{"id":2863,"date":"2023-07-31T11:45:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T15:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/?p=2863"},"modified":"2023-07-31T15:55:48","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T19:55:48","slug":"career-setback-to-leather-diy-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/leather\/career-setback-to-leather-diy-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons in Leather: Turning a Career Setback Into DIY Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Christmas Day in 2019, Chris Ferrie unwrapped a starter leather craft tool kit. He wanted to try leatherworking as a hobby, and he didn\u2019t waste any time once the tools were in his hands. He started with a simple project in January 2020. \u201cIt was a small belt loop I had put on an already-made pouch. That was the first time I had ever sewn leather,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Despite the humble scale of his project, Chris couldn\u2019t wait to show it off. \u201cI showed [it to my dad] as soon as I made it! I was so proud,\u201d he told us. His father was equally proud and saw Chris\u2019 potential right away. \u201cI remember showing him [the belt loop] \u2014 which was truly terrible \u2014 and all he said to me was, \u2018You should start a business!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

But Chris was just having fun learning. In his words, \u201cI was addicted to my new set of leatherworking tools.\u201d He looked around his house for another need that he could address with a leather item. He soon found the perfect candidate.<\/p>\n

\"One
This axe sheath led the way for Chris’ later leather projects.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI had an old axe that had its sheath fall apart, so I figured I\u2019d just make another one. I got some terrible old couch leather that I cut with a penknife and punched the stitching holes with a fork and a [cheap] camping mallet. Needless to say, it definitely wasn\u2019t my finest work, but from that moment on I was hooked.\u201d<\/p>\n

After this second project, Chris realized that his dad was right about starting a business. \u201cI knew I had found my true calling and strived every day to be better and work as hard as I could to make my passion my career,\u201d he said. He had no way of knowing that his little leather tool kit was about to become more valuable than he could ever guess \u2014 or that a Sailrite\u00ae<\/sup> sewing machine would help him achieve incredible success.<\/p>\n

Switching Gears in His Career<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After the holidays were over, Chris was still fired up about leather crafting \u2014 but he had a full-time job that he was equally excited to get back to.<\/p>\n

The Scotland native worked as a folk musician \u2014 something he had been passionate about since childhood. \u201cI started playing Scottish folk music when I was six,\u201d he said. \u201cVery quickly that became the foundation of my childhood. I would spend my weekends going to music schools and would spend my holidays at music tuition camps. I eventually studied Scottish folk music at university and went on to be a professional musician.\u201d<\/p>\n

He taught at local schools and performed onstage several times a year. But when the United Kingdom started going on lockdown because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020, Chris\u2019 career abruptly ended.<\/p>\n

Although devastated by the unexpected loss of the career he\u2019d cherished for nearly a decade, Chris looked at his new free time as an opportunity to improve his leather crafting skills. It was time for him to test his resolve to start a business.<\/p>\n

First, he had to learn more about the tools and techniques of the trade. For this self-starter, experience was definitely the best teacher. \u201cI kind of just learned by doing,\u201d he said. \u201cYou make one project, and you get the itch to go again and be better next time. I\u2019d watch a lot of YouTube videos on how to work leather in general, sewing included.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once he had the basics down, Chris began designing pieces of his own. He started with wallets. \u201cIt took a while,\u201d he said. \u201cI remember my first wallets couldn\u2019t even fit a credit card. But with time, my skills grew, and I finally had a product that I was proud of and felt was worthy of selling.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a few viable designs in hand, Chris officially launched a leatherworking business in June 2020 \u2014 just three months after saying farewell to his music career. His lineup of artisanal leather goods includes wallets, bags, belts, trays and other accessories.<\/p>\n

Scottish Heritage in Leather Heirlooms<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Chris named his business Orraman Leather. The title has a lot of significance for him: \u201cHere in Scotland, we have three recognized national languages: English, Scots and Gaelic. \u2018Orraman\u2019 itself is a Scots word essentially meaning \u2018handyman,\u2019 \u2018odd job man.\u2019 [It\u2019s] someone who could do more than one thing \u2014 a jack of all trades. I felt this name perfectly tied my previous life as a musician, my love for Scottish heritage \u2026 and my new passion in leather craft.\u201d<\/p>\n

