Paleo Arts Bowmaking Flintknapping Fletching Etc.

Painting a Green Man Banner

2012-01-12T23:08:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of me painting the banner. I'm using fabric paints because I want to be able to wash this if necessary. I hope to finish it early tomorrow so we can heat set it before we use it on Saturday.

This is what it looked like yesterday.

This was this afternoon. I've gotten all the man shapes done

This was as far as I got before the sun went down.

Busy Week

2012-01-12T22:45:00.000-08:00

Right now I'm painting a banner for the archery booth with the Green Man on it. Friday is Guy's birthday (Friday the 13th). Saturday there is an SCA archery event. Sunday is the Paleoplanet gathering in Pasadena and a birthday dinner. Sheesh, when it rains it pours. That ought to keep me busy.

You can barely see the drawing on the banner. But you can at least see what size it is.

Amanda Makes a Bow

2011-10-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

On Sunday Guy met Amanda at an SCA event and between customers, helped her to tiller and finish her bow. Then everyone hung around after the event ended so Guy could make her a Flemish bowstring. Amanda made the bow for her local SCA archers to use as loaner gear. The other woman shooting the bow is her friend Andy. Santiago helps Andy put on a bracer. Shooting your first longbow can make you feel like you are all thumbs, but Andy was able to shoot it.

Greenman Archery: Great Western War XIV Review

2011-10-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

Greenman Archery: Great Western War XIV Review

Gary and Diane's Wedding

2011-10-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

Two of our Paleoplanet friends just got married and I posted the photos here: Gary and Diane. Aimee and Sal were nice enough to carpool us up there to Ventura.

Alex also recently got married. Congrats all around.

Paleo Gathering Wrap Up

2011-09-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our monthly Paleoplanet gathering. In spite of it being a beautiful day, we had a slow turn-out. But one guy wanted to come so bad he rode his bike an hour and a half to get there. Then he wanted my help making a basket for a Boy Scout Badge. Then he worked on some leather work kerchief holders.

I worked on my 2nd beaded feather earring. But mostly I played with Jack, who is almost a year old. His mom was happy to share him with me. It is one week until his birthday.

Aimee was there with her sketchbook. Chris was busy figuring out how to dip arrows. Tom Mahr, John Scordo, David, and Guy were also there. Sal was away in Mexico visiting with family. Derrick and Ron both dropped by but didn't stay long. And Alex came on his motorcycle. The other Alex got married two weeks ago but he was there with his son doing archery.

Jack just learned how to walk. You should see him go.

Jack had on the cutest little moccasins. I want to make some. But I never seem to get around to it.
Sorry some of you couldn't make it. Hope to see you next month.

Special Archery Meeting

2011-06-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

Our archery group met Saturday so we could all visit with Tim Baker, one of the author's of the Bowyer's Bible Vol. 1-4. He used to be a group regular but left to pursue photography and other interests. But he's also my frisbee buddy and before anyone got him involved in making a new longbow, he was waving his bright pink disk around wanting me to come do some throws. How could I refuse?
But it was a hot day and I was quickly overheated, and the archers were clamoring to get his help with the tillering tree. George took my place for a bit, then we all went back to our projects.

Anyway, I don't want to talk too much about it; mostly I want to share the photos.

Erick scrapes his first bow.

Badger makes a bowstring with a string board.

Barbara took this photo of me weaving on my popsicle stick loom.

Tim Baker

Sal and Guy work on projects.

Barbara and Ken's son needs a nap after all the excitement.

Spear chucking Women

2011-06-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

Some people opted out of the group photo, so this is only about 3/4 of the people that came on Sunday.

On Sat. I got to teach my friends Rick and Lynn how to use an atlatl. Rick made up a little ditty on the spot about how he loved spear chucking women.

Then on Sunday we had our usual monthly Paleoplanet gathering in Pasadena and I got to show my friend Marianne how to use an atlatl. And I'm getting better too. Two days of practice in a row really helped. My fletching is coming all undone so I had to re-tie it and re-glue it with Superglue, and it still came off again. I'm hard on feathers, that's for sure. The fletching tape failed completely.

