Caldorn Report post Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) Hi All Found this website a little while back but first time I'm posting here. I’ve been in to leather working for a couple of years now but unfortunately rarely find the time to do much these days. I started because I’m an avid Cos-player and one year I made an Ezio Auditore (Assassins Creed 2) Outfit and decided to try and use real leather on the cloak and shoulder guards for authenticity. After doing the outfit I found I really enjoyed working with leather and started looking at other things to make. Currently working on (once I get a little more money to buy more leather J) A Full suit of leather armour I designed myself, a leather bound spellbook (Used for LARP which I also do in spare time), and lots of little things that pop in to my head at the time hehe. I have a little note pad with me at all times cause I love drawing out patterns for many of the ideas I have. I will post them here once I’ve made them up myself first. Anyway glad I found this site and I’m looking forward to getting to know likeminded people and share ideas for future work. Edited January 16, 2014 by Caldorn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bev478 Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Hello mate & welcome to the forum. I'm a bit sad as I had to go & look up "cosplay" lol Look forward to seeing pics of what you make. Luckily, where you're based, it's close to "leather central" for the UK, so makes it easier to go & buy in person. Should think you'll need quite a bit to make some of the outfits. I'm in the depths of Devon - bit of a trek to anywhere useful! Bev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caldorn Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Thanks Ye when I found out the main warehouse for Tandy Leather was in Northampton (Which is where I'm from originally) I was well chuffed. Really nice people there, they was nice enough to help teaching me tooling and went through the basics of leather hand stitching when I first started. Ahh but down south way you have loads more culture, and some really good summer weather, well when it's not flooded that is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningad Report post Posted January 16, 2014 hello from soggy oldham, you will also find there are many other specialist leather suppliers all based in Northampton. And at much better prices than those at Tandy! adam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caldorn Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Really ? There is other Leather companies in the Northampton area ?? Who and where abouts? Please Cheaper then Tandy now that peaked my interest although any where would be cheaper than them. Hehe. I mainly get supplies from Amazon which isn't to bad if you wait for a deal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bev478 Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Ha, if only! We bear the full force of whatever comes off the Atlantic, hits us first, dumps all the rain here, & it peters out as it crosses the country So, yes, flooding is frequent, culture a little more difficult to find lol I agree with Adam, there are other, cheaper suppliers than Tandy, although when I'm over that way I will stop in & pick up some stuff (got a business account there). I only buy leather there if I'm picking it myself, if I have to mail order I go elsewhere Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningad Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Northampton is the traditional home of leather industry in the UK…so yes, there are more leather companies there than anywhere else (i think!). i don't have the details in front of me, but the two i can remember are A&A Crack, and Rolfords. You'll find both on the web. I have not visited them as its too far away, but have spoken with both on the phone and i've been very happy with the leather i have had from them. adam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bev478 Report post Posted January 16, 2014 That's useful to know Adam - always looking out for recommendations of reliable suppliers. Is that veg tan you have bought from them? Apologies to Caldorn for the mini hijack of his thread Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningad Report post Posted January 16, 2014 yes - i bought some really nice veg tan from Rolfords. I have had some good samples from Cracks, and will be buying from them very soon. You can get pretty much any leather you need from these places…definitely worth getting in touch with them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caldorn Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Sweet thanks for that i'll have to give them a look and see what I come up with. Ye I remember the history lessons about Northampton Leather trade mainly it's because of Northampton being central for the Boot and Shoe industry. There was a massive leather tanning factory just outside Northampton which the building is still there. There was talk ages ago about it being turned into a leatherworking museum but unfortunately not to happen it become a hotel (I think) and had a huge housing estate built round it :-( No problem Bev I'm interested to find all this out myself too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OdinUK Report post Posted January 26, 2014 Welcome from Herefordshire! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
