January 27, 1995




Tandycrafts, Inc.
1400 Everman Parkway
Fort Worth, TX  76140

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have acted as special counsel to Tandycrafts, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the proposed issuance of up to
1,200,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's common stock, par value $1.00
per share, and related interests (the "Interests") in the Tandycrafts, Inc.,
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "Plan"), pursuant to the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating to the Shares and the Interests.

      In connection with this opinion, we have examined such documents and
records of the Company and the Plan and such statutes, regulations, and other
instruments and certificates as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the
purposes of this opinion.  We have assumed that all signatures on all documents
presented to us are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are
accurate and complete, and that all documents submitted to us as copies are true
and correct copies of the originals thereof.  We have also relied upon such
certificates of public officials, corporate agents, and officers of the Company
to the extent necessary or advisable with respect to the accuracy of material
factual matters contained therein which were not independently established.

      Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares being issued
by the Company will be, when issued and paid for in full pursuant to, and in
accordance with the terms of, the Plan, validly issued, fully paid, and
nonassessable, and that the Interests will constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with the terms of the
Plan.

      This opinion may be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Consent is also given to the reference to this firm as having passed on the
validity of the Shares under the caption "Legality" in the summary plan
description and prospectus used in connection with the Registration Statement.
In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are included in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and
regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

                                     Very truly yours,



                                     /S/ HUGHES & LUCE, L.L.P.