Lately I've been working on making pipe tampers, not for sale, but rather something that I do to keep busy while smoking my pipes in the garage. I've got scaps of bamboo stalks and deer antler that I got from my brother-in-law, and some spent shells from a co-worker, so with my limited tools (hack saw, dremel, grinder/sander, sandpaper, and leather dye) I'm able to create some goofy tampers. Some take longer than others, especially when carving with a bulky dremel, but it's something I enjoy doing...for the time being. I know it won't last long because I get bored easily and usually move on to something else.
I've been asked whether I plan on selling any and I usually respond with a "no" because I plan on using them as gifts. When I plan on doing that remains to be seen, but it's still quite early in the year. This is something I want to do this year...be more giving instead of always taking. I've already given a tamper, not one I made or one that is really a tamper, but something that I've used as a tamper which was a Japanese ceramic figurine.
So here's a collage of my tampers for your viewing pleasure. Hopefully I can add more and start to really share them with my fellow pipe smokers. Until then...