How to SELL your Leather Goods!

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How to SELL your Leather Goods!
How do I start SELLING?! That was the most popular question by a landslide when we asked you for business questions on instagram (@CorterLeather). So we did our best to offer you some experience-based advice on how to SELL your leather goods. Selling your leather products is something that might take you a bit of time, but if you put in the work finding a market and producing the right leather product, you'll be able to make your leathercrafting hobby a side job or even your full time job in time (if you want to!)

[@stephenbutler9432]

I am a cook/waiter in a local restaurant. And the booklets they give you are cheap plastic and cardboard and fall apart after a month or two. So I decided to make one myself. I got some discard suede and I bought some 3 oz buffalo leather, and made one myself. It’s much more used than a normal servers booklet, and offers twice the space for receipts and cash, also while being about 30% smaller than your average booklet. I’m currently finalizing a finished design that would also have a space for coin as well bills.

[@paulie916]

I just made myself a book too for serving, mine is more of a money envelope but definitely wayyy better than the check presenter bull**!

[@cge336]

You should make a lv Christopher (epi leather) like when you did the $5000 Hermes wallet for $70 or even better go one step further and do the $84,000 crocodilien mat for $$(what it cost you) that video will take off just like the other one

[@DD-bs9fo]

I like how you separated "leathercraft" and "business" when it comes to selling. Business is a whole other craft in itself!

[@StudioCluiss]

So true. There’s a huge difference between making a nice product and making money.

[@avleathercraft648]

Very true. Although I only started leather craft in 2020, I think I'm a lot better at making, then advertising and selling unfortunately :(

[@ZippedUpKitz]

@@avleathercraft648 that is MY problem as well… I have someone who wants to set me up on Etsy or eBay … but then I am like, I don’t want to MAINTAIN those websites/stores. I've been down that road before when I did graphics and web design 20 years ago when it was in its later infancy. I just want to make stuff. I like making stuff for the sheer enjoyment of making it. If someone wants to buy the things I make, great. But I have zero desire to market the products or whatnot… THAT is my biggest problem.

[@robertkat]

People That make the money do NOT make any thing. They buy cheap and sell for a big profit. Amazon. 250 billion dollars profit.

[@joliski]

I love this new and hopefully regular format. Very informative.

[@mr.belardo7457]

Wish more “ entrepreneurs “ would simply explain everything like you did! The whole solving a problem was a struggle for me and many others and you put it beautifully! Also which skiving knife do you use?

[@mrdobalina3451]

Mr. Belardo it’s a Japanese style knife probably a Polosanto.

[@zband9016]

What drove me to leather work initially was to fulfill a need. I wanted my own bag that I had made that I knew would last longer than the bags that I was purchasing in stores to carry things. I found out in the process of making the bag that I wanted that I liked the work. What can keep driving someone to do leather work is money, however what drives some people is seeing a design that they have in their head coming from their hands and having the ability to hold something that they imagined/dreamed up in some way. That satisfaction can drive you much further as it will also likely drive you to improve your work or end product through the years. Remember that the tools don't make the person - The person makes the tools. Having expensive tools will not make you a better leather worker. A drive, or love for the work likely will though.

[@christiancartmale1150]

don't know if I'll ever be able to make it my full-time, but when a friend asked me to make them a gun bag for a shotgun using leather that was 200 bucks a side, I looked at him and said "I've never done anything like this, it will be expensive, are you sure..?" Anyways I guess he loves it.

[@dshe8637]

Finding a customer base that is prepared to pay the prices that handmade goods cost. That's the key. Unless you find that niche, your time-consuming handmade items will be compared to sweatshop mass produced ones, sadly.

[@gibbyswife9218]

I live in a rural area. Just like everyone else, don't have a lot of money to spend, especially on the leather scraps. I would love to find a place that has scrap leather either inexpensive or less....lol...... I do have many leathercrafting tools. (I spent a small fortune on them.) I wa t you to know I LOVE these tutorials you make.. I am making leather wrist cuffs for a donation for a friend's company, for them to be able to give out for advertising their company. The metal stamp logo is becoming the main problem for me to get for less than like $300.00! I even have had one on order - my son found a place that makes them less expensive, overseas.....so he put in an order for their unique logo,...... I still have not received it after a month! So, I bought a Cricut Maker Machine with a special piece I ordered to "deboss" - like engraving on leather or wood.... sort of.... but I don't know how, even with their tutorials🤦‍♀️) I am deep in the middle of an expensive pickle... all for making a free donation. Anyway, I am tapped out, and was wondering where I could find tooling leather scrap pieces for not a lot of money? I'm so frustrated. Thank you for any information you can give me on any of the above mentioned. Thank you. I would love to be able to just make and donate these wrist cuffs. (With their own logo on it.) It's not even for myself.

[@jamievandersluis7994]

These videos are so incredibly well made and so relaxing. I can 100% see myself trying to get a wallet from you guys 👍

[@ryno5468]

👍

[@aarenavian]

Refreshing to see that this is not your average, run of the mill “this is how you sell” clickbait KZbinrs like to push for quick views and ad revenue. Much appreciate the life lessons you serve up.

[@keithhodgson6489]

Sage advice for any business.

[@rickbratto6167]

Very nice storyline while making! May I ask what is the storyline behind the name Corter and the crossed fishing hooks? (Although it may be none of my bees wax...) I’ve been a designer now for pretty much my entire career, and always enjoy telling the same when people ask about identities I’ve produced over the years. Have a great day! Detroit says “Hi!”

[@GoodWithHands27]

i found my problem my friends didn't have someone that knows how to make stuff out of leather!! boom i cornered the market! lol

[@lisahook7978]

I love this message! Businesses that happen organically, naturally have a momentum that cannot be replicated without the force of money behind them. So true!

[@EpicMars]

You should definitely make a video of the gang of plants you have. After seeing it in your videos I want something similar but I have to reorganize my room to have some space.

[@archiem6323]

Great information. Thank you. I have learned a lot from your videos.🤗

[@bleepbloop6011]

As a 19/20 yr old person going to art school, very uplifting to hear your story and knowledge I admire it!

[@voodoowarrior7457]

What lead me to leatherwork was to make my own bushcraft belt and kit. Now I make pouches for pistol magazines.

[@vegavak]

Thanks for sharing and making this content. I barely noticed the 14 minutes passing by and it was very informative. I've been on/off leatherwork and my sole reason for it has been, like you said, solving problems that I had. I find myself making custom little things for my home and friends often will inquire about making something for them. I think that's so very true.

[@MVandemore]

Thanks for sharing your story. This is great advise for starting any business.

[@paletteofwallets9315]

calms me looking at leather working =) ps. take a look at my patent with double leather dyeing

[@ShawneeUnion]

I was in grad school in Boston at the time, downtown crossing was super interesting back then. I remember the Eddie Bauer was super close to the Army Surplus shops. It really switched up after Filene’s basement closed.

[@406Montana]

Good advice, thanks for sharing. I'm looking at the new Facebook Shop thing. Kinda waiting to get some feedback from users..ETSY doesn't appeal to me..you like it?

[@MansterBear]

Ive done a little leather work before, mainly simply sheaths for my knives or axes, but I've just order things to begin Bible/Book rebinding. My main reason is because I love doing leather work, we have 20 bible in our house from over the years that I can practice on, and the long term goal is to get good enough to rebind an old KJV my wife's grandfather had that is breaking down. But we also have the goal of my wife becoming a SAHM. We can just get by with my income only, but it will be tight. So I thought... IF i get good at this, maybe I could sell a rebinds per month for some extra income. Problem is, I'm an engineer, and "sales" has always seemed like the boogey man in the corner that I just don't want to get involved with lol Thank you for the video. It's a good reminder of the realization that I will need to put some work in on the "business" side too, if I go that route, rather than just the work put into the leather itself.

