Author: George Crawford

archaeologist, archer, primitive technologist, and wannabee musician ... mostly

Thoughts About “Right Living”

~ George Crawford ~ 3 Comments

The great Philosophers have long thought about how to live a good life; good not only for ourselves but for the betterment of others and the world around us. One of the tenets of the Buddhist Eight-Fold Path is the concept of Right Living. I think this would have been far easier and less complex in the Ancient World since so much of our activity influences and is affected by events unseen and far away from our daily life. Few of us see our food grown or clothing made or even our children being educated. Here are some of my thoughts on Right Living:

Right Living

No one should suffer for your convenience.

You can live comfortably without sweatshop products.

Most things we want we don’t truly need.

Only a little effort is required to avoid unscrupulous food.

Choosing to not shop can be an act of defiance.

3:00 a.m. thoughts, GT Crawford

Things to consider…

  • Grow your own food.
    • Forage.
      • Grow a garden
        • Keep chickens.
          • Know the source.
            • Buy direct from the grower or maker.
              • Hunt and fish.
                • Make it yourself.
                  • Fix it.

Stuffthatkeepsmeawakeatnight

Image source: https://wsimag.com/wellness/23162-meditation

Hunter’s Pouch

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I think of this type of bag as a forager bag, mainly because it is the type I carried in the late 80s while working on a High Adventure summer program teaching outdoor skills. It’s really just a classic shooting bag; the type that could be found just about anywhere in North America or Europe for the past three hundred years in similar form.

7 ounce Hermann Oak leather is thick but supple. Antler toggle closure keeps contents secure.

Double needle saddle stitching for flap and pocket.

Interior pocket to separate small items.

Heavy, harness brass buckle and pure brass rivets complete the bag.

Find this and more at our online shop Lost World Crafts on Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LostWorldCrafts

Possibles Bag

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These have been my most popular item over the years but they are fairly time-consuming to make. They also use a lot of leather and generally a fair bit of hardware, especially if the strap is leather with a buckle. However, they are a lifetime investment and have made quite a few people very happy as they break in and age with use.

My take on the 18th Century English shooting bag.
Interior pocket.
Pocket stitching.
Vintage belt buckle and keeper from heavy solid brass. It’s good to comb thrift stores for unique findings.
Man for scale.

More projects underway will be available in the Etsy shop soon: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LostWorldCrafts.

Avoiding Hate

~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

“The truly sociable man is more difficult in his relationships than others; those which consist only in false appearances cannot suit him. He prefers to live far from wicked men without thinking about them, than to see them and hate them.”

— Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Dialogues

“Naturalistic Philosopher (28 June 1712 – 2 July 1778), steel engraving by Thevenin after a design by Gleyre with later colouring, after the 1764 portrait by M. Quentin de La Tour. He saw man in a state of nature as neither moral nor immoral, but suggested that the innate sense of pity was the foundation for the subsequent development of moral society. He saw the evils of society arising from competition and economic inequality, and hence science as a source of misery if not counteracted by civic and moral responsibility. His conclusion is that society has been drawn beyond its optimum happiness by the ambitions of progress and vain success. Some authors considering human evolutionary psychology in the context of civilization have adapted his thoughts.” (Click the image for more information about Rousseau).

Leatherwork is Timeless

~ George Crawford ~ 3 Comments
Images from Mendel, A.D. 1425.

I’m dedicating the next few weeks to my small leatherwork business. When I’m making things with my hands and simple tools, I feel a real connection with our ancestors. It’s nice to get lost in the projects and learn new techniques along the way. When I’m away from this portion of my world it seems that there is a lag when restarting as the hands and mind relearn their movements and the order of things.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to restock the Etsy store with some exciting goods while the weather is cold. I’m looking forward to spring and the time to get out into the wild to gather materials and supplies from nature; a much overlooked time-consumer for the primitive technology teacher. And just maybe, we’ll be able to gather together again soon to share our skills and camaraderie of our community.

In the mean time, keep well and keep on making.

Prototyping a New Belt Pouch

~ George Crawford

I’m calling this one the Ranger Bag –

It takes a lot of work to prototype a new bag design. To get just the right shape and proportion, find the right materials, and choose the appropriate construction technique is a big deal; especially if it’s going to be done well.

The completed prototype. I’m very happy with this design.

I wanted something that looked like it appeared out of the preindustrial world of the 18th century or before. As an archery person, I think I take my personal style from the “what would Robin Hood wear?” collection.  But honestly, this one owes much of its design to the military belt pouches of the early musket days.

What do I plan to use it for you ask?  I wanted something that would accommodate a few essentials including a fire kit, compass, notebook, spoon, whetstone and the like.

So if you follow along here you have seen several bags just like this one posted in the past year and so far, they have sold like hotcakes, as they say.  It is a popular shape, size, and design so I think this will become a mainstay in my shop.

It is a very adaptable design as well and could be fitted with internal pockets, a wrist strap or d-rings and become a clutch purse or removable backpack pocket in its own right.

It’s always nice when plans actually work.