I also shot my bow and arrows and did pretty good until my arms started to get tired. Then I couldn't aim anymore and gave it up for the day. We had a great turn-out even though it was Father's Day. I got to see Derrick and his new baby, and Ken and Barbara were there with baby Jack. Lots of people were there that I didn't know. Mike was there with a woman spinner. My friend Tessa just got back from England so her and her mom came to work on bows.

Guy finished his bow and got to shoot it for the first time. Now comes the fun part of decorating it, adding a handle and putting on a finish.

We had people spinning, knitting, bowmaking, woodworking, log splitting, and spear chucking all day.
Happy times.

Derrick with a longbow

Ayana and son.

Mario's tiny arrows

What a great way to celebrate Father's Day

One of Mario's sons shows off his shell necklace.

Mike works on spinning

Our two archery babies

Guy shoots his new bow for the first time

Two spinners

Marianne tries the atlatl

Spear Chick

Lynn gives the atlatl a try

You never know when you might have to protect yourself from a wooly mammoth

Archery Meeting Got Moved

2011-05-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

Ashton took this photo of my paleo juggling of rocks.

Making a leather quiver.

John working on a challenging bow.

Mario's boys found lots to keep them busy.

Sal and John figure out what to do next.

Sal working on a bow.

George trying to make a bow from a broom handle.

Archer

Time to go home

Barbara's son just waking up.

Guy working on his bow.

Saturday we went to the Paleoplanet gathering in Pasadena. It wasn't our usual day. We got bumped last Sunday because of the Pasadena marathon. Being on a different day we had different issues to contend with, like no parking. And there was an archery class going on on the target we usually use. But it didn't slow us down much. Even with a slow turn-out we still made bows. Mario brought his two boys, and they were a lot of fun. Mario showed off the leather bow sock that Iliana had made him. And he had an awesome netted bag that he'd made from cordage. He had put together a beautiful longbow with bone nocks.

Several people were scraping bows from osage and hickory and other woods.
I made 3 crocheted washcloths for Mario's family. I did some rock juggling. I visited with Aimee even though she was under the weather and sitting a safe distance from everyone. Baby Jack brought his parents. They got there late after swinging by the leather store to pick up leather for some bowyers.

Jim from the roving archers asked us all to write letters to the city and make sure that when the archery contract comes up for renewal they know we don't want to lose our range. Neighbors overlooking the range have bitterly complained for years that we are mucking up their backyard Arroyo Seco. I already wrote the rough draft of my letter. Just waiting for him to let us know where to send letters to before I type it up.

Next weekend is the open house art walk at Chris' place called PaleoArts down by San Diego. I'm looking forward to going to that.

Upcoming Chamberlain Ranch Shoot

2011-03-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

Tom Mills working on Guy's bow at the last Paleoplanet gathering.

Guy is getting ready for the Chamberlain Ranch Shoot, which means he's out on the patio too melting beeswax for archery. It keeps the bowstring supple and extends the life of it. He pours it into little containers and sells it in the archery booth. It's $1.00 for a one ounce container, which lasts a long time.
He's making stock arrows to sell at the event, but if you want to make sure he has the kind you need, it's better to order them in advance, that way you get to pick the colors of the cresting and feathers.
Unfortunately I won't be going this year. I'm staying home to take care of the cat that has colon issues and needs medicine twice a day.

You can see the beeswax in the basket.

Wallop

Chilly Day But We Worked on Bows Anyway

2011-02-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed our Paleoplanet gathering last Sunday. Baby Jack and Baby Quincy both brought their moms and dads. Quincy's mom brought red velvet cupcakes.

I got some help with my whittling from Tom Mahr. He said I could keep the book to finish my rooster that I'm carving out of a branch. He set me up with all the tools I need. Very generous of him.
Tom Mills came by for a little while, though he was pretty tired from his trip to Florida. Lots of new people dropped by to work on bows and ask questions. Here are some of the photos I took.

I ran into some of my SCA friends as well. They had a practice on the other range. We have a tourney on Sunday but with a 60% chance of rain forecast it may get postponed or canceled. We have arrows to deliver at that event so I hope the weather clears up.

