Retiree Leverages AutoCAD Skills To Craft Leather Products

By Noornasrin Salsabila Othman

KOTA BHARU, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Leveraging his knowledge and skills, a former assistant architectural officer has been using AutoCAD software to create a variety of leather products, generating a side income since retiring three years ago.

Roslan Mohamed, 63, said before venturing into the field seriously, he turned to social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube as references to learn the methods and techniques of leather crafting.

His efforts have paid off, as he now finds himself overwhelmed with orders, including from Sabah and Sarawak, for items such as women's handbags, wallets, belts, wristwatches, hats, car key holders, gun holsters, and more.

“I got the idea to start making leather goods while travelling in Bandung, Indonesia, in 2017. At the time, I bought a leather sling bag for around RM300, but after using it for just three months, I was disappointed as it started peeling.

“Since then, I became interested in making leather products, initially just for personal use,” he told Bernama when met in Kampung Panchor, Kemumin here  recently.

The father of one initially started by making name tags and lanyards for personal use at work.

However, he did not expect his creations to gain popularity among colleagues, leading to an order of 30 lanyards, with colleagues further promoting his products to others.

“Having AutoCAD skills for drafting house plans and other designs, I now apply the same to create leather goods.

“Typically, leather craftsmen use pattern-making techniques to design their products, which can be quite time-consuming. However, using AutoCAD makes the process easier and more efficient,” he explained.

Roslan, who owns Lan Craft, said each leather product takes between a day and a week to complete, depending on its size and design.

“If the item is small, like a car key holder, I can complete it in a day. I use different types of leather, including pull-up leather, saffiano, crazy horse, and vegetable-tanned leather, with prices ranging from RM30 to RM1,500.

“Choosing the right leather is crucial to ensure suitability for users. For instance, saffiano leather is ideal for women’s handbags as it resembles high-end brands, while vegetable-tanned leather is great for men’s wallets, as it develops a shinier patina over time,” he said.

With the ability to produce up to 20 products a month, Roslan also offers leather repair services.

“I run my business online through my Facebook account, Lan Craft, but customers can also visit my home for customIsed orders.

“For online orders, customers usually send pictures of the desired design along with the necessary measurements before I proceed with crafting and shipping the product,” he added.

-- BERNAMA