Kid's Arrows

Right now I'm busy straightening dowels for kid's arrows. If I hurry they will be ready for the Conejo Shoot in Simi Valley, CA this weekend. If not, then surely in time for the Woodley Park Swap on the following weekend. The only thing hindering me is it is already getting in the 90's outside. That and we keep having to go to town for those annoying little things like groceries and smog checks. And what with town being 30 miles away now, it takes half the day every time we leave the yard. I can't wait to get to the fun part of making the arrows.  For me that's the colorful part: painting or dyeing, and picking out the feather colors.

Atlatl Made of Wood

When I had my turn at the bow bench yesterday, I worked on my atlatl. It is starting to look like an atlatl now. I still have quite a lot of shaping to do though. I'd love to get it finished in time for the next archery event, which is May 3 and 4. Busy busy. Off to work on it I go.

Branch Atlatl

Today I roughed out a new atlatl made from a branch. I'm not making the same mistake I made last time by making it too short. If anything, it's a bit too long. I'm using green wood this time. I'm not sure what kind because it is a branch I found on a walk one day. I thought it might come in useful someday so I propped it up against my house. I'm making it on the bow bench, which I didn't have last time I tried to make one. I'm not using any power tools. I'm using a drawknife, a Shinto rasp, and a scraper.

But it is pretty hot today, so I put it away until tomorrow. I'll work on it at an archery event we are vending at tomorrow. We still have to load half the truck, and then get an early start in the morning. But I'm getting a headache from the heat, so now I'm sitting inside sipping iced tea.

Conflicting Events on Sunday

I'm going to miss Sunday's Paleoplanet gathering at the Pasadena arroyo. I have an SCA event in Van Nuys, CA that day. At first I thought the SCA event was on Saturday so I was hoping to go to both.

I missed last month's as well because I was up visiting my daughter and meeting my new granddaughter. So much to do, so little time. That's how spring is for me. Today I have a to do list as long as my arm so I better get cracking.

I'm not really trying to poke her eye.

Maggie, my granddaughter and Kyle

My grandson Weston on the left, and Barbara's son Jack on the right.

Photos From Chamberlain Ranch Archery Shoot 2013

The Chamberlain Ranch 3D Traditional Archery shoot was great fun and perfect weather. We sat across from two knappers so that was entertaining. During the raffle though, the wind picked up and blew Joe's entire table cloth and inventory off his table. It sounded like chimes as those arrowheads hit the ground. I hope he didn't have too much damage.

Badger was busy making bows and gifted us both with incredible osage bows. I need to put a shelf on mine and beef up the serving string so my arrows will fit. In fact, I need to make all new arrows.

The clout shoot was very popular and at $1.00 per arrow, I'm sure it was a great fundraiser for the charity event.

We had our Greenman Archery booth set up and did very well this year. Guy is going to be busy making a bunch of custom arrows. He made some great trades as well. 

Badger scraping on a bow.

Oak tree on Chamberlain Ranch near Los Olivos, CA

Clout Shoot

Quiver

Ralph knapping

Richard and Gary discuss making bows.