Hello from Romania

[Alexander]

Hello,

My name is Alexander and I am from Romania, Eastern Europe. I have been thinking of starting learning leather crafting... I enjoy a lot doing manual work and I would like to find something to do in this area! The problem is that IT MUST be something that I can earn some money from. That's because I'd like to be able to live from my work! I am new to the leather industry, I'm actually just inquiring to you about it...

Do leather products sell good on the market so that leather workers have work to do? Is there any need for such workers, are they in DEMAND by the companies in this particular industry?

I was also considering starting a web site on the internet where I could sell all my leather products (mainly handmade bags and wallets). I wonder if this would be a good idea, I mean whether it would be a good home-based business that I could do to live from.

I am very interested in leather crafting and I am prepared to learn it as best as I can, really, but again, before I start doing it I want to be sure that there's a demand for its products and the workers are also in demand (in case I will decide to go work for a company).

Thank you very much for your feedback!

Sincerely,

Alexander

[JAFO]

Hey ALexander and welcome.

Check the marketing section of our forum. Not much info so far but some good advice. One thing to keep in mind is your market area. There are some very fine and long established leather industries in Europe and you will be competing aganist them. I would check out some of the web sites our forum is lnked too just to see what other folks here in the U.S are making and selling.Good luck.

[Johanna]

Hello, Alexander!

The variety of leatherwork to do is broad. Versatility is this line of work is an asset, but you need to know who your market is going to be, and give the profitable customers the majority of your attention, to be sure to be successful enough to pay your bills. For example, there are customers who want shoe repair, some want holsters and sheathes, horse saddle & tack, artistic works, motorcycle gear, garments, bags and purses, upholsterery...what kind of leatherwork is it that you really like to do? Which segment(s) of the market do you feel most comfortable with? You mentioned possibly working for a commercial employer, or factory That's kind of ironic, because here in America we like to get really good at our leatherwork so that we can run our own independent businesses, with our own hours, often at home to keep costs of overhaed down, or maybe a nearby shop. There is a big difference doing production work and doing custom jobs and repairs. That said, I paid my bills for years with leatherwork, and had fun being "paid to play". You will need to decide what your strengths and weaknesses are, and what kind of work you want to "specialize" in. You may decide to do strictly one type of leatherwork, too, but people will still seek you out when their ball glove needs relaced, or their favorite purse of briefcase needs mended, so never turn down an opportunity to learn something new. We'd love to see some pictures of your work. Please post some pictures here, and get started on your website with your portfolio. (You are photographing everything you make, right?- It helps sales when you can show the customers pictures of what you have done.)

I hope you become a regular here. There are a lot of friendly people on this board with solid advice and experience that they are willing to share. The motto of this board is "Trying to prevent leatherworkers from having to get day jobs!" and I hope you turn out to be one of them, too! Leatherworking is satisfying and can be lucrative, and there are plenty of folks here who are living proof of that.

Johanna