LA area Leatherworkers?

[rdb]

The wife and I are considering another big adventure, a possible move to the La area. So, of course I want to know the leatherwork scene. What are the possible sales sites, fairs, etc.

I heard Venice Beach has only a few slots that go in a lottery on tuesday nights, so that doesn't sounf like a permanent type venue for sales. Are there some good places to sell out from your shop or residence?

I could ask a hundred questions, but you get the idea, I hope...

Thanx ahead of time!!!

[King's X]

Gotta check in on Al Shelton's Studio, the Autry Museum and while you are there I would rather head south to Newport Beach or Huntington then Venice. Too many people for me. Maybe Santa Monica Pier, maybe. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

[MADMAX22]

Thats odd, most people that include "move" and "LA" in the same sentence are going somewhere else.

Going from NC to la I would definatly try and take a trip to check it out first unless youve allready been there.

Sorry I cant add anything as far as leatherwork and sales go.

[rdb]

Thanx King'sX, and Madmaxx.

I'll check out the southerly places, as you suggested.

I do plan to make some trips, but, I have a brudder in law, already there, so that's half the acclimation adjustment.

The prices outside LA aren't too bad, but then the TRAFFIC to LA!. Inside of LA, I'm not sure. We thought getting a liveable warehouse type situation might be good. We could have our workshop, and a live there too, then go out to the different venues to sell, and work up a little reputation. But finding a spot to live is the least problem. Mostly I was concerned with the venues, like craft malls or fairs, etc. What's the competition like there? Are there 12 leatherworkers at every event, or just one , etc... Who are the most accessible leather suppliers?

Just hoping someone might share their experiences there. Preciate the replies so far. Everything helps

PS: I wouldn't miss anything to do with Gene Autry, you can betcha bottom dollar....Why did he wear the double holster rig, with only one sidearm????

[Jordan]

Lived there most of my years, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre (great places but very pricy), Hacienda Heights, Whittier (uptown was very cool in the 70's), Covina, Hemet, Idyllwild (wonderful artistic touristy). The beachs are like everyplace else about an hour away if traffic is moving! We are still trying to sell here in Utah to move back for awhile untill we find a place around Tuscon. Lots and Lots of people, can get claustriphobic at times. We left 13yrs ago so our kids could do jr. high and High school without all the gangs and such. Didn't help to much as Utah has it's own set of wannabe's. Funny though they wouldn't survive 10 seconds in socal. They would run right out of thier baggy pants hi-tailing it back. LOL. Western museum is by the LA Zoo and Autrey is out in Victorville area.

Edited August 16, 2009 by Jordan

[King's X]

I have a sister in Rancho Cucamonga. It is a nice and quiet place, I really like it. I almost moved their until this job came through here in TX. I would move to Rancho in a hard beat if a job came up. I just had a semi friend get a job in Upland and she was born/raised here in TX. I spoke with her just recently and she loves it. Now, Upland is between LA and San Bernadino.

The sister is talking about moving here to TX. She has a beautiful home, affordable, more than LA. Unfortunately, it takes her 1 1/2 hours to drive 24 miles.

I believe we have a few members here from that area. Kustom? Harvey? I can't remember right now. Anyways, try them. I know that Anne (N) is a valley girl and she moved from Ft. Worth. Stand Bear Trading is in the valley, but check in with them.

Good luck.

[rdb]

thanx guys!

Jordan, I didn't know all those areas, so, I'll have some research to do...thanx

[Ian]

For my money, I'd choose the San Diego area.

The Hollywood area is cool and funky (and expensive) , but beyond that it's solid traffic 24/7. I stayed at Universal City and drove out to Anneheim 2 days in a row. OMG I have never seen so many cars in my life - 10 lanes, bumper to bumper for as far as the eye can see. Interesting though, the motorcyclists split lanes, so while you're sitting there, the bikes roar between the lanes, inches from the cars on either side - gave me cold chills, and I guess there are LOTS of crashes.

When I was in San Diego, I explored the outlying areas and found some cool little towns in the valleys - kind of dumpy - just like I like them, but the locals tell me it is over 100 degrees most of the summer, so I ruled out that option as a place to move.

But, no, Dave, I wouldn't move to LA, myself. Any place affordable really sucks. Long beach is expensive too, but it might be possible to find an affordable pocket that isn't over-run with gangs. If I were you, I'd find an out of the way town to live and travel to were you're looking to sell. With the average price of a house on the coast at 400,000, you'd have to sell a lot of belts and stuff.

[Kustom]

rdb,

When you come out to LA we have hang out! There's tons of farmer's markets out here, different days of the week too, not just weekends that you can sell at if you want to. Are you planning in specializing in a certain niche of leather goods?

Steve

[Cobra Steve]

RDB, hey buddy, some of the places in the San Fernando Valley are nice too, besides, it can't be all bad if you were close to me!! lol Steve