh

Kev

[JustWakinUp]

And I thought my shop was coming along just fine until I saw all those tools....WHOA ! !

[Johanna]

And the price isn't unreasonable, either...

About 10 years ago I did a complete inventory of my shop, which is my junk and everything that belonged to two late husbands, for insurance purposes (and, I admit, the thought of an auction in the back of my mind) and came up with a similar figure. I didn't count the scrap boxes, patterns or hardware in my figuring, either.

I'm gonna fix that link to be clickable.

Johanna

[Luke Hatley]

HEY ALL. I hate to say it. i am kinda like Joanne i have much more than that.

It has came up in certain conversations, "what will become of all your stuff

when you go Bellis up?" I dont want to think about it.

My wife has no clue to the value of what is in my shop.

[Zilla]

"what will become of all your stuff

when you go Bellis up?" I dont want to think about it.

My wife has no clue to the value of what is in my shop.

Well seeing that your wife has no clue as to your shops worth...Might I make a suggestion that you give it or will it to some "up-start" that you see as having great promiss as an artisan or craftmen/woman. A talented person who has the will and drive to go into the leather business but because of funds could never afford to build up a tool collection.

Take me for example. I do leather as a hobbie for personal reasons...gifts and just cause I want too. I have never charged for other than the kit or belt blank. Sometimes I get a few bucks but that's it. I buy my tools simply for the design and totaly balk at the idea of any stamping tool over $10.00 . Yes as a professional hair designer I won't blink an eye at forking over $700 for a pair of shears to cut hair with. $200 for a flat iron or other hot tool. This month alone I have spent right at $2,000.00 in classes. I know that when I decide to retire that my collection of shears and razors will be given to some young hot shot that I see the burn and desire in. Who knows...maybe when I retire I'll set myself up doing leather and hit all the trade day and craft fairs and end up buying some of those $$$ stamping tools!

Just an idea and my 2 cents worth.

Kev

[hiloboy]

your right my wife has no clue of the value of tools in my shop..don't want to tell her or she will make me stop buying so i give her one of these.. oh that old thing i've had that for years but when i do go to the happy hunting ground i can see it how i'll be turning in the grave. when i see her giving and throwing away those old things. i can hear her how .he told me it was old and has no value anyway he had it for years :biggrin:

Edited October 29, 2007 by hiloboy

[Regis]

This is an interesting conversation that I would like to interject perhaps a scholarship concept. Where I live, there is little of no chance of encountering an upcoming leather-worker but, in about 10-15 years, my ever growing shop of tools will have little or no value to my wife or children (except for a few memento's). The resale value for unknowing people in a weak leather area is poor at best. I would relish the though that I could place all my tools/machines into a learning repository where they could never be sold but, could be given to qualifying young folk. Who could oversee and manage such an inventory? Someone would have to catalog, store, decide what is good (vs someone's discards/trash), and of course measure applicants against scholarship guidelines.

Some thoughts,

Regis

[Johanna]

Here's another one, more moderately priced. Three days left.

Johanna

[MikeG]

How about the reverse? I got into leather only because there was an estate sale and I figured I could get the Boy Scouts and my kids interested in a craft. Neither the woman nor I had a clue to what the stuff was worth; I was the only one who expressed any interest & so I got it. You guessed it, the Scouts didn't care, my kids weren't interested, and so everything remained in boxes until it got in my way & I either had to do something with it or get rid of it.

About that time, the first and only leathercraft show was held in Rome, Ga. I met tons of folks & took a couple of workshops. Since then I've piddled around with it as a hobby. I haven't done any leatherwork for about 6 months now due to other "important" things, and the fact there is no one in my area to hang with.

This site is great, almost like a family reunion where you're all related but don't know anybody. Because of you guys I'm getting really itchy to start back doing some leatherwork, just looking for the right project. I alternately feel guilty and blessed for how I got most of my tools & supplies. I know the only way I can make it up is to put this stuff to work & make beautiful things.

This thread has also gotten me thinking. I know there are established leather schools -- I think maybe I might look into willing this stuff to one of them, and so to pass it on.

By the way, if you avoid e-bay and check the yard sales and local sites, you might run across a deal -- here's one today for $100:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/467761536.html

Edited November 4, 2007 by MikeG