raftert Report post Posted June 16, 2009 Have any of yall been asked to make questionable products. Thanks Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Major Report post Posted June 16, 2009 Many times. Depending on the item, can be very profitable. but whatever you do don't sacrifice principle for a payday. What sort of item are we talking about? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted June 16, 2009 I will give you an example: Sometimes I sell at Renaissance Faires. I am a Christian, and I believe in Jesus as my savior. Those are my beliefs. When I am at Faires, I am presented with ALOT of different beliefs. It is not my place there to jump down a potential customer's throat, so to speak. However, when a customer asks me if I will make a cover for her Book of Shadows, my answer is no. I tell her I can refer her to several excellent leatherworkers who can help her, but I cannot help her. I hope this answers your question. I would say the same thing if it were handcuffs, whips/chains, etc. It is simply something I personally do not do, and do not wish to promote. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted June 16, 2009 I have had many such times, I had a guy come to me said he had upwards of 60 hand guns of all kinds and he was stocking ammo for them he wanted me to make a Rambo army type setup holsters of every kind around his body I was not comftable with his state of mind or his reasons for having the guns and told him I was not interested even when he grabed $600 bucks and said here's a down payment. Like Holly I have a line and I don't cross it for any amount of money I am Christian as well and I think this sets my line. Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted June 16, 2009 'Questional items' covers a lot of ground... I think the minute folk know you work with leather the 'questionable item' light comes on... I get asked if I make 'weird stuff' fairly often and I always reply yes. I do make weird stuff but it doesn't have anything to do with sex or black magic. Most of the wierd stuff I make is simply for people with no taste at all. Some of the colours people ask for are positively nasty. Some of the designs they bring me make me wonder if they have ever seen a decently made piece of leatherwork - but mine is not to reason why, mine is to apply the dye! I have had my share of weird folk banging on the door and have always turned them away because there is one thing you can always be sure of, weird folk don't pay their bills. Religion is something I can deal with in a work situation - I don't care what folks call their God or what kind of book they read from to give them peace on mind. I respect everyone's right to believe in anythig they like as long as they don't push their thinking down my throat. Anyone who tries that gets shown the door. On the other hand, I have made religion focussed leathergoods (bible and prayer book covers, covers for copies of the Koran, books of shadows, ceremonial belts and wristbands, sheaths for athames, wand covers - hey the list is endless) for people of almost all denominations of the common religions plus many 'alternative' religions. Most people have been polite and respectful some have been difficult - that is just people. Some folk may say this kind of work is is questionable - I say it is just business and frankly I need the money. Now what was it you really wanted to know? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rustyriggin Report post Posted June 16, 2009 As long as nobody gets hurt (unless thats the general idea) I don't see what the problem is. Money is money, and if it is a strange request then it must be paid in advance since it is a custom order. It's like my dad used used to tell the guys on his work crew " they are going to pay someone to do this job, it might as well be us". With times the way they are, I say get whatever job you can. Just my .02 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Regis Report post Posted June 16, 2009 I guess it depends on what your convictions are and how important your convictions are to you. I absolutely would not make anything that would be in any way offensive to me, my wife, my children, or parents (now deceased). Now bad taste is another matter I've made some ugly items! Regis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted June 16, 2009 I feel like we are all wondering in shadow here the question is not clear enough to be answered fully. We need some more input Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted June 16, 2009 LOL Id make just about anything as long as I dont have to get naked while doing it (well depends on how much money they are offering ..... ) . I agree with rustyriggin on what he said also. Funny thing is you travel to a different part of the country or the world and what is repulsive instantly changes. I guess doing that and spending time in the Navy opens up what you would consider offensive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esantoro Report post Posted June 16, 2009 If you ask IBM and Google, they will sell whatever and to whomever for the right price. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tina Report post Posted June 16, 2009 Well...Lets put it out there and stop calling it "weird stuff" It is tools and equipment for the bondage/bdsm community that seams to have people making judgment for...For or against the most. I make things for that community, and some of the most beautiful things out there I'd like to think. I enjoy working with leather and I very seldom do I put lables or judge peoples different view of life or beliefs in any direction due to religion or sexuallity. Ontop, this group has never ever giving me a reason not to deal with them, they pay their bills in time and never tries shoveling their point of life/beliefs/ways down my throat...Just the type of customers most of us like to deal with in general. I would Love getting more work from them in the future:-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted June 16, 2009 Well...Lets put it out there and stop calling it "weird stuff" It is tools and equipment for the bondage/bdsm community that seams to have people making judgment for...For or against the most.I make things for that community, and some of the most beautiful things out there I'd like to think. I enjoy working with leather and I very seldom do I put lables or judge peoples different view of life or beliefs in any direction due to religion or sexuallity. Ontop, this group has never ever giving me a reason not to deal with them, they pay their bills in time and never tries shoveling their point of life/beliefs/ways down my throat...Just the type of customers most of us like to deal with in general. I would Love getting more work from them in the future:-) Oh Tina, saying it out loud like that has spoiled my fun! LOL I've seen pictures of your stuff and you are quite right it is beautiful. In fact that is something of an understatement. I simply couldn't make those things as well as you make them. So I don't even try. I don't need to deal with bondage folk because I get plenty of good quality business without needing to chase work I don't really understand. This does not mean I am putting labels on anyone, nor does it mean that I'm being judgemental - simply that I don't make the things they buy. I have been asked to make bondage gear in the past and declined because I didn't think I would make a particularly good job of it. I passed the work on to a guy in Brighton who specialises in it in the same way I would pass on high end briefcase work to Ed or saddlemaking to the saddlery guys - I don't make that stuff either. I find it amusing that this conversation is actually taking place but it is now time to advertise the 'adult' section of the forum - just ask for permission and, apparently, all will be revealed to you. You may all be amused to know that I don't have permission to visit the adult section; probably because I have never asked for it! Like I said, I don't make that stuff and it doesn't interest me unless it involves groundbreaking leatherwork techniques... my guess is that I would have heard by now if that was happening! Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Report post Posted June 17, 2009 At one time I had an Ebay store selling bondage stuff. It was extremely profitable with the best mark-up of any product I've made. I've shipped stuff to every state, most every European country and Australia. Not my cup of tea personally and the reason I gave it up was it was very boring - consisting mostly of rivetting straps together, but once I had acquired the measurements for all the products, I could whip them off in minutes The other thing is that their weren't many people I could share my little success with and doing that work tends to pigeon-hole you and gives you little time to do the stuff you really want to do. Still, I still have my catalog, pictures, and all the measurements and templates and could resurrect the biz at a moment's notice if need be. No regrets Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted June 17, 2009 I am LOL at Ray's line: mine is not to reason why, mine is to apply the dye! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tina Report post Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) Oh Tina, saying it out loud like that has spoiled my fun! LOLI've seen pictures of your stuff and you are quite right it is beautiful. In fact that is something of an understatement. I simply couldn't make those things as well as you make them. So I don't even try. Ray *LOL* *I new I should have warned you in before time Ray and Massive Great Thanks for your kind words about my work:-) Ian Seriously, I'm not assamed at all and most people that knows me know what I'm doing. (I guess in all fairness, it's much easier from where I come)...It's simply business but i do have fun too and it is wonderful knowing someone will apriciate your work:-) In general: I just did not see what other people are doing on their own time in places where I have no business putting my nose in the first place had to do with a topic here on LW...Either you take the job offer or not, simple! Edited June 17, 2009 by Tina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
