are you shopping this christmas

[jbird]

I have heard some people say that they are not doing much for christmas this year, do think thats around the board or hit and miss. wondering if I should keep making stuff to sale for this season.

Josh

[Crystal]

That's an interesting thought, Josh. There was something on tv the other evening and it was the same general question. It was answered with something to the effect that parents are going to be cutting back on spending for themselves, but not for the children.

Crystal

[calanneh]

I am making stuff out of the leather that I have already purchased. Afterall, it ain't doing any good rolled up just sitting there.

However, I do not plan to buy any more leather or supplies for Christmas unless I have orders for it.

So to help answer your question, I ain't making items for stock, just finishing up what I already have with stuff I know I will sell sooner or later.

William

[UKRay]

Pretty much every year we hear the same old stuff, Josh. Everybody says they are cutting back on Christmas expenditure and the high street spokespeople say numbers are down but each year the stores announce record profits - go figure!

My opinion (for what it is worth and that ain't much!) is that people need to cheer themselves up this Christmas. They won't have the money to spend on big expensive gifts so they will spend more on smaller 'impulse buys'. I am concentrating on making relatively low cost gift items like lighter cases, phone cases, belts and pouches with a few carved and tooled bags (purses) just in case I get a high roller or two LOL.

The economy on both sides of the Atlantic is pretty dire but people in work still have money to spend. It has to be worth the effort to provide them with something to buy. Just my 1p worth...

[jbird]

well belts are my thing and right now I have three custom orders for belts hope that keeps up any way I like the small stuff idea.

[celticleather]

Pretty much every year we hear the same old stuff, Josh. Everybody says they are cutting back on Christmas expenditure and the high street spokespeople say numbers are down but each year the stores announce record profits - go figure!

My opinion (for what it is worth and that ain't much!) is that people need to cheer themselves up this Christmas. They won't have the money to spend on big expensive gifts so they will spend more on smaller 'impulse buys'. I am concentrating on making relatively low cost gift items like lighter cases, phone cases, belts and pouches with a few carved and tooled bags (purses) just in case I get a high roller or two LOL.

The economy on both sides of the Atlantic is pretty dire but people in work still have money to spend. It has to be worth the effort to provide them with something to buy. Just my 1p worth...

Ray and I seem to have a number of parallel opinions, and this subject is another example!

My mind's ear hears the high street megastores bleating about poor sales in the run-up to Christmas (in its third month of running already!), and my mind's eye sees the post-Christmas headlines heralding record sales despite the economic worries.

For many people, the gift-buying trend in recent years has tended towards things that bleep, squeak, have built-in lasers and far-eastern labels . . . anything less is not good enough. It would be good if gift-buying were to become a less expensive exercise, with the accent on smaller gifts of better quality, and I'm sure this would benefit the leatherworking and other crafting communities.

I sell bought-in leather goods in my shop, as well as all the stuff that I make myself, and this year I'm determined to buy as much English-made leatherware as I can afford. It will cost quite a bit more to stock, and the customers will have to pay more for it, but it will be top-quality, and I have a feeling that this year may see a movement in that direction. Time will tell!

Please add this 1p worth to Ray's - see - 2p already!

[jbird]

Ray and I seem to have a number of parallel opinions, and this subject is another example!

My mind's ear hears the high street megastores bleating about poor sales in the run-up to Christmas (in its third month of running already!), and my mind's eye sees the post-Christmas headlines heralding record sales despite the economic worries.

For many people, the gift-buying trend in recent years has tended towards things that bleep, squeak, have built-in lasers and far-eastern labels . . . anything less is not good enough. It would be good if gift-buying were to become a less expensive exercise, with the accent on smaller gifts of better quality, and I'm sure this would benefit the leatherworking and other crafting communities.

I sell bought-in leather goods in my shop, as well as all the stuff that I make myself, and this year I'm determined to buy as much English-made leatherware as I can afford. It will cost quite a bit more to stock, and the customers will have to pay more for it, but it will be top-quality, and I have a feeling that this year may see a movement in that direction. Time will tell!

Please add this 1p worth to Ray's - see - 2p already!

I think you guys are hiting the nail on the head , I am glad to see that you are going with qaulity and not grabing up the cheap garbage you see in most places.

And I am not sure how much a pound is but two is better than one.

Josh

[UKRay]

I think you guys are hiting the nail on the head , I am glad to see that you are going with qaulity and not grabing up the cheap garbage you see in most places.

And I am not sure how much a pound is but two is better than one.

Josh

Sadly Josh you only have a couple of pennies! (p) However, a pound (£) is worth about 1.57 dollars (as of 7.15pm UK time today). I, on the other hand, would have more than a few £s if I could convince CelticLeather to buy his Christmas shop stock from me... <grin!!!>

[jbird]

Sadly Josh you only have a couple of pennies! (p) However, a pound (£) is worth about 1.57 dollars (as of 7.15pm UK time today). I, on the other hand, would have more than a few £s if I could convince CelticLeather to buy his Christmas shop stock from me... <grin!!!>

I guess that was a bit optimistic of me i just thought you guys thoughts were worth more LOL.

Josh

[UKRay]

I guess that was a bit optimistic of me i just thought you guys thoughts were worth more LOL.

Josh

Not me Josh - completely worthless!