Pasadena Archery is Today!

2010-12-26T08:23:00.000-08:00

Since our monthly gathering got rained out last Sunday, we are meeting today. It did pour last night, so it's going to be muddy. Tom Mills says the sun is out and come on down. So as soon as I eat some oatmeal and pack up my arrows, we'll be heading to the range. It's likely to be a slow turn-out being the day after Christmas and all, but we don't need a big group, just an enthusiastic one. See you out there.

Rained Out in Pasadena CA

2010-12-20T00:47:00.000-08:00

If you live in S. CA you'll know it's been raining raccoons and hedgehogs. So no archery meeting for us today. But 2 of our archery friends are coming over tomorrow I think. That is if they don't need to come in a kayak. The weather says even more rain is heading right for us.

The meeting is postponed until next Sunday as far as I know, but I doubt many will come the day after Christmas. They may have family obligations.

Our Next Gathering is This Sunday 12/19/2010

2010-12-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

It's not only our next gathering, it's our last gathering this year. So come wring the last ounce of goodness out of 2010 by learning to make a wooden bow or arrows with us out at the Pasadena Arroyo.

And if you can't make it out there, here's a post on using epoxy to glue on your own arrow tips so you can make new arrows, or fix broken tips. Greenman Archery: Gluing Arrow Tips with Epoxy.
Unless you are one of those perfect archers that never breaks off a tip.

How to Add Arrow Points With Epoxy by Guy Taylor

2010-12-11T11:58:00.000-08:00

Useful for making wood arrows and fixing wood arrows. You might want to follow his youtube stream.

Santiago Archery Range

2010-12-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

Guy and I made it out to the range in Santa Ana (Santiago) to shoot some arrows. Only I was shooting arrows and he was schmoozing. Then it got dark. He never got to shoot a single arrow. There were about a dozen people there. One guy named Frank was a great storyteller. Too great maybe because I'm still spooked out about the supposedly true story of a man in the country who would skin tourists and make tools out of their bones, and another story about an assassin whose weapon of choice was a knitting needle. Shudders. Glad it wasn't dark and we weren't camping.

That target they have is rather odd. One archer said it's made out of old carpeting and then painted. If I hit the target near the center, my arrows would just bounce off. Maybe that's why the other people were shooting at balloons.

I just found this article about the park. http://newsantaana.com/2010/02/15/2032/. The author doesn't say much about the archery range but it's obvious he wants to change the park so it's more suited to families. So if you are so inclined he lists information for any of you archers to speak up and say you don't want the archery range mucked with. And archery is a family sport even if the author, who is apparently Latino, sees no use for it. He makes one comment about the Lawn Bowling only being used by elderly white people. The comments are priceless.

Paleo Meeting Moved to Nov 28, 2010

2010-11-25T21:11:00.000-08:00

Paleoplanet is meeting in Pasadena on Sunday. Last weekend was our scheduled date but that got changed because the other club is using the whole range, including our work area. I hope we don't get rained out. I'm planning to go at this point.

My friend Ken won't make it. His baby is in the hospital and there is no way he's leaving that area. Or hopefully by Sunday they'll be back at home in their own beds. It is their first child and my heart goes out to them. Sure hope the Drs. figure out what is wrong pretty darn quick.

Sal at the Gene Foster Shoot

If you are going on Sunday, I'll see you out there (I hope).

Ikea Cave Man

2010-11-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

http://www.wimp.com/cavemanstyle/

Watch this guy make a fire with parts from Ikea.

Gene Foster Shoot Video

2010-11-19T18:41:00.000-08:00

I put the link just in case you can't see the embedded video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZnWBJluobE

Gene Foster Recap

2010-11-16T00:32:00.000-08:00

It's good to be home. I was pretty tired after the Gene Foster Traditional Archery Rendezvous. Seems I'm allergic to sleeping in a tent in 27 degree weather. So I never actually did any archery. I was too tired to be running around with pointy objects.

I was inspired however, and first thing this morning I went to the leather shop and got some leather to make a new quiver. My canvas quiver is rather an embarrassment and is falling apart after several years of use.

