Tandy Leather Factory

I just read the review shared by Karen S. in Newton and I heartily agree with her write up.
I feel that chain stores often lack staff with relevant product knowledge, experience and customer service skills. This is a rare exception.
I’ve been to Tandy in Chelmsford on several occasions, and have been assisted by Cass. When I speak with her, I get useful information and her full, patient attention. Rob (Store Manager) is a great resource as well. Both of them are class instructors who have logged many hours on their own intricate projects (some of which are displayed).
The store itself is neat, airy and full of varied and interesting hides, tools and supplies. The staff are a great sounding board for ideas. You feel welcomed when you arrive. That said, the staff will leave you to shop if you prefer.
The classes are helpful and I learned as much by doing as by seeing other people’s work. $ 35 for a year membership and 4 free classes, let’s see you get that at a continuing ed program!
If you are considering a trip to a Tandy Leather, go to the store in Chelmsford.
They get it right.

Tandy Leather is amazing! I wasn’t sure if it would be worth driving out here, but I was 20 minutes away for work one day and thought I’d check it out since I’d been admiring things online for ages.
So so glad I came in! I’m new to leatherworking, and even having read project instructions and blogs, I wasn’t sure what I needed or what to do with the tools and dyes.
I browsed for a while and when I was ready to check out, Cass (sorry if I’m spelling it wrong!) asked what I was making and helped me weed out unnecessary tools and replaced them with what I really needed. She also took a lot of time walking around explaining what I’d need to dye leather and finish it, what kinds of coatings to use, and gave me a demo of using the strap cutter, dye, top coat, wax coat, gum tragacanth and edge slicker, as well as both edge bevelers I was purchasing. So so useful! She explained why eyelets won’t work in belt holes (buckle pins need an oblong hole or they’ll get stuck), and was generally really easygoing, full of great tips, and she gave me the leather sample piece so I could remember what to do.
Also, she pointed me to their classes which are free if you get a $ 35 per year membership, totally worth it for four classes of instruction on carving, tooling, dyeing, etc. I have to make time to come back for that!
There was a huge selection of tools in an organized and uncluttered store in a mill building with tons of parking. It’s a little out of the way but I’m excited to take classes when I can fit them in and to come back if I have questions.
Thanks Tandy!