How to make leather goods videos

[maxdaddy]

On 8/17/2019 at 5:59 AM, RockyAussie said:

How many people here want to make money making leather goods?

How many people here would like to see a range of video’s on How to make leather goods .......Profitably?

Regardless of the topic, I typically get some value from reading your posts here. So, thanks.

So, if you were to document some of the paths that you had to travel in order to become profitable (that's what this conversation is about, right?) I would be very interested.

 

[Rockoboy]

I am not likely to become a business, but I am interested in different processes, machinery and tools.

There is always a possibility that I could make a basic machine or use a portion of a process as described or demo'd in your videos. So I am definitely interested in your videos. 

[robs456]

Actually, I thought this was about how to make videos about leather goods.
While the practical stuff like shooting and editing can be found elsewhere, I'd like to know how to actually make an interesting vid about the leather goods itself for marketing.

'Cos I'm so tired of the typical 'hipster porn' classical music slow motion ASMR crap, not to mention the usual 'How-to' vids where someone takes 90 minutes to show how to make a 'card wallet' by slapping two pieces of leather together while getting glue all over the grain side.

Or is that what moves product?
 

[RockyAussie]

2 hours ago, robs456 said:

Actually, I thought this was about how to make videos about leather goods.

No ....I am talking about doing videos on "how to make leather goods and profitably"

2 hours ago, robs456 said:

While the practical stuff like shooting and editing can be found elsewhere, I'd like to know how to actually make an interesting vid about the leather goods itself for marketing. 

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

2 hours ago, robs456 said:

Or is that what moves product?

Works for some it seems.... but I taint buying

4 hours ago, Rockoboy said:

I am not likely to become a business, but I am interested in different processes, machinery and tools.

There is always a possibility that I could make a basic machine or use a portion of a process as described or demo'd in your videos. So I am definitely interested in your videos. 

Thanks Brian I will leave out the Birkin bus one though I think.....only cos my video skills are not quite at that level yet damn it.

5 hours ago, maxdaddy said:

Regardless of the topic, I typically get some value from reading your posts here. So, thanks.

So, if you were to document some of the paths that you had to travel in order to become profitable (that's what this conversation is about, right?) I would be very interested.

 

OOH man..... that would be a long winded story that might take some better articulation skills than me,myself and I got to sound interesting. I could tell you about some of the visits I've had with the crocodile people but then I'd probable get to be a part of their next feeding. 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. One I found with his snout hanging out under the rail on the balcony....we were 14 floors up.  I will keep it in mind and perhaps try and come up with something not overly boring before I kick off. Thanks for your comment @maxdaddy.

[billybopp]

1 hour 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

ROFL!   Even if the information that you provide weren't so amazingly good as it is, your sense of humor would make your posts worthwhile.   Thanks!!!

- Bill

[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 ..

[chrisash]

How much of a croc skin is used for leather work and what happens to the rest?

[RockyAussie]

1 hour ago, chrisash said:

How much of a croc skin is used for leather work and what happens to the rest?

These jewellery pieces I designed to use the same size inset piece being about a 20x10mm oval. After that its into the bin.

Not duckin this question

Bracelets

Cufflinks

Drop earrings and pendant

[RockyAussie]

8 hours ago, mikesc said:

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 ..

Thanks Mike that would be an interesting documentary to see for sure. I have seen a fella over here does some stuff like that called the "Bare Foot Bushman" . He reckons you gotta be careful not to step on their feet cause they will bite you. He has bin bit a few times as I recall.

 I will have to tell you about an aboriginal friend Claton) that has worked with crocs for many years and told me more about how they clean out the breeding ponds every year or so. After most of the crock are removed they have to find and get rid of any lagers.The importance of not stepping on their feet becomes pretty evident. I asked how do they go about doing this and he explained how they go through the dirty water ponds and feel around with their bare feet carefully moving along and up the croc being careful not to step on their feet and toward the head. Once the get to the head with a thick hessian bag they slide it down untill the eye teeth are located and then grab their mouth together and pull them up and out. I said well if I had to do that job I would be the last in line. He laughed at me and I though him a bit mad and he went on to explain that he always went first. What..????. yeah  when I feel a real big one.. I keep on going and leave it for the fellas behind me.

[chrisash]

But what about those large lumps and armoured parts on the tail

[mikesc]

 

Quote

But what about those large lumps and armoured parts on the tail

Brian would maybe have to ask Claton to be sure ? But I'd imagine that the idea is not to step on their tails, they can reach round very fast to their tails with the toothy end.

[Sangrati]

9 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

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.

Dubai can be a good market.  As it is a gateway to Gulf.  But limiting to Dubai will limit us.  What I mean is a miniature ebay or say etsy.  But what is different here is that I am not thinking of running it as a pure market place.  What I think is that we setup an echo system. Where only leather products are sold and sellers help each other in design, workman ship same as they do here on this platform.

