For Japan Update #3

$4000 in under 24 hours. 23, to be exact.

My goal was to raise $1000 total, just as much as I could to send over. As it got moving yesterday, and we hit the $1k mark in only a few hours, I moved that goal to $5k, thinking it could happen in a couple weeks time. Now we're almost there, and I can honestly say the sky is the limit now. If we do even half of this every day, we'll raise well over $30k for the relief efforts in Japan in the next two weeks. 

I've been receiving emails from all over the world with kind words of encouragement, thanks, and even offers to fly out and help! As I sit here, shaking a little, my eyes misty, I can only thank everyone back. It's a privilege to have the ability to organize this, and without every single order, it wouldn't be possible. 

Now, for some numbers- I haven't had a single person ask exactly how much of each order is going to the Red Cross, and in all honesty I won't be able to answer that until the sale is completely done. However, like many manufacturing processes, the price of production per piece goes down as the number of pieces goes up. Originally, we were looking at $10 per bracelet profit, which would all go to the Red Cross. Right now, we've sold about 280 bracelets to make $4k. Thats about $14 per bracelet going right to the Red Cross. This number will only go up as more are ordered! I will absolutely be posting financial info in full disclosure throughout the sale, as the numbers change we'll update the blog etc. 

This is very exciting, and I hope everyone feels super great about what we're doing to help a beautiful country and people in distress. 

For Japan Update #1

About 4 or 5 hours ago, the For Japan bracelets went on sale. I'm happy to give the first update- as of 6pm, we've raised over $1000. I'm absolutely amazed at the response, and I think this speaks so strongly to the power of the internet, the power of collective action, and the power that small businesses and their loyal customers have in the world today. I'm going to run the sale for as long as orders roll in, and I'll make sure to keep updating the site with our milestones. I'm humbled at the emails of praise, and wish to extend that praise right back to everyone who's ordering, blogging, retweeting, and spreading the word- without all of you, this wouldn't be possible! 

Japan

This weekend, like many other people, I watched as Japan survived one of the worst recorded earthquakes of all time- only to be torn apart by the tsunamis that followed.

Japan is special to a lot of us for one reason or another. Their quirky culture, technological innovation, and uncanny ability to perfect anything they get their hands on have always been inspiring to many people. For me, it was their leather workers- Japan took western, Americana-styled leather work, with its frills and studs and carved roses, and stripped it down to a sleek, relatable, modern design while keeping it's roots firmly in tact. Japan is the reason I do what I do today. I started Corter after lusting for a Redmoon wallet in college, studying the KC's website for hours to try and reverse engineer their designs. I scoured Japanese forums, crudely translated through Google, teaching myself  how to sew and cut through these folks in Japan. 

I wanted to help, wanted to give back more than a reblog or retweet. So for at least the next two weeks, I'll be offering a special "For Japan" edition bracelet. Each one is $20, and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross towards relief efforts in Japan. The bracelet is a natural 9oz bracelet, available in sizes from 6.5" to 8.75", with a hand painted red button to show support. Each comes in a nice cloth bag. Out of respect, there is no branding, no fancy packaging- just a reminder to help and remember. Available here now.

Long Wallets

Custom long wallets from the last month. 

I haven't written in a while (long and busy holiday season which I'm almost done getting caught up with!), so I figured I'd take the time to get this up to date. 2010 was a really great year for Corter Leather, and I can't thank everyone enough for the support- the orders, the emails, the pictures of worn and loved product that I love so much, and of course the lovely blogging (mentions, articles, interviews, etc!). It really means the world, and proves that small independent artisans and craftsmen can still do what they love to do. 

2011 is shaping up to be an even better year. My goal has always been simple- quality handmade stuff at a fair price. I'll be cleaning up the offerings in the spring, adjusting the lineup a bit to fill some voids, and adding a new things just in time for the summer months. I'm still always accepting custom orders, and a few fun new projects are in the works as well. I hope everyone's holiday was wonderful!

Grab Bag Sale

This weekend (Nov. 12-15) we'll have Grab Bags available in a not-so-flashy Flash sale. We've made a bunch of them up in order to clean out some backstock and make room for new things. Each bag includes a bracelet and a randomly selected leather good, which could be anything- card holders, Brewster stuff, notebook sleeves, prototypes, slightly scuffed product, dyed leather goods- there's lots of good stuff! Available in the shop now for $32!