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Preindustrial Craftsmanship

Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life

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  • THE VARDO PROJECT: Begin here
    • THE VARDO PROJECT: Part 1
    • The Vardo: Part 2, Conception and Planning
    • The Vardo: The great leap into construction
    • The Vardo: Finishing and fitting out.
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Tag: furniture building

On Being Self-taught

Sunday, March 8, 2015Sunday, March 8, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

I’ve heard people say they have to put a piece of wood aside until the spirit hits them. That’s procrastination. Pick it up and work it – you’ll feel the spirit. No, I think it’s an advantage being self-taught.

— Sam Maloof, December 1980, Fine Woodworking

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Building the Vardo Caravan

My Etsy Shop

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Tags

19th century archaeology archery arrows art art car atlatl backpack banjo bicycle bow making bowtop bushcraft camping caravan caravane craft craftsmanship DIY Edwardian gypsy Gypsy Truck gypsy wagon Henry David Thoreau house truck huaraches leather leather work leatherwork low tech minimalism moccasins mountain man music nomad painting paleotool philosophy photography possibles bag primitive skills primitive technology prymitywna technologia przetrwanie roulotte sandals schäferwagen sheepherder sheep wagon shoe making shoes shooting bag sopravvivenza supervivencia survie survival thoreau tiny house tiro al arco tiro con l'arco tir à l'arc tools travel traveller vardo Victorian vintage wilderness survival wohnwagen woodworking łucznictwo вардо выживание караван примитивные технологии

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Good Advice

A Gallery of Some Past Projects

DSC_0256 (1)
moreleather8
A little walnut oil brings out the grain.
A little walnut oil brings out the grain.
Hickory07
DSC_0001 (9)
DSC_0004
dsc_0004-6
0830
DSC_0247
Treadle lathe turned bowl and plate made by Mick Robins in spaleted alder (I think). The spoon is Osage orange carved by me.
Treadle lathe turned bowl and plate made by Mick Robins in spaleted alder (I think). The spoon is Osage orange carved by me.
0001
Flame maple neck, walnut rim.
Flame maple neck, walnut rim.
horses02
DSC_0128 (9)
Bark - 2
dsc_0128-3
Arabic, 1762 (BnF Gallica, Paris).
0582
moreleather6
ghillie
My personal favorite (at the moment).
My personal favorite (at the moment).
DSC_0248
20180219_143649_Film4_resized
horses01
1214
Or just click the image to get to the gallery.
Or just click the image to get to the gallery.
DSC_0258
Bags_6
Bags_4
An overview of traveling gear. I see this format on the web a lot so I'm stealing the style from far batter photographers than I.
An overview of traveling gear. I see this format on the web a lot so I’m stealing the style from far batter photographers than I.
DSC_0390
DSC_0118 (17)
Wnter Count 2010 - 34
20170906_101747
DSC_0178
DSC_0002 (16)
DSC_0075_2
My traveling bucksaw.
My traveling bucksaw.
DSC_0120 (9)
Mountain dulcimer.
Mountain dulcimer.
DSC_0030
The author with his antler-fork walking stick and his dog begging for a walk.
The author with his antler-fork walking stick and his dog begging for a walk.
DSC_0117 (14)
bois darc 071
0656
DSC_0309_2
DSC_0115 (1)
bowyertools
Paleotool at Rabbitstick, Rexburg, Idaho
Paleotool at Rabbitstick, Rexburg, Idaho
DSC_0121 (10)
candles01
Tools, clockwise from lower left: large awl, sewing awl, rivercane needle case, bone toothpick, sewing needles in center.
Tools, clockwise from lower left: large awl, sewing awl, rivercane needle case, bone toothpick, sewing needles in center.
DSC_0139 (1)
My Portmanteau. 18th Century style, it has become my favorite overnight bag.
My Portmanteau. 18th Century style, it has become my favorite overnight bag.
0006
Bodhrans.
Bodhrans.
DSCN1705
DSC_0121 (2)
Low-resolution selfie from a morning hike.
Low-resolution selfie from a morning hike.
DSC_0578
Design was kept as short as possible for transport. The cross bolt where the arm hinges is a salvaged bolt from an old truck spare tire holder.
Design was kept as short as possible for transport. The cross bolt where the arm hinges is a salvaged bolt from an old truck spare tire holder.
DSC_0471 (1)
sandalcommis
moreleather7
DSC_0257 (1)
DSCN1702
DSC_0012 (5)
DSC_0245
laptopcase1
The little table has many miles on it now and doesn't look this pretty at all. I'm actually in the midst of refinishing it and will post pictures sometime soon.
The little table has many miles on it now and doesn’t look this pretty at all. I’m actually in the midst of refinishing it and will post pictures sometime soon.
DSC_0117 (8)
Hickory02
DSC_0258 (1)
The sacred connection.
The sacred connection.
DSC_0586
dsc_0129-4
0570
DSC_0127 (9)
DSC_0024 (3)
0568
DSC_0116 (7)
Elk leg sinews dried and ready for processing.
Elk leg sinews dried and ready for processing.
DSC_0126 (10)
voila
dsc_0117-3
leather3
DSC_0003 (8)
DSCN1703
DSC_0626
0582
Wnter Count 2010 - 36
bodger09
dsc_0068
Quiver
dsc_0901
DSCN2530
Replicated woven sandals from the Southern High Plains and the greater Southwest. Produced from narrow-leaf yucca.
Replicated woven sandals from the Southern High Plains and the greater Southwest. Produced from narrow-leaf yucca.
DSC_0127 (10)
Dopp kit and some leather working tools I use to create items like this.
Dopp kit and some leather working tools I use to create items like this.
DSC_0239 (1)
0220-2
Taking a break.
Taking a break.
DSC_0249 (5)
Willow pack basket I made several years ago. The straps were obviously new then.
Willow pack basket I made several years ago. The straps were obviously new then.
Argh! A moment of distraction means the snap of a stone bit!
Argh! A moment of distraction means the snap of a stone bit!
DSC_0037
20180219_143544_Film4_resized
DSC_0256 (2)
DSC_0131 (4)
0002
DSC_0124 (8)
20210722_154658 (1)
20150204_105116
Higher, more ergonomic table.
Higher, more ergonomic table.
DSC_0001
DSC_0578
DSC_0399
awlinhand
The holdfasts in place, holding nothing in particular.
The holdfasts in place, holding nothing in particular.
dsc_0127-5
DSCN1704
CoverWintercountV
dsc_0130-1
DSCN4033
DSC_0122 (11)
lid80
DSC_0119 (7)
The small rucksack with the portmanteau attached.
The small rucksack with the portmanteau attached.
DSC_0026 (2)
0004
0003
DSC_0249 (1)
DSC_0125 (7)
DSC_0122 (9)
Bodhrans.
Bodhrans.
The bench's small size will allow it to pack easily into the truck, even holding items in the tills.
The bench’s small size will allow it to pack easily into the truck, even holding items in the tills.
Version 2 (11)
DSC_0005
Handmade Shoes
DSC_0398
leather1
And I added a leather thong.
And I added a leather thong.
ShoesHD
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