  In fact what I mean is that we add a show case of products for all the people participating on this platform.  This will consolidate all the scattered sellers on one place and bring an international exposure to everyone. As a result there will be an increase in over all demand.  Similarly Designs can be made and done in places where labour cost is less.  Frankly speaking, I can do it as an individual as I have e-commerce companies both in UK and Singapore. But what I envision here is a platform where masters of leather craft contribute to the overall product quality enhancement and the platform becomes one stop shop and a platform where for everything about leather is authentic.  Where product matters not the label.  Where product sold on platform itself is a quality certification. 

Please share your thoughts on it and let us discuss about the viability of this idea. In case we think that this is a valid and viable idea and people agree (at least a few in the beginning) then I already have a domain name booked for this project.

 

Regards

Sangrati

[mikesc]

Quote

Please share your thoughts on it and let us discuss about the viability of this idea. In case we think that this is a valid and viable idea and people agree (at least a few in the beginning) then I already have a domain name booked for this project.

my 2cts..not viable, nor required, those of us in business** are doing just fine and don't require any intermediaries between us and our customers..There is more to Ecom than registering a domain name and some limited companies.Those who produce high quality goods already, do not need certification by a new "platform" which ( and the person "setting it ups" in this case you )obviously would like to be taking it's/ their "cut" of any sales.The hobbyists ( Hey Brian, my system thinks that is an OK spelling ) already have Etsy et al. The "leather industry" has many national and international bodies, some of us are members of some of them..Another "trade / directory / platform" that wants people to join so it can take a cut of what they sell their work for ? ..Nope.. I'll pass..I used to get spammed by that kind of thing daily via emails ( and occasionally via "snail mail" *), before I set up my own mail server and had them black holed or bounced.

 

*Still get some snail mail ones..use them to light the fire, just like all the other "I can make you rich" junk mail.

**Speaking for myself here..others in business already may differ, but I sincerely doubt it.

Edited August 22, 2019 by mikesc

[Sangrati]

1 hour ago, mikesc said:

1.      Those who produce high quality goods already, do not need certification by a new "platform" which ( and the person "setting it ups" in this case you )obviously would like to be taking it's/ their "cut" of any sales.

2.      Another "trade / directory / platform" that wants people to join so it can take a cut of what they sell their work for ? ..Nope.. I'll pass..I used to get spammed by that kind of thing daily via emails ( and occasionally via "snail mail" *), before I set up my own mail server and had them black holed or bounced.

3.     Still get some snail mail ones..use them to light the fire, just like all the other "I can make you rich" junk mail.

Thanks for your detailed email. I will address your concerns one by one.

1.    Yes I do agree that the those producing high quality goods do not need a certification.  What I meant is those who are capable could help on the platform to those who are not so apt at the art and not let them release goods until they meet the standard.  and thus goods sold on this platform are guaranteed to be high standard. I nowhere mentioned that I will take a cut of any sales. In fact I mentioned that Etsy etc is already doing that.

2 .    I did not propose the owner ship of platform to my self or said that I have a platform and want people to list products and give me cut.  For that I already own few E commerce platforms and that model is far too easy than what I proposed here.  What I was suggesting is Co-owner ship of the platform.  Ahh But you suddenly took me out of dream world.

3.    Rather than making people rich, I am thinking of enriching the work experience.  I am thinking of creating an echo system where people co operate to compete and where people collaborate to innovate.

Regards

Sangrati

[JLSleather]

Oooo... in the sequel the daughter of the woman run down with the car, who never got to know Mom at all, now makes a living tracking down bilge rat scum who run over gals carrying fancy handbags, ... WAIT... that certainly took a turn for the weird  

But after 50 posts, how many actually addressed teh question ... who would be interested in video(s) aimed at increasing production/profit?  Jus sayin'.. any detraction from the original post was NOT me.

 

[Sangrati]

1 minute ago, JLSleather said:

But after 50 posts, how many actually addressed teh question ... who would be interested in video(s) aimed at increasing production/profit?  Jus sayin'.. any detraction from the original post was NOT me.

 

Perhaps, I am interested but being too junior in leather craft and yet to complete a use able wallet in real sense find myself wondering what can I do?

By profession I am a management accountant and costing has been my subject but process standardisation and output optimisation is something which I never had my hands on.  Though had seen a sugar mill where the engineers were able to increase the production 60% by tweaking the processes.

By accounting rule books, we calculate cost of production in terms of Material, labour and factory overheads.  Now the mechanisation and output optimisation does not come directly under our scope of work.  But we can analyse the data and suggest some choices between different methods.

Regards

Sangrati