Leather Consortium UPDATE

[Timbo]

I'm definitely in on this!!! Ultimately what we want is when people search for anything made of leather on the net to do a search and our collective e-store comes up as the #1 search.

I can see this taking off and becoming a real force for us!!!!

Let me know if I can do anything to help.

Tim

[CollinsMS]

You have all overwhelmed me a little. I am trying to take all this in. There has been many ideas put on the post and there has been some email exchanges. Keep the ideas coming. I will be posting more info as I sift through it. The ideas of many will fuel this fire.

Thanks

Mark

[guanxi88]

You have all overwhelmed me a little. I am trying to take all this in. There has been many ideas put on the post and there has been some email exchanges. Keep the ideas coming. I will be posting more info as I sift through it. The ideas of many will fuel this fire.

Thanks

Mark

mark.collins@theleathercraftsman.com

Listen, I run a small import/trading company; right now I've got leatherwork posted from abroad - handmade, for the most part, but I'd be pleased to pull every last foreign-made bag off my site if I could identify a few good suppliers here in the states.

Drop me a line if anybody's interested; I've got connections through the wholesale and boutique networks here and abroad.

[Echo4V]

While I don't do leatherwork for anyone other than myself (at this time) I do make products from rope that I sell to individuals and tack stores. If it's welcome I would be interested in adding my halters, leadlines, mecates, and long lines to the site. I'm also working on a design for a rope halter that would have no hardware at all. ( except the bit of course)

How would this work? Would there be an actual warehouse for the items? or would it be like Amazon where you just list items and the price and when people respond you ship it out? Is this for existing inventory only or could custom orders be taken via this sales site?

Here are some examples of my work

Edited October 2, 2008 by Echo4V

[CollinsMS]

I have a test site operational so you can see what I am talking about. First some words then pictures.

At some point it would be great to have a site that is like an ebay, but in today's economy I am not ready to put up the capital to do that elaborate of a site. Development, lawyers and accountants are all very expensive things.

So here is what I will start with. You the producer will send The Leather Craftsman an email with your items.

In that email you will provide:

Pictures

Descriptions

Is this a one time item or do you make as ordered

Price

Estimated shipping cost would help even if you only define ground USPS.

The email address you want to monitor for sales!!!!!!

Don't go crazy on the description but you want it to point out what you think is important. I the operator of The Leather Craftsman will post these items in a catalog format. Items will be separated into categories. When a person finds an item they like they will fill out the purchase form on the right hand side of the screen and select the PURCHASE button. An email will be sent to you the producer the customer and to an account on my site. When I get the email I will check to make sure it is not a one of a kind item, if it is I remove it from the site.

The transaction then takes place between you and the customer. You can define payment method and final shipping cost.

Here is the part some have told me is crazy. I will do this for FREE to get it started, I will attempt to keep it free until end of year 2008. Your asking why????? Well I have been through more than one business. Some very successful and a flop or two. This is a new concept, something I can not find on the Net, not organized the way I think it should be. If this is successful and you are all making money and items are selling good then you may want to consider sending something to The Leather Craftsman so i can continue to develop the site. I will be evaluating the process all the time. Give suggestions I am more than happy to take them, I just may not be able to do them quickly.

Not to be mean or to sound selective but I will review the items your listing. If they are questionable in quality I will email you and have a discussion about them. I want to offer everything possible. Speaking of offerings, this is not necessarily limited to leather items. I have seen some great knifes on this site, one person who does rope harness lead lines and other rope items. I am open to other items, send me an email and we can talk about it.

The web code is basically ready ------ The Leather Craftsman Catalog

I hope you like it

[Echo4V]

Looks great to me.

[ptanks56]

AWESOME ! !

I will send a pm with my e-mail and work toward a getting a few items to you to start with.

Thanks

Tank

[TwinOaks]

Mark, as Johanna stated, that's one of her goals here. Instead of trying to work out the SEO on your site, how about linking up with Leatherworker.net? Maybe work something out with the admin/staff that allows your idea to be more of an e-store for this site?

[CollinsMS]

TwinOaks I agree with you. Johanna has a great site. We had some personal conversations today and I offered to have this post removed. I have no desire to step on any efforts she is making to improve the site or even provide services for all crafters to have a sales outlet. I think it is a great idea and wish her the best of luck. I have linked my site to this one.

[CollinsMS]

I hope everyone is not to upset about all of this. I have received several emails with peoples concerns. I think Johanna should be given a chance to get this up and running for everyone.

Sorry for causing all this trouble

The leather Craftsman