Yellowknife (July 06/01) - When not teaching at St. Patrick high school, Warren Cummins loves to strap on his hand-crafted leather battle armour and get medieval.

"I have been an historical re-enactor since 1987. I've participated in medieval ones as well as Victorian military and Napoleonic to name a few," said Cummins.

Warren Cummins prepares to draw his sword and kick some butt while wearing some of his hand-crafted leather armour. - Phil Duffy/NNSL photo

Cummins runs Hoseki Leather Productions out of his home and has designed and crafted leather goods and historical pieces that he has sold on-line all over the world.

Hoseki is a Japanese word that means Northern gem.

One of the courses Cummins teaches at St. Pat's is leathercrafts under the design studies curriculum. He also teaches the wildlife leadership program as well as English courses.

"I love being a teacher," said Cummins. "I am grateful for the supportive atmosphere generated in my classrooms and for the opportunity to creatively push both myself and my students."

Cummins was born and educated in Saskatchewan and has been living in Yellowknife for almost three years now.

"I love it here. It can get a bit cold in the winter but the people are wonderful."

Cummins feels Yellowknife is still a pioneer town where people can carve out their own niche.

Hoseki Leather Productions was officially started last fall but Cummins is no stranger to cowhide.

"I've been doing leathercraft for over 10 years now. I started out as an apprentice cobbler when I went to the University of Sask-atchewan," he said.

When it comes to crafting leather, Cummins' passion and specialty is creating leather armour.

"I have shipped my leather armour all over the world to places like Russia, England, and the United States. Generally, my leather armour is for the Society of Creative Anachronism."

During a Guild Conference of the Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft, Cummins came away with the ribbons for best in show and for best overall piece.