HOW TO MAKE YOUR TIME
MORE VALUABLE
WHEN YOU MAKE ITEMS OUT OF REGULAR LEATHER (SUCH AS A BILLFOLD), THEY WILL SELL FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT, SAY $20.00. IF THE LEATHER IN THE BILLFOLD COSTS $2.00, YOU MAKE $18.00 FOR YOUR LABOR.
IF YOU MAKE THE BILLFOLD WITH LIZARD SKIN, IT SELLS FOR $45.00. THE LIZARD COST YOU ABOUT $8.00 AND YOU MAKE $37.00 FOR YOUR LABOR. IT TAKES THE SAME AMOUNT OF LABOR NO MATER WHICH TYPE OF MATERIAL YOU USE, BUT YOUR LABOR BECOMES MUCH MORE VALUABLE WHEN YOU USE EXOTIC HIDES.
PEOPLE WANT THINGS THAT ARE SPECIAL! THAT’S WHY ITEMS MADE WITH EXOTIC SKINS SELL BETTER THAN ITEMS MADE WITH REGULAR LEATHER. EVEN REGULAR LEATHER ITEMS TRIMMED WITH EXOTICS SELL BETTER.
WE SELL EXOTIC HIDES TO THE SMALL CRAFTSMAN AT PRICES THAT HELP YOU MAKE MORE MONEY.
But as with everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages in buying exotic hides.
EXOTIC HIDES COME FROM WILD ANIMALS. THE LARGER THE ANIMAL THE MORE AGGRESSIVE IT WILL PROBABLY BE. CROCODILES FOR EXAMPLE USE THEIR TAILS AS A WEAPON, AND WILL FREQUENTLY HAVE SCRAPES OR EVEN HOLES IN THE TAIL AREA. OSTRICH’S HAVE CLAWED FEET THAT THEY USE TO FIGHT AND THIS SOMETIMES LEADS TO WOUNDS ON THE LEGS. LARGE SNAKES ARE NOT EASY TO CAPTURE AND WILL SOMETIMES HAVE ARROW HOLES OR BULLET HOLES IN THE HIDE. THE NATIVES THAT TAKE THESE ANIMALS USE THEM PRIMARILY FOR FOOD (the same is true for regular leather, no one raises cows for the leather, it is the meat that is most in demand). THEY TRY TO DAMAGE THEM AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE, BUT THEIR FIRST PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.
Another thing to consider is the differences in hides.
MY GRANDFATHER TAUGHT ME THIS BUSINESS, BACK WHEN WE SOLD MOSTLY COW-HIDES WITH SOME GOAT AND PIG SKINS THROWN IN. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WITH LEATHER WAS THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS A STANDARD COW. EVERY COW WAS DIFFERENT SO EVERY PIECE OF LEATHER WAS ALSO DIFFERENT. THE SAME APPLIES TO EXOTIC LEATHERS. EVERY HIDE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT IN SIZE AND COLOR. THEY WILL BE THE SAME COLOR (dyed in the same vats), BUT NOT EXACTLY THE SAME. THE PHOTO OF THE ITEMS I HAVE FOR SALE MAY NOT BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONE YOU GET, SINCE I NOT TAKE PHOTOS OF EACH AND EVERY SKIN, BUT I DO TRY TO GET ONE THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT HIDE. JUST LOOK AT YOUR OWN IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT. SCARS, SCABS, AND BLEMISHES OF ALL KINDS ABOUND.
I hope this will give you a bit more information to help you select what is best for you. But if you still have questions, do not hesitate to E-Mail me.
Bud
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