Eltang: Difference between revisions

[[Image:Tom Eltang02.jpg|right]]

Eltang made his first pipe from a Pipe Dan kit at the age of 11. Later, he learned about pipe making from a man named Flemming, who worked at at a center that helped youth transition into working adults. Tom made some pipes there in the afternoons and evenings. He was next given a two-week tryout at the Larsen pipe factory, but discovered that was not the right place for him. He was not interested in the factory approach used there at the time, with it's focus on efficiency.  

He was introduced to [[Anne Julie]] at the age of 16 (August of 1974), and after showing her some of the pipes he had made, he received an apprenticeship. Julie taught Eltang harmony and balance in pipe shaping, as well as the predecessor to the contrast staining technique for which he has become famous. He worked with Julie for three years, and than went to work for Pipe Dan where he did repairs and was also able to make some of his own pipes. Like many, Tom found the repair work was great experience in terms of how a pipe works or doesn't work. After three years with Pipe Dan, Eltang took a job working for Stanwell. He worked for Stanwell till around 1980 when he went into business for himself, but he still sells some of his designs to Stanwell, even now.