The (Sometimes Dark) Business Of Leathercraft
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- Опубликовано: 15 авг 2023
- My Buckleguy Affiliate Link (I get a little percentage at no cost to you to keep making content)
www.buckleguy.com/?aff=14
Wallets, Patterns, and more: corterleather.com/
There's a lot of quesitons about starting a leather craft business that go unanswered. In this video I just have an hour long late--night sit down where I share my experiences, guided by questions you sent in about making money in leather craft. I've never done anything like this before, so I'm sorry if there are a lot of "um" and "ahhhhhh" moments - showing your face for the first time in 15 years is scary!
Anywho, if you're looking to start a business in leather or any other handmade genre, here are some of my experiences and lessons I've learned. There's not one way to do anything, so if you do things a different way feel free to share in the comments!
![Leathercraft Tools 101 [ New 2024 Beginner's Tool Guide]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/we_khsoA-lA/mqdefault.jpg)
One thing I would say to everyone is price your goods properly! It’s fine being a hobbyist with a day job and leather is a side hustle but selling your goods at literally cost undermines both yourself and other leatherworkers at the same time. Selling an item for 25 when it should be 50 because you’re “only wanting to cover costs” is not helping the community of makers many of whom you’re aspiring to be!
BIG amen to that. A hobby can still be profitable :)
I. Glad you said that. I'm a new leatherworker trying to figure out where I can make an impact. And there have been times where I wouldn't mind selling my work for a little above cost, just to simply make the sale. I haven't made any sales yet because my prices aren't at the quality I want.
I know it's not true, but I'm afraid that folks won't pay 50 or 60 or even 100 because I'm in the mindset of the poor college kid I once was. (I'm 35 now) but I still can't get over the fact that someone will pay 100 for a wallet while you can go to Ross and get a crappy (but looks good) wallet for less than 20.
I might need a confidence boost, but does anyone share similar thoughts? I want to get over this fear of having things priced too high
Cape Cod is a bit expensive to live. Where are you from, originally? Boston is expensive to live too.
@@markabrian1925You’ve got to try and separate yourself from the mass produced stuff you see around. That $20 card holder took 5 minutes to make using industrial presses, sewing machines and cheap leather and is probably padded out with foam or cardboard.
Also you have to remember people shop to a budget. If you have $20 budget you might stretch to $30. If you have $100 budget you’ll stretch to $125 but, and this is the but, you won’t entertain a $30 item. By placing yourself in the $30 section you’re underselling yourself, swamped among the mass produced stuff fighting for a tiny part of a huge budget market and those who shop there. Climb out!
@@markabrian1925 I taught myself to make and sell veggie tan leather hats. I can sell for anywhere between 100-200 depending on size materials etc. Though I do prefer to price them on the lower un unless they are a lighter color. If I can you can. Keep at it man
The best intro “this video is going to be all my face…”. This is part of the charm of this channel and how you are very candid about what you do.
I’m confident in saying you are one of the most down-to-earth, honest, (and need I mention talented?) people on RUclips! Thank you for all that you share with us! 🙌
This video is FILLED with practical, thoughtful, honest advice and observations. It got me thinking about things in very different ways which I think is the mark of really good advice. Hope you don't wait 15 years to do another one! Thank you.
I live in a NYC apt and I use 3 layers of rubber flooring, BK Mallet, & large piece of granite to muffle the sound. If I'm doing brass rivets or something I'll wrap a weighted blanket over my head/granite area and hammer away lol not sure if that helps but I hope it does..no complaints yet.
This is genius
Just a hobbyist myself, and every time you've done a video where it opens up with "this is mostly going to be about the business side of things" I think Oh I'm just going to listen to a couple of minutes of this," ...... and then inevitably wind up listening/watching the whole thing.... the you tube content that I like the most is the stuff that seems the most genuine/real/honest, and you nail that every time.
This is awesome. Young leatherworker here,I've follow your craftsmanship for a few years now and learnt to work with leather with your videos. Keep up the good work!
I started following you from Kickstarter and have watched every single video thus far. Thank you for your leadership and contribution to the craft, we all appreciate your time and passion.
Eric you seriously are amazing bro ! You’re time you spend doing all these videos is so appreciated man
Um... his name is "Corter" lol
I am a new leathercrafter. I have been practicing for a couple months now. You are by far my favorite leather tuber. Thank you for the content!
