Looking to foster deeper connections in your leatherworking community? Experience Share templates make it easy for members to open up about their journey, challenges, and proudest moments. Encourage authentic storytelling and inspire your community with these ready-to-use prompts.
Plan your content calendar and auto-post to Skool, Circle, or Mighty Networks
Experience Share content taps into the power of personal storytelling, which is proven to build empathy and trust within communities. When members share their real-life leatherworking experiences, others feel seen and understood, breaking down barriers and encouraging participation.
This type of content also lowers the pressure to be an expert. By inviting stories rather than advice or tutorials, you create a welcoming space for members of all levels. Everyone has a story to tell, whether they are just starting or have decades of leathercraft behind them. This diversity of experience enriches community dialogue and helps members learn from each other in a natural, memorable way.
Share the story of your very first leatherworking project. What did you make and how did it go?
💡 Example: "I made a simple keychain for my first project. It was rough but I was proud of it!"
What inspired you to start leatherworking? Tell us about your journey.
💡 Example: "My grandfather used to make belts, which inspired me to try leathercraft."
Describe a leatherworking mistake you learned from. How did it change your approach?
💡 Example: "I cut my pattern upside down once, now I always double-check before cutting!"
Share a proud moment or finished project that meant a lot to you.
💡 Example: "Finishing my first pair of leather sandals was a huge achievement for me."
Who taught you your favorite leatherworking skill? Tell us about them.
💡 Example: "I learned saddle stitching from a YouTube channel that changed my process."
What tool changed your leatherworking game? Share your story.
💡 Example: "Getting a rotary cutter made pattern work so much easier for me."
Describe a time when a project did not go as planned. What did you do?
💡 Example: "My wallet edges cracked, so I learned to burnish properly for next time."
What was the hardest leather material you ever worked with?
💡 Example: "Veg-tan leather was tough for me to cut at first."
Share your favorite leatherworking tradition or ritual.
💡 Example: "I always play my favorite album while hand-stitching."
Tell us about a time you gifted a leather item. How did it feel?
💡 Example: "Giving my dad a handmade belt for his birthday was really special."
What is the most useful tip you learned from another leatherworker?
💡 Example: "Someone here showed me how to edge bevel, now my work looks so much cleaner."
Describe your workspace. How does it inspire or challenge you?
💡 Example: "My desk is small but it forces me to stay organized."
Have you ever sold a leather item? What was that experience like?
💡 Example: "I sold a wallet at a craft fair, it was nerve-wracking but rewarding."
What is your favorite leather finish or dye? Why do you love it?
💡 Example: "I love oil-based dyes for their richness."
Share a time when you felt stuck or discouraged. How did you keep going?
💡 Example: "I took a break and came back with new ideas after a failed bag project."
Tell us about the first time you used a new technique. How did it go?
💡 Example: "Trying basketweave stamping was tricky but fun."
What is a leatherworking goal you are currently working on?
💡 Example: "I want to master hand-dyeing for custom wallet orders."
How do you balance leatherworking with other parts of your life?
💡 Example: "I set aside Saturday mornings just for my projects."
Share a funny or unexpected moment from your leatherworking journey.
💡 Example: "I stitched my sleeve to my project once without noticing."
What was the first leather item you ever used? Did it inspire you?
💡 Example: "My first leather wallet made me want to learn how to make one myself."
Tell us about a leatherworking community or mentor who helped you grow.
💡 Example: "A local leather guild introduced me to new tools and friends."
What is your favorite leatherworking book, class, or online resource?
💡 Example: "I learned a lot from a book called The Leatherworking Handbook."
Share a story about fixing a mistake in a leather project.
💡 Example: "I covered a bad stamp with a patch, and now it looks intentional!"
How did you feel after completing your most challenging project?
💡 Example: "Finishing a briefcase took weeks but I felt so accomplished."
What leatherworking skill came naturally to you? Which one took time?
💡 Example: "Cutting was easy for me, but stitching took months to improve."
