Decided To Limit My Craft Offerings. Probably Not A New Idea.

[Tallbald]

I've been a leather crafter now for about about three years. I've progressed well, having learned many new and better techniques of working with this wonderful meat byproduct. And I sure do thank the many contributors here who have openly shared tips tricks and such with those like me working on their learning curve.

Recently I've answered the call to begin selling my art works in leather. And I believe we leather crafters are indeed artists, striving to blend form and function into a useful item. We have all worked to make something pleasing to the eye but which fulfills a specific need.

A problem I struggled with a long time as I contemplated start-up was "what to offer". I've become capable of creating many kinds of leather items a person needs or can use but I've decided that instead of trying to be everything to everyone, I'll focus on doing three to five kinds of items. My goal will be to make the very best and most beautiful examples (in their own way) of something I can make, make them rapidly while maintaining very high quality and offering them to end users at a fair, attractive price. Leather art fortunately does not have to support me at this time in my life. Our children are grown and independent, we are used to living frugally but relatively OK, and I have plenty of time. For forty years I punched a clock and worked countless extra shifts but now those days are done.

I know that limiting the things I routinely offer and occasionally taking on a small different project is going to put a halt to any notions I ever had of making lots of supplemental income. Physically I'm limited from spinal injury and arthritis, but while I still can learn and do, I want to create and to give back to the artist community any way I can. I want to offer to teach Scouts, the elderly and the disabled the basics of leather crafting.

I hope I'm not alone in changing my direction and deciding to limit my offerings.

Thanks for taking time to let me share these thoughts with you. Don

[Tallbald]

I appreciate those looking. Don.

[dikman]

I like where you're coming from, Don. At our stage in life we are lucky that time is not an issue when making something. It does give us an advantage over those who must try and make a living from what, to us, is an enjoyable pastime. On the other hand, I doubt if we could ever charge enough to really cover our costs when making something. I certainly can't!! I recently made two single-action gunbelt rigs for club members - one paid me with pistol primers and powder (which is fine, as it saved me buying it) and the other in cash, although he wanted to pay me more than I asked ($150 - plus materials - is nowhere near to covering the time I spent on it, but I was happy with that). I figure if I can cover my material costs and get a little bit extra, to put back into the hobby, then I'm doing well. I'm under no illusions, however, at being able to sell much, particularly as I'm only really interested in making belts, holsters and knife sheaths (very limited market).

I see nothing wrong with "specialising" in particular items, as it means you should be able to learn how to make a quality item, and to make it efficiently. If it were a full-time, income-earning business then you probably wouldn't have the luxury of being able to concentrate on what really interests you. Your idea of helping others in the community to learn about leather working is also commendable, I hope it works out.

My involvement in leather working, by the way, is measured in months, so you're way ahead of me.

Live long and prosper, my friend.

Edited September 7, 2015 by dikman

[Tallbald]

Dikman thank you for the reply. You make wonderfully valid points. If I sell what I make for a marketable price, I calculate I will make a little less than the legal minimum wage here in the USA. But it will be income to supplement my modest family income and shall help meet our bills somewhat. I'm toward the end of life's spectrum, and would like to share what leather crafting skills I have learned with others while I can do so. Of particular interest to me is helping bring interest to the lives of those in old age homes. I hope I can find an appropriate avenue. Don.

[Dwight]

Ahh, . . . that makes three of us, . . . and it feels good to have company.

I just sold my chap machine, . . . a Singer 111, . . . a very attractive young lady, her beau, and her mother came over, . . . looked at it, . . . did not quibble on the price, . . . loaded it up, . . . and I am out of the chap business, . . . mostly.

Down to basically belts and holsters.

Feels good.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited September 8, 2015 by Dwight

[Tallbald]

Yes I figure that barring stroke, heart attack or accident, and with our Lord's good graces, I have perhaps 10 to 15 years left. Not enough time to learn as much as I did in 30 years of nursing practice or 15 years of tool and die maker work (yes I did both at once at one time). But enough time to enjoy learning to make nice belts, belt packs, sheaths and small items that may help our income. It's important to me to try to pass on things I have learned too. it's a shame we can't all plug a thumb drive into our nose and load up our knowledge to transfer to others at will. It's actually a relief to me that I've decided to limit my goals in leather art. Thanks for the replies. Don.