Hello 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!