Queen's Champion Archery Recap SCA

We came back a day early from Queen's Champion Archery at Live Oak Park. Bad weather and low attendance are the kiss of death for vendors.

It wasn't a total waste though. I got to throw axes, knives and spears, and shoot some arrows. I got authorized by the SCA in thrown weapons, which I'm very excited about.  And for the performance portion of the test, I threw one axe, it stuck in the target and she passed me!   Ace!

Those people are very interested in atlatls, so I really need to hone my atlatl skills so I can do a demo for them soon. I need to take my atlatls to every paleoplanet gathering from now on or I'll never get better. I have no place to practice in my apt. complex. The neighbors would flip out.

It was a long drive home last night. Guy is still tuckered out and sleeping in. He did most of the tear down yesterday with the heavy stuff. My back was none too happy. In cold weather my hips and back ache and lifting is difficult. When I do less, Guy has to do more. Either that or we need to kidnap helpers.

I had a good time with Rino and Joshua, two new SCA friends. Both of them are fine archers. I was wiped out immediately in the double elimination but they went on shooting and Rino ended up in second place, losing out to an archer named James.

There was also an equestrian competition. The horses were in all their finery. But I decided events for me are about doing, not watching, and by the time I was done with the archery competition and lunch, all the lovely horses were done and on the way to their trailers. Darn it all, I wanted to take photos of them too.

So then I got to watch the thrown weapons competition. A big guy in a kilt was amazing with all three weapons. I believe his name is Angus. I'll post photos whenever I find my camera. We still need to unload the truck.

Steampunk and Archery

I have been tossing around an idea of making a Steampunk archery kit. Copper colored arrows with copper tips, a bow with metal tips and a copper grip.  A hip quiver with cogs and wheels and clockworks. I've never seen such a thing, and I don't know if I can pull it off, but I can try.

And while I'm here, I have some photos of last Sunday's Paleoplanet gathering in Pasadena, CA where Dr. Stickle talked about the clovis point that was found in Malibu a few years ago.

Chris and Carrie demonstrate how to use an atlatl. 

Roland shares his loom beadwork.

A guest tries out the atlatl for the first time.

I shot 99 arrows.

Carl in the plaid shirt is a well known SCA archer (Carollus). 

Next to him in the white jacket is Dr. Stickle.

The man with his arms crossed is Tom Mills co-founder of Paleoplanet.net.

Sorry I don't know the names of the rest of the guests.

Two New Paleoplanet Babies

Tomorrow I'm off to another Paleoplanet meet up at the range in Pasadena, CA. It's been a bit drizzly so I don't know what to expect weather wise, but I should probably bring a rain hat and a sweater just in case. I missed last months meeting because I was up in Atascadero visiting family, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Now I need to figure out what I want to work on tomorrow. Gourds? Arrows? Bows? Atlatls? Darts? So many projects, so little time. I think Guy has some arrows to deliver too.

Two members have given birth to baby boys since I went last! Maybe archery makes you fertile. Better watch out.

Congrats to Ken and his family and Derrick and his family.

Making Bow Socks for Archery

My house has been full of projects. And here is why: http://greenmanarchery.blogspot.com/2010/10/hand-dyed-canvas-bow-socks-are-back.html

This batch of bow socks are the best Guy has ever made. He's even making some that are lined this time, for those that want the security of some extra padding for their bow.  So the dye pot has been bubbling, the sewing machines have been humming, and the iron has been keeping everything under control.

The autumn is beautiful in Southern CA. Now if only we could get out of the apt. and shoot some arrows.