Small Possibles Bag for the Belt

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 ~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

Sometimes it's nice to have the security of a bag strapped closely to the body and not swinging around your neck and shoulders. This little 9 x 5 x 2 inch design has done quite well over the past year and has been a popular seller in the shop. Made from 7 oz. veg-tanned leather … Continue reading Small Possibles Bag for the Belt

Flint and Steel

Tuesday, February 2, 2021Tuesday, February 2, 2021 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

This will be the last one for a while as I have other projects in the hopper. Two-toned 7 oz. leather. The complete kit will get you started and, if frugal, can start several fires. The strikers are custom made by my friend Eric at Colonial Iron. A bundle of juniper bark and ample charred … Continue reading Flint and Steel

The Virtues of Coffee, Chocolate, and Tea

Sunday, January 27, 2019 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

This wonderful little piece comes from Slate in the Vault blog. It's a great broadside advertisement from a 1690 coffeehouse entrepreneur claiming the benefits of our now most commonly used drug on Earth, caffeine. Coffee was known in Europe but new as a common drink and still a bit suspect since it came from Arabia … Continue reading The Virtues of Coffee, Chocolate, and Tea

Banished to New York:

Thursday, February 15, 2018Thursday, February 15, 2018 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

... an interesting historical post about the fate of traveling folk in 17th century Scotland Scotland had draconian laws against travelling folk. Hostility towards “Egyptians” took off under King James VI, who was also famously opposed to Border Reivers, Gaelic-speaking Highlanders, alleged Witches, Protestant religious dissenters and tobacco smokers. Edinburgh, 13 May 1682: ‘His Royall … Continue reading Banished to New York: