How To Start a Craft Business For Beginners in 2025

[@souvdish]

Joe, ya bloody champion! Thanks again for your consistently great presence! Cheers and Merry Christmas from Melbourne, Australia.

[@bryanmoreland2861]

I love these business builder series videos.

[@billybeasley5131]

If I would have had social media as a young man, their is no doubt that I would be doing it full time thankyou for all of your lessons

[@gistarbsonestopfarmshop]

Thank you for sharing the knowledge you have gained. I really appreciate you.

[@camaross45thaniv51]

Thank you I’ve needed this video for years.

[@judithwright5084]

Awesome video ❤️. Hoping to get to meet you in February at Prescott show

[@joemeling3216]

I’ll be there! Please come say hello!

[@bensb4534]

Love these types of videos very helpful

[@trevorbeach9619]

Morning.. where can I get my makers mark stamp made. Not sure where to or who to go thru.. love your videos . Keep em coming.

[@joemeling3216]

I recommend Steel Stamps, Inc. Talk to Tim.

[@lobenavente236]

Thank you Mr Meling! 🙏 For all your hard work, positivity, tips and help with all your videos. You have definitely been a big part of my leather craft journey. This video is right on time! I still have a long way to go, and get overwhelmed at times but with videos like this, it keeps me focused on the goal. Thanks again! 🙏💯🔥👊🫡🫡🫡

[@blueshirtmonday]

Thank you for differentiating between single, no kids and married with kids as to when to go all in. So many KZbinrs just say quit your job and go for it. If I were single I'd just do leathercraft and live at the shop. But I'm married with two teenagers and I'm the breadwinner. So my w2 job pays the bills while leathercraft has kept us afloat during this insane inflation. Kids are out of the house in a few years so maybe then I can quit

[@NonanoN-er6de]

Hello Joe, I want to know the difference between using an embossing wheels and tooling patterns e.g. basket weave and its likes. You have great videos, I really appreciate your efforts.

[@joemeling3216]

Hi, tooling and stamping is hand done with individual tools while an embossing wheel presses in a repeating pattern.

[@NonanoN-er6de]

@joemeling3216 sorry, i didnt make myself clear. I missed asking the results of both. Are they the same?

[@joemeling3216]

@ no, an embossing wheel isn’t going to get the same depth as hand tooling. They’re going to be used most often for high production to reduce labor costs. It’s much faster to roll something through a machine as opposed to hand tooling it.

[@NonanoN-er6de]

@@joemeling3216 thank you so much for replying again

[@poulsenleather9689]

I'd love to be part of your group and get some feedback from you. I don't know if this is where I drop the comment or where for sure. Thanks, Joe

[@joemeling3216]

Hey there! Here is a link to the group. I’d love to see you in there and hear more about what you have going on and your goals for the direction you’re wanting to head. www.skool.com/leather-life-inner-circle-7862/about

[@johnhopper6352]

I was a farrier back in the day. Running a business isn't easy. All day shoeing then calls to customers to keep the books full at night.

[@honda200twinstar3]

Hmm guess Tandy Leather here in Ontario didnt get that billion dollar memo ,as they have closed i think all but one outlet here in Ontario i dont know about the stores on in the other provinces.

[@AliSeyrafizadeh]

Its a shame that they've closed their outlets, I live near their Mississauga store and drop in often to pickup supplies, chat with the staff and other leathercrafters. You can pickup the same tools cheaper on line but the help, advise and atmosphere can't be found there. I actually don't mind paying a few bucks more at the Tandy store to see their smiling faces, get technical help and help them stay afloat so others can be encouraged to join this industry.

[@honda200twinstar3]

@@AliSeyrafizadeh True Ali but if you order from them on line then your paying $20 or more on delivery charges ,and it sucks for me as im about an hour away from the Barrie outlet i need blue dye but have to wait till spring to order it and im not paying $17 for their oil base stains, oh and they are still in business but online orders only ,Hey Sorry Joe i know Ali and are are little of topic but hey its still leather and i did want to get feed back from you as to if knew or had some incites into Tandys goings on there in the states .or knew they are closing store here in Canada.

[@joemeling3216]

Oh gosh, don’t apologize at all. This is a great place for conversation. I don’t know all of what Tandy has going on but I know they’ve made some interesting changes. I know down here they quit attending any of the leather shows with booths. I still see them sponsoring some things but not being there with a presence. I’m not sure what’s going on.

[@honda200twinstar3]

@@joemeling3216 So Joe you said in this video its billion dollar industry?dont think its anywhere near that here in the great white north 😉 Do you know of any stores closing down there ?

[@tylerkelly6883]

you should stick to carving videos

[@MichiganCustomCraftworksLLC]

Hello @JoeMeling I just found your channel and subscribed to your channel and the @LeatherLifeCommunity group. I think the missing leather element is training and networking in the leather industry and you have met a huge need my friend. I look forward to meeting you and being a part of this group.

[@joemeling3216]

Welcome to the channel and the community. Glad you’re here!