What would be a fair price?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I may consider doing my own web site and sell them that way. What do you think, for a custom item charging for the material up front with the balance due when finished or just cash on the barrel head on delivery? If they want colors or a name on it I really couldn't sell it to someone else if they back out after I make it.

Maybe first create at least half a dozen different styled hand bags and then minimize the customization to perhaps their name, design pattern, etc., and require some nominal deposit (cost of basic material) since you wouldn't be able to sell the purse to anyone else. If you give the customer too much leeway on deciding what they want, they'd drive you up the wall, IMO.

[LaL 418]

The way most handle custom work on Etsy is to give the item more time (how long does it take you to create?), but of course paid up front. Its not considered bad business to require that. People have different expectations for the most part with hand crafted items.

[Peikko 1,575]

The problem with a custom website is attracting browsers. You could have the coolest product, and the best website in the world, but if you don't get the right people to hit on the website it's a waste of time. It would probably be better to at least start out using a site that already attracts customers, probably the ones suggested. Unless of course someone knows something cool about embedding code to kick your site to the top during google searches

Not sure about custom requests unless you know them - unless you get a decent deposit, and pretty much all of the cash upfront if it is so personalized it can't be sold to someone else.

Whatever you choose to do, keep it fun, or this hobby will turn into a nightmare.

It is cool though, time spent doing something like that is never wasted time

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The problem with a custom website is attracting browsers. You could have the coolest product, and the best website in the world, but if you don't get the right people to hit on the website it's a waste of time. It would probably be better to at least start out using a site that already attracts customers, probably the ones suggested. Unless of course someone knows something cool about embedding code to kick your site to the top during google searches

That may be true, but most artists nowadays have their own website - if nothing more than to feature their work. If it takes an average of 25 hrs. to make one handbag, Gary doesn't need a whole lot of traffic to keep busy. I'd say he'd be doing good if he managed to make more than 50 handbags a year, unless he devoted his entire time to the business.

[Peikko 1,575]

True, I don't dispute that he needs very few 'clients' I am just saying that to attract even nominal business one needs traffic. Unlinked websites can get none.

[panamania79 2]

As some of you may know I do leather work for a hobby. I think I have gotten good enough at it that I can begin making things for others and selling them. Below is my latest project. The materials cost me $90 and it took me about 25 hours to complete. What would be a fair retail price on e-bay or a wholesale price to a specialty store for resale? Your input would be appreciated.

Those bags remind me of the artesanias made by the Guarani Indians,they are beautiful ! The large bags $200,small $100,and the wallets $35-$50 depending on the size.

[GaryC 7]

The problem with a custom website is attracting browsers. You could have the coolest product, and the best website in the world, but if you don't get the right people to hit on the website it's a waste of time. It would probably be better to at least start out using a site that already attracts customers, probably the ones suggested. Unless of course someone knows something cool about embedding code to kick your site to the top during google searches

Not sure about custom requests unless you know them - unless you get a decent deposit, and pretty much all of the cash upfront if it is so personalized it can't be sold to someone else.

Whatever you choose to do, keep it fun, or this hobby will turn into a nightmare.

It is cool though, time spent doing something like that is never wasted time

Long long ago I had a hand crafted candle business that I advertised on the web. The key to getting on top of the search engines (aside from paying for it) is to use META tags in the header. There are programs that will generate them for you but I found an easier way would be to go to GOOGLE and do a search that you think your customers would do. Then find the top 2 or 3 hits and copy the meta tags you find onto your own web page after exchanging any info from that site to your own. For example, I did a google search for "custom leather" and found "Custom Leather, Handcrafted custom Leatherwork by WC". His META tags look like this:

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en">

<html>

<head>

<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html">

<title>Custom Leather, Handcrafted custom Leatherwork by WC</title>

<meta name="Author" content="Custom Leather by WC - cowboywc">

<meta name="Description"

content="Custom leather, Handcrafted leather by WC - Custom leatherwork">

<meta name="reply-to" content="inquiry@leatherbywc.com">

<meta name="robots" content="all">

<meta name="robots" content="index, follow">

<meta name="rating" content="All">

<meta name="copyright 2006"

content="2006 Leather By WC - Handcrafted Custom Leather">

<meta name="distribution" content="Global">

<meta name="keywords"

content="leather, custom, items, custom leather, leatherwork, handcrafted, straps, cases, holsters">

<meta name="verify-v1"

content="aqet9XmyOs38sJ4xr+XucbavmqY1mu5xtqpx6kKjPWA=">

<style type="text/css">

<!--

A:link { text-decoration: none; color:#0000ee }

A:visited { text-decoration: none; color: #993300 }

A:hover { text-decoration: none; color:#330000 }

>

</style>

</head>

I would take out his companys name and put mine in it's place. It worked way back when, I assume it would work today. I don't think it violates copyright rules to copy META tags. I would also need to place as many of the key words in my title page as I can because the bots also look there.

