I didn’t expect to get near as much feedback on this video, but thank you all so much! I really appreciate all of your thoughtful insights into this. I hope it didn’t come across as me complaining. This is basically just me thinking out loud haha. I appreciate all of you!
Your statement speaks to the issue of market size. Any handcrafted item sells to a limited market. Once a maker firmly establishes their reputation for quality goods, this issue of product cost goes away. The key is survival until your reputation is established.
As a fellow leather crafter, I've looked at the products you're selling on your website. Firstly, your pieces are stunning. Secondly, I think your prices are in line with the quality you're offering. Many people in this world are cheap, and have no idea what quality looks like, nor what kind of time and skill this type of product takes to fabricate. They see the mass-produced crap offered for a few bucks, and are too stupid to recognize the difference between that junk and the quality, hand--crafted art artisans such as yourself produce. And that's not even getting into how expensive materials are becoming!! Shine these fools on, and keep your head high, my brother.
Keep up the great work. I admire you doing what you love and thank you for helping all of us beginners with your videos. I have worked in the pipeline industry for 34 years and I get paid for what I do, you should get paid for your beautiful work. A lot of people do not know the cost of tools, sewing machines and materials. That doesn’t even include labor and years of learning. If it wasn’t for my full time job, I wouldn’t be able to afford leather or materials needed to make the few belts and wallets I make.
I've never been told that I'm too expensive, but i have had people just never get back to me. Most of my customers are so satisfied they say I should charge more, but I'm already at the high end of the spectrum with pricing. Quality is important. What people are paying for is expertise and quality. It'll cost someone $500 for an electrician to tighten a single screw. They didn't pay for his/her time. They paid for expertise and quality work.
Old timer saddle maker told me when I started working leather. He said hardest part of working leather is getting ppl to pay. He said they want a custom wallet u tell the the price. Then they say it’s just a small wallet. Not knowing that you have anywhere from 3 to 8 hours or even more depending on the details tooling,painting, staining sewing etc. custom work cost money. Same as everything from painting a car to tile work. U want nice things u gotta pay folks!!!
Definitely NOT a waste of time. I've been working with leather as a hobby since 1974, occasionally selling. Leather has been in my blood. My dad (RIP) told me that my great grandfather made him his first set of huaraches (sandals) out of leather. This was between 1925 and 1930. I've been fiddling around with leather since 1974, especially knowing that my dad very much enjoyed my leather work. So a labor of love. Now as a business, OMG. You have to charge. I've seen your work online, it's fantastic. It takes a lot of time to do it, knowledge and skill. I used to manage an automotive center. I was also a service manager that knew the technical side but also to keep a certain gross profit percentage with a total volume. If it's not well balanced, the company would go broke. Charge what you need to charge. I made a gun bag, for me. It's durable. I guarantee you that a Louie V or other brand name, as they are would not hold up. I carry a hornady safe, ammo, a 9mm in it and other accessories. It's held up very well. If someone wants one like that I would charge 5 to 6 hundred dollars. Sorry for the long comment. Very much enjoy your videos.
I’m pretty much a hobbyist. I do stuff for friends, family, and former students and former athletes. We all struggle with pricing! Unfortunately, most people don’t understand the cost of leather, tools, and the time we put in. My wife often complains that I don’t charge enough- but I’m not to that professional level in my opinion. Hang in there. One thing I’ve figured out, is that leather workers are a community-we will help, critique, and support each other!
Amazing message. You spoke well and from your heart. I didn’t even think to make a belt (I make large wallets and various related things) until I came across your videos. You create amazing belts and they are absolutely worth the price. You can’t make everyone happy and some people just can’t be made happy. Happy Leathering.
It takes time to build a name brand. Exposure and quality will be the keys to success plus long hours and hard work. Wish you the best. One last thing, if someone questions your pricing a smart ass rebuttal should be avoided although tempting.
Your product is worth the price you charge. People that like quality will pay, people with lots of money will pay as well. It is the ones lacking cash that will complain.
My thoughts, not that they mean much, are yes you sell a product but that product is art. They are handmade and designed from your imagination then brought to fruition from you. Also, you work in an expensive medium. Leather products cost money. Honestly, if i could I would much rather spend money having you nake a one of a kind work of art than going into luxury store and buying the same thing someone else has. Don't worry about people that are not doing a good job at being good people. You make absolutely beautiful works of art worth a lot of money. If I could order something from you this very second i would. Keep doing you and creating beauty. You are talented.
Couldnt agree more. And ppl will go oh well so and so does it for this amount. Its important also to remember usually we are working with raw materials most ppl dont even know where to get or what size and amount etc. which comes with self educating oneself and pile on top the collection of pro tools that took years to accumulate
Fuck every Else Who Doesn't like Your Products at the end of the day it's about doing what you love And You following Passion if they can't get with the prices The They can FOFF simple as That
A mí me pareces un maestro amigo, bueno es que lo eres ,,miro todos tus vídeos y compro tus patrones espectaculares , bendiciones para usted y su familia,además el precio que pone , es el que hay , que la gente no tiene ni idea de lo que cuesta los materiales, herramientas y horas para aprender el oficio , así que eso es lo que hay amigos , quien quiera calidad superior,que la pague
I didn’t expect to get near as much feedback on this video, but thank you all so much! I really appreciate all of your thoughtful insights into this. I hope it didn’t come across as me complaining. This is basically just me thinking out loud haha. I appreciate all of you!
