Lynx is certainly one of the coolest people I know. An amazing person on so many levels. Here is a 53 minute documentary (mostly in French) about her lifestyle and teaching. Very well done and I'm glad, on the web. http://youtu.be/UqfvHv7Z8No
Category: primitive technology
Chariot Birman
What a great wagon. I wish my creativity could approach this level of beauty.
Crafts
Varnish
The next step in finishing the pack frame... Here's a detailed photo of the naked frame with an initial coat of oil & pine-tar coating. This will weatherproof the whole thing and make the rawhide less appealing to critters (I caught my dog licking one of the lashings this morning). This mixture is about 60% … Continue reading Varnish
Wooden Pack Frame
One of many projects happening around here this yule-tide season. A new classic-style rucksack is being sewn, much leatherwork is occurring, and this pack frame is being finished. The wood is shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) made from a bowstave section and some other scrap from the pile. All was split before finishing so the grain … Continue reading Wooden Pack Frame
A Feast of Gers
I save images from around the internet to serve as references and inspirations for projects and dreams. I have wanted to build a yurt (ger) for many years now but never quite seem to get around to it. Other projects spring up and I'm not desperate for housing but it is still something floating out … Continue reading A Feast of Gers
The Shoemaker
A real treat from the Sifting the Past blog. It is worth checking out if you are interested in researching the past through images of the period just prior to mass industrialization. The Townsend's have a couple excellent websites including an interesting 18th century cooking blog with videos. There is so much in this painting … Continue reading The Shoemaker
Huaraches!
There are Huaraches north of old Mexico. As a craftsman of sorts, I understand that making a "one-off" of something does not imply expertise and replication builds a real understanding of the object being produced. However, this is certainly not my first leather working or shoemaking project but a major improvement on a theme. The … Continue reading Huaraches!
Surimono print
Bow, arrow, and target from a culture that still loved archery, 1856.
Selk’nam (Ona) Yah
A beautiful photo of arrows from the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. Collected in the early 20th century. Wonderful sinew wrappings, glass points, and clay pigments. And the nice little bow that accompanies them.
Bone Point, Quebec
Bone point from Saguenay-Lac Saint Jean Region; Québec; Canada. Probably very early 20th century.
Surimono 1862
If I could ever look this cool... Woodblock print, British Museum. Click the image for more information.
C. Gomez, Bow and Arrow Maker
When people appreciated hand made archery equipment. No training wheel, gizmos, releases, or sights. Click the image to access the British Museum page for this item.
Yupik (Eskimo) attributed bow and arrows
Believed to be a Yup'ik quiver, bowcase, bow, and arrows from the late 19th century. Click the image to learn more.
Bow, arrows, and quiver, Chiricahua
Chiricahua Apache, Arizona ca. 1880 Click the image above to see more about these artifacts at the National Museum of the American Indian. Detail photo of some fletchings and points from this collection.
A Few Pictures from Rabbitstick 2012
Antler Points
I am very interested in the European Upper Paleolithic. There are many amazing artifacts of antler and bone known from good archaeological contexts. Having lugged a load of antler and bones around over the last several years, it seemed to be time to make some new goodies. I went through a phase 15-20 years ago … Continue reading Antler Points
Winter Count Bow Makers
Thanks to those who participated in our bow making class this year. I failed to get many photos so if anyone would be willing to share theirs with me, I would be most grateful. Email me at zcoyotez (at) yahoo.com. We made very traditional flat bows. This is a straight-forward, predictable design that is easy … Continue reading Winter Count Bow Makers
Hickory Bow part 2
The winds slowed, the killer dust settled and I was able to get back to the bow. A few minutes with the power planer took the rough shape down to a nearly finished product. The calipers are useful and can save a lot of guesswork when making the same style bow over and over. Above, … Continue reading Hickory Bow part 2
Hickory Bow
The next hickory bow. I have a barn full of aged staves languishing that need to be made into bows. Today the weather was good and I had some free time so I jumped on the opportunity to get back into production. Over the last three years I've only made about one bow per year … Continue reading Hickory Bow
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 