Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Maciel.
Hi Ray, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started in 2019 to create some items for myself, but then quickly began making stuff for many others. I started making wallets, but I still have always made special requests for items and designs for people. I never thought it would have taken off like it did. It has almost been 4 years down this leather craft journey, and I still need to have a gap with orders. Once something was posted, I usually got an order or two. It has stayed consistent since the beginning. This is just a hobby I do on the weekends late at night, especially in the summer, to beat the hot summer heat, sometimes it reaches 120 degrees plus in my shop. I have mainly been carving(tooling) leather, which lets me design the leather, die, and paint. I should be as detailed as possible per the customer’s request. Most recently, I have been doing more motorcycle-related items, which I enjoy since I also have a few bikes (a 1976 FLH shovel head and a 1977 cb500 chopper). Whenever someone allows me to make a one-off custom leather item for them, I am grateful they chose me. All my items are entirely hand-crafted, and many are even hand sewn. Some people usually give me an idea of something they want, and I go from there. I also do as many giveaways as possible to give back. I allow everyone to get a free hand-crafted custom leather item. I have also really enjoyed meeting so many great people through this journey. I never thought I could meet so many people with this craft. I still stay around three months out; I appreciate people willing to wait and have me make these items for them.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have made hundreds of mistakes, maybe I should have watched some videos first to learn, but I have learned from my mistakes so far. To this day, I still make them, I have a bucket of mistakes I keep in my shop as a reminder of what I did, but sometimes I recreate the mess. The worst is when I have almost completed an item and then messed up; the whole item is just done and goes to the bucket of shame; once that happens, I start over, not the same day, of course.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love making custom items for people, whether a wallet, motorcycle bedroll, sheath, etc. I love creating in general. Some people want initials on something. Others want something that is fully detailed with color. I believe I specialize in one-off custom leather items for people, if the items have more of a connection with people, they seem to enjoy it more, and I take pride in being part of that for them. These are heirloom items that can be passed down to the next generation in their family. I strive to make the highest quality item I can using the best leather and hardware available. Also, I never thought I would make bags or purses, but I have made both and enjoyed it. For every piece I make, I have to feel it and approve it to send it off. If not, I usually redo it; I will not send it off if I’m not happy with it. I also like participating in Halloween giveaways and typically make a mask every year.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I could not do this without the support from my wife; if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have time to make room for this hobby. We both work day jobs, and when I have an item to make, my wife holds down the house and the kids, and I appreciate it. But there is always a balance I try to maintain with work, family, housework, and this hobby.
Pricing:
- Prices depend on the item and how custom they would like it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/maciel_leather
- Facebook: Facebook.com/macielleather
