How do you know when you’re at the point to start a business out of it/start asking money for what you’ve made??

[Handstitched]

10 hours ago, Klara said:

3. Love people and have a high tolerance for complete idiots (a good test would be to assist some crafter during a fair or market, maybe replace them for a few hours)

LOL, that made me laugh   I do markets, have been for 18 years , and Yup !! all of that, especially in regards to ' complete idiots '  ....if only I had a dollar......

@NH97 I used to work in shearing sheds, as a rousy, ( roustabout) . Long story short, it landed me in hospital.  So I looked at doing something else, which turned out to be leather work. It was just a hobby at first and I really enjoyed it , but it soon started to make a little money at markets, and now its full time....and a business. But I still very much enjoy it. 

Perhaps ' test' the waters and see what feedback you get from making a few things. Start off  with small items, and hopefully you'll be confident enough to start taking orders to make small items, and maybe work your way up.  But when it comes to turning it into a small business as I did , you're in a totally different ball park. Stick to keeping it as a hobby for now. Hope all goes well for you. 

HS

[Klara]

14 hours ago, NH97 said:

For example: We’ll have our local livestock show coming up at the end of February. My daughter is finally old enough to show this year and she got a pig, so I made her a show pen sign to hang on her pig’s pen at the show barn, and I also made her a leather backing for her showman’s brush. I also plan to make a leather wrapped picture frame to put her picture with her and her pig in to give as a gift to her buyer as a “buyers gift” with her thank you note.

I feel like these 3 items would be a huge hit in my local community, and advertising now would be to my advantage because it gives people plenty of time to tell me hey, I’d like one, while also giving me plenty of time before the show to be able to make them and get them out.

Firstly, slightly OT question for my education: In your part of the world exhibitors in livestock shows carry a brush in the show ring? Just asking, because at dog shows the brushing happens behind the scenes and in the ring we present a dog that's "naturally looking fabulous".

Secondly, I feel that maybe this year your daughter would like to be the only one with the extraordinary brush, pen sign and buyer's gift (the pig will be sold at the show, I get that right?)

Thirdly, as fredk points out, the work is not quite there yet. The two things that really bug me is the lack of contrast between pig and background and the uneven edge of the dark paint on the natural coloured leather. I would have painted right to the edge. Or not at all. Black pig on light brown greased leather might be fine...

Last but not least, you are looking at a very niche market, which is often recommended as a good strategy. Especially if you have a direct connection to the niche. Market research should be easy because the competition is probably limited, so you can check out what they are making and how and what things are selling for. 

I think I would proceed as follows (as long as points 1 to 3 of my first post are yes):

Work on making the very best things for your daughter you possibly can.

If you have the time, create a website (preferably your own) where you show what your daughter and you are doing. Sadly, a good website or YouTube channel is an enormous amount of work which will cut into your leatherworking time, so maybe skip that step or take it after the next one.

Let your daughter's equipment at the show (does the pig need a leash and collar?) be your advertising. If people like it, they'll ask her where she got it and she'll refer them to you. And then you are all set!

Good luck, and bon courage!

 

[chuck123wapati]

That is a very cool idea for a brush for any critter including people don't stop thinking at the barn door. You do need more practice making and to refine it. the background isn't to dark for your sunflower but it is for the pig as there is no contrast. I would suggest you use two pieces of leather, top and bottom, the bottom would have a oval hole for the bristles and come up tight around them then laced or sewn at the the rim of the handle to the top piece so that no plastic handle shows at all. 

[Alsopp]

I had this... At first it was a hobby. Then I gave my creations to friends. Then their friends and colleagues started ordering unique items from me.  At first, I took a token payment. But when the orders became so numerous that it interfered with my main job. I raised the price, bought raw materials and got fully involved in the process. In fact, that's how my business started. Then I started advertising on social networks, etc.

[Cattleman]

As several others have said... When folks start requesting you make stuff for them, thats when you start charging for your stuff.

 

A few years ago I posted 2 pictures on a differemt forum of a simple plain belt belt i made for my son from some chap leather I had laying around. Someone reached out for me to build them a work belt.

 

I made a deal for hi. to order the correct materials and have them shipped to me. I made the belt and my payment was the leftover material. He got a screaming deal on a custom belt. And I got a jump start into a proftable hobby.

 

He also let me post pics of the belt I built for him... And now I have a steady trickle of orders coming in, not enough to live on but enough to keep me busy a few weekends each month. And if I want to make something different that I dont personally have a use for, I put it up for sale on consignment at a local saddle/leather shop.

[chrisash]

Just a idea to improve the appearance would be to wet form veg tan to cover the top and sides down to the bristle area, this would just hide the wood and make it more attractive