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Thankful for the video 😊 Hi from Aalborg, Denmark 🇩🇰

Hola, cuanto tiempo deja actuar el resolene antes de aplicar el antique? Gracias

Well said. 👏 😊 a Leather Designer made Baby's first belt, or a piece of string, both hold your trousers up. No comparison, so that's why you SHOULD pay for quality and expertise.

Thank you for addressing this. I needs yelled louder from the back of the room.

I always undervalue my work, as I see the flaws in every hand cut, hand sewn holster, portfolio, wallet, etcetera. That said, four commissioned custom (from dyes and contrasts to thread, stamped or plain) holsters grossed at $450... minus four Blueguns at $55+_ each, leather, thread color, two custom stamps and shipping (coast-to-coast)... I actually didn't "hose" myself. Each person was thrilled with the end product (not me, LOL) and said that the imperfections gave their holster character. It takes me longer, as I have significant arthritis and "trigger finger" in both hands, but enjoy the work nonetheless. The pain, however, makes me "want" to charge more, but I know I can't. 🙃 Thanks for your direction and advice!

What do you do when you cannot have those products in your state?

I totally agree and understand everything you convey in this video. I only make leatherwork, woodwork, and other handy deeds for friends and family at no charge to them because of the slap in the face received for over 50 years of trying to make money with a service that is highly skilled. For instance, December 12th, 2023, a local relator saw a purse I made for my granddaughter and was awed. She made me an offer for the first order of 5 just like the one I made at the offering of $15.00 each. Not sure how she came up with an off the cuff offer like that and demand they are finished by Dec. 22nd. These were going to be little presents for special customers. First off, I'm retired and do this as a hobby and keepsake for people that appreciate my work. Because the purse was just completed, I had the cost on top of my head being $26.00 with hardware, leather, and finish products, no craft time included. This purse was just over 10 hours work being hand sewn and the process I use for leather conditioning. I did ask how she came up with this crazy offer her reply was, you are retired so what else would you be doing with your time. I asked the lady how much she made last year along with her husband and that being $430k. I told her as a favor since it was a rush offer that I would not charge extra, but the cost would be $390.00 each. She gasped deeply and told me that was not a Louis Vuitton so why was I asking so much. I had to reply that it would most likely make no sense to her so no I will not make them at any price for you. People value us as handy people with simple minds.

IMO the best tool an individual can use on pricing their custom work (regardless which craft they work in) is a detailed business model. Many of the questions I see whether from this channel or friends wanting to go into business as a barber, bar owner, or taxidermy are questions that must be researched and answered to compile a business model. Doing so will also guide you to make products that you are capable of making and not compete with the mail order discount franchises. Thanks for a great series on this topic.

It’s a labor of love. Thats hard to put a price on that.

What about the demographics of your area? I'm thinking I can't charge what I want thinking the area is not going to pay that much. I'm not selling much anyways

True, but you have to QUALIFY all that you just said Joe, with the maker having the skills and the KNOWLEDGE to produce products worth those prices. Just because you have a shop/booth/website/whatever, does not mean your goods are worth a "premium" price. Your advice is good, but there are plenty of people who's skills do not match the asking price. That's not to dump on everyone, but there are a share of makers who think their stuff is much nicer than it is in reality. Not everyone who makes stuff or wants to make stuff, is actually going to be that excellent at it. Just because someone knows how to bevel, doesn't mean they are really good at it. Just because someone can make a wallet out of a fine piece of leather, doesn't mean it's a top quality wallet. It's not just convincing a customer that you built the value in the product, there has to be actual value in that product. I've seen lots of stuff from people who think they made a nice "whatever", but it doesn't really look that nice. And I say all this as a guy who admits openly I am not going to be entering any leather competitions any time soon. I know for a fact, I am not going to be tooling any 500 dollar belts anytime soon. Not everyone is producing products with that kind of value.

My mechanic charges $110 an hour plus parts. When I make him goods I return the favor. I've learned how to work on my trucks more and he still knows nothing about leather crafting

thank you for your knowledge and patience in explain the craft and business . im wanting to get into the leather making craft not for business but just to be able to make my grand kids some belts and spurs. what kind of leather is best for making quality belts. I know nothing about the leather differences so any advice would help me out . thanks again for you time and videos you put out.

Yes!!! Great advice!!!

