Questionable request

[raftert]

Have any of yall been asked to make questionable products.

Thanks Tim

[The Major]

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?

[wildrose]

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.

[jbird]

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

[UKRay]

'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?

[rustyriggin]

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

[Regis]

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

[jbird]

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

[MADMAX22]

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.

[esantoro]

If you ask IBM and Google, they will sell whatever and to whomever for the right price.