Advice on items to make to start my small buisness at flea markets

[fredk]

Never mind JLS, Just one point of view

Be aware that no matter how many people are there only 0.1% will stop with you. 

Have cheap things with your brand on it to sell cheaply or give away and better stuff, like motorcycle saddle bags, on the back rack to show off.

Attract the tiny trainee grups to your stall and their parents will come too

I'm going to start including a new range; small toy animals. I have the patterns, have had them for years. They use up about a 4 in sq of 1mm veg tan. You put string through holes and when you pull the string it pulls the animal into shape

Like these;

I think I'll maybe just do the elephant (and leave off that hanging fitting)

I'll have a few of these, bagged up with a piece of string, to give away to trainee grups

Its still in the planning stages

[chuck123wapati]

9 hours ago, Wildwest2029leathercraft said:

So what's ur point ? That selling leather crafted stuff is a waste of my time? If so please tell me and save me the time and hassle and ile move on to the next idea I have . Im good at some other things too that I wanna make and sell. 

His point is that Flea markets don't work and may be a waste of your time if you are trying to make a living doing this. Check out the vendor parking lot for Lamberginis lol.

But here's the deal, there are literally MIllions of things you can make with leather, and millions of people from hundreds of countries so no one here can tell you how to be successful selling your stuff. It has to be top quality or at least look better than something you can buy at Walmart. You have to be a salesman and a living example of what you peddle, showing pride in yourself and your product or people will not even look at your stuff. 

The best place to start is by walking a few flea markets in your area, hang around , see what sells, ask vendors what is selling. Get a feel of what it is you are attempting to do. Don't ask us if it's worth it, ask the vendors at the flea markets. If they are all new vendors, why aren't there any old vendors? There may be no money to keep vendors coming back so location may affect your outcome even with a good product.!! 

I live in Wyoming, have never been to Florida, and haven't the foggiest idea what anyone would buy at a flea market in Florida, but it probably wouldn't be my Elk hunting gear. My guess is going to be sandals, flip flops and such. maybe straps to hold your sunglasses or sunscreen lotion, card wallets for your swimsuits.

 Whatever it is make it look good so if you're a beginner, then make it very simple until you gain the experience to expand your leather work to more complicated and pricier stuff..

Good luck to you my friend!!!!!!

Oh, just food for thought,  a leather card wallet with a stamped image of a bug at the Ugly Bug Fly Shop in Casper, Wyoming, sells for 79 dollars; they won't sell for 10 at a flea market. 

Edited yesterday at 01:23 PM by chuck123wapati
brain fart

[DocReaper]

Hi guys, time for me to weigh in. I just closed my shop at Webb Road Flea Market in Salisbury North Carolina. If you are thinking of selling your handmade leather items at the flea market, you must sell other items as well, many folks have the Walmartians disease's, where everything yis less than the worth of your time. I sold motorcycle leather and motorcycle accessories. The belts were just ok but not enough to make a living or pay rent. Cases and other items are not good sellers when china is selling their items way cheaper. 
do yourself a favor - sell items anywhere other than the flea market 

[dikman]

Fred, those little animals are brilliant! If you made a clicker die to stamp them out in bulk or second choice use a laser to cut them out your cost will be minimal. Where did you get the patterns?

[fredk]

@dikman I bought the plastic templates out of China on ebay. I've found them on Temu as well. They're very cheap. About £/$5 for all five

Just the other day I found clicker dies for a couple of them on Temu. I bought the elephant one for £11