[@longislanddiy6315]

Are you getting all your leather from Weaver? I only seem to see heavy weights on their site and when I go to the materials list on their website I can't imagine you are using 10-12oz weight on a wallet? Been very difficult to find 2-3oz leather from a reputable source. Any suggestions I'd love to hear. Great work!

[@Corter]

yep! Check out their splitting service, we have them split our hides down to the weight we want :)

[@michaelshea4834]

I have worked in multi-billion dollar businesses marketing and selling for over 25 years. The simple advice to ‘find a problem and solve it’ is the bedrock upon which all success is built on. No problem equals no sale. It is true for huge corporations and single man shops equally. I cannot overstate this: the advice given in this video is spot-on perfect. Excellent !!

[@ZippedUpKitz]

Your logo, two fishing hooks crossed over… where did you come up with that and why did you choose to use fishing hooks? I honestly thought your background was related to fishing in some way because of the logo. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought you were In Fashion design! Just goes to show, you cannot assume things or judge books by their covers! Such an interesting background! Would love to know the story behind your logo?

[@maruwinckelmann7659]

I really really appreciated the information! It is the one I needed at this moment, just the start of my work in leathercraft!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@trevorwestin2545]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I think it’s just the motivation I need!

[@glenbuyer8738]

I like how as he’s talking about his success and his luck, the camera is panning over his extensive succulent garden. Hard flex bro

[@JeffMartinez648]

Great information!!! I’m binging you channel a this week 🤣🤣🤣

[@arcadiogarridoruiz7206]

All that is true.. Leather work.. Requires. Passion. Love. Hard work.and many more things or situations.. And like i said before.. Only real people knows how much. Handmade leather goods. Are worth.. When you buy a handmade piece.. It comes with hours of work.. From a human being.. Not from a machine. Simple as that ..keep the good work.. God bless you.. By the way. I really like the part.. With the drinks...

[@prasanth2418]

Sir I have question I want the ability to make a wallet is there any specific courses for it

[@zband9016]

I don't know of any courses for it other than KZbin University. Look on KZbin for wallet making. If you need patterns you can get pre-made patterns on Ebay under a search of Acrylic Wallet patterns.

[@savinovleather2547]

Добрый день ! Какую кожу применяете в своих изделиях ?

[@katcankan7129]

I'm late today but l was born ready, so lets do this Corter 😎

[@88thCompany]

I really loved this video so very much! It’s so useful business and creatively wise. Could you tell us more about where your community connect? I would love to join. Forums are great, but the one I found are super crowded. Thanks again :D

[@mdani5845]

nice and clean work ✌

[@michaelflores6445]

Hi! Can you give us some website links that have people that shares similar interest? Thanks!

[@nickmurphy9148]

Love it. Marketing and branding are a concept I struggle with, and the advise is generally geared toward people who "get it", which excludes me. The work in making and building items, finances, designing a product, all of that makes sense but the sales end is a nightmare for me and this broke it down in a relatable way instead of overhyped industry jargon and gave great examples.

[@tatianacarvalho7386]

Thank you for sharing. I am opening my business and that what you said about finding my niche and sell a lifestyle make me think.

[@posemaster6619]

your wellet work

[@BK33REVIEWS]

So you are completely self taught how did you learn back then

[@blameese]

Luck is being ready for the opportunity that comes your way.

[@JoshUa-sm1sb]

I liked the no talking but this is always still great

[@Corter]

we'll have some of both moving forward! Just a lot to share now that we're talking haha :)

[@RustyNox]

The first point is true for any industry. 1. Solve problems, present the solution, and iterate from there.

[@xenabidin8788]

i am 40, how long it will take me to learn leather craft and be able to actually sell, i wanna especially learn hand wallets, have always interested me as a child.

[@alect1953]

As a new leather worker this is a great resource I've watched you for a while and I love this kind of "pick your brain" style format where you talk about topics keep up the awesome leather work, and the cool insights!

[@cdgarcia]

The pouring of the bourbon in the vid caught me off guard 😂😂 cheers

[@kaywilson6416]

Your video was excellent. Thanx.

