I WISH I was in your area! I would be bugging you every DAY. LOL.
If you don't mind me asking, which kit would be the best to start out with? They have several, but I don't want to purchase more than I need to start off with.
Besides the materials and decorative stamps of you choice, here's a fairly complete tool list (you'll already have some around your house):
Ruler
Strap cutter (only if you're cutting from the hide)
Mallet (pressed rawhide or synthetic, not rubber)
Tack hammer
*Leather Scissors
Small scissors
Needle nose vice grips
*Skiver
Exact-o knife
*Hole punch
Scratch awl
Screwdriver
*Rivet setter
I put an *asterisk* next to the things you'll probably have to break down and buy but are well worth the money. Also, there are economical choices for each. Most of the rest of those things you can find substitutes for in the house or in the hardware store. Just get the most basic kit. That should have everything in it.
You'll also want a self healing cutting mat and a block of marble. Too bad marble is so heavy because our studio is actually in a marble yard and we have tons of scrap at our disposal (most of it is pretty weak, though).
There are also tutorials online. I mean, really, leatherwork is an old tradition, so there is a lot of educational resources out there. i think most of us that do it don't want to see it die, so there's a lot of information sharing that goes on. I learned lots of my tricks from old-timers some of whom are dead now, so it's a duty to pass it on. Find any leather crafter in your area and I'm sure they'll walk you through it.