A question for the the pros

[bikermutt07]

Howdy, my name is Matt. I live in the Shreveport area and have taken up leather crafting. At 42 years young, and quickly approaching some serious arthritis issues, I have no intention or desire to make a career out of a fun hobby. 

 I have made a holster, a few sheaths, and am currently working on a tote bag for my wife.

It has been fun and therapeutic. We have a three year old son who likes to come in and tap on the stamps while daddy's working.

So, here's my question: if I can learn enough about leather to get him started (as he gets older, and shows interest) could he scratch out a decent living later?

I know there's lots of variables in this question, but basically, are y'all able to make a decent living?

Thanks for any replies.

[JMWendt]

Hobby only.  I wouldn't wish this as a career on anyone.

Have your son go into software.  Not soft wear.

[bikermutt07]

Thanks, guys. We do have a horse track here and the gentleman who has the local store stays really busy with saddles. Ethan may have an opportunity as an apprentice someday. I was just thinking ahead. I'm a carpenter by trade and will definitely be teaching him about that. I (as any father) just want him to have options. 

 

[ConradPark]

Don't forget that a career as an artisan working with leather, regardless of discipline, have more options than being self employed or running your own business (and the success of this, has more to do with knowing business in general than leathercraft/work discipline itself). What I have noticed on this forum over the years, is that there are a profound lack of active members that belongs to the group of professional leather artisans or business owners of established brands that offers leather goods, so throwing out this kind of question here is a bit like a wasted effort. 

What I'm trying to say is that all the established leathergoodsbrands in the world, regardless if it's luxury brands or more hipster or sport or whatever, are made by someone. The manufacturer world is yet to have robots doing everything, and far from popular belief, not all leatherworkers are from Asia. Brands like Hermes have a couple of thousand leather workers working for them in France only. Mulberry's own manufacture plant here in England have around 300 leather workers, and so on and so on, and these people have real wages, pensions, holiday pay and so forth, like as in any other proper profession. 

To be a leatherworker/artisan and make a living out of it is no more difficult than anything else. The trick is rather to know how to find work, where to get the foot in (apprenticeship or a college/university education) or to try to be a business owner (and again, this has very little to do with what commodity one chooses).

Anyway, in the end of the day I'm sure your child will find his own interest and direction as an adult, regardless, and who knows, maybe he wants to be a dancer or painter instead!

[JMWendt]

I'm sure no matter what you 'd like him to do, he'll do what he wants anyway.  Good to keep him well founded and give him a big base from which to make life decisions, but in the end, our children are their own persons.  I hope he loves leatherworking as much as I do, in any case.

[bikermutt07]

Well his mom is an art teacher and he already has lots of fun painting. We aren't the pressure type parents. 

It's all just really a pipe dream/ daydream at this point. 

I was just curious about options and all.

Being the proprietor of 2 failed small business attempts I do know it's not all about hard work and the product.

[R SFraser Sr]

I think another question to ask is - what will the demand be for leather work twenty or so years from now,when he establishes his business?

And if there is still at last a moderate demand two decades later - would that demand increase or decrease over the ensuing 30 years?

Edited May 16, 2016 by R SFraser Sr

[bikermutt07]

Good question. The demand could be much lower with developments in plastics and resins. Or it could be in high demand after our current civilization folds. It's always a crap shoot.

[RockyAussie]

Hi Bikermutt,

For what it is worth I would encourage your son to get interested and adept at 3d drawing. No matter how many robots there are taking over jobs you still have to have people create art and that is to be able to conceptualize something and find the best ways to create it. The bloke who has heaps of robots will still prefer to pay for some artists works than any robots work. Your carpentry and your wife's art skills will assist him greatly in time and with arthritis coming on perhaps your self as well.I use 3d a lot these days, to make moulds for casting leather with the 3d printer and jewellery designs to receive inlaid crocodile pieces and supports for zippered purses and so on. Think about printing the outer part mold with all of the pattern on and pressing it all in one go. I know a lot here would be horrified at the thought but when a basket weave punch was first made was it then considered that it would not be right to do the whole stamping in one go in the future? The future can be bright and I believe the concept as a whole and quality and affordability of the end product is what is most important. As for marketing I do very little as I find that mostly they find you if your worth finding.

Most people don't know me and that is my preference but I can proudly say that I contract manufacture crocodile leather goods for some of the biggest brand names in the world and have done so for years. I wish you and your family better luck in your future. If you are interested to see any pictures let me know.

Regards Brian F 

 

[bikermutt07]

Thanks, Brian. So, you're using a 3d printer to make molds from? That is pretty interesting. How are you applying the mold to leather? Are you using a press or maybe a roller?