​Seeking Advice: How Can I Start Selling My Handmade Leather Goods? (Featuring Pixel Art Jackets)

Hi everyone,

I’m an independent designer based in Germany and I’ve recently started a passion project. The concept? Handmade, leather items (jackets and coats) that feature pixelated portrait art, inspired by retro games, pop culture, and custom requests.

Here’s a jacket I created as a sample:

Each design is carefully crafted from individual leather pieces, stitched and assembled to form the final pixelated image. It’s a labor intensive process but the result is something unique, stylish, and nostalgic.

I’m now at a point where I want to turn this into a business. but I have questions and would love your insight:

Where should I start selling? I tried Etsy, but it did not work How do I price these kinds of handmade items? Each piece takes days of manual work and high-quality leather. Who is my ideal customer? Gamers? Fashion lovers? Art collectors? I feel it overlaps with several groups. Any tips for gaining visibility without a big ad budget? Is Kickstarter or a similar platform worth testing demand before going all in?

I’d really appreciate any feedback, suggestions, or even brutal honesty. I’m confident in the craft, but I need help turning this into something sustainable.

Thanks so much 🙏