Staying motivated

[jpetty]

So someone I know broke a cardinal rule, don't let the hobby/happy time cross over into work.  Made a bag, someone saw it and ordered four briefcases for xmas.  They threw too much money to say no (at least, *he* thought so at the time).  Here *he* sits, stitching away on bag number one but making templates along the way.  The next three will go faster, but he's worn out.  

How do you guys who actually make a living at leatherwork stay motivated?  I know, rent needs to be paid, baby needs clothes, etc.  But more about how do you stay in a flow-state and get 'er done?

Asking for a friend.

[battlemunky]

Great question! I'm wanting to see a few replies. I only feed on friends and family right now and under the understanding that I'll get it done when I get it done.

[fredk]

My problem is I just about know how long it'll take to make a certain item and I leave it so I just have that time and a little extra before I make the item.

Easier explanation; I have a small coin purse to make for a lady for approx 2pm Wednesday. I have the parts cut and pre-holed. I know it'll take me an hour to knock-up and I'm likely to be found sewing it together at 11am Wednesday

I work best, and faster when I have a deadline closing in on me

My work room is a spare bedroom in my flat [apartment] so I float in and out all day and all night. Sometimes items just take so long at first, eg, dyeing, waiting for dye to dry, sealing. . . then all of a sudden everything is ready to be assembled and I just hit it and keep at for as long as possible, either until its finished or nearly so, or until I hit a bit where I have to wait again, glue to dry, polish to dry. I'll work through the night, through the day until its done at that stage; I'll do 36 hours straight, with only cups of tea for a break [coffee doesn't work on me]

Example; a friend of a friend of a friend came to me for some leather work. Another L/w-er had let her down at the last moments. She needed a copy of a Star Wars belt, pouches and holster. Time to event, just over 5 days. It involved making templates and wet moulding. No sleep. I had it ready in just over 3 days for the young lady. I dyed it cream and the y/l was going to over-dye it ivory

Not very busy now, but when I am I may have about a half-dozen items at different stages of completion so something is always nearing finishing

[ScoobyNewbie]

Still just working to make myself happy. 

The set of chaps I did were too short notice and needed more care than I could give them. But he was happy with them. 

I agree with fredk. Procrastination, while killer is SOP.

[jpetty]

Understood on the procrastination (me <--).  I keep telling myself that making my templates are what is slowing me down.  Perhaps its handstitching over 20 feet of 7spi/ per briefcase. 

I love this work, and knew you guys would understand.  I'm going to do my best "Buddy the Elf" impersonation until xmas.

 

 

[immiketoo]

5 hours ago, jpetty said:

Understood on the procrastination (me <--).  I keep telling myself that making my templates are what is slowing me down.  Perhaps its handstitching over 20 feet of 7spi/ per briefcase. 

I love this work, and knew you guys would understand.  I'm going to do my best "Buddy the Elf" impersonation until xmas.

 

 

As a good friend of mine says, one is fun, three is work and ten is a dismal existence.  I (and I think most) often experience lack of motivation on tasks that are repetitive or tedious.  Taking the time to refine your process with templates is a great idea and I have found that the more proficient I become with a particular item, the less arduous making multiples is.  Plus, you increase your dollar per hour when you are proficient.  

This is common and you'll either learn when to say no, learn what you like and dislike or learn to increase your pricing!

[fredk]

As leather workers we revel in  OAKs - One of A Kind. To make two or more items exactly the same we rebel, and work slower. Allow some 'improvements' or variations into the copy items and each becomes an OAK. Look on each as a single item and you'll work that bit faster

just some thoughts

[immiketoo]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

As leather workers we revel in  OAKs - One of A Kind. To make two or more items exactly the same we rebel, and work slower. Allow some 'improvements' or variations into the copy items and each becomes an OAK. Look on each as a single item and you'll work that bit faster

just some thoughts

That's a good way of looking at it!

[kgg]

I prefer to just do the prep work for all the items first which I fine a real pain in the ......  then leave it for a day. Start fresh and then bang them out in one stretch.

kgg

[JLSleather]

I do what I feel like doing.  Occasionally I have taken on those things where I don't really care for it, but they're writing a good check.  In the end, I usually end up rather preferring that I hadn't agreed to do it. And the next time something comes up like that, I remember not enjoying that, and go back to doing what I would have liked to do.