Some of you may have noticed the fancy new hair sporran I am sporting in photos from our Burns Night last night.


I am happy to say this is a brand-new sporran, being worn for the first time, hand crafted by our very own Artificer.

I had been following with interest the many fine sporrans Artificer had been posting here on X Marks, especially some of his exciting horse hair creations.

Well, when the order for the Cthulu tartan was finalized, Artificer asked if I would make his kilt. I forget which of us proposed the idea, but both of us were more than happy to work out a trade. A little kilt making in exchange for a little sporran making. Seems fair to me!

We exchanged a few emails, he sent me photos of some more of his work, and I settled on this style of hair sporran, with black leather cantle and tassel cones, with a red leather insert; dark brown horse hair with light colored hair tassels.

When we first settled on the trade he told me I could expect the sporran sometime in January, and I thought that would be perfect timing for our Burns Supper. I worked out my schedule so that his kilt would be completed around the same time.

Well, Artificer shipped the sporran so that it would delivered to me last Wednesday. Wednesday came and went, with no love from the Post Office. I tracked it on line. It still said Wisconsin. Still said delivery on Wednesday. Oh well, so it will be a day late. Thursday came. No sporran. Friday. Now it says the sporran is in Asheville. Much closer to home! Delivery date ironically still says Wednesday. I was hopeful that would be the day. Still no love.

Saturday morning, the postal carrier pulls into my driveway. I run out to meet her, in the rain, and she hands me this oblong box, which I know can only contain one thing.

I get it into the house and unpack this beauty.


Artificer packed it impeccably. It needed absolutely no touching up out of the box to make it ready to wear. I laid it out gently on my bed, and there it stayed until later in the evening when I paired it with one of my black leather straps and put it on to head out of the house.

I am happy to say that it did well all evening, with nary a hair out of place. Artificer included a very helpful letter with the shipment advising of how to care for the sporran, and what to expect with dealing with the hair.

The quality of leather and craftsmanship is superb. I would not hesitate to wear any sporran of his making. It is always a pleasure to be able to give a positive review and endorsement of a fine craftsman such as this. A real pleasure.

So thanks, Artificer, for a job well done! I look forward to wearing this sporran for many years to come.

Lastly, here are a few more photos for the rabble.