DavidG

I knew that looked familiar! Although when I saw the carving at Tandy, I don't believe it had the flames in the eyes and nose yet. Great work Tom! I can't wait to see the finished product.

There's a very small summer medieval faire nearby, but most events of this period are held by the SCA. Other than the SCA and a couple of Norse groups you mainly see Renaissance Festivals on this side of the pond. Great photos! I wish I could have been there.

Gotcha. If you click on the link, it doesn't mention the retail or sale price, it just says "Your Price: $199.99". I knew I was missing something. Thanks Windy!

Pardon my ignorance Johanna, but I believe I am not reading your post correctly. The Pro Tool set you linked to is normally $199.99 on the website (says it's a $313 value if purchased separately). The title of the the thread says save $150 *plus* free shipping. Does this mean that the kit is $49.99 with free shipping? If so, I'm on that like white on rice on a paper plate in a glass of milk in a snowstorm. But I think I'm misreading your post somehow; that seems way too good to be true.

Tom, it was great to meet you and look at some of your fabulous work. I look forwarding into running into you at Tandy again someday.

Well, thanks for the help everyone! I made it to the Columbia store, met a couple of forum members, and walked away with all this booty for $189.67: Deluxe Leathercraft Kit Coal Black Eco-Flo Dye 4oz 1 1&1/2" XL belt blank, keeper, and econo buckle. Leather Flask Kit #200 Beveler Modeling Tool 25pk Leather Rounds So, I need to go find a scrap of granite and I'm ready to roll. Thanks again for all the great advice!

Thanks for all the great info. Sorry it took until now to respond. I will definitely see if the wholesale club membership can be purchased with the discount. If it can, great. If not, I'll get it on my 2nd purchase. I'm on a very tight budget(I'm getting married in less than a year!) and need to have my initial investment have as many things to use "right now" as possible. I'm either going with: 1. The Deluxe Kit with some add ons (flask kit, rounders) or 2. Basic Kit, Round Knife, Snap/Rivet Setter Kit, Leatherwork Tools book, and a few stamps and leather with what's left. The first will be easier, but the second will give me the basic tools and then I'll have to go from there. Still not sure which way I want to go. But, if I can talk the manager into giving the same deal that the Ventura store is having I'll probably go with the Deluxe Kit & accessories and throw in a round knife and the tools book. I can't wait until Friday so I can finally get started.

Well, in that case, allow me to pick your brains; For someone who is starting from square one what would be the best way for me to spend $125-150? I'd like to get a few tools and a couple of kits so I can hopefully recoup some of the cost as Christmas presents. After I've gone through all I can make with that, I'll probably drop another $150 right after Christmas. I want to eventually make flask covers, belts, reenactment belt pouches, bracers, guitar straps, and other materials. I'm much more interested in learning to tool and carve celtic styles than western. Any advice is appreciated!

I was planning on getting the Basic starter kit and some additional stuff, but now I'm thinking of using the 50% off coupon for the Deluxe Starter kit, and getting 40% off a flask kit, a set of letter stamps, and some extra rounders to practice with.

Thanks Carr! I just called the Columbia, SC store a few minutes ago and what the manager told me is reflected in your post, so I'm guessing that's the nationwide sale.

I guess I should probably just call.

Just curious. If so, I may go down then to pick up my starting gear. Thanks!

Nice! I'm a 4x myself, so I have to go custom, all the off-the-rack stuff stops at 3X around here. I usually wear a kilt to the Ren Fest, but being a guy I had to buy my sword before I had any garb: When I get a Viking setup going I'd like to get this scramasax and this sword as the look I'm going for is late period viking look after they started interbreeding with the Celts. Orkney Islands area.

Marlon, Thanks for the tip! I'm signed up for the newsletter and whether or not I can take a class there in March the event is only an hour away so I'll certainly drive up on Saturday and check it out on that day. Do they usually have a dealer's room? Thanks again! David

Very nice setup! I plan on going viking (a wiking we will go!) myself for the Georgia and NC Faires in 2009 and will probably do a pair of turnshoes. When I first saw your hat I thought it was great work even though it didn't appeal to me personally. I really like it with the full setup. Oh, and since I'm not a tailor of any sort I'm getting my tunic, undertunic, and pants from Garb the World. It's a pretty good resource if you need basic garb at a decent price and they don't charge extra for plus sizes, which is great as I am a ginormous dude. Now you need a sword.

I don't have any big news yet, but I have received my Tandy catalog with sales flyer. My birthday is on Friday, and I've let people know that if they don't know what to get me, a donation toward my leather fund would be appreciated. So I will most likely go to Tandy's between Friday and the end of the month for the Basic kit and probably 25 rounds to practice stamping and carving. Thereafter I think will try to copy a belt pouch I bought at a Renn Faire and then a belt as well as various Christmas projects. Thanks everyone! I'll keep you updated as I start down the brown tanned road.

I just called Tandy and they are sending me the sales flyer, a catalog, and have put me on their email list for classes. I can't wait to dive in to that.

Crystal, That sounds like good advice. The sales flyer that you mentioned...does that only go to people who are members of the wholesale club or is the offer good for everyone? If it applies to everyone would I have to arrive in person to take advantage of the offer? Thanks again! David

Thanks for the advice on the slab. I'm nine kinds of busy until Monday, but I'll check it out then. I think what I will do is buy a starter kit via mail order. Just going to Tandy in Columbia will cost me almost as much as a beginner kit, so I will get the kit first, do what I can with the assistance of the fine folk here, and then once I've exhausted what I can make/learn from the kit, go down to Tandy and now have a bit of an idea what I need and what I'm doing. This seems to be a rational way to begin. If I do that, my only question is "what kit should I get?". I'm leaning toward the Tandy Basic Leathercraft Kit ($60) or the Deluxe Leathercraft Kit $130. I'm thinking with my approach that it would be best to start with the basic kit, learn a bit, and then go to Tandy and buy what I need to supplement after that. Does that sound reasonable? Thanks again for your help everyone; this is such a great community.

Thanks for the warm welcome and the advice. Both are very appreciated. Frank, I'm interested in getting that kit, but if it's the same one I'm looking at online it's a decent amount more than $79. Does Tandy Leather have sales? Should I make sure to go to the actual store rather than buying online?

Hello everyone! For the past few months I've wanted to find a crafty hobby that would be entertaining and possibly provide a means to make a few bucks to supplement the day job. Throughout the years I've been involved with lots of reenactment type groups (SCA, Renfaires, Scottish Festivals, LARPing, etc) and even though I'm not deeply into any of those subcultures, I enjoy visiting and observing. One of the few constants I've found in these groups is leather. Everything from sheaths to boots, quivers to riding crops. So, I'm now thinking that I'll get into leather and that right now is a good time to go through all of the starter kits and make ugly wallets and checkbook covers to give to my friends and family for Christmas! Well, at least the ones for which I'm usually too cheap to buy a real gift. So...where to begin? I'm much more interested in celtic motifs than western, and would like to get stamps that would facilitate doing basic celtic knotwork. Maybe a "throwaway craft" project or two just get comfortable with the stamping process and go with patterns after that? Early on, I'd like to make a few belts (first one with a blank and then cut my own), a new waist strap for my sporran (kilt pouch), a few belt pouches for various items, and a set of bracers. Eventually, I'd like to make sword scabbards, a pipe bag and a briefcase similar to the ones made by Saddleback Leather. But that level of craftsmanship takes time. Any advice is appreciated. Also, I am located in Greenville SC. Atlanta and Charlotte are within a two hour drive, so if anyone knows of any great shops, classes, or other resources in my area please let me know. Thanks everyone! David