Hello From Georgia

[BigGriff]

I'm also in the Atlanta area. Cumming to be exact.

[MonicaJacobson]

Me too, Smyrna, GA. Does anybody know of any other leather suppliers in the metro Atlanta area other than Tandy? I like it fine, but I keep hearing that we should explore other suppliers.

Does anybody know of any shoemakers or cobblers in the area either? I've heard people mention cobblers (maybe in England?) who sell leather or leatherworking tools, but I've never seen anything of the sort here.

[veedub3]

I am in the Atlanta Area also, I reside in Fayetteville (part-time), as I split my time between here and Central America. In the Winter is when I retreat to the warmth of Panama.

I have not found another local leather supplier here other than Tandy. As for the GA Leather Guild, I fav'd them on Facebook, but from the looks of things, they haven't done anything since May. (I could be wrong and they just didn't update the page.)

Haven't really seen any cobbler stores around either, but that's not to say there aren't any.

As for shopping around at other Leather suppliers, that is a definite must. I get leather from several places now. I made quite a few bags out of the Kodiak oil tanned leather that Tandy carries. I have never paid more than $120 for a side. The last 8 to 10 sides I got were from $79- $99 each. The new pricing structure has it a $180 and that's the Elite price that I get. Can't afford that, so I had to shop around for better pricing and now use Waterhouse leather for oil tanned leather. I also Use Springfield a lot, but if it is something I need in a hurry like dye, buckles, etc..., I will run up to Tandy and grab it, but the new pricing Tandy have is just unreal to me. The leather has to be on sale at huge savings for me to get it from them.

Karina

[MonicaJacobson]

Thanks Karina!

I'm excited to hear about other good retailers. I knew they were out there, but I was hesitant to buy sight-unseen. You've never had a problem getting a skin you didn't want? And is the shipping really expensive? It seems like it could be prohibitive on something that large.

I agree about Tandy's prices. I just assumed they were high elsewhere as well. At least we don't live in South Africa! I saw someone else's post that mentioned that the prices for leather there are astronomical.

Anyway, thanks for the info!

Monica

[novaforme]

Hey another fellow georgian here. I live in Athens and just started working in leather as well.

[veedub3]

I'm excited to hear about other good retailers. I knew they were out there, but I was hesitant to buy sight-unseen. You've never had a problem getting a skin you didn't want? And is the shipping really expensive?

Anyway, thanks for the info!

Monica

Waterhouse Leather has some Awesome leather and free shipping in the US over $99. Springfield Leather, although the pieces I have gotten have not been Awesome, they have still been great pieces to work with. A few spots I had to work around, but that's to be expected I guess. The best part is that you don't have to order the entire side, you can order by the sq.ft at Springfield. Great option for those on a budget or just starting out. The shipping is very reasonable. They don't gouge you on the shipping like other shops. I also just got a side from Brettuns Village Leather - a very "unique" Leather shop, free shipping included on all orders, my first purchase from them and I must say I was extremely nervous, but it was a very nice piece of leather for what I paid for it.

Karina

[MonicaJacobson]

Thanks Karina! I'm also considering getting some bison leather from buffaloleather.com. The price is excellent. 7.00 a ft. instead of 11.00 a foot.

[veedub3]

Thanks Karina! I'm also considering getting some bison leather from buffaloleather.com. The price is excellent. 7.00 a ft. instead of 11.00 a foot.

I got a side of Buffalo Leather when I was in Argentina last month and wow what a nice piece leather. I looked at the usual places Stateside and didn't see any Bison leather so thanks for the link. Also the url in your post is incorrect, just in case anyone else is interested it is http://buffaloleatherstore.com

Thanks,

Karina

[veedub3]

For those in the Atlanta area and may not have heard, Tandy opened a new store on the Westside on Monday the 18th. (Thornton Rd.) I went and checked it out Wednesday and it is a pretty large store. Leather prices off the chart as usual with the new pricing structure, and this was the first time that I actually walked out of a leather store with no leather, but it is a really large store. The Manager said they will carry items that the Norcross store will not carry. Didn't see any - would love if they carried some Buffalo. I did load up on Hardware and dye - just no leather this go around.

Karina

[petersenj20]

I checked the new store out as well Monday. I knew I was in for a treat when I saw nothing had prices.

I did however buy a piece of 7oz leather. I need to make a couple sheaths.