Off Topic - Moving ahead on my Leather Work Dream

Patriot76 and I got into a discussion on another thread regarding going after your dreams. His advice made me stop and really think about what I want to do and to just go after it. In that I revealed my leather work.

Scrapping for me is a lot of fun and is great side money. But I will likely never be able to make it my full time income. So I took a bold move and started a Kickstarter campaign as a way to help me lift my leather business off the ground. Now I don't expect any of you to back me on this project. But I have been here long enough so that I feel you are a part of my family and therefore feel compelled to share this.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...reat-drummer-b

But, if you need a wallet as a graduation or birthday gift, or if there is a special drummer that you love, feel free to claim a reward :)

Thanks for taking a look. I am still scrapping and will be picking up 175 business phones next week.

Very cool stuff. Will be looking into this more in the next few days.

I want to order three wallets and a western belt when you get to that stage. I am glad you are living your dream, something I have been doing for the last seven years. Keep focused and moving one step at a time. Please PM me.

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Originally Posted by mthomasdev

Very cool stuff. Will be looking into this more in the next few days.

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Thanks for taking a look. It has been a journey and for the first time, I am beginning to get serious about making it work. Just finished two of these today

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...56e0baf0be.jpg

You do very nice work. My wife is a crafter...not leather but still. She even thought it was pretty freaking cool. Especially the Octopus.

Will you be doing craft shows an the like?

Keep up the good work, an it really is. I just may have to see if I can divert some cooler funds. ;)


Sirscrapalot - It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. - Albert Einstein...an this quote seemed to fit...teacher, crafter...some kind of wisdom in that. ha!

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Originally Posted by Sirscrapalot

Will you be doing craft shows an the like?

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I applied to one juried show for September but haven't heard back yet. I really should do more of them but don't feel that is where I'll find my buyers. But what do I know? LOL. I would need to start building a nice looking booth setup. It would be good for getting my name out locally and would probably help drive traffic online after the event.

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Originally Posted by HipoGear

Thanks for taking a look. It has been a journey and for the first time, I am beginning to get serious about making it work. Just finished two of these today

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...56e0baf0be.jpg

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How much do you want for this type of wallet? Very impressive.

I know this will sound weird, but....Bike week. If a town near you or city or anything does one. Great sales for leather workers. ;)


We have a bike week down here, an the leather vendors do quite well.

An yes, they can also be a pain in the ass to get into. Not that it matters in regards to my thoughts on the matter...but I agree.I think you'd just fine without doing the craft shows. I find festivals are another great place for leather.

I wish you luck in following your dream. More people should take a risk an do such. ;)

Sirscrapalot - A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. - Colin Powell

I could use some leather chaps! :))

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Originally Posted by hobo finds

I could use some leather chaps! :))

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https://img0.etsystatic.com/023/0/68...93628_nk2j.jpg

Ass-less of course, right?

[QUOTE=Sirscrapalot;279826]I know this will sound weird, but....Bike week. If a town near you or city or anything does one. Great sales for leather workers. ;)

We have a bike week down here, an the leather vendors do quite well.

An yes, they can also be a pain in the ass to get into. Not that it matters in regards to my thoughts on the matter...but I agree.I think you'd just fine without doing the craft shows. I find festivals are another great place for leather.

I wish you luck in following your dream. More people should take a risk an do such. ;)

I would recommend the Sturgis Bike Rally. Daytona would be another option. Most bikers have read 50 Shades of Grey and are into leather. As far as chaps, is there anything but ass less.

Daytona Flea Market to. Right next to where the race is held.

We visit every time we head down to Orlando. Various deals on stalls/space. Good beer selection. ;)

They have a pickle bar to..I know people were curious. Daytona, Myrtle Beach, SC does a decent bike week also from my understanding.

Daytona has cleaned up quite a bit I'm told..last time I went, I pre-arranged bail. Kidding..kidding...or am I? HA!


Sirscrapalot - Vroooooooooooooooooooooom - Some biker's bike.

As a Yankee, we don't have a lot of that sort of thing happening around here. There are flea markets, but they're full of fleas (everybody looking for an extra discount).

I think I will try and do a few craft shows and eventually save up for a trade show. Booth spaces there are $750. I inquired about a local music festival and they wanted $350 for a weekend. Too much $$ for questionable results and crowd size.

Flea market, swap meet, big ass yard sale, etc etc. Whatever you wanna call'm. ;)

Some might be off the beaten path, but usually something similar near most communities. Travel may be necessary. (like an hour or two).

An yea the fee's some places charge are crazy. Like I said my wife is a crafter an it's one of the things that keeps her from doing more of them. She'll do a couple local ones bout it tho due to fees. I;m trying to get her an her sister to do one up in Va. They get a lot of folks an the rates aren't to bad.

Anyhow, once again I wish you luck. More folks should take a gamble an do as you are.

Sirscrapalot - When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask him: 'Whose?' - Don Marquis

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Originally Posted by HipoGear

As a Yankee, we don't have a lot of that sort of thing happening around here. There are flea markets, but they're full of fleas (everybody looking for an extra discount).

I think I will try and do a few craft shows and eventually save up for a trade show. Booth spaces there are $750. I inquired about a local music festival and they wanted $350 for a weekend. Too much $$ for questionable results and crowd size.

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There are a lot of biker events in NY and wny

Key in to a search engine, biker events in wny. Cyberspokes and Cyclefish will provide dates and times. Hardtales is Buffalo based and puts out a publication, free to all. Maybe cheap advertising?

Canalfest in NT, Allentown Art Festival in Buffalo.Gotta be some biker happenings in Rochester and Fingerlakes.

Equestrian events? rodeos?

Hope this helps.

I don't recall if it has been discussed but one way to market research is to search ebay. For you it may be a bit of a challenge but I believe it will be worth it.

See what's for sale, what sold and check the "completed" to see what sold and what did't. So in a much larger market place you see what can sell.

I agree with your thoughts on not paying the big entry fee for the craft shows. But you should go to as many craft and trade shows as possible. See what the other vendors are selling. Pay attention to the customers and what they have purchased.

My wife and I used to be in the flea market business and sold used stuff. When we moved to our current location I scouted a local flea market. The market had one main entrance and exit. So after walking around the place looking at the booths I got a coffee and took a seat just outside the main entrance. I sat there for a couple of hours watching what the customers took with them on the way out. My conclusion was this market was a waste of my time. We found great markets in the surrounding communities that made us great money and well worth the extra travel.

73, Mike