The Changing Times

[Mike]

It's been a couple of years or so since I have tooled any leather and now that I'm thinking of trying again it appears that things ain't what they used to be. I checked to see if Doctor's might carry binders or notepads to their conventions and trade shows. Nope. Copies of presentations are given out and paper is handed out should anyone actually want to take a note. Check books? Nope, debit cards. Photo albums? Nope, got 'em all on my hard drive, don't need copies.

Maybe I'll stick with pictures. Folks still hang them up on their walls don't they? Just to the left or right of the flat screen TV that occupies most of the wall.

Mike

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Ya just need to adapt to the new age. Plenty of folks want cell phone, smart phone, ipad , ipod , and Kindle cases, wallets are still used, same with belts, and purses. CD's are dying, but Mp3 players are coming in, and can be covered./cased

A debit card still needs to be kept safe somewhere. BTW I still use checks.

Lots of stuff can still be made of leather, but you just need to do your research, so you don't end up making a case for 8-Tracks - if ya know what I mean.

[TwinOaks]

You can make a case for an 8 track?!?!?!?? I'm in!!!

These days, I'm making more sheathes, holsters, and belts. There's a limited market for purses, and the key to that market is to get one lady with the last name 'Jones', and make something nice for them to show off to their friends. Then the friends keep up with the Jones'es and pay good money. The trick is to make something "pretty dang good" for the Jones customer, and then just a tiny bit nicer for the friends so that the original customer comes back. Pretty soon, you're turning out leather with gold leaf inlays, pearl accents, and real diamond spots.

Then you wake up.

[Mike]

Lots of stuff can still be made of leather, but you just need to do your research, so you don't end up making a case for 8-Tracks - if ya know what I mean.

What? 8 tracks are gone too!