Handmade leather goods maker

Gift buyers, people wanting something personal or custom, market shoppers, and small independent shops that stock handmade goods.

Selling finished items at a set price through your own website, online marketplaces and craft fairs, plus higher prices for personalised or made-to-order pieces. Some makers also sell wholesale to shops.

• Hand-stitching and leather cutting
• Product design and attention to detail
• Photography and online selling
• Costing and pricing your time

• Check whether you need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council to work from home
• Public liability insurance if you sell at markets, and product liability cover for items like bags and belts
• Check the rules on distance selling, product labelling and clear descriptions of the leather you use
• Leather dyes, glues and cutting tools need safe storage and good ventilation
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and keep records of materials and sales

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £400 to £2,000, depending on the leather, tools and how much stock you make. Leather dyes, glues and cutting tools also need safe storage and good ventilation.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on whether you sell online, at markets or to shops, and how many custom orders you take. Many people start with around 8 hours a week.

Check whether you need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council to work from home. Check public liability insurance for markets, product liability for items like bags and belts, distance selling and labelling rules, and register as a sole trader with HMRC.