Our Tale

Robin HoodHello and welcome to my site, my name is Adam, and you have found my little hobby turned company, Loveduck Leather.  I thought I would tell you a little about myself.

Let me just start by saying I have had an interest in Medieval and Fantasy costuming, armor and weaponry ever since I was a kid rolling dice playing AD&D.  I have very fond memories of the time I spent enveloped in imagination.  I always played as some sort of Ranger or Fighter class.  I remember the art in the books and lived the life of an adventurer, if only in my head.

As I look back on it now, these were probably some of the early sign-posts that guided me to the path I am on now.  Those early, fun times instilled a life long interest in the real history behind the fantasy.  You will see influences from history and fantasy in my costume design.  I want my things to be functional and attractive.

Because of my natural interests, (boobs, beer and history) I found a natural draw to renaissance faires, I love faire.  People are authentic and beautiful when the step out of real life, it's fun to play!  I feel a particular personal draw to the 15th century European period and I found a reenactment group that catered to this draw.  I joined the Archers of Ravenwood, and we portray a 15th century military free company.  The military side of the group is comprised primarily of men-at-arms and archers.  This is where the low burning embers of imagination from my childhood flared up and combined with the new fuel of research and sparked a creative fire in me that burns bright.  

I enjoy being a member of Ravenwood.  There are alot of good people who have taught me much.  I am a person who likes to stand out from the crowd a little and I had visions of what I wanted my faire persona to look like.  My visions were based on movies and games but were tempered with actual extant historical pieces.  I try to combine these elements to make items that are historically feasible but are stylistically infused to some degree with a more sexy, fantasy feel.

I started making my own gear from this drive to stand out from the crowd and still be believable in the role I was depicting.  I have always had a bit of an artistic side and have had to operate within a budget.  I decided to buy a piece of leather and make my own gear.  Well, at first it was pretty rough but I stuck with it and analyzed alot of pieces, then I developed my own particular flair. 

Soon after that people were asking where I got my things.  When I told them I did it myself they would inquire about having pieces made for them.  My personal hobby ended up making some money!  Back then I did not realize the potenetial of this hobby.  I thought, "How wonderful if this hobby could pay for itself!"  I started making little things for resale on Ebay, and it hit me that there was demand for what I could make.

My then wife, encourage me to follow my heart and work my hobby full time.  I started this website and quit my job which I did not like anyway.  Now after years of practice I feel I am turning out some of my best work ever.  It has not been the most lucrative venture and I feel if I can just stick it out long enough people will be seeking me out primarily as an artist.  I love being a part of realizing someone's vision.  The greatest compliment to me is a very satisfied customer.

These days not only do I get to make the things I love but I also get to wear them, not only at local reinacting events, Comiccon and school displays but as a costume model too!  How cool is that? I love that my hobby is paying me back.  

Please enjoy the photos below, I have included some pictures from happy times in my life, favorite creations, my own personal steel armor, local events, modeling at the art school and of my little shop.  I hope this gives you a feel for who I am and what I love.  I am a one man business and I am grateful for what it has become...I thank all of my customers for letting my dream become reality, I could not have done it without you!

crossbow armor
Fun at faire
more fun at faire
Does it get any better?
My sweetie and me.
1300 armor
Former 15th Century harness
15th Century Armor
School demo 2010 again
School demo 2010
Knight
Sir-Adam
I know you wanna polish my helmet
Comiccon 2008 Robin
Pleasure faire
Lucas' sketch
Sandtrooper
Playing around
Another stressful day
volley
volley1
faire battle2
Vault security
Vault security 2

Photos of the shop.

Where the Magic happens!

shop
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