Designing and hand-making leather goods turned out to be the perfect new direction for Chris\u2019 work life. \u201c[It] is by far the most fulfilling creative outlet I have ever come across,\u201d he told us. \u201cTo have the raw materials of just leather and thread \u2026 that after a little time, passion and hard work become a tangible item that\u2019s not only useful, but beautiful and heirloom quality, is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Other leather crafters can echo that sentiment. But what sets Chris\u2019 work apart from the crowd is the deep cultural pride he infuses into every piece he makes. \u201cScottish heritage and culture have just been massive parts of my whole life. \u2026 I am very proud of being Scottish. As such it was important to me that, when you thought of Orraman, you thought of Scotland,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The business name isn\u2019t the only way you\u2019ll see Scotland in Chris\u2019 work, however. Each leather piece represents the country in name, design and materials. \u201cI use a lot of Scottish tartan in my work, and my products are named after places in Scotland that are special to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most sewers recognize tartan when they see it. The fabric\u2019s pattern of crisscrossing bands is well-known in the textile world. But did you know that different tartans represent different clans (or families) and other notable groups? According to Chris, belonging to a clan is a major point of pride for many Scots.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI get a lot of requests to put an individual\u2019s family tartan into their wallet. It is an incredible honor to get to work with tartan \u2026 a material that has such a rich history and will be truly valued by its owner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scotland\u2019s geography also plays a major role in Chris\u2019 designs. He told us that he \u201cwanted the angles and curves of [his] wallets to reflect the Scottish landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is probably best seen in my Clach<\/a> wallet \u2014 a wallet I designed for my late father, who was a geologist,\u201d Chris said. \u201cHe was my biggest fan and a big reason why Orraman exists today \u2026 The angles of the wallet reflect the vast mountain ranges of the Highlands of Scotland, where [my dad] was from, and the name \u2018Clach\u2019 means \u2018rock\u2019 in Gaelic.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Sadly, Chris\u2019 father passed away shortly after Orraman Leather\u2019s debut. The Clach wallet lives on as a testament to his belief in his son\u2019s talent.<\/p>\n

Designing his own leather goods was one of the major challenges that Chris faced when he became a business owner. Another big challenge was scaling the fledgling business \u2014 and he turned to Sailrite to accomplish this important task.<\/p>\n

Growing With the Fabricator<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Chris started out sewing all his leather goods by hand. But as he got the word out about his shop, orders started flooding in and he couldn\u2019t keep up with demand. He realized he needed a reliable leather sewing machine \u2014 and fast.<\/p>\n

His search for the perfect machine led him to Sailrite in late 2022. \u201cI started asking my friends about sewing machines they recommended, and every single one of them said I should check out [Sailrite],\u201d he said. \u201cI then checked out reviews of [Sailrite] products on YouTube, and every single review I came across was 11 out of 10.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris chose the Sailrite\u00ae<\/sup> Fabricator\u00ae<\/sup> Sewing Machine for its power and strength. \u201cThe Fabricator is an excellent machine, no question \u2014 a workhorse that just gets the job done professionally, time and again.\u201d The Fabricator easily sews up to 20-ounce leather and can run all day, making it the ideal machine for a job shop like Orraman Leather.<\/p>\n

\"Chris
Sewing a zipper into leather is no problem for the Fabricator.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But the machine wasn\u2019t the only thing that impressed Chris. What he calls \u201cthe genius of Sailrite\u201d is the excellent customer support that all Sailrite products come with.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost leatherworkers start in the same way I did. You mess around with a small project and fall in love. \u2026 You start your business, but \u2026 your business gets away from you very quickly and you need to scale properly. An industrial sewing machine is great for this, but most of us have never used a sewing machine before.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Sailrite understands] that rookies might be using [their] machines to learn on, so [they] make in-depth YouTube videos for EVERYTHING! It\u2019s incredible. \u2026 [Sailrite] made it as user-friendly as [they] possibly could to ensure that people can just get on with their jobs and their craft.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris takes full advantage of Sailrite\u2019s free video library, especially when it comes to his sewing machine. \u201cI have watched pretty much every single video on the Fabricator and the parts of the Fabricator. It\u2019s an incredible machine that I am very confident using now, thanks to Sailrite\u2019s in-depth videos.\u201d<\/p>\n