Please give me contact number from we buy the tools

Perth Western Australia

I was gifted a oooold leather working tool kit from one of my step dad’s uncles about a decade ago and didn’t know what to do with most of it. I knew I wanted to get into leatherwork eventually but at the time I was in a big ceramics hyperfixation. Before I moved states I found a local leather craftsman and gave him the dyes and misc tools I didn’t know anything about, but I kept the decorating tools (?) because I knew I’d use them for something. They’re Craftool from Colorado, I have 13 dif designs and I’m so glad I kept them. My first experience with leather was recently, I made myself leather stays for the renaissance faire and used a sewing stitch-marking wheel to make some decorative patterns since I didn’t have time to really learn how to use the tools I kept. I made the stays with absolutely no leather-working experience but I’m smart, I knew the weight was heavy enough to hold the pressure of lacing, I knew I could only really cut once, and they came out great. Now a year later it’s RenFaire season again and it just occurred to me that it’s the perfect time to really go ham with my decorating my stays, so here I am. That leaf pattern is what got me, that shit is beautiful. This video has been heavily informative, I appreciate you and your efforts. Edit: I’m googling all the serial #s on each tool and most of them are considered vintage, like some were only made in the 60s/70s. I already felt super lucky that I was gifted such a great set, but even more-so now. I wish I had kept the entire tool box he gave me, I knew how stupid it was at the time to give them away but I had to prioritize space and parse down my growing collecting of art/hobby supplies when I moved.

Great advice, but I tried to get my husband in your floral carving class at the Heart of Texas show in August and you’re full. 🫤

Your projects look great, friend! I’m just starting as well and I hope that a year in I will be just as good as you

Enjoy your videos. Great job.

Me preguntaba si podría usar el patrón que le compré ayer de hojas de roble y bellotas para hacer un cinturón y mostrarlo en mi canal , siempre poniendo el enlace a su creación y dándole las gracias por supuesto , si no pues nada , me lo haré para mi😂😂🎉

Hola amigo , feliz cumpleaños,ayer mismo te compré varios patrones digitales al 50% entre ellos este gratis ,bueno estoy feliz amigo ,y me gusta aprender de sus tutoriales, aquí un fan @anibalcuerodearte

What “level” would this pattern be considered? Would a beginner be able to do this? And hi from PA!

Watch 20 of these leather working videos and you'll find 20 different, dye, Finish, oil, antiquing, methods. All different sequences. A testament to the forgiveness of leather.

What type of leather do you use?

Happy birthday Joe! Just got the email 8)

When do you expect bevelers back in stock?

Wonderful I'm looking forward to making a few of this also. I'm new been doing it a few months now. Been making knife cases , bags and back patches I enjoy your videos

Nice tutorial thanks, but a few words would be enough instead of a hundred and we would understand anyway, it's difficult to follow this way to the end

Fighting bad material can cause you to doubt yourself.

Thank you Joe for the video. Your video’s are really helpful.

One thing I have remind myself of is to keep the face vertical not the handle. If I don’t then the tool marks start showing on the back side of the bevel. Especially true when I’m using a textured beveler.

Always a joy and informative to watch your videos. Thank you!

Very nice video . I am learning from you.thanks

Thanks from Germany. I am just starting to get the right tools for working with leather. Great informations and helpful.

Hello. What do you use as a cover? Beeswax?

I wish there was a way to give this video MANY thumbs up rather than just one! Your awesome hand skills are matched by your verbal ones. Thank you for sharing your life lessons!!! In a long life I have had the opportunity to learn pretty much all of the lessons you addressed, and your ability to project those lessons learned in the progress of your rodeo career to the progress of your business was dead on the mark. I'm starting a leathercraft/knifemaker business at 83 with my grandson, trying to pass on not only my skills but that hard-won knowledge you addressed. One of my many "careers" was tournament angling, and several of the lessons you learned about time & funds management where travel was involved are ones I, too, had to figure out. Thanks for showing me how to relate that to my grandson in a way meaningful to our business. As always, your ART is amazing and I am awed watching your hands turn a dead, flat piece of leather into living beauty!

From Loxton in the Karoo, very rural one horse town, central South Africa.

Huge Thanks💐 for this excellent tutorial, felt like it was just made for me. I'm a NUBE to leather craft, love the tool names, but now I know HOW to use them properly cos of your video. You're a true artist. 😎👌

Any videos on Decorative cuts

In a 10 fr by 10 fr booth , what it the best way to show case purses and belts when you have small items and only one 2dr X 4 fr table??

bliss1947 from Chino Valley, AZ. Love this pattern and video. In 1962 I bought a like new, but 10 year old OlsenNolte saddle for $400. It was fully tooled in the oak leaf and acorn pattern. My Dad used a Tandy pattern to make me a matching belt. I still have it, the belt...wish I still had that saddle! At 76 I am just starting to explore leather tooling and this pattern is the one I aspire to use. Thanks for all your great videos.

When I worked in a Hospital, every time a Pickup pulled up to the ER it was a bull rider in the back that didn't want to pay for a ambulance.

Pls I want Side to buy leather Tools any happy From Ghana Africa

I admire your works

Hello

Your channel has been such a blessing

😅just switched to water-based

Thanks

This was great! I just started learning on Saturday. Your video opened my eyes and wonder. I’m even more excited to grow in this new hobby/venture