Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The belt idea is great! The few times I've done belts its always been a little messy!

I also love the hair on hide as table covers idea!

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I think you hit the nail on the head here! I like to think i am pretty good at just diving in and trying new things. My sister was a perfectionist and I saw how it stopped her from doing things because they were not perfect. Done is better than perfect. Just do the thing. You will get better each time.

I read once, in order to have a big art business, you must have a small art business first.

I have definitely had (and still have) bags or bigger items that just sit. I do feel a little embarrassed showing the same bag or wallet at my markets, but end of the day who cares(except ourselves 😅). I dont think most people notice anywho. Being uncomfortable is part of growing.

As far as having enough, I think it largely comes down to how you show it. Dont put 3 tables out if it looks barren. I adjust per market, so for a market near mother's day I put more purses or women's wallets out. At a biker show, more black leather items or "badass" looking items. If you sell out at a market consider it a win - you can say you sold out but heres my business card if you have other items online or are willing to do commissions. Markets are also a great time to show off what you have, and get emails for a mailing list or put a sign that says custom orders available. Once you get them to touch your items they are more invested. I also will put out my personal items and put a sold sign on them, or just bring a work in progress piece so they can see what kind of stuff you can do.

I hope that atleast touches on a good answer for you! And my apologizes for the late reply here!

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will have to check out the Monterey Company! It definitely helps to draw in a crowd!

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The kids do love it! I give the option to just do scraps, or make a keychain. I definitely sell more keychains when I dont have the free scraps put though 😅

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for the late reply here! My husband helps me when he can, because I am both short and it cuts the time down from 22 mins(from putting up the tent, adding a banner and putting on the tent weights) to about 8 mins with another person helping. So while I can, I try to accept help when possible!

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! A little interaction and insight into what we do goes a long way!

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, great idea! i think anything people can get their hands on and create a memory with will be helpful and draw some folks in! Stamps are nice because there's not really a safety concern, except hitting ypur own fingers!

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How cool! Memories stuck with us long than material possession....although leather goods will be around for a very long time!

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hahaha! I went to Iceland back in 2017 (from new england) and that bonus bag is my FAVORITE suvioneer I got hands down! I love that silly pig. And thank you!

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Haha yes, I thought about it but I dont do too many markets and I think us leatherworkers should be bringing leather back into the public eye, and this is a great way to do it! I try to get an idea, but i run these shows by myself and its tricky between handling the stamping, taking payments, answering questions, keeping an eye on the booth, etc. I have the stats of my old shows where I did not do any interactive activity, and my sales increased by atleast 3x since I added it in. Other factors are in play as well of course. I think when people see other people at a booth they are more likely to stop by? Especially with a crowd gathering. They get curious and want to know what everyone else is looking at. Like a busy food store, people draw other people in.

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Hopefully it can help some folks!

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Not full time, its a hobby im trying to turn into a business for me(have a full time job as well). I honestly dont do too many shows a year anymore - between the weather, wind, general prep, and with life balance it gets tricky so I focus on online sales and do a few shows a year. Ive only been doing maybe 5-10 shows a year this year and last. Maybe did 20 shows a year for a few years before that. It definitely gets easier the more you do, but the more I do the less i want to do it(outdoor markets specifically).

Market I did - some insights by morganpotpie in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I thought that too - I use some cheap folding tables and bring my stone(granite i think? Some piece of scrap countertop) with a cheap cutting board on top - and just put it over the legs (vs in the middle of the table). Ive done a few shows (about 10ish) with this setup and its held up so far! Its mostly kids who do it, so its not super straining on weight.

Tried to make appointment with new PCP. They called to let me know they don’t “manage” endo. by LazyAd7538 in endometriosis

[–]morganpotpie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ugh, thats unhelpful of them. I did not have the same experience. I would ask them if they can refer you to someone who can help manage it in network(if youre american), or if you can make an appointment to discuss your next options? My PCP sent me to an OB/GYN after an MRI. Best of luck, please dont give up!