[@patrickpaul7104]

Is yhis pattern available for purchase?

[@thestarwarsemperor8334]

Can my neiche be that there isn't any local leather goods really anything here.

[@DPTech_workroom]

Need to try it somehow... NICE!

[@oopsiespeedy]

I love watching you turn raw materials into this well made, attention to detail product that will last the test of time. Your voice is also very soothing. How do you handle or have you ever had any issues with people stealing your designs or are your designs available for other people to use freely. (I guess what I'm trying to ask is trademark on your products).

[@fakiirification]

watch his video on the bottle hook. he has one of the injection moulds that was sized by the courts from his imitators after he sued them. He dont play games with patents. =)

[@katcankan7129]

Another great video Corter 😊

[@Arch1301]

Do you have a profile in Instagram?

[@cybertree]

Youre the best man, I lucked out and people started offering to buy my stuff on facebook. And watching this gives me an idea for a problem to solve: high quality cosplay items! (Nerdy stuff like Aragons vambracer from LOTRings, or Indiana Jones' satchel.

[@levibanks7138]

Dude why didn't you show the finished wallet at the end 😭

[@Trassel242]

Thank you for emphasising that the leathercraft and the business side of it are two different skills. I’m just dipping my toes into leathercraft, but I’m absolutely awful at advertising and marketing and all that. I’ve got this whole “who am I to tell people they should spend their money on my stuff? I’m just some dude” thing going on. I’d like to perhaps sell leather goods, since I think I’ve found an untapped niche in the market. Honestly I decided to start making leather stuff because I couldn’t find this specific thing I wanted, it’s like nobody is selling it, so figured I might as well try to make it myself. If it turns out well, I’d like to maybe start doing commissions for this product.

[@tonyk680]

what is the name of the glue you're using??

[@luciferx1636]

I am not a leather guy but like your speech ...

[@cberts7781]

Am I the only one who is mad they didn't get to see him finish the wallet?

[@byGaryVaughn]

Thank you. I wish I had more to say.

[@MauroSilva312]

Thank you very much for the information! Very enlightening video. Greetings from Brazil!

[@gibbyswife9218]

Thank you for this video.

[@mdani5845]

super

[@the-nomad]

Interesting video, thanks! It helps with my way forward, I'm new into leatherwork (been playing with it for the last few years as I prepare for the next stage of my life), as I see it as an interesting way to fund things as I start my adventure. I will be travelling Europe by bull drawn cart and, I will need to earn an income as I go. So, producing leather goods seems the ideal way to go, my question is, do I go the artisan route and aim for high end items that command a good price and I only need to sell a few to survive, or do I go the quick and dirty route with the idea of selling loads (my outlets will be wherever I stop, people gravitate towards the camp because it is something so different.). Of course, I suppose I could do both but inform between being seen as a desirable brand and the easy simple method, knocking out loads of bracelets, necklaces etc. Thoughts? Suggestions?

[@kreativekymona]

Thank you so much for this. Excellent information. It gives me something to think about.

[@AdinoEznite]

No "rougher" tool needed... scrape sideways with X-Acto knife... SWEET!

[@jujugohard4289]

How about just affordable?

[@LKS-1976]

Very informative. I'm looking to get into leather work, making wallets, belts, sheaths. Possibly looking to sell, this helped. Thank you...

[@Hankster651]

Seems like every time I watch a leather working video (yours are the best, BTW!) I see some new item I've got to have. Now it's Russell's Kentucky Straight whiskey. Not cheap!

[@KaramKaram-tk9ge]

Muchas gracias por tus consejos eran muy útiles ... Tengo una pregunta porfavor ... Que grosor de cuero utilizas??

[@jann989]

Thank-you, for sharing your knowledge & expertise, I love your videos. They are excellent, and I am mesmerized with or without sound..

[@inkdreams5113]

Crame them with Benjamins.

