Author: HeathenAlchemist

Craftsman, Diviner, Artist behind The Spider's Masque building custom leather, magic, and other adornments.

2025 Wrap

HeathenAlchemist

The shop is home for the season (although you’ll be able to catch me helping out the one and only Paulo Garbanzo in a special appearance for the end of GA Ren Fest Fall Fling) and it has been one amazing 2025 thanks to all of you!

From the winter fairy ball at Mythicon (yes, I’ll be back in ’26!) all the way through to Delafaire y’all have kept the magic alive for this little leather shop. I can’t wait for next year!

This year isn’t entirely over- if you’re on my list for custom work, I’ll be in the workshop all this and next week. Everyone who currently has an order in should have that order by Thanksgiving, or immediately after. Orders placed in the next week should be finished and ship in time for Christmas, but ONLY if you get those orders in within the next week. Leather takes time and while I’ll certainly work on it as fast as I can, I can’t promise it for Christmas after that point.

Keep an eye on this space for upcoming events, new items, and more over the winter break. The test batch of chain belts sold faster than expected so they will soon be a regular item. I’ll also be expanding the size range for my fantasy armor as I remain committed to the idea that Fantasy is for Everyone.

The holiday season is upon us and I know that, to put it mildly, many of us are not feeling all that festive right now. I’ve been trying to come up with a more polite- or at least professional- way of saying it but honestly, screw the corporations, shop local this season. The reality is that many of us are not cheaper than the corporations, but our quality is unbeatable and we stand by our work in ways that they never can.

I sincerely wish all of you peace, contentment, warmth, and comfort this season, and I’ll see you all in 2026.

That (In)famous Spice!

HeathenAlchemist

You’ve seen the posts and some of you got lucky enough to score pre-orders and now they are here for everyone.

Yes you can now keep that Maryland on you.

Original flavor holster perfectly holds their iconic 6oz tin- or at least the new plastic version that I have some feelings about but that’s neither here nor there. Deluxe version has a sidecar for your favorite hot sauce- most brands offer a bottle size that will fit.

Yes, you can also order it in Maryland tri-color.

As soon as the flag and crab stamps I’ve requested show up, you’ll be able to order those as well. Or maybe it’ll just come standard with them. Who knows.

Listing is live on the Square store.

Garb Sale Success and a Pause on New Orders

HeathenAlchemist

Garb Sale 2025 was EPIC!

Y’all love my leather and I love that you love it. In fact, some of y’all were kind enough to let me share that love by granting me permission to add your joyous smiles to the shop’s social media so thank you!!

The shop’s success at Garb Sale has now given me the best kind of problem- I need to restock! While the Store tab will remain up and the shop will continue taking orders, NO WORK ON NEW ORDERS WILL BEGIN UNTIL OCTOBER. You are welcome to get in line, but I absolutely HAVE to restock items before my next show.

The next place you’ll find me is at Sparta, New Jersey Ren Faire in September.

It’s VARF Time!

HeathenAlchemist

VARF prep, VARF prep, la la la la la la….

It’s finally here, our big Faire Family Reunion in scenic Spotsylvania, VA. I carried my workshop halfway across the country with me this past spring so I could keep crafting and be ready for all of you.

There are some updates:

The shop is in a different spot this year! I’ve doubled my footprint under canvas so after giving the vendor coordinator much stress over where to put me, we’ve found a spot near the top of the hill. You’ll find me right next to the excellent team from Verillas this year. Come say hello!

We have greaves and tassets! Leg armor to match the cuirasses and bracers was one of the most-requested things last year. There are two styles and two very adjustable size ranges of greaves available to coordinate with the existing armor patterns. Currently tassets are one size fits most but as always, custom fits are possible.

Most of our prices are (currently) unchanged! While I’ve had no choice on some items, most of the shop is still the very affordable high quality veg tan fantasy leather you’ve come to know and love. I’m going to do everything I can to keep it that way for as long as I can. “Fantasy is for Everyone” doesn’t just mean being size inclusive and offering tons of customization options, it also means keeping it affordable.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again at VARF. Come out and play!