By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Larry Fanning, of Aledo, owns and operates Elkhorn Trading Company. He makes one-of-a-kind items like chandeliers, lamps, leather purses, and knives from antlers and real leather. — Staff photo by Kari Kramer

Feb. 16, 2006 - Larry Fanning does not make necessities, he makes art.

Fanning, of Aledo, owns and operates Elkhorn Trading Company. He makes one-of-a-kind items like chandeliers, lamps, leather purses, and knives from antlers and real leather.

He is a versatile crafter who has spent the last 20 years developing his art. 

“My theater is now fine furnishings and accessories of antler, leather, and steel: buffalo leather bags, custom Damascus knives, long bows and accessories, leather apparel, and sculptures and carvings from various types of antlers,” explained Fanning.

The artist splits his time between creating the custom pieces and traveling the United States selling them at trade shows and displaying them at art shows.

Fanning purchases fur and pelts from Canadian furriers. He has a standing order for more materials every three months. His tanned hides come from tanneries in the northwestern United States, and his antlers come from the United States as well as New Zealand. Occasionally he purchases antlers from individuals he meets while at trade shows.

He said he often runs short on buffalo hides and antlers “but most of the time can re-stock in a short time.”

With his materials in hand, Fanning spends hours crafting one-of-a-kind pieces.

“I do not like to, and seldom will, duplicate my work,” he said. “I enjoy creating one-of-a-kind, unique items, that I can tell my customer they will be the only kid on the block to ever have.”

 Even after spending 20 years making unique pieces, Fanning is still able to come up with new ideas.

“Ideas come at the most unexpected times and places. From driving down the road to lying in bed thinking about what I am going to do tomorrow,” he explained.

Then, hours (about 12 hours for a lamp, and three hours for some of his smaller pieces) are devoted in his Aledo shop to the production of a single piece. On hand for “consulting” are Fanning's two hybrid wolves, Spirit and Echo.

His consultants occasionally travel to shows (where they are permitted) and help their partner sell his Southwestern- and Western-themed works.

“I spend an average of 28 to 32 weekends a year doing various shows,” said Fanning, who most recently operated a booth at the Fort Worth Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show.

Fanning said setting up for the shows is the most tiresome part of his job. Each piece must be packed carefully, loaded, unloaded, unpacked, and set-up at each location.

His pieces have been displayed all over Texas, to Denver, Colo., Deadwood, S.D., Chicago, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and several other places. 

He has a few permanent locations in Arlington and in Canton during First Mondays Trade Days. 

While the trade show booths make his financial livelihood, Fanning said he prefers to do art shows.

“I find the most recognition in art shows, which is certainly my favorite show,” he said.

Art enthusiasts are more apt to appreciate Fanning's work. The dresses made from soft leather, accented with fur or beads, must be seen to be appreciated. 

The knives he crafts have antler handles, some topped-off with a carved bear or eagle. It is not the sharp functional blades that make the knives impressive, but the small carvings and details found on some of the blades.

Each lamp is unique. The shades are made from stretched leather that has been sewn together. The stand is usually antler, pieced together to make a practical piece with a natural flare.

Bow slings are made from whole coyote pelts, furs, leather book-covers and crosses made from antler are all sold for a price that reflects the length of time it took to create the piece.

To the untrained eye the prices may seem outrageous - a $300 lamp, a $150 purse, a knife that costs $100, but to the art enthusiasts, the prices are appropriate.

“Most people who are an educated consumer in the world of art feel that my prices are very reasonable,” Fanning said. “You can certainly purchase a lamp, table, knife, and leather bag for an inexpensive fee at Wal-Mart, but if you are a selective consumer for unique and quality items - I have many to offer.”

Fanning says he realizes his customers can go elsewhere to meet their practical needs. “This philosophy helps me to retain my understanding that no one has to purchase anything I make.”

But with each purchase comes a story that a customer can appreciate as much as the work itself.

“I enjoy most every part of what I do, from creating the piece, to telling the customer about it, and I certainly enjoy the customer praising my work,” he said.

Customers at trade shows can hear Fanning explaining how to use a flint fire-starter, telling the story of his hybrid wolves and where they came from, discussing how long each piece took to make, and see a passion for natural art that Flanning hopes to continue crafting.

“My hope is that I can continue as I am for several years to come,” said Flanning. “I’m fortunate. How many people do you know that make a fine living doing the one thing in the world that they like most, even if they could do anything else in the world they wanted to do?” he said.

“If I won the lottery tomorrow, I would continue what I do.”

Flanning’s pieces can be seen at his booth in Canton and can be reached by email at Larry@thetrackofthebear.com.