[@lawrencebaker6911]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge... Limited as you may think it is, it's encouraging to those of us who have a skill and want to start selling our goods... I think I've found my niche... I make several different things, but my main items that really attract people, are travel mug sleeves that are hand tooled with that person's interests... Such as religion, hobbies like hunting, racing, quilting, music, etc... I also make purses, where I do the same thing... Some ladies want a bag with various favorite flowers, or animals, or even styles from a certain time period... These things are important to my customers and they really help sell the value in whatever I make... Anywho, I'm rambling on, but I want to thank you for inspiring me and others who are of a like mind... Have a great day... Sláinte

[@Korschtal]

Thanks for this: I'm a cabinet maker and Occupational Therapist, trained to help people with Psychological issues to develop and help them live fulfilling lives by giving them meaningful work in a protected work environment. I've noticed a gap in the "market" or a problem, that clients who are intelligent and creative but have a serious disability such as depression or PTSD: Most protected workshops in Germany are generalised and it can be hard for these people to fit in to the noisy and chaotic environment they provide. I'd like to start a small art and craft based business, initially in jewellery and leather work to provide a balance between routine work, which brings security, and creative opportunities, in a relatively quiet, small scale environment. Right now I'm working in a larger organisation, in this case a protected workshop, to get experience in a business and balancing the needs of clients with the contractors and customers we work with. Still not entirely sure how to make the next step in a German context, but this has been really encouraging, especially as I don't really want to stay working in a larger organisation.

[@helloangello]

I wish I could triple like this. It was an amazing crash course in business. Awesome work and thank you!

[@adarael]

I find this fascinating, because A) I was on Superfuture during that time as well, as I was a Japanese major interested in selvedge denim, B) Even when I could write to the stores, they'd refuse to ship to me, and C) I've gotten into leatherworking because of your channel!

[@angelsandoval-rx4zd]

Where do you buy your zippers?

[@Deksudo]

Came for the leatherworking tips and stayed for the business crash course. Props

[@freezinweasle1]

I have that same hammer! A Boxer. Thank you for posting. All good info.

[@erosmandex3048]

Thanks for the advice! Kinda helped focus a few things

[@benjaminpastrana9662]

Thank you for the helpful info!💪🏼beautiful work👍

[@trevorallen5988]

Awesome video, you spread an amazing amount of knowledge in all of your videos. Also, you manage to do it without being overly self promoting. Thank you for keeping it real!

[@MonsterMae]

I love this! I started because I wanted leather jackets when I was in fine arts school that I couldnt afford

[@hampton8501]

Very informative. Thank you for taking time to explain the whole picture.

[@leatherheadgarage7821]

Great video, kinda soothing, a lot of useful info and was great I got to see your work. Gonna subscribe

[@ridhwaan1199]

Wow Watching you is just super satisfying. Love your work👌🏻

[@aquietsojourner4683]

Ty for sharing.

[@willie_mccoy]

I've never seen a video like this...there's a strange voice I don't think I've ever heard. Might wanna check that out...

[@e.sulaksono.r-e.s.r8197]

Such a good inspiration 👍 thanks , buddy 👍

[@oakridgereview1359]

"food and beer money" hahaha I love the honesty and reality of college life as a young adult 🔥🔥🔥

[@daniel923e]

Hi I have a question, where do you buy your leather from? thanks.

[@DarkSkiesCC]

I recently got some scraps of leather and have been practicing basic stuff just to explore. I think I said this in a previous video too but I love this making something, and talking about interesting points and advice at the same time. The downside being the video seems to fly by then it's over lol

[@gerardotavaramoncada2768]

Excellent video for favor pieces decirme los previous de this herramientas y donde las venden

[@frihetvisuals]

Where can i get the transparent dubble sided sticky tape

[@maxthedaytrader]

Very good, life related advice. Thank you.

[@Arch1301]

Thank you!

[@elund408]

This is such a good video, just for anyone starting a small business not just online businesses

[@MistaRhoi]

Super helpful! I’m in the process of prototyping for a new brand/product and your story is everything I’m trying to learn alongside the physical problem solving. Love this format of storytelling voiceover while watching you make things. 👍🏽