[Source] Leather craftsman

Hi,

I am looking for a leather craftsman to help make wrap bracelets. I
am designing and manufacturing the gold and silver pieces for the
bracelets, but I need someone to do the leather work.

I have local leather craftsmen who charge way too much for this. Any
suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!
Liz

I am looking for a leather craftsman to help make wrap bracelets.
I am designing and manufacturing the gold and silver pieces for the
bracelets, but I need someone to do the leather work. I have local
leather craftsmen who charge way too much for this. Any suggestions
are appreciated. 

Mixing materials like you plan needs careful planning.

Right from the design stage and that includes the prices of all the
components leading to a final price of your product.

so if your leather workers want too much, youll need to put up your
prices to cover ,or,.to get what you want, do it yourself.

I had just this problem. As many of you know I have minting
equipment, which opens the door to all sorts of products.

One of which is buckles in all non ferrous metals including
sterling.

So once ive designed, made the buckle, including the way I attach
the belt, it always needs to be from the best leather, what do I do? Do
I buy in the belt leather strips that could come from anywher or find
a tannery that make exactly what I want, buy the back hide direct,
slice it up with the right tool, thus control the whole operation?
Well, its the latter because at the end of the day, its my product
reflecting my ethos, and my reputation.

I guarantee that my belts and buckles will take the owners weight
with out failing…

So it only the best. Apart from the fact what I make cant be had
anywhere else.

Ted.

I have local leather craftsmen who charge way too much for this. 

How do you know? Maybe they charge just what they need to charge to
make their living.

If your leather bracelets need to financially support two artisans,
they ARE going to be expensive. Nothing bad with that, Hermes, Gucci
and others show that this is possible.

Hi Liz,

Leather work can be very time consuming, especially when it comes to
moulding leather, or plating leather. Our opinions of leatherwork
has changed over the years due to the amount of products coming out
of Asia. You see a leather wallet for 10 dollars, and think that’s a
great price, I can tell you that if I made the same wallet it would
cost you waaaaaaay more. My product would be far superior also. see
any correlation with the jewellery trade?

Just out of curiosity, how much do you think is too much?

A good leather worker could charge you at least $35 an hour (I
charge $200 an hour, I have a reputation).

There are only two viable ways, that I know of, that you can avoid
paying the leather “craftsmen’s” price. It’s to either do the work
yourself, or find a manufacturer in Asia.

Kindest regards Charles