This event had everything I love about events and everything I hate.

On the plus side:

1. I met fun new people

2. I got to know old friends better

3. I got to meet my friend's new baby Jack

4. I got some exercise hiking over hill and dale

5. The weather was perfect during the day times

6. We had great food cooked in our campsite

7. I saw some amazing archery

8. My friends won some raffle prizes

9. There was a great jam session with banjo, guitar, flutes, and drums on Sat. night

10. Our booth earnings paid for our trip

On the minus side:

1. The drunken idiots that kicked us out of the clubhouse at 10 PM so they could shoot arrows indoors.

2. The member's only indoor bathroom and showers (don't invite guests unless they can use the facilities.

That's four days without a hot shower if anyone is counting).

3. Sore losers who got mad when their friend didn't win the best arrow design contest.

4. Freezing temperatures at night and nowhere to escape from them.

5. Charlie horses...why do I always get those when I'm camping.

6. Musical chairs. I got up to get my dinner in the clubhouse, and someone else pushed all my stuff aside and sat in my chair. My friend got up to get seconds and someone stole his chair entirely, even though his wife was sitting right next to it.

7. Another vendor was selling beaded earrings just like I was. Only hers were $2.00 a pair. And I hear she goes every year so people just assume they can buy her stuff for next to nothing.

8. I was so exhausted with all the packing, booth setting up, booth tearing down, re-packing, and unpacking, I was too tired to do much of anything else.

9. Old men telling tall tales. Did you know big foot was dropped here by aliens?

10. Cuts and bruises from setting up and tearing down camp.

Ah well, that's the best of it and the worst of it.
Would I go back to this event again? Probably not unless I buy an RV some day. It's just too far, too cold, and I didn't really feel welcome there. If I'm just going to meet with friends and shoot arrows, there are much closer venues to do that.

Gene Foster Shoot

2010-11-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

Soon we'll be off to the Gene Foster Shoot by Fresno. I hate packing the truck though. We never have enough space. And I'm never sure which projects I want to work on. Can't take everything. We just got a new tent so at least we should stay dry. I am taking the tools to work on my atlatl. At the last event we only stayed 24 hours so I didn't have time for any projects. The archery shoot and thrown weapons workshops took all my time.

Hopefully at the 4 day Gene Foster Shoot I'll get around to some of those projects.

Amazing Bowfishing from a Kayak

2010-11-01T17:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/yononindo#p/u/1/8g07TLllL8Y They've turned off the embedding so you'll have to follow the link if you want to see it.

Queen's Champion Archery Recap SCA

2010-10-31T10:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

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.

Photos from Paleoplanet last Sunday

2010-08-17T14:23:00.000-07:00

We had a record number of atlatls it seems, between Chris' collection and Tom's collection. I have many more photos posted here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/almostfamous/sets/72157624742487662/

I worked on beaded earrings and got 4 pairs made. I talked to George who just visited his family in Ireland. He was working on a new longbow.

Erick, who I first met at an SCA archery shoot showed up as well. He had cracked his bow, and Ken was measuring him for a new one. Erick is multi-talented. He plays the bagpipes too. I wish he'd brought them. So many of us are musicians, we really need a jam session where we are not making bows and arrows and tools.

It was a full day. It always takes me a day to recover after so much excitement.

Paleoplanet Member Gets Exposure on Etsy

2010-08-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

Handmade Portraits: Old School Tools from Etsy on Vimeo.

Friends from Paleoplanet told me about this guy who is on Etsy. Since I'm on both, I thought I'd get the word out about his life and video.

New Bowyers Gathering Paleoplanet OC Branch

2010-06-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings all. I'm announcing a new gathering.

I was going to call it the OC Chapter, but 'branch' seemed like an appropriate moniker if we are going to be making bows out of branches. This idea has been kicking around in my head for nearly a year, but it finally seemed like the time to launch it. For those of you who can't make it to Pasadena or who want to work on your bows in a group more than once a month, we are going to start a gathering at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley (Orange County) CA. It will be the first Sunday of each month, barring schedule conflicts, starting on August 1, 2010.