[sj5 4]

so this is what gary has been doing rather than posting on vj.

yup, he's a better husband than some...

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

The problem with tooled leather bags is they get imported from other countries. Locally I can get something with tooling like your and lined with zippered sections for under $100 . Now if you set up a booth at a SAS event you can probably get $200 easily. But then again you pay 300 + for a decent dress at those events.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

300 range.

[MrsCat 6]

You're very talented Gary!

Those are beautiful.

[truffles 2]

Can't offer any advice but I agree with everyone ... very very beautiful items !

You must get a lot of enjoyment and pleasure making them, and your wife probably gets compliments from other ladies?

Personally whilst I love handbags, my budget doesn't stretch to what they are actually worth ( it doesnt stop me admiring though), but there are people who can afford to give you what they are worth. and when you invest time, energy to make a custom, one of a kind bag then you deserve to get the best price you can.

Good luck with your venture Gary.

[NickD 202]

Wife and I visited an all hand made shop in Caracas, did see leather made goods, but didn't look at price tags, other stuff was out of this world, price wise, a lot of people looking, but very few were buying, including us. Saw a ship model I kind of liked but for $3,000.00 USD, was a bit too much.

Had an uncle that was into leather, know he was spending years making a horse saddle, but we lost contact and heard he died, but don't know whether he finished it or not. It was his way of relaxing.

Since I have worked in production, competitive cost was always smack way up in front, we needed methods. Tool and die makers were extremely expensive and that is almost history today. We use AutoCad with a numerical controlled interface to directly make prototypes from drawings, you can call that custom designed. And whether a milling machine is controlled by hand or by a computer, really can't tell the difference. Just a quick look on google revealed this.

http://www.yunghsinn.com.tw/frame.htm

So NC leather machines do exist, draw your pattern on Autocad and push a button kind of thing.

Can say saving money is the same as earning it and one good way to get around the IRS, if I job anything out, have to use my post tax earnings that adds at least 35% to the price, plus I am paying for someone else's property tax, health insurance, his taxes, and wages. For example, my dealer wants $1,100 to install a 50 buck timing belt in my car, but it's not costing me $1,100.00, that's post tax, more like $1,485.00 is the amount of money I would have to earn to pay that. If I toss that on my CC add another 18-20% to that, and also 6% sales tax, so looking at 1,900 bucks for a job I can do on a Saturday rather than sitting in front of a TV set getting fat.

Ha, was just talking to my wife about paying a thousand bucks for a threadmill, would I use it? Heck no, rather spend 40 bucks on a new post hole digger for exercise and that way we can also have a fence for our dog.

This turned me on,

300 bucks and I can sew leather if I had to, did reupholster my motorhome, but had to use a softer fabric, still good, but with my home type sewing machine, but can't handle a thicker vinyl with it.

Yeah, I have to do work professionally, still need to buy materials, but that comes with the burden of doing inventory, accounting, long tax returns, insurance, so tend to be more careful in how I spend my money. Even have to collect sales tax on my own time for the state, that really tees me off, what in the hell am I paying taxes for? Also got teed off, had to get 608/609 certified just to buy a can of refrigerant because of new EPA regulations, where it can cost a person a couple thousand bucks to get their vehicle's AC repaired, do that for more like ten bucks. I wasn't teasing about having lots of tools, also saved $60K in building much of my own home and was done right. Actually again, post tax dollars and interest on a mortgage would add up to more like $250K.

Just incredible for me to watch professionals build a home, slap it up then drill holes for wiring, plumbing, and heating, then nail up woodwork that has to be taped and varnished. So much easier to do that on a computer and use a drill press for those holes and a lot quicker, and for the kitchen varnish the woodwork on saw horses so much quicker and on all sides so it doesn't rot out in two years, cut it, with just minor touch up. Have fun, get exercise, and save tons of money.