"When idle, be not solitary. When solitary, be not idle," Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784)
Tag: paleotool
Unusual Conveyance
At least in my limited experience with the wide world.
A Nice Pack Basket
If you know me at all you know that I am interested in pack baskets. Because of this, they catch my eye when I'm browsing historic images. I could find no information whatsoever about this one. I suspect maybe Tibet in the early 20th century? Pack baskets have been underrated in the west. I'm glad … Continue reading A Nice Pack Basket
Grow in the Open Air
"Here is the test of wisdom, Wisdom is not finally tested in schools, Wisdom cannot be pass’d from one having it to another not having it, Wisdom is of the soul, is not susceptible of proof, is its own proof, Applies to all stages and objects and qualities and is content, Is the certainty of … Continue reading Grow in the Open Air
Spear Throwing Time
I recently got around to repairing my partner's atlatl for an upcoming throw at the Landmark. It's been in use for seven years now and suffered some dings as well as losing it's wooden hook. The handle is oak and the original cocobolo hook has been replaced with antler which will hopefully last a lifetime. … Continue reading Spear Throwing Time
Haiku
Happy Birthday
To my beautiful daughter.
Have a Look at the Racy “Waverley Belle” Velocipede
Are you aware, gentle reader, that the bicycle is closely associated with women's liberation, the suffragettes, and other forms of late 19th century promiscuity and other offensive behaviors among the fair sex? Or that a truly rideable modern velocipede machine post-dates practical flying machines? Warning - a little tasteful nudity ahead. Bicycling was the final … Continue reading Have a Look at the Racy “Waverley Belle” Velocipede
Distracted and Sidetracked More Than Usual
As if I didn't have enough irons in the fire... I decided to make (and learn) a new instrument this summer; a three-string cigar box guitar. It took a few weekends to get it right; figure out the design, apply a finish, and re-work a few details in the setup before I was pleased with … Continue reading Distracted and Sidetracked More Than Usual
Home Grown Music
As an undaunted woodworker I have made most of my musical instruments over the years. I could never justify purchasing a high-end, high-quality instrument but I could make a reasonable proxy. My interest has been rekindled in the last couple years, making my third banjo for myself and reviving one of the mountain dulcimers as … Continue reading Home Grown Music
A Little Art and Some Wise Words from Thoreau for the End of the Week
However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you are. It looks poorest when you are richest. The fault-finder will find faults even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, … Continue reading A Little Art and Some Wise Words from Thoreau for the End of the Week
Road trip
Don’t let your sadness take you down
"A sad soul can kill you quicker, much quicker, than any germ." Henry David Thoreau
Don’t forget to live along the way
Life is short. Don't take your best parts to the grave.
Winter Wonderland
Even on the Southern High Plains of New Mexico, we get some snow. Real winter seldom lasts for more than a couple weeks here but it can become extreme at times. With occasional swings of 60 degrees Fahrenheit up or down in a matter of a couple hours, the inconsistency makes it difficult to plan. … Continue reading Winter Wonderland
Butcher block counter top.
Wise and thoughtful words for Makers. It’s the thoughtfulness that a hand-craftsman puts into his project, not the speed or even cost that makes something worth making in the first place.
“If you remain insensitive to the individual characteristics of the material you are working with and cut regardless to a predetermined, exact measurement, then the finished piece will lack a certain wholeness and be little better than something you could have bought from a factory.” – Graham Blackburn
Roman Loculus
Or what we might call a messenger bag. I finally finished the commissioned bag from last month based on the beautifully proportioned Roman design. As far as I know, this design dates back to at least the First Century C.E. and judging by it's logic, probably much further. I think the true loculus (satchel) utilized … Continue reading Roman Loculus
Caravans in the Art World
I have started a separate Blog Page to house the caravan, vardo, Rom, Gypsy, Traveller, and nomad art from my collections. Any contribution links are welcome as are comments. We all had to start somewhere.
Ramblings
In an effort to make my mark, I'm working on a splash page image, a logo, and a flag. Something catchy and symbolic, but not already taken. Simple, smart, and understandable. This one about sums it up but I think it may already be in use. My personal image for the web page needs to … Continue reading Ramblings
Project: Mayhem Shoes
"The first rule of Project Mayhem is that you do not ask questions..." this may be my new teaching mantra I am considering calling my custom footwear "Mayhem Shoes" (at least until Chuck Palahniuk's space monkey lawyers make me stop). I teach a couple classes about low-tech shoemaking a few times per year in the … Continue reading Project: Mayhem Shoes
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 