Hello from Tom Banwell

[TomBanwell]

I have been doing leatherwork off and on since 1971. At that time I got a job at a retail leather shop in Lake Tahoe where I lived. I was taught how to sew sheepskin leather coats, work with latigo, and make key fobs and such. I fell in love with the material. I branched out on my own after a year and made custom sandals.

I have always loved hats and helmets since I was a kid, and just for fun I started making Viking helmets and reproductions of 19th century military helmets, specifically a dragoon helmet and a shako. By 1976 my wife and I were living in the SF Bay area, and both of us worked at a leather store in Oakland. One day the boss brought out some Western style leather hats that he had bought for resale. I was appalled at the poor workmanship, and knew I could do better. I made a couple very similar style hats, but better designed and better workmanship. My boss was impressed and agreed to buy them from me.

I decided I wanted to go into business for myself making the leather hats, and so visited the San Francisco Gift Show, looking for a rep. I knew I could make them OK, I just needed a market. I met a rep who upon showing my sample hat to some retailers immediately got an order, and agreed to take them on.

My wife and I were anxious to get out of the city, and so moved into the Sierra Nevada foothills, and starting up our business. Eventually we were selling nationwide with ten different reps. We named the business Igors, later changed to Cornerstone Hatworks, and ran it until 1980 when we sold it.

Since then I haven't done any leatherworking for a living, but strictly for fun. I have a website with much of my artwork (I work in other mediums as well) at www.tombanwell.com. The leather helmets can be found at http://www.tombanwell.com/leatherhelmets.html

I look forward to meeting everyone and learning and sharing leatherwork.

Tom Banwell

[rdb]

Good stuff Tom! Welcome aboard. There's a few Helmeteers, and such here. You'll be a welcome addition.

Maybe you could share your Hat making processes with us.

[TomBanwell]

Thanks, rdb. I'm always happy to share. Here are a few "how I did its" on my website.

http://www.tombanwell.com/rusviking.html On making a Rus Viking helm

http://www.tombanwell.com/how_to_dragoon_helmet.html On making an American Dragoon helmet

http://www.tombanwell.com/makingadragoonhelmet.html On making a British Dragoon helmet

I'm sure I'll be posting more later.

[electrathon]

I am impressed. Very nice work.

Aaron

[Don101]

Tom welcome to the forum, there is some amazing creative stuff you got going there very impressive, Don

[abn]

Good gracious. I checked out your web site, and you certainly are a man of all media. I especially liked those wood carvings.

Alex

[TomSwede]

Hello and welcome from Swedish Tom, Rusisk viking;-)

I live not too far from some of the stones with dragon art like the one depicted on your ceremonial helmet.

It's a true pleasure to sit here very close to the cradle of the origin of that kind of art and see it pop up far across the sea. After all it's a pretty narrow discipline (taking interest in viking history).

This place is the Valhall of leatherworkers but no battles, in other words, very friendly and helpful tone here. The mead is swapped with coffee and donuts. The donuts are bad but coffee is great!

Your work is awesome and my mouth watery!

Now take your time and browse through the site instead of listening to my ramblings (meaning, I don't have time to write any more. Must go and check out the goodies on your website;-)

I think we'll soon get to see the posts that disappeared in the site crash a while ago and then you're gonna have your hands full with a lot of stuff.

Best regards!

Tom

Edited February 22, 2008 by TomSwede

[TomBanwell]

Thank you all for your kind words.

I live not too far from some of the stones with dragon art like the one depicted on your ceremonial helmet.

It's a true pleasure to sit here very close to the cradle of the origin of that kind of art and see it pop up far across the sea. After all it's a pretty narrow discipline (taking interest in viking history).

Tom, I'm sure you know that the tales of the Vikings stirs the imaginations of small boys everywhere as much as any. I had a large poster of fighting Vikings on my bedroom wall growing up.

I will keep on looking through all the posts, and I definitely look forward to further interaction with the board.

[oldgringo]

Tom what beautiful work! hey I'm just down the hill from you near Yuba City