Describe a time you taught someone else leatherworking. How did it go?
💡 Example: "Showing my niece how to use a mallet was so much fun."
What is a leather item you dream of making one day?
💡 Example: "I hope to one day craft a custom leather jacket."
Have you ever collaborated on a leather project? Share your experience.
💡 Example: "A friend and I made a set of matching belts for a wedding party."
What does leatherworking mean to you personally?
💡 Example: "It is a creative outlet and a way to relax after work."
Share a time when you upcycled or reused leather in a project.
💡 Example: "I turned an old purse into patches for a backpack."
What is one thing you wish you knew when you started leatherworking?
💡 Example: "I wish I knew how important it is to use sharp tools."
Tell us about a leather item you treasure. Why is it special?
💡 Example: "My late uncle's old leather satchel reminds me of him every day."
Describe how you felt the first time you sold or gifted a handmade item.
💡 Example: "It was nerve-wracking but seeing their smile made it worth it."
How has your leatherworking style or approach changed over time?
💡 Example: "I started with rustic looks but now I prefer clean, modern lines."
What is your favorite memory related to leatherworking?
💡 Example: "Making a custom dog collar for my puppy is my favorite memory."
Share a time you overcame a fear or doubt in leatherworking.
💡 Example: "I was afraid to try carving but pushed through and love it now."
What is the most unique leather project you have ever made?
💡 Example: "I made a custom guitar strap with inlaid designs."
How do you celebrate completing a big project?
💡 Example: "I take photos and share them with friends online."
Tell us about a leatherworking challenge you are proud to have overcome.
💡 Example: "Learning to hand-stitch took time but now my work is so much stronger."
What advice would you give your past self about starting leatherworking?
💡 Example: "Be patient and do not compare yourself to others."
Share a story about experimenting with a new leather dye or finish.
💡 Example: "I tried marbling for the first time and loved the unpredictable result."
What is your favorite thing about being part of the leatherworking community?
💡 Example: "Everyone here is so generous with their tips and encouragement."
To use these templates, simply copy and paste one into your community platform as a new post or discussion prompt. You can rotate through different prompts weekly or tie them to special events, themes, or seasons. Encourage members to respond in the comments or share their own posts using the prompt. Consider tagging or featuring standout stories to celebrate contributors and build momentum.
For all platforms, pin Experience Share prompts to keep them visible, and use hashtags or tags to organize stories. Encourage replies and reactions to posts to spark ongoing dialogue.
Prompt members with specific questions about their projects using veg-tanned or chrome-tanned leather, such as durability, tooling results, and finishing techniques. Highlighting these material choices in Share Your Experience posts sparks technical discussions relevant to leatherworkers of all levels.
Create prompts that ask about specific burnishing techniques (gum tragacanth, beeswax, edge painting, etc.), tools used (wood slicker, bone folder), or common edge-finishing problems. Encouraging step-by-step photo shares or before-and-after shots can increase participation and provide value to the community.
Frame Share Your Experience posts to invite storytelling—ask about favorite stitches (saddle stitch, lock stitch), challenges in learning to maintain stitch consistency, or tips for troubleshooting common issues like thread tension. Emphasize learning and support to keep the conversation positive and inclusive.
Ask members to share specific dye brands, techniques (dipping, airbrushing, hand-rubbing), and the unique challenges they faced achieving even coloration or avoiding streaking. Encourage them to post images of their dyed pieces and explain their troubleshooting process.
Design Share Your Experience prompts that ask about essential tools for leathercrafting (pricking irons, skivers, stitching ponies) and how members store or maintain them. Encourage sharing photos or videos of bench layouts, tool racks, and space-saving hacks tailored for leatherwork.
Create Share Your Experience themes around restoration projects, asking members to detail the condition of the item, products and techniques used (like reconditioning balms, patching, restitching), and any surprising challenges or rewarding outcomes. This can inspire others to try restoration and learn from real examples.
Skool · Circle · Mighty Networks