The problem with leatherwork is that everyone and their brother is doing it. The good thing about leatherwork is that everyone and their brother is doing it. I definitely enjoyed the days when hardly anyone was doing it. The positive side of a crowded craft like leather is the innovation and the increase of quality tools and materials, etc for the craftsman.
100% agree. the tools and materials available now are light years ahead of where they were 10-15 years ago. I like a crowded market honestly, it forces the best work out of you in my experience
I had a carpenter tell me the problem with carpentry is anyone can get a hammer, skill saw, and tape measure and all of a sudden they're a carpenter. But they don't know or realize I said there are these things called codes. And King studs and headers and sill angles only years of experience will teach you.
Your advice is pure gold! I hope the younger generation takes it to heart and doesn't have to learn all these lessons the hard way like I did. Btw, I really enjoy just listening to you talk and seeing your face!
I've been a long time follower, here and the gram. I've told you before about my ptsd and the craft saving me from myself sometimes. I think opening up like this is such a service to newer crafters like myself. I'm older, and have a degree, started a couple other businesses. So mentally i know the stuff, but to listen to a real world story, impacts a lot more. Thank you for what you do here.
Really love that we get to see your face in videos. Definitely my favorite leather channel no bs just really helpful tips.
Man I respect what you have accomplished. I love hearing advice from people so ahead in the business. I just decided to go full time into my leather business.
It has been amazingly inspirational to watch you and your company for the last few years. Thank you for all that you provide to the leather work community, and to the How To section of RUclips in general. I look forward to seeing where you go from here.
I am from the UK and took up leather craft at the beginning of the year. Your videos are really instructional and they have helped me a lot. I appreciate your candidness and relaxed open style. Keep doing what you are doing, its great.
Great video! Love the face to face casual real talk and tons of great information. I’m trying to start up some leather sales and your advice is constantly helping me. Appreciate you so much Eric.
I’ve been doing leather work for 50 years. Every time I sell a product to someone that sale brings me many other orders from other people. 👩🎨
I get a lot of referral business. Especially from a couple of guys that I made holsters for in a large outdoor chain store. Word of mouth is probably the bulk of my orders at the moment. A simple ad in a local classifieds makes up the rest
That’s great Mad Dawg. I’ve only made a few holsters in my career. Maybe 5 or 6. I have a friend who makes holsters and he’s made lots of them. I send anyone who wants a holster to him. I’ve made about everything else though. Mostly its been whatever the customer requests. All my work is by hand. No machines at all. I’ve made belts, wallets, moccasins, vests, camera bags, purses, I’ve made 3 mens suits (by hand🙀). The list is endless. Whatever the customer wants I’ll try. I’ve never made a saddle but have great respect for those who do. Keep up the good work. If you’re ever in Illinois look me up ❤
@BonnieJeanTlq I'm off grid, and machines use too much power. So every bit of my work is by hand. I refuse to use a sewing machine since I'll stand behind my product forever. Saddle stitch will never fail. I do make more than holsters, but the bulk of my orders are holsters. Especially shoulder holsters, which probably account for 70% of my business. I started this just over a year ago in hopes of making belts (no worries about making patterns for different guns), and I've only made 4 belts since then. Countless holsters. I've made more purses for customers than belts, haha. It's been 14 months, and the last 3 months, it blew up, and I've done more business than the prior 11 months combined. Most of it started when I made a holster with an excellent carving of a skull and the brand name on it for one of the workers at the gun counter of a large outdoor store
Great story Mad Dawg. My friend who makes holsters loves do it and is always busy with it. He’s done some amazing work with it. I think he’s been making holsters since about 1985. Keep on keepin on!!
Beautiful words, man. And congrats on settling into an "enough" mentality. It's a journey. I started up in 2012 and you were a huge inspiration. I grew up in Boston and was proud of you as another "local." I moved to Los Angeles in 2007 to make movies, and still pursue that in tandem with leather goods. I remember seeing your stuff in a shop here in L.A. around 2010. Your goods inspired me to try it and it's been a journey. Now with two kids there's no time for anything. Life changes; it's different but better. I wish you luck on your parenthood quest. I love what you're doing with Buckleguy, I've been a customer of their since the beginning. If you're ever in Los Angeles, reach out--we'd have so much to chat about! I'll do the same if I'm in your neck of the woods. Cheers from California!
This video came out great! Thank you for this and all you do. I'm glad I found you and got inspired to pick this craft up as well.