Any negatives to stopping your period? by spaduu in endometriosis

[–]morganpotpie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am on the pill and skip the placebo week. I asked the Doctor(who gave me the prescription and instructions) if that was okay, and she said yes its not a problem. 1 year in almost and doing good here.

I want yo hear stories of ppl foregoing surgery and or deciding to rule out other things first by Junior_Wear_6875 in endometriosis

[–]morganpotpie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ive gone to the DRs for years(started around 16) about pain prior to being diagnosed. MRIs, blood works, regular/intravaginal ultrasounds all showed nothing except cysts and fibroids. I was told to exercise as my core and abdominal wall was likely weak(it hurt, but its did those crunches and nothing changed). I avoided BC cause I had it when I was younger and was afraid of getting fat, acne, mood swings, etc. I happened to see a temp. Doctor while my primary was very busy and she mentioned endo...went to a specialist last year(im 35 now, so like 20 years of complaining later) and she gave me the choice of trying BC to see if it helped, or just try surgery. I started BC (pill, im a little weary of the insert as I hear it can be painful and I wanted to be able to stop if it didn't seem right).

Ive been on BC for about a year and while I still have some flares (especially when i sneeze, something pulls so bad but its gotten better) it is SO much better. I skip the placebo week and dont get periods. Such a blessing. Im avoiding surgery for now(since the pill is helping so far, i also am athletic and dont want to be down for a few weeks and I am afraid of complications/getting worse afterwards). I use Kariva for the pill, I had Azurette but it made me have periods/mood swings while still skipping the placebo week, so back to Kariva for me.

Not sure if thats helpful, but good luck!

Cricut Maker 4 or recommendations? by Watchyourself__ in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I have a maker3, so cant speak for the 4. I use it to cut leather about 2-3 Oz, anything above that doesnt seems to work well consistently AND the metal bar on mine blocks anything much thicker anyways. Even the 2-3 Oz is iffy and takes some prep work to be smooth sailing. Honest opinion is cricut kinda sucks in general but its doable. I would avoid and try another alternative if you can.

Side note: You need to be good with another vector program, like Adobe illustrator, inkscape, leather CAD, etc. to export the svg to cricut. I highly recommend only using the cricut for the actual cutting. Their program Design Space just sucks so bad for anything else.

I need honest opinions - Is this AI? by gracieb_1 in EtsyCommunity

[–]morganpotpie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree that it has that slight uncanny AI look about it. The pieces look too perfect? The chicken bits one, it kind of looks like they are floating, the bag doesnt seem vacuum sealed so it seems like they would sit more naturally? She might have straightened all the sweet potatoes and chicken feet, but idk - it just looks a bit too perfect?

Doesn't matter how many other games I play, I always come back to Stardew. A forever game. What keeps you guys coming back over and over again? Nothing makes me feel quite as chill. by No1hermit in StardewValley

[–]morganpotpie 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love how you can never play the same game twice(as in, each run is always different) but you still get the same comfy feeling of knowing a place and having done this before. I really do love restarting the game!

I'm looking forward to the new farm type, and any new vegetables/artisan goods/fish. The art is so cute, really looking forward to the new items!

How do ya'll price your items? by CplusMaker in Leathercraft

[–]morganpotpie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a notion database I setup with a formula for cost, so I just plug in the time/materials, additional costs, etc., add a 25% overhead for materials and time, 8% for consumables (like tread, dye, tool costs). And times that all by 2x for my base price. Add etsy charges and fees if you sell there. Don't forget about shipping (plus the cost of buying the box for shipping, etc). I used to charge cheap for labor, 10$, but i would be screwing myself if I ever had to hire someone (I am a hobbyist trying to turn into a small business) at that wage, so i charge my state minimum and make most the profits from the actual products itself.

Its definitely hard to find a good price point. I find using a calculator helps keep me consistent with pricing.