As far as Chris is concerned, quality is Sailrite\u2019s calling card. His excellent experience with the Fabricator encouraged him to shop Sailrite for his other supply needs. \u201cI have bought a [ton] of hand tools as well as sewing machine parts and oil from Sailrite, and moving forward I will be buying a [ton] more tools and materials from Sailrite!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat keeps me coming back? I work 100 hours a week, easy. Most of that time is spent crafting, and you absolutely don\u2019t want to be messing around with poor-quality tools. \u2026 They have to be next-level quality, and Sailrite hit the nail on the head there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advice for DIYers With a Dream<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although losing his job as a musician during the COVID-19 pandemic was a tough blow, Chris used it as an opportunity to branch out. Orraman Leather has become more rewarding than he ever imagined \u2014 especially since he added his Fabricator to his workshop.<\/p>\n

He said, \u201cI love working with my hands. Every day I get to do what I love, which is an incredible honor. Owning a small business is incredible too. To watch it grow after [my] hard work is incredibly fulfilling.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fabricator and other quality Sailrite tools not only help Chris keep up with orders, but they have also cleared the way for exciting improvements in his business \u2014 including a recent partnership with master kilt maker MacGregor and MacDuff. Chris also shared that Orraman will soon be moving from his small home-based studio to a larger workspace to accommodate even more sales and inventory growth.<\/p>\n

\"Chris'
Orraman Leather is quickly outgrowing Chris’ small home workshop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chris has learned a lot about running a handmade leather business over the years. When we asked him about the most important lesson he\u2019s learned, he said this: \u201cFind the leather you like and want to work a lot of. All leathers are tanned differently, and as such, cut and work differently. I can\u2019t stress enough how much better you become at your craft if you stick to one material and learn everything about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s great advice for aspiring leatherworkers \u2014 and it wasn\u2019t the only advice Chris had. \u201cRemember why you craft in the first place,\u201d he said. \u201cYou craft for the enjoyment of it. If you want to get into leather craft, go for it! Don\u2019t wait, just get into it! If it turns into a business, amazing; if not and you just get a fun hobby out of it, also amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n

For those who would love to start or grow their own business, Chris explained what helped him start making sales: spreading the word about his work.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the biggest challenge anyone will face when starting their business is getting the word out that you actually exist. I really struggled with that in the beginning, but social media is your friend here. Get your work everywhere you can. \u2026 People won\u2019t know you exist unless you introduce yourself. The reality is you might message 50 people, and no one responds. But don’t get defeated because number 51 could change your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noted that the process isn\u2019t instant, but it\u2019s possible with persistence. \u201cIt\u2019s just a matter of time. Just be patient, keep your head down and don\u2019t let anyone outwork you. You got this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris, thank you for sharing how you used an obstacle as an opportunity to create your dream career. Your story will inspire other DIYers who are dealing with setbacks on the path to achieving their own dreams. Sailrite is proud to provide the tools and materials you need to share your leatherwork with people across the globe. Keep up the amazing work!<\/p>\n

If you’d like to check out more of Chris’ leatherwork and see what else he’s making with his Fabricator, you can follow him on Instagram at @orramanleather.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who We Are<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sailrite is your one-stop DIY shop! We are a passionate crew of do-it-yourselfers who strive to equip you with the supplies and how-to knowledge you need to tackle your next project. Do you want to learn upholstery, leatherwork, canvaswork, hobby sewing, bag making or more? We have the fabric, tools, hardware, sewing machines and notions you need to master any DIY. And even if you’ve never sewn before, our tutorials and how-to videos are designed for beginners and experienced crafters alike.<\/p>\n

Start your DIY journey today: www.sailrite.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After losing his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris Ferrie decided to improve his leather crafting skills and start his own business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2869,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[60],"tags":[39,38,15,42,41,20],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Backpack-1-1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/padSoq-Kb","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2527,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/leather\/searching-for-a-leather-sewing-machine\/","url_meta":{"origin":2863,"position":0},"title":"Searching for a Leather Sewing Machine","date":"August 8, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bill Mowbray is an accomplished leatherworker. 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