That made sense. Now I understand what I must do. Thankyou for your support to the craft
I’ve heard two of the best leather workers I know say the following:
Don’t say I’m charging too much. Say you can’t afford me. It makes more sense.
Love your work. Good work ain’t cheap, cheap work ain’t good.
Your statement speaks to the issue of market size. Any handcrafted item sells to a limited market. Once a maker firmly establishes their reputation for quality goods, this issue of product cost goes away. The key is survival until your reputation is established.
As a fellow leather crafter, I've looked at the products you're selling on your website. Firstly, your pieces are stunning. Secondly, I think your prices are in line with the quality you're offering.
Many people in this world are cheap, and have no idea what quality looks like, nor what kind of time and skill this type of product takes to fabricate. They see the mass-produced crap offered for a few bucks, and are too stupid to recognize the difference between that junk and the quality, hand--crafted art artisans such as yourself produce.
And that's not even getting into how expensive materials are becoming!!
Shine these fools on, and keep your head high, my brother.
Keep up the great work. I admire you doing what you love and thank you for helping all of us beginners with your videos. I have worked in the pipeline industry for 34 years and I get paid for what I do, you should get paid for your beautiful work. A lot of people do not know the cost of tools, sewing machines and materials. That doesn’t even include labor and years of learning. If it wasn’t for my full time job, I wouldn’t be able to afford leather or materials needed to make the few belts and wallets I make.
I've never been told that I'm too expensive, but i have had people just never get back to me. Most of my customers are so satisfied they say I should charge more, but I'm already at the high end of the spectrum with pricing.
Quality is important. What people are paying for is expertise and quality. It'll cost someone $500 for an electrician to tighten a single screw. They didn't pay for his/her time. They paid for expertise and quality work.
Anyone that has never tried Leathercraft has no idea of the time it takes to make a quality item.
Old timer saddle maker told me when I started working leather. He said hardest part of working leather is getting ppl to pay. He said they want a custom wallet u tell the the price. Then they say it’s just a small wallet. Not knowing that you have anywhere from 3 to 8 hours or even more depending on the details tooling,painting, staining sewing etc. custom work cost money. Same as everything from painting a car to tile work. U want nice things u gotta pay folks!!!
Keep up the good work, man. Your work is excellent.
Definitely NOT a waste of time. I've been working with leather as a hobby since 1974, occasionally selling. Leather has been in my blood. My dad (RIP) told me that my great grandfather made him his first set of huaraches (sandals) out of leather. This was between 1925 and 1930. I've been fiddling around with leather since 1974, especially knowing that my dad very much enjoyed my leather work. So a labor of love. Now as a business, OMG. You have to charge. I've seen your work online, it's fantastic. It takes a lot of time to do it, knowledge and skill. I used to manage an automotive center. I was also a service manager that knew the technical side but also to keep a certain gross profit percentage with a total volume. If it's not well balanced, the company would go broke. Charge what you need to charge. I made a gun bag, for me. It's durable. I guarantee you that a Louie V or other brand name, as they are would not hold up. I carry a hornady safe, ammo, a 9mm in it and other accessories. It's held up very well. If someone wants one like that I would charge 5 to 6 hundred dollars. Sorry for the long comment. Very much enjoy your videos.
I’m pretty much a hobbyist. I do stuff for friends, family, and former students and former athletes. We all struggle with pricing! Unfortunately, most people don’t understand the cost of leather, tools, and the time we put in. My wife often complains that I don’t charge enough- but I’m not to that professional level in my opinion. Hang in there. One thing I’ve figured out, is that leather workers are a community-we will help, critique, and support each other!
Amazing message. You spoke well and from your heart. I didn’t even think to make a belt (I make large wallets and various related things) until I came across your videos. You create amazing belts and they are absolutely worth the price. You can’t make everyone happy and some people just can’t be made happy. Happy Leathering.
It takes time to build a name brand. Exposure and quality will be the keys to success plus long hours and hard work. Wish you the best. One last thing, if someone questions your pricing a smart ass rebuttal should be avoided although tempting.
A man for the truth
Your product is worth the price you charge. People that like quality will pay, people with lots of money will pay as well. It is the ones lacking cash that will complain.
Keep creating and they will come.
My thoughts, not that they mean much, are yes you sell a product but that product is art. They are handmade and designed from your imagination then brought to fruition from you. Also, you work in an expensive medium. Leather products cost money. Honestly, if i could I would much rather spend money having you nake a one of a kind work of art than going into luxury store and buying the same thing someone else has. Don't worry about people that are not doing a good job at being good people. You make absolutely beautiful works of art worth a lot of money. If I could order something from you this very second i would. Keep doing you and creating beauty. You are talented.
Couldnt agree more. And ppl will go oh well so and so does it for this amount. Its important also to remember usually we are working with raw materials most ppl dont even know where to get or what size and amount etc. which comes with self educating oneself and pile on top the collection of pro tools that took years to accumulate
Fuck every Else Who Doesn't like Your Products at the end of the day it's about doing what you love And You following Passion if they can't get with the prices The They can FOFF simple as That
Love your work❤
A mí me pareces un maestro amigo, bueno es que lo eres ,,miro todos tus vídeos y compro tus patrones espectaculares , bendiciones para usted y su familia,además el precio que pone , es el que hay , que la gente no tiene ni idea de lo que cuesta los materiales, herramientas y horas para aprender el oficio , así que eso es lo que hay amigos , quien quiera calidad superior,que la pague
Not a waste of time. You are an artist. Stop apologizing.