How to make leather goods videos

[chuck123wapati]

I think you have very good idea and I think there would be some interest in these types of videos. I also think that the leatherworking industry Isn't as clearly defined however that one video would do it justice. On one end of the spectrum you have the people who , for whatever reason love the craft but don't feel the need to invest in thousands of dollars worth of machinery but still want to pay for their materials and maybe make a few bucks, usually only sell locally or at fairs and such,their requirements for "profitability" are much lower. On the other end you have younger folks who want to build a business and want it to pay their mortgage, bills etc. and would need to be mechanized much more to compete at that level of profitability. Defining profitability alone would be a video worth watching IMO, lets face it The stitching I do in my home is not comparable to machine made stuff, I know that, I don't do it to compete but if I do sell it I am competing in a very small way and I want to recoup my investment as well as anyone else, I feel however that I am competing with others selling hand stitched leather crafts and want to do it faster easier and cheaper than the guy in the next booth. You on the other hand are competing at a much higher level and I would say are competing on a global level. I agree there are enough how to vids on YouTube to waste a good weeks work and learn nothing but then again the educational system has taught most young folk that only an expert can give sound advice so there is a niche for you new product. When it boils down there are only a few ways to learn leatherwork, blindly do it yourself, read about it, watch someone do it or get lucky enough to be taught the trade from family or by being hired and trained.

[Sangrati]

Edited August 20, 2019 by Sangrati

[robs456]

5 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

That's toooo easy. You make up a nice Birkin style handbag and get a nicely dressed elegant model to walk up the street.....hesitate momentarily with her head held high and walk across the road. Have a bus run her over and the beautiful bag rock just a little as it comes to a clean and untouched position proudly standing among the pretty red surroundings. Slowly zoom to the bag

Sure, I think anyone can sell stuff if they had access to models and the budget to run them over with large vehicles. I'm guessing the insurance covers the hospital/estate...

But I hear what you're writing, more girls, less animals ....
To all others, that last thing is an inside joke....check my insta to get it...

[maxdaddy]

17 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

I actually woke up in a motel one morning to find out that the 2 crocs that I was told could not climb out of the bathtub actually could

That's hysterical.

[chrisash]

Marketing and finding customers is generally very hard for small outfits, the competition on either your own website or etsy is huge and local area's mostly have limited potential customers

With selected niche products done on a production basis, there is the opportunity  to market and sell direct to shops and any other outlet, where they do the selling to customers for you, helping to increase your brand and sell in quantities

Obviously not for those happy to remain a small outfit, but production can be done on small limited items using local shops etc

[RockyAussie]

4 hours ago, maxdaddy said:

That's hysterical.

So was I ......I used the loo beside that bathtub in the dark of night and got a little spooked when I heard some rustling over to the other side of me from the bath tub. I knew there was a good reason I jumped up when I get to the bed sometimes...... No kiddin this true the croc farmer that was using these 2 crocs for some sort of educational thing met up with me later that day with one of his hands all bandaged up and had to have a whole heap of stitches. I had enquired about if he used rubber bands or tape or something around their mouths when he showed them off. I was curtly informed of his many years of experience and that that would not be necessary. The education department decided against doing any more of these shows. It bit him in the classroom full of kids. Like I said before I might be croc food if I say much more.

[RockyAussie]

1 hour ago, chrisash said:

With selected niche products done on a production basis, there is the opportunity  to market and sell direct to shops and any other outlet, where they do the selling to customers for you, helping to increase your brand and sell in quantities

That is fairly close to my main operating method. (95% is not done through my Wild Harry brand) Your comments have given me food for thought and bring me to realise that an expansion of how I get products into the market would be something to share for some that may have any interest. I do not have any problems getting orders for product or customers in fact quite the opposite. Over the years I have had to become very selective about what further customers and product types I can handle. As this will take quite a bit of time to outline/explain I will leave it until next week end and may do it in another new post perhaps as it would be more about the business of setting up a business than on how to make product profitably. Note: This would be of little interest to hobbiests. (my speil chekr dont like "hobbiests" n I don   c a r e)

 

[Sangrati]

2 hours ago, chrisash said:

Marketing and finding customers is generally very hard for small outfits, the competition on either your own website or etsy is huge and local area's mostly have limited potential customers

With selected niche products done on a production basis, there is the opportunity  to market and sell direct to shops and any other outlet, where they do the selling to customers for you, helping to increase your brand and sell in quantities

Obviously not for those happy to remain a small outfit, but production can be done on small limited items using local shops etc

Perhaps I am thinking of making a selling platform, where members from this platform can list their products. Since the people here I see have very diverse skills, and products are very high in quality, it can be a very good show case for people interested in listing their products or some of their products.  

Then what is important is that members can collaborate on certain designs, productions etc and come up with products developed in collaboration or (co-opetition as done in automobile industry) . With the passage of time there is a chance of scaling due to increased outreach of platform and lot of options available to visitors.

Perhaps, if there is an agreement at least by some members, I can arrange the platform and members can decide, how we go about it.

Regards

Sangrati 

[RockyAussie]

12 hours ago, Sangrati said:

Perhaps I am thinking of making a selling platform, where members from this platform can list their products. Since the people here I see have very diverse skills, and products are very high in quality, it can be a very good show case for people interested in listing their products or some of their products.  

Then what is important is that members can collaborate on certain designs, productions etc and come up with products developed in collaboration or (co-opetition as done in automobile industry) . With the passage of time there is a chance of scaling due to increased outreach of platform and lot of options available to visitors.

Perhaps, if there is an agreement at least by some members, I can arrange the platform and members can decide, how we go about it.

Regards

Sangrati 

Interesting idea but some further examples may be necessary. I would have thought that being in Dubai would present a good market place for example.

[mikesc]

Was watching a "re-run" of a 2011 French documentary last night on French PSB channel 5  ( while reading this thread, and Ferg's thread ), about Crocodiles , "Le crocodile du Nil après l'eden" about Nile Crocodiles ( and they covered various other Crocodilia too )..Very interesting, lot of people there and elsewhere have them as pets in ponds in their gardens or houses..Some even in what looked like bath tubs : ) Recorded it in case I miss it when it comes around again..Caught a few screen shots of a group of schoolchildren being introduced to one of "the more tame ones" ( apparently she has only ever bitten other crocs ..One little girl ( who has probably grown up since 2011 to become the Croc Skin Buyer For Hérmes ) was perfectly happy to walk over and sit on on the "tame" female Croc..She looks like she is picking out the best part for a handbag when she grows up.

 

Then this morning I read your "bathroom experience" Brian ..Thought you might appreciate this image ..