Members SUP Posted June 4, 2023 Author Members Report Posted June 4, 2023 @Klara and @Handstitched, I know! it is such a dilemma. I could sell items directly without making it a formal business but these days they are very strict here in the US, I have heard. So if I do decide to do it as a business, it will have to be all the complications of business registration etc. UGH! @jrdunn, you are right about the deadlines and pressure to complete orders versus doing leatherwork for the pleasure of it. I would hate to lose the joy I get from working with leather. And like you said, @Handstitched, buying a machine! I have seen the threads here about buying a machine There are so many things to think about, and since I am such a novice at leatherwork, I am clueless about all of them. I barely even machine-stitch cloth, so that will be a learning curve as well. I have 2 sewing machines, including a vintage one , just sitting pretty as of now! So I wonder if I will use a leather sewing one or it will become another expensive 'curio' in my house. And I hate to spend money unless absolutely necessary. SO much to think about. Thank you for giving me so much food for thought. I need it all to make an informed decision. Quote Learning is a life-long journey.
Members SUP Posted June 4, 2023 Author Members Report Posted June 4, 2023 @KGG, yes, that makes sense. Hand stitching so many sheaths is just not practical. Leather sewing machines are expensive and it does not make sense to me to buy a machine for just this project - it will certainly not cover the cost of one. I do not know whether I will get other projects or will even want them. So I have to decide whether buying a machine will help me in newer projects and allow me to make more items that I would not attempt to hand sew, even just for a hobby. Quote Learning is a life-long journey.
AlZilla Posted June 4, 2023 Report Posted June 4, 2023 26 minutes ago, SUP said: t does not make sense to me to buy a machine for just this project - it will certainly not cover the cost of one. 105 sheaths x 20.00 profit per = $2100. More than the cost of a Cowboy Outlaw or CB2500. If you never do another for-profit order, you've propelled your hobby leaps and bounds forward. I'd be on that deal in a heartbeat. Quote “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” - Voltaire “Republics decline into democracies and democracies degenerate into despotisms.” - Aristotle
Members Handstitched Posted June 4, 2023 Members Report Posted June 4, 2023 @SUP Its a lot to think about I know, but remember, YOU are in charge and whatever you decide, you have our support Empowering isn't it ?? and it feels damn good too HS Quote ' I have a very gweat friend in Wome called Biggus Dickus, He has a wife you know, do you know whats she's called? Incontinentia.......Incontinentia Buttocks '
Members SUP Posted June 4, 2023 Author Members Report Posted June 4, 2023 @Alzilla, You are perfectly right, if I get $20 profit from each sheath. I somehow am not sure. My husband just told me he was talking to my husband about simple sheaths for $10!! People have no idea of the expense and efforts put into hand made leather items! if he agrees to a price where I can make a decent profit, I will probably do it. Otherwise, not worth it. @Handstitched, Yes! It is empowering and feels good. I should see the positive side of it! Quote Learning is a life-long journey.
AlZilla Posted June 4, 2023 Report Posted June 4, 2023 18 minutes ago, SUP said: My husband just told me he was talking to my husband about simple sheaths for $10!! Yep, mass produced junk is the enemy of handcrafted quality. We live in a Walmart world. I hope you get the deal. Quote “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” - Voltaire “Republics decline into democracies and democracies degenerate into despotisms.” - Aristotle
Members SUP Posted June 4, 2023 Author Members Report Posted June 4, 2023 @Handstitched, your mother sounds delightfully talented! Spinning wool, knitting, making garments, pottery, baking.. so many talents. I am impressed. You must be proud of her. Quote Learning is a life-long journey.
Members SUP Posted June 4, 2023 Author Members Report Posted June 4, 2023 (edited) @AlZilla, yes, unfortunately. Don't people notice the different in quality? If he insists on such a ridiculous price, I am directing him to the cheap items he can get off Etsy or eBay or Temu or wherever. Edited June 4, 2023 by SUP Quote Learning is a life-long journey.
Contributing Member fredk Posted June 4, 2023 Contributing Member Report Posted June 4, 2023 Be careful. I recently dropped a deal for cowboy holsters. The retailer want top quality holsters at a lower price he can buy poor thin leather ones from Mexico. The deal was for at least 5 holsters per month for at least 3 years. I can't even buy the decent leather for less than he is buying a cheap holster in at (eg, my good thick leather is about £5 sqft x 3 = £15 plus lining leather at £3.50 sqft = about £26, he's buying the cheap holster and a belt for £25). The retailer keeps asking when I'm going to make him some holsters and I keep telling him he can't afford my prices. He's been asking since 2017! Sometimes, after looking at a deal, ya just gotta walk away from it Hand sewing can take more time than you think. I recently sewed the perimeter of a book cover. It took 3, that's three, bluddy hours. At £10.85 (minimum wage here) that's £32.55 just to sew the edge! As this is for a friend, I'd told her £15 for the book cover. That just covers the cost of the leather (real cheap, but good, leather ) and a few fittings Also, a while back, as I was asked to do so, I used a stop watch to time every working step in making a simple coin purse. Actual working time came out at 1 hour 45 minutes, and I didn't have to dye or edge finish or anything fancy. So that was, at min/wg, £19 for something I'd sell for £3 or £5 I might do the stop-watch thing again sometime, just to see how long it takes me to make something Quote Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
AlZilla Posted June 4, 2023 Report Posted June 4, 2023 Out of curiosity, I trolled $10 knife sheaths on Amazon. I found what we'd all expect, cheap, thin "leather", no welts, complaints of poking a sharp knife through the sheath. One reviewer measured his "leather" at .040", so about 2oz. But look! 4 stars out of 5! How does Amazon Math work when 45% of reviews are 4 stars and under, 29% are 3 stars and under, yet somehow average out to 4 stars? Quote “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” - Voltaire “Republics decline into democracies and democracies degenerate into despotisms.” - Aristotle
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