I just came back to watch this again. It was helpful the first time I watched and again now. Thank you for taking the time to put in your advice based on experience and practical life moves.
Thank you so much for all that you do. I started in leathercraft looking at your videos. Unfortunately I got laid off this year before summer and am pursuing doing this full time. This video helps a lot! Thank you once again. Mano.
Another AMAZING video! I am so thankful that I found your channel years ago. Your integrity is present in every share. Thank you Eric. I am totally diggin’ this type of video - just you sitting and talking with us.
Bravo again Eric! Love the fact you are opening up and "showing" yourself- whether its your own growth or something pushing you- its a great view! Please put some info links for the book you referenced in the description! Love it mate- keep going!
I always learn something from your nuggets of wisdom whether it’s crafting, business, or life advice. Thank you taking the time to share with us.
Thanks for putting out all of the excellent content. You inspired me to get into leatherwork and I would love to make it a business one day. I agree 100% with your philosophy about choosing your lifestyle and working just enough to achieve it. Everyone seems to have it backwards nowadays. They want to make as much money as possible or get as big as possible and then they think happiness will come. But happiness is found in contentment, which is knowing how much is "enough." Thanks for staying humble and sharing your insights with us.
I started leather work 3 years ago and have used your channel for learning points. Glad to see videos like this because you’re a very genuine person and I see myself in you in many ways. I have a career that is ending soon and leather will be my next endeavor. I’ve grown to love it, have a satisfaction in myself knowing others have a quality product of my own design as well. You are and inspiration my friend. Thank you
I’m glad I found your channel today. I’ve seen a lot of videos about starting a leather craft business and this one was more insightful than about 20 of those.
Thanks for sharing so much of yourself. It was the best date I’ve had in years.
Loved this style of video. You were straightforward about explaining where you started, what you've accomplished, and where you want to go with the craft and your business overall.
Your videos have inspired and taught me so much about the craft. Currently I'm just making things as a craft but I'm definitely considering it as business/life style.
Epic video! You’ve said things in this video that you’ve said before but today it totally rang true for me. Why haven’t I set goals ??? Why don’t I pay myself??? Thank you for getting me to reassess this craft that I love.
Eric, i wish i could pick your brain for hours!
Seriously, you just blew my mind open to new ways of thinking.
Have been struggling to figure out where to start.
Awesome vid! 👍🏼
I've always enjoyed watching you, because of your obvious openness and genuine love for the craft! I can't wait to see your new vlog project, sounds awesome!
Feel free to drop questions in the comments! I'd love to have another drink at midnight and help with any more questions anyone has :) I like making these videos too!
Thank you so much for everything. Ive been doing leather work for about 1 yr now, i have learnt so much from your videos and look forward to learning so much more. Thank you
Great film Eric, plenty of fantastic information there. Thank you for taking the time to make this film and I wish you continued success, I will continue to support you and the channel. Kind regards, Chris from UK.
Thank you Corter for the info thus far in this video... You answer both the questions I asked! I'm noticing exactly what you said about farmers markets- its hard to sell the big ticket items. Although, I do think it's a great opportunity for networking and getting your brand out there. Thanks again!
PS really like these longer form videos- especially for just listening to while doing leatherwork
Brother, I love your style. Been doing leather work for over 30 years and I still need design help, you the dude
I fell out of doing leatherwork the last few months. Good to see your face! That’s new! I loved your content and plan on revisiting as soon as a get a little time for leather again 👏
I love being able to put a face with your work and voice. I've been watching your videos for quite awhile. I love how detail oriented your work is. It's a clean, classy and professional end result. I've found that customs can be a good idea generator for production type items. I think each artist has something unique to add to their own items. The trick is to get past the fear of doing so. Be you and out your cool spin on some items and see what works and what people respond to. When the sales start hitting, run with it.
Also, wholesale has been practically impossible for me to do and still make a profit. I think when the base materials are so expensive (even buying wholesale), it's more difficult than other industries.
Just stumbled onto your videos and I look forward to watching more. I’m 57 and just getting started in leather crafting as a hobby. Thank you for sharing so honestly and openly for us newbies.
I do think I caught a smile one time during this video And it was adorable. you should definitely smile more! Keep up the good work!
I just wanted to say thank you I've learnt a lot from you over the years. I made a few different wallets years ago for gifts then I started getting inquiries. So just from word of mouth I make a tiny bit of pocket money to do something I love in my downtime. I'm sure you'll find your special person and get your dream of a family. Your a lovely real down to earth guy just keep being you x
Really digging these types of videos from you. Keep up the great work!
