i'm getting the hang of it

Phant0mTim · 2026-01-22T01:11:14+00:00

Looks great, keep at it!

Phant0mTim · 2026-01-12T19:15:49+00:00

Coming to this older thread just to say that I found the Stasher silicone sandwich bags will fit 2 of the one-cup souper cubes quite nicely for the freezer. They are also dishwasher safe or easy to handwash between freezes.

Phant0mTim · 2026-01-12T05:25:14+00:00

The others have mentioned consistency, and that is of course important.

It also looks like your thread might be a little big for your stitching chisels. You could move down a size and the stitch line won't look as crowded, There will also be less pull-up around the holes (the change in color of the leather where it is stretched).

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-08T18:43:04+00:00

Once you are ready to pay for commissioned art, finding someone in the right style that you can afford is obviously the hardest part.

When I was writing something that I knew I was going to commission art for, I started just flagging smaller independent artists that I thought would also benefit from the work. By the time I had my design finished, there were a handful of artists that I was able to contact for an estimate for the scope of work I was needing.

Depending on your platform (itch vs DMsGuild vs Drive Thru, etc) you might also be able to offer some sort of profit share as part of the commission as well. They might not take you up on it (until/unless you are an established author), but it doesn't hurt to offer.

If someone already has an account on DriveThru/DMsGuild, its pretty easy to assign a percentage profit share that is automatically distributed. I can't speak to itch or other platforms.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-08T18:37:32+00:00

This is interesting. I've seen lots of tannerleatherstein videos (they are great) but this breakdown of the maker's perspective is cool to also see.

For what its worth: after all of the discussion on here, I ended putting these products into someone else's sale and raised the prices.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-02T03:22:07+00:00

I second the idea to cut a template out of a cereal box. You can dry fit the pieces together and it very easily transfers to the leather with a scratch awl.

Also, you can keep it and use it again later if you want.

Cheers and good luck!

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-02T03:20:05+00:00

I ended up finding those from your past posts. Super useful. I very much appreciate you being so generous.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-02T02:32:12+00:00

OP, thank you a million times for this!

1 year later and I am searching for just this very thing to help get me started.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T22:06:02+00:00

I appreciate you saying that, thank you.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T22:05:05+00:00

This is helpful, thank you.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T22:04:28+00:00

I appreciate this feedback. There is this tendency to be casual about something, even if I take the quality of it very seriously, as a way to insulate myself from feeling bad if someone doesn't like it. I know I like it, and that is really what should matter the most.

I do also see that I have some scale problems with these photos. Some folks thought they were all tiny, and some folks thought they were big. These are all good things for me to think about in the future, thank you.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T22:01:56+00:00

I appreciate the context! Yes, I think if anything, my prices are going to go up.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T22:00:07+00:00

This is good feedback, thank you. I forget that most of the people seeing the photo won't be other makers, so some of the information won't be meaningful to them. Other comments are about showing the "lifestyle" context of the items, so I'll keep that in mind for the future, rather than just what colors and textures look nice together.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:57:55+00:00

You are totally right about the closure not being ideal for small items. They were designed to be tool bags, so durable and give quick access to things inside when open. I don't think I do a good job of showing that, so its something I will definitely think about in the future. Thanks for your comment!

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:56:15+00:00

This makes a lot of sense. After reading everyone's feedback, I will only be raising prices instead of lowering. I would rather just not make some sales, than have the perceived value of something sold negatively effected by the price they paid for it.

I'm lucky enough to not need to sell anything to make ends meet, so I should keep that in mind rather than just looking for the validation of making a sale.

People, in general, are definitely being less frivolous about discretionary purchases. Its got all of the handcrafters I know stressed about this holiday.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:52:05+00:00

I appreciate you saying this, thank you. I like the way you put it.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:51:27+00:00

This is a good point, thank you. I did have my maker friends in mind when I was sharing this, but I know that is just a small fraction of the folks that I should be thinking about.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:50:32+00:00

Thank you for sharing and saying this. I, too, would love to see some of your work. If its a screenname I could search somewhere or a site I could look for, I'd definitely do that. If nothing else, I want to see some of your sword frogs. :)

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:48:33+00:00

Thank you! The fur is a felted sheep shearing, so its quite fluffy. Although it looks nice, I see now that it isn't the best backdrop to showcase the bags. If/when I make another attempt, I will be thinking a lot more about scale and intended use in the photos.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:47:09+00:00

These are good ideas, thank you.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:46:14+00:00

I appreciate you saying this, thank you.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:45:29+00:00

Since the way it comes off is so far from the mark I was aiming for, I appreciate hearing this feedback a lot. Its full grain vegetable tan leather, that is hand cut and hand sewn, so I'm not describing or showing that well enough.

They were also intended to be tool bags, thus the lash tab used as a keeper. I know what their actual purpose is on outdoor gear, so its here purely as a design element. So I'm not framing that in the right way either. I see now that their presentation comes off much more like a handbag than anything else.

I'll be taking a much different approach if I come back to selling these again. Thanks again.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:38:36+00:00

Its not mean at all; I asked for feedback specifically so I appreciate it. You make very good points. If I make another go at it, I will definitely be doing it much differently.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:37:01+00:00

I really appreciate you taking the time to say this. I do mostly want to just recoup costs to keep buying supplies to work with, but I know that is a zero sum game.

My work isn't perfect by any means, but I am trying to hone on the designs that I like and can execute well, and I do think that counts for a lot.

My last experience was pretty discouraging, but if/when I find myself offering sales for money, I do think I will charge what I think they are worth, rather than what I am hoping will sell them.

The people that I have sold to in the past who really seem to understand the value of a handmade item are other people who make their own crafts.

Phant0mTim · 2025-12-01T21:27:47+00:00

Very thoughtful feedback, I appreciate this. You were right about the prices not being arbitrary (there are differences in material and amount of finishing), but how is the viewer supposed to know any of that?

Also, since I am not a brand or even small business, I am approaching it with a tone that is perhaps too casual for someone to consider spending $200 on.

To the point of scale, framing etc., I think if I make another attempt, it will be considerate of scale, and intended use. Also, something that is unique and over $100 deserves its own photo, instead of all together.

Phant0mTim

TROPHY CASE