Leather Goods & Accessories

Leather crafters create bags, wallets, belts, watch straps, journals, and accessories using hand or machine stitching techniques.

You design pieces, cut leather, stitch, finish edges, and sell through Etsy, craft fairs, wholesale, or your own website.

Success requires leatherworking skills, design sense, understanding leather types and quality, and marketing abilities.

Pricing ranges from $30-80 for wallets to $150-600+ for bags based on size, complexity, and leather quality.

Margins of 60-70% are achievable after materials.

Starting requires tools and materials totaling $1,000-4,000 - quality leather, cutting tools, stitching equipment (hand or machine), edge finishing tools, hardware.

Building business involves creating signature product line (6-12 designs), professional product photography, strong Etsy presence or own website, craft show participation, and Instagram showcasing craftsmanship.

Revenue comes from online sales, craft fairs, custom commissions, wholesale to boutiques, and potentially teaching leatherworking workshops.

Operating costs include leather (significant expense), hardware, thread, tools maintenance, and marketplace fees.

Challenges include expensive leather inventory, time-intensive hand stitching limiting volume, competition from mass-produced goods, and patina development education (customers expecting uniform new leather look).

Success requires quality materials and construction, signature style, beautiful product photography, efficient production processes, and understanding leather aging enhances rather than diminishes value.

Many makers supplement with kits, patterns, or workshops teaching leathercraft.