Seen many of your videos and I think it's the first time I get to see you. Makes it more personal and real. Nice 👍 Thanks for sharing 👍🏼
Bro there is 0 reason you can’t find a suitable lady. Assuming that’s your style lol you’re more marketable than 90% of the dudes I’ve interacted with. Well spoken, successful, focused, cleaned up and good looking… don’t sell yourself short at all my dude!
I've become a huge fan of you and your channel in the past month. Look forward to getting into your products in the near future. Thanks for making this video!
This was awesome, please feel free to do more talks like this in the future :)
II's nice to see that you've started sharing your face with the world. You have a kind face. :)
I greatly appreciate your knowledge and wisdom you've shared here. Thanks for doing a video out of your comfort zone for us 🙏
Learned a lot from you and all your hard work! Thank you for your dedication!
So interesting to see how you got to where you are, one of the best videos I’ve seen for a long time.
There's so much great advice far but just leatherworking, Thank you Corter
Ramble all you want, that's what makes this channel special, your honest and most everyone can relate to what you're saying, keep up the awesome work!
Excellent video Eric! We like your face, so don't ever apologize for that! Tons of great information and so honestlytransparently provided for us all to learn from you. I have owned/co-owned small businesses before (glass shop and arts/crafts gallery), and you're so correct in that it is definitely possible. I'm sure you have much pride in being a part of Kayleena achieving more for herself. I've been to Boston many many times throughout my childhood, and also lived in Mass during my 20s (Leominster, and then went to school in Worcester and Waltham). I'm originally from Florida but if I ever had to live up north in "cold" places, hahaha... it would be Boston or near there. I loved it. Lots of time for you for the family thing to still happen so please keep that hope alive. I had the same dream myself, but I'm going on 48 so a bit tougher hahaha.
Your face is real! Nice to put the face with the talking hands. I like your business sense; more common sense than anything else. The don’t go in debt was the best advice.
Hi Eric! I just picked up leatherworking as a hobby, I have no intention to make it a professional path, but I really enjoyed your videos. Thanks for this open talk video, I really relate to your vision of life and work! stay safe!
Nice video Eric , your. Business sense is incredible and it is very much who you are . Thanks
New subscriber here. Thank you for this heartfelt honesty sharing of your journey as a leather crafter and your personal hopes as well. I love that you want to share your knowledge in this craft and give back to others. Thank you again and God bless you !
Thank you so much!. I like watching to see which watch you are wearing😊. The information is great too!
God knows how much I needed this video, thanks Eric you are great.
It is great to pass on the craft to others in shop or on You Tube.
A wonderful opportunity is out there for folk who want to pickup 2 needles an awl and thread and apply the effort. (Dating myself and type of work I did mentioning an awl)
Taking inspiration from one such as yourself is the first step, keep your videos coming.
Cheers...Freddie
I always love these videos! I’m DREAM is to do leatherwork for a living. I appreciate all you’ve done for the community!
Wow! That was so cool. I don't mind the rambling - on the contrary, thats where litle wonderful nuggets are burried. I have followed your chanel for a while and I realy apreciate your style of content making, but more so your craftsmanship and just your way of being. The way you talk about the responsability towards employees for example - many huge companies seeme to have forgotten that kind of value. Customers get treated the same way with lifelong repairs and so on. That's what makes Corter a great brand. Just good, honest work.
OK, now you got me rambling ;)
Well, in short: thanks.
Thanks for talking about the business side. I own a plumbing company and the amout of folks with no idea how business works is sad.
God bless you Brother. Stay strong! thx for the transparency.
Awesome, thanks for this. I have been struggling to get motivated with my side hustle. I picked up that book, maybe I can get myself going for the holiday season.
Fantastic video Eric! Nice change from the how-to's.
Having said that, could you do one on design strategy please? I can follow someone else's pattern with the best of them but I really struggle with the creative process.
Some really great info in this man. Very helpful and reassuring.
So glad you are showing your face. It really allow us to connect with you better.
Totally worth sitting here for an hour. In fact, I may listen to this again
What a gifted and experienced entrepreneurial mind. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with those aspiring for business independence.
Great video👍Lots of helpful information. Although I love working with leather a lot, it can get too expensive for me sometimes. But after viewing this video I am more encouraged to keep going and learning more about this medium. Perhaps this hobby may become a business someday. Who knows? Thanks for sharing your very valuable insights!