I'm hoping to have it half way between the street and the archery range. Those who want to shoot arrows can take the short hike to the range, and those with heavy benches, tools and rock to haul will be sprawled out under the shade trees outside of the range (since the range itself has almost no shade). Mile Square Park is a regional park so if you park inside it's going to cost you. Happily though, there is usually street parking, which is free. I've already got 6 or 7 people that said they'd come out and join us.

This group isn't to replace the Pasadena one in any way, but to spread the joy of primitive skills and make it available to more people.

I'm also hoping Marianne will merge her Stitch and Bitch group with us as well, since half the group seems to be going to the Paleoplanet gatherings already and she lives in Fountain Valley. That park also has 2 small lakes, and other things for families to do. The parking is better earlier in the day, so if you need to be close, come early. The range is free but every once in a while it's reserved for a private event by the SCA or boyscouts, so be flexible. It's not like all of us don't have many other things to do, right?

More details to follow as August approaches.

Bowyer's Bench

2010-06-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

Ever wish you could make your own bow for archery? Here is a bow bench my boyfriend just finished from some directions he found in an archery magazine. http://greenmanarchery.blogspot.com/2010/06/bow-bench-lives.html

You can make a bow without a bench, but you have so much more control with something that holds the stave while you shave the wood. If you poke around though his blog there are other photos of him making the bench.

Meeting Moved.

2010-05-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

The Paleoplanet meeting is this Sunday. It was supposed to be last Sunday but the range had a schedule conflict. If I was supposed to bring anyone anything please remind me. I'd like to finish my atlatl darts by then but I'm running out of time.

Making Atlatl Darts

2010-05-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

Our Paleoplanet meeting that was supposed to be today got moved to next Sunday because of a schedule conflict at the archery range. Even so I decided to work on my darts instead yesterday. I should work on them more today but I'm a little burned out on the project. It's taking me forever.

Atlatl Time

2010-05-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the Conejo Archers traditional shoot in Simi Valley. What perfect weather we had! We are so spoiled in S. California.

I met two atlatl makers named Chris and Cary. Coincidentally they also use the name Paleoarts. When I ferret out their business card from our many bins, I'll add their link. Cary lent me a fancy atlatl to test out. I didn't have much luck with it, but she's really good with it. I think you just have to try a bunch of styles and weights until you find one that works with your hand, arm, shoulder form of throwing.

I found that one of Tom Mill's atlatl's worked really well for me so I traced that one to make my own hopefully. It's going to go into the 'roundtoit' pile until I have more time. I'm taking today off just to unpack, do camping laundry, and get my banking into order because those bills keep coming whether I'm out of town or not.

After the dust settles, I need to finish my own atlatl darts.

On Friday I tried out atlatl's again for the first time in about five or six years. That first contest I only got an 8, but the next day I did it again and got 23, so I'm improving already. Go me!
Sunday I was manning the arrow booth so I missed not one but two atlatl contests. Ah well, I'll have to wait until the next Pasadena meet to try again.

Photos soon. I have to unbury my camera before I can download them.

Repost from my Fiber Arts Blog on Why Don't Men Knit

2010-04-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Recently another photographer invited me to join a survivalist group on Flickr called Self Reliance For Survival.
As I was contemplating about what appropriate photos I could add, I thought spinning would be a good one. Then I thought about a topic that kind of chaps my hide, so to speak.
Many times when I'm knitting or crocheting or doing other fiber arts, men will walk by and roll their eyes and say something like, "um, knitting, or hmpf quilting, my wife does that." And then they'll go back to working on their knife or their bow or their atlatl darts. Very few of the men say, "Wow, you can knit. Can you show me how?" I think it's happened once and I even remember the guy who said it.
And no, he wasn't gay. He's one of our best archers and teachers.

So what's the deal guys? Don't you realize that to be a true survivalist you need as many fiber skills as you can master? You can't always rely on a deer walking by so you can shoot it, and skin it to make clothing or shelter.

With knitting or crochet or weaving you can make coats, blankets, hats, socks, gloves, shelters, slings, bow socks, hammocks, and so much more. With quilting you can take old clothes, save the good bits and make new blankets and jackets and vests. If you are a big, brave, strong guy are you afraid people will think you are a pansy if you whip out the knitting?

