1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Handmade leather goods (wallets, belts, bags): your step-by-step start

Hand-stitch wallets, card holders, belts, key rings and small bags from leather and sell them as gifts and everyday goods.

  • 20 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Patient, precise people who enjoy hand tools and are happy to practise on offcuts before selling.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 45 days.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 45 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: tools and leather cost money before your skill is good enough to sell.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How handmade leather goods (wallets, belts, bags) worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Make one simple card holder from a free pattern3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Cost it with your pricing worksheet, including your hours3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Settle on three products you can make neatly and price each one3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Photograph them in daylight and set up a WhatsApp catalogue with prices3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Take one gift order or book one market day3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Offer initials or names stamped or engraved for a small extra charge3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Pitch one local business for year-end staff or client gifts3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Months two and three, task 3: Buy leather by the hide only once you know which products sell3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R600 to R5 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Stitching chisels or awl, needles, waxed thread
  • Cutting mat and sharp knife
  • Edge finishing kit
  • Free patterns to start

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.