Thank you for your sharing your hard earned advice and context!
Another great video Eric. We all get our start somewhere. For me it was in the Navy on the Battleship Missouri crafting toolbelts for shipmates and repairing leather items at sea (1990.) Imagine being the only leathercrafter on a ship of 3,000. Yeah,...😓 (sweat equity)
Excellent video! Your approachable manner is so welcoming and warm. I, too and a pure 'solo-preneur' and sometimes feel as if I'm treading water...or suffocating beneath so many lists. You are a true inspiration and if you would welcome the idea, I'd love to have your opinions on my products and mission. Again, thank you for being so personable and sharing so freely!!
I was doing leatherwork in a 5th story apartment in downtown Seattle and for noise I got a 2 ton arbor press (which is smaller than it sounds). It works for cutting oblongs, belt ends and setting rivets. Basically I crafted a cutting surface out of plastic cutting boards and rotate it as it wears out, I've had this for about 18 months and I haven't had to replace the original cutting board. This cost about $375 shipped from Grizzly Industrial but I understand these are on craigslist sometimes. Totally adequate for everything I'm doing but I really have to crank on it for 1 3/4" belt tips, but that might just be the punch I'm using
Thank you. This is informative and inspiring. I'm looking forward to more vlogs to learn from. Rock on!
And…I wanted to say “great video!”, thanks for what you do!
All I can say is: your tutorial and presentation clips are worth a look. It's calm to follow the steps until the end of the product. You can't imagine how annoying it is, even the product may be is great, but the person puts on a silly show. Thanks for sharing, my best regard from FRA. Business ideas & steps are value Info!
Thank you for sharing your invaluable life experience!
Could be my favourite leathercrafting video, very inspiring.
I like the way you think. Thanks for sharing from your experience.
Great video and insight- thanks so much
I would like to thank you for getting me into leatherwork. I would also like to thank you for convincing me not to do it for money. I didn't want the craft to become a job. I started my working career as a goldsmith and grew to hate it when it became a job. This is a really great video for folks wanting to do it as a lifestyle, for a living. Funny though, when you started talking videos, my imagination made me think of you as an older, clean shaven, PBS home reno guy from Minnesota. The facial videos blew that image out of the water! :) Carry on the great work.
Dude, that was awesome. Thank you ❤
Love it! Thanks for taking the time to do this. When does buckleguy re-stock Corter irons?
Very informative, thanks Eric
Good to see you again
Some really great info in this video, thank you.
great advices my dude thanks again
I'm only 16 minutes in and that Billabong reference made me laugh
I think with such a mindset that you have, you will be a great dad( weather u got married or not ), am one of ur biggest silent fans, and its not only ur leatherwork, simplicity, confidence, and patience that u have, bless u man…
Thank you so much, I really appreciate you!
A great video Eric..thanks
Thanks for sharing wisdom.
Just discovered you. You are so cool! :-) I just started leather work this year, and I make women's accessories out of scrap and reclaimed upholstery leather.
Thanks for a great video!
Thanks for posting this
*There's some sage advice here, especially for people contemplating jumping into the Fray, BUT..And, It's a BIG BUT..There's some highly significant information being left out and intentionally not said as well.*
The only bit I disagreed with in the video was the 8 hours a day, 5 days a week mindset. Aim more European, 36 hours a week with 30 days holiday a year - hit that work / life balance.
Edit. Really enjoyed the video, thanks.
I totally, totally agree. Unfortunately being self employed often comes with $500/month health insurance bills if you choose to have stuff like that once you're out of your 20's haha, so it takes a few more hours to sustain that. I would love to aim European hours but that also means living with a good socialized medicine program and a government that doesn't tax business owners so much - it's hard to just keep afloat after taxes if your'e self employed here. We had a sweedish secretary for a while who was surprised not just at how much specific things like good education and health care cost here, but that they cost anything at all - and I agree with her. This is just my goal for working in the system I exist in haha, I don't even live on a well anymore. Gotta pay for drinking water out of my own faucet!
You gotta do what you gotta do until you no longer gotta do it. That is, expansion to the point where it's basically manufacturing and no longer custom or 100% hand made products.
Hey, loved the down-to-earth discussion. Interesting perspectives. I didn't quite catch the name of Kayleen's leather company. It sounded like you said Racklan Leather? I know that's wrong. Curious to check it out.