If you’re ready to take the first step into crafting your own drums — or you’re expanding your toolkit for future builds — knowing where to find quality native american drum making supplies is essential. Drum making is an art rooted in tradition, rhythm, and intentional craftsmanship, and sourcing the right materials makes all the difference in your finished drum’s voice and longevity.
Whether you’re seeking frames, rawhide, lacing, or tools, this guide covers in-state sources in Washington as well as practical options for raw materials and kits — blending local resources with broader online options.
Understanding What You’ll Need First
Before we explore where to buy supplies, it helps to understand what components go into making traditional drums. Most handmade Native American drums require a combination of:
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Frames or hoops — solid wood shapes to stretch hide over
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Rawhide or drumheads — elk, deer, buffalo hides
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Rawhide lacing or sinew — for tensioning the hide
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Tools — hole punches, lacing needles, scissors, soaking tubs
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Optional kits — pre-packaged sets that bundle most materials together
Having a clear idea of the supplies you need — and how you plan to use them — helps you pick the right sources. Some materials are best found locally, while others may only be available online or through specialty craftspeople.
Local Shops & Resources in Washington State
Here are a few places in Washington State where makers, musicians, and crafters might find drum-related materials or spark ideas for where to look next:
1. West Coast Drum Shop
5.0•Musical Instruments & Teachers
A well-liked music store in Bellevue specializing in percussion instruments. While they focus more on contemporary drum sets and parts, visiting this kind of local music store can be a great place to:
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Explore percussion hardware
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Find basic tools (scissors, clamps, small supplies)
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Connect with local musicians who might know where to source more specialized materials
Local shops like this often become community hubs where knowledge is exchanged as freely as gear.
2. Allegra Drum Company
4.9•Drum store
A highly rated drum store in Vancouver that caters to traditional and modern drummers alike. While not exclusively a drum-making supply shop, independent drum shops often:
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Carry quality sticks, beaters, and accessories
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Know local woodworkers or artisan builders
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Can suggest places to find rawhide and lacing
Talking to knowledgeable staff at percussion-focused stores can uncover leads for raw materials you didn’t know were available locally.
Creative & Craft Supply Options That Might Help
Even when a store doesn’t specialize in drum materials, certain creative shops can be unexpectedly useful — especially for tools and project supplies.
3. Jerrol’s
4.8•Department store•Closed
A long-running art supply and general creative goods store. While they may not stock rawhide or drum frames, art supply stores like this can help beginners with:
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Cutting tools
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Precision scissors
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Awls or punch tools
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Canvas or leatherworking supplies
Art stores are especially helpful when assembling or modifying components you’ve ordered from specialty sellers.
Where Local Options May Not Exist — and What to Do Next
It’s worth noting that specialized drum making materials — especially rawhide, sinew, and quality frames — aren’t commonly stocked at mainstream craft stores or large music retailers in most cities. This is why drum makers often rely on a mix of local and online sourcing.
For example, you likely won’t find wide cuts of elk rawhide or custom frames at big box stores — but you can find great resources online or through speciality suppliers who send materials nationwide.
Online Resources With Supplies Ready to Craft
Here are a few trusted places to source everything you need when Washington State options are limited or unavailable:
🎶 Tachini Drums (Online Supplies)
Tachini Drums offers a curated selection of native american drum making supplies suited for traditional drum makers — whether you’re just starting or refining your craft. Their supply offerings include:
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Rawhide drumheads — hand-selected for resonance and durability
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Elk, deer, and bison rawhide lacing — in multiple widths and lengths
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Hand drum kits — with frames, rawhide, and lacing included
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Tools like rawhide hole punches and drumstick kits
These supplies are chosen specifically for handmade Native American drums, and they support traditional construction methods directly.
Tip: Their kits make excellent starter projects if you’re new to drum building, as they bundle most major components together.
🎼 Crazy Crow Trading Post (Drum Kits & Supplies)
While not local to Washington, Crazy Crow Trading Post is a longstanding online source for Native American style drum making supplies and kits, offering:
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Hardwood drum frames in various diameters
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Rawhide in buffalo, elk, and cow options
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Rawhide lace and sinew
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Kits with pre-cut drum frames and lacing
Their supplies are oriented toward traditional drum construction and are popular among makers who want authentic rawhide and frames rather than generic craft materials.
🎵 Bill Worb Furs Inc. (Indigenous Hand Drum Kits)
This online supplier provides hand drum kits with:
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Wooden frames
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Elk rawhide sized to your kit
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Sinew and a drumstick
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Sizes ranging typically from 10″ to 18″
These kits make great options for workshops or personal drum projects where you want consistent, complete materials all at once.
🎶 Wandering Bull Native American Shop (Rawhide Hand Drum Kits)
If you’re not ready to source individual parts, Wandering Bull offers rawhide hand drum kits that include:
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Pre-cut hide head
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Rawhide lace
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Solid wood frame
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Supplies to make your drum beater
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Instructions
With options in several sizes, these kits give you a complete set of the basics to build a functioning drum.
What to Look for When Choosing Supplies
Whether you’re buying locally or ordering online, high-quality drum making supplies make a huge difference.
Here’s a quick checklist to keep in mind:
🔹 Quality Rawhide — thick enough to hold tension, without weak spots
🔹 Solid Wood Frames — smooth edges, stable form
🔹 Appropriate Lacing — elk, deer, or bison lace depending on drum size
🔹 Tools That Last — hole punches and cutters designed for tough rawhide
🔹 Complete Kits — ideal for first timers or workshop settings
Authentic materials help ensure your drum not only sounds great but lasts for years of use and wear.
Combining Local Touch With Online Support
Even if you can’t find every supply item in Washington State, there’s a real advantage to mixing local visits with online sourcing:
• Visit a local music or craft store
For basic tools and inspiration.
• Order specialty rawhide and frames online
For quality materials tailored to traditional drum making.
• Use local spaces as gathering and learning hubs
Bring your supplies to a community workshop or maker space for hands-on build sessions.
This blend keeps you connected to physical spaces in your area while still getting the specific materials real drum makers rely on.
Final Thoughts
Drum making is a journey — practical, musical, and deeply personal. Whether you’re gathering your first rawhide and frames or seeking the best tools for fine crafting, knowing where to find quality native drum making supplies in Washington State helps set you up for success.
From brick-and-mortar music and craft shops to well-selected online sources with supplies designed for handmade Native American drums, there are options to explore at every step of your build.
At Tachini Drums, we encourage you to start with your idea — and equip yourself with supplies that help you honor tradition, explore craftsmanship, and enjoy every moment of the build.
If you have questions about specific tools, hide types, or kit options for your next project, we’re always happy to help!