Handcrafted Belt - 15 Y/o

[Aidanforsyth0]

Hey there guys. I'm looking for some feedback on two new belts I started to make. I'm looking for suggestions for some good colors for the belts. Thanks!

http://www.lopalo.com/collections/belts

[King's X]

Nice work!

[howie696]

Sorry, you've just riveted it together the edges are not done and you are asking nearly $80

there needs to be more value for the dollar, needs finishing and stitching

[queenslander]

I'll agree with howie 696.Try edging and burnishing your edges,you will be amazed just how more professional the end result will be.

[DavidL]

looks good.

You miss spelled patina in the description. A few pictures of it being worn?pictures or the process? Its your call how you want it to be presented.

[Thor]

Keep in mind the guy is just 15 years old...

Anyhow the guys are right in one way or the other, they appear to be unfinished and not many people would pay 80 bucks for a piece of leather, a buckle and some quick snaps. One may argue about finished or unfinished edges to be hip, but smeared dye isn't hip, it's just not what is presentable.

However, you are on a good way and you will improve I'm sure. Just one thing on a side note. I hope you asked Horween Leathers for permission before using their copyrighted picture on your website. And that particular one is even originating from a third party who is a professional photographer.

[Aidanforsyth0]

Keep in mind the guy is just 15 years old...

Anyhow the guys are right in one way or the other, they appear to be unfinished and not many people would pay 80 bucks for a piece of leather, a buckle and some quick snaps. One may argue about finished or unfinished edges to be hip, but smeared dye isn't hip, it's just not what is presentable.

However, you are on a good way and you will improve I'm sure. Just one thing on a side note. I hope you asked Horween Leathers for permission before using their copyrighted picture on your website. And that particular one is even originating from a third party who is a professional photographer.

Which photo are you referring to? The guys at Horween have checked out my site and it hasn't been a problem. Thanks for your feedback. I definitely think finishing the edges and sealing the belts would add value. Those were just a few prototypes I thought I'd test the market with.

Sorry, you've just riveted it together the edges are not done and you are asking nearly $80

there needs to be more value for the dollar, needs finishing and stitching

Stitching instead of the snaps?

[Thor]

You don't even know which pictures you're taking from other websites? Wow. Well, this picture is from Horween's blog http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0639/1499/files/horween-leather_34_grande.jpg?124. and can be found here https://horween.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/horween-leather_34.jpg or here http://horween.com/blog/page/5/ and has been taken by Katie Hovland a professional photographer from Chicago.

[Aidanforsyth0]

You don't even know which pictures you're taking from other websites? Wow. Well, this picture is from Horween's blog http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0639/1499/files/horween-leather_34_grande.jpg?124. and can be found here https://horween.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/horween-leather_34.jpg or here http://horween.com/blog/page/5/ and has been taken by Katie Hovland a professional photographer from Chicago.

I didn't know what photo that has to do with Horween you were referring to. It's free advertising + branding for them.

[gary]

I think what Thor is trying to highlight is that you have used a photograph which may have a copyright and, if it has, you will need the permission of (and perhaps a payment to) the copyright holder to allow you use it on your website. Horween may hold the copyright or maybe the original photographer; you need to ask.

Similarly, the diagram of saddle stitch which you use appears to have been taken from Kingsmere Crafts website (http://www.kingsmerecrafts.com/page36.html) and again you may need permission to use it.

They may say no. If any of them say that it's okay you should keep a record of their agreement for your protection and it is good manners to at least acknowledge the source.

Hope that helps.

[Mark Peters]

"which may have a copyright". Copyright is created the instant the shutter is pressed regardless of whether or not the image is registered. If it is registered it is easier to collect damages for infringement. As a photographer myself the "free advertising" line is tiresome - particularly for the photographer. If you don't have permission to use their image it is simply theft and you should take the image down. It is simple enough to ask them for usage rights.

That said,it is good to see that you are not undervaluing your work (whether it is overvalued will be determined by your customers). It is good that you took down the image of the belt with the smeared dye. If you are going to present yourself as a high quality merchant make sure every you present reflects that.

I do question your constant reference to your products lasting a life time if properly cared for. That is a pretty bold claim and one that could cause you financial harm in the future if indeed the product wear out under normal wear. Saying something will last years is one thing - a lifetime is quite another.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Mark Peters

[verus22]

Similarly, the diagram of saddle stitch which you use appears to have been taken from Kingsmere Crafts website (http://www.kingsmerecrafts.com/page36.html) and again you may need permission to use it.

This picture, that I'm sure we've all seen all across the web, is from Al Stohlman's book "The Art of Hand Stitching Leather", page 3 (Copyright 2009, Tandy Leather Factory).

I didn't know what photo that has to do with Horween you were referring to. It's free advertising + branding for them.

It's not 'free advertising'...it's copyright infringment. Unless you have written permission from the copyright owner of that image, you can face severe penalties.

Reference: https://www.lib.purdue.edu/uco/CopyrightBasics/penalties.html

Reference: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/chapter-5 (17 USC 5), includes the DMCA

Reference: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2319 (18 USC 2319)

I can't give legal advice (not a licensed attorney), but if I were to put up a website, I'd make sure to get written permission to use copyrighted materials first.

Also, "Chromexcel" is a registered trademark of the Horween Leather Company Corporation. You can also have legal problems simply because you're using a registered trademark for commercial purposes (you don't have it marked 'tm' or ® on your website.

(Reference: http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4806:1u5461.2.1)

You might want to consider getting some assistance with the legal side of things as far as your business goes (a lawyer would be best, but the Small Business Administration might be able to help. Here's a link you might find helpful...it's in your area: http://www.nyssbdc.org/centers/centers.aspx?centid=10)

I'd just hate to see a talented young leatherworker get into legal trouble so early in their career (even though I am one of your competitors, I still like to see others succeed.)

Good luck to you!

Edited May 17, 2015 by verus22

[Squirrelly66]

I didn't get to see the belt with the bad dye, but the belt I just seen isn't nothing but a piece of veg tan with a buckle. IMO not worth the $80 price tag, especially when I can go down to Tandy's and buy a plain belt blank for $20 and buy the finishing hardware and buckle of my choice and spend less than $50. A leather worker who does not take care with his craftsmanship does not stay a leather worker long. There is a lot more to this craft than just saying its made from the highest quality leather.

Squirrelly66

[Mark Peters]

I also wanted to note that I like that you are approaching this in a business like manner. N a few tweaks to your site and continued improvement in your craft and I think you'll be on your way.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Mark Peters

[dwdwannabe]

Hey man great job. Like posted before by many.finishing the edges and stitching will defiantly add more value to the belt. As for colors I would go with a nice gel antiquing brown. That will give it a good rustic look that many can use with a lot of their outfits. Burnishing the edges will help with the style and give it that clean look.

[kiwican]

There are plenty of royalty free photo sites out there where you can buy images really cheaply to use on your website. One thing about starting a business is that you need to run it like a business and that means know the law!