Leather Consortium UPDATE

[CollinsMS]

I have been thinking about this for some time now. Maybe this idea is not even an original but I will pitch it anyway. There are many talented leather producers that post on this site. Some of you already have businesses both on the net and in a store front. Some of you produce leather goods for friends and family and some just because you like it. Any way you look at it there is a lot of leather goods produced by many talented people. The people with a business I am sure have items that for whatever reason have not sold or maybe have what could be considered as seconds, still a nice product but not up to your normal standards. Others may have items that they have made and the item is sitting on a shelf or your not sure what to do with it, it was fun making it but now what.

Any way you look at it an individual can not establish a name or a popularity of a Hunter or Oklahoma Leather. Yes I know that as a craftsman you don't want to be compared to a mass producer. You do have goods and services you want to sell and getting yourself in the top Google search list is a job all it's own.

I live in two distinct worlds. I love leather working, the art and usability of the products produced. I do some leather work myself but everything I do is for myself due to my actual job. My job is Information Systems for a 4 billion dollar distribution company. I have a good understanding of the Internet, web sites construction and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). SEO is how your customer finds you, it is what put's you on page one of a Goggle search.

I constantly work on my web site to increase the number of times it makes page one of a Google search (the page started as a hobby). In doing so I now have people asking for products and I have none to offer. People have asked for everything from typical cowboy gun rigs and saddles to saddle bags for a bicycle.

I would like to gather a group talented people that I can advertise your product and charge nothing unless a sale is made. If you have extra stock your trying to move those items could be listed as a BUY IT NOW.

Times are hard in todays world and I fear they will get worse before they get better. Why not use outlets other than your own to sell your product especially if it costs nothing unless a sale is made.

Please respond to this post and let me know your thoughts. This is only a rough outline of an idea. Details would have to be worked out.

Thanks

Mark

The Leathercraftsman web site

Edited September 30, 2008 by CollinsMS

[Luke Hatley]

Link is not working......... i'm instrested..........

[BearMan]

Hi Mark,

Sounds interesting to me also. Let me know, hoow things would work.

Ed

[CollinsMS]

Sorry not sure what happened to the link. It works now. I would like to find out who and how many are interested and then as a group we can work out the details. I don't mind doing the organizing, web work and search engine optimization and I am not looking for some big percentage. I am looking for a way to get quality products to the consumer with the dream that some day Cabelas is nocking on our door. Ok so I dream big, my wife has to remind me all the time to start with a smaller dream.

Thanks

Mark

The Leathercraftsman

[Johanna]

Mark, that is what I've been trying to do with LW- bring customers and sellers together. Maybe you and I should pool our resorces and come up with some plans to help all leatherworkers and their related vendors. I think we'll do more working together, you have the expertise, I have the contacts and webspace. This site is all about keeping people from having to get day jobs. It's why I encourage them to fill out their profile- Google really does love this site. Would it help you to see site stats? tell me what email you prefer in a PM.

Johanna

[ptanks56]

Mark,

A very exciting idea. I am in process of producing gun leather in sets and have no idea how to get these items out to the public I am a mounted shooter and I'm not even sure i can display my items at shoots due to some others marketing their items. As a new comer to retail I don't even know how to price my rigs as far as quality and style. This might be a great way for others like me to ease into the retail environment. I have attached a sample of a holster I have finished but the pic shows the carving detail.

Tank

[Luke Hatley]

way to go.. i want to make the items and let someone else do the paper work.

[Ladybug]

I also have been looking for something like this. I mostly make knife sheaths for knifemakers.. I've been in the annual Knife Book four times including the new 2009 issue. I have also been featured in Blade Magazine. I do make gun holsters and shell holders for cowboy action shooters (I shoot SASS) Most of the work I do at this time is custom, but I do go to knife and gun shows and lay my product on a table for sale.

Ladybug

[Davy]

Sounds like virtual consignment without having goods sitting somewhere gathering dust . Great idea hope it goes well . Cheers , Dave .

[Andy]

Collins,

Sounds interesting, email me please! ( andy@shottist.com )

Andy