As the new year approaches, many of us will be making resolutions. Funny thing about resolutions...they hardly ever go the distance. I think it's because there is no mechanism for accountability. Let's start a thread on what our leathercraft goals are for 2019. Lets make them realistic, attainable and measurable...post your updates and by 2020 we can revisit them together and see how we did. Put it out there so we can all help each other stay accountable and reach those goals within the new year.
For me...
1. I will continue working on the basics and actually work through and produce the 10 items discussed in Ellen's new book, "leatherwork School". I believe it's achievable in a year.
2. I will design 3 unique items that my costumer base would enjoy.
3. I will get my website up and running to market my 3 items and make my 1st sale.
What are your goals?...perhaps some are very similar to mine. If this is the case, let me know and we can motivate each other to achieve them.
Dave Magic
Hi everyone, I am a bit late to the party but my goals for 2019 are
1) Improve my construction skills
2) learn how to make my own bag patterns
3) start my own leather business in addition to my day job. I just want to make enough money this year to be able to recover what I have spent so far on tools, afford new leather tools/machinery and take a class in person with Philip 😂. 4) I suppose the one I most looking forward to achieving is making a sale to someone who is not a friend or family.
Great idea!
My goals are:
Keep training, I'm close to convince a retiree from one of the most important luxury leather brands of Spain to spend some time teaching me and, of course, at Leather Craft Masterclass.
Design a new model (60% done)
Being active at the forum
Keeping fun
Finding time for experimenting
:)
So I started working on the lst Project in Ellen's book (A Belt). The project requires a skive that runs the entire length of the belt strap. Honestly, I was a bit apprehensive about that skive becuase I have always been terrible at hand skiving. As a result, I've started working towards 20 hours of hand skiving practice but I'm only up to 6 hours over the coarse of a few days practicing on scraps. Last night I almost did a back flip when I successfully ran my Japanese blade the entire length of the belt not once...but twice! As I move closer to 20 hours of hand skiving, my confidence in the technique is skyrocketing .
Well, my goals for 2019 are:
1) Soundproof my workshop so that I can work when my 2 months old baby is asleep. It is really hard to manage production when you only have a small window of time in which you can punch/hammer/noisy stuff ...
2) Get my website up and running. The problem isn't the website, it is "how to offer" the products. Color Combination, availability, which products to actually offer (all or some?).
3) To make the rolltop backpack I have been planing for a year (hopefully in January)
4) Master stitching with an Awl
5) Loose weight xD
Great idea Dave! Some really good goals there moving into the new year.
Hi All!
Here are my resolutions for 2019:
1) To improve a lot my basic knowledge and techniques, as well as @Dave Magic :)
2) To find a suitable name and logo to create my own brand (I miss some inspiration to do this!! tips or suggestions will be welcome)
3) To start running my little leather business, besides my current job. Concerning this point, I would like to know about your own experiences, in case you are currently selling your creations.
If I can achieve these 3 points, I will be mre than satisfied!!!
Merry Xmas to all of you :)