In a bartering society, you might need things you don't know how to make, like butter or candles. You might need to trade for eggs, lye, coffee, or fence posts. If you know how to weave you can make things to trade like baskets, sunhats, mats, potholders. One guy I know made his own hat out of pussywillows.

I hope you men will rethink your attitude towards fiber arts. If you don't want to do them yourself, at least don't belittle the women in your life that do them. They deserve as much respect as a knifemaker or a bowyer. And for you few guys out there that do knit and weave maybe you can convince the other guys you know to give it a try.

Knitted Skull Cap

Crocheting a Raffia Hat

Small woven tapestry

Paleoplanet Members Meet for the April Gathering in Pasadena CA

2010-04-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

The April get together last Sunday was fabulous. Perfect weather, a medium sized turn-out so we weren't overcrowded, and a kite chasing a red tail hawk. Someone who found us on the Internet showed up. Her name is Kate and she got her first chance ever to shoot a bow from Steve aka Badger.

Kate and Badger

I worked on my Japanese braiding with the kit I bought at the SCA collegium a week ago. It's working, but the bobbins quickly got into a tangled mess and I'm sure there must be a better way.

When I got two frustrated with the Japanese braiding, I switched to needlepunch and worked on my moon and stars design. I freehand draw all my designs in pencil on the back of the fabric.

I taught Paige some embroidery stitches a month ago and I'll be darned if she didn't find some info on the Internet for blackwork and she's already doing a fancy border for her first SCA garb. Paleoplanet isn't affiliated with the SCA but we have some crossover from people who belong to both groups.

Close up of Paige's Embroidery Project

Michael got David going on some chainmail. And I worked on my needlepunch some too.

David working on chainmaile.

Michael working on a bow.

Aimee came a bit later and did some sketching and worked on some other projects. She brought some gourd canteens she'd made that were gorgeous.

Aimee's canteen gourds.

Aimee and Guy doing archery together.

There was a lot of bowmaking going on too. And some people got in some practice with slings. We are an eclectic bunch and there is always something new to do and learn.

Sal has helped many beginning bowyers.

Barbara was knitting a blue baby sweater. She's new to knitting so when she got a little lost on how to do the sleeves, she crocheted them instead. That's exactly why I try to get knitters to learn crochet and vice versa. The more skills the better, right?

Barbara designed this baby sweater.

I took photos. I'll add some here. I'd point you to the thread on http://paleoplanet.net/, but sadly, any link I put will just dump you on the top of the forum and you'd have to do some digging under the primitive bows thread to find them.

Can you believe we have this much fun for free? All you have to do is show up. If you plan to make a bow though, contact Tom Mills or Ken and get a list of what to bring to make your bow out of. We have some loaner tools, or you can bring your own spokeshave, drawknife, and sanding and scraping tools. Ken usually brings a tillering tree.

See you next month.

Bowyers Meet in Pasadena March 2010

2010-03-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we went to Pasadena once again to work on bows, arrows, knapping, atlatls and other primitive projects. Some of our members were off at Valley of Fire doing the atlatl competition, but we still had an amazing turn-out. Tim Baker was there for the first time in a long time, and he's my frisbee buddy so we had a great time throwing the disc around. Some of the kids joined in the game too.

Diane brought her honey Gary and her poodle Missy. I worked on embroidery and she worked on beads. Paige and Mike were there and I got Paige started on some embroidery. Wish I'd gotten some photos of that.

Guy and Roland busted up a toilet for knapping. Fondly termed Johnnystone or Johnstone, it's a free source of knapping material to learn on.

Sidney and James from the SCA came by. Sidney has a Martin Stick Bow just like mine so I lent James mine and the two of them went off and enjoyed the roving range together. Sidney used the arrows she got from Guy Taylor. Guy's blog is over in the side bar (Greenman Archery).

At the next gathering the Valley of Fire crusaders will no doubt show up with new atlatl's and stories of conquering the wooly mammoth. So if you missed us we'll be there on the third Sunday of next month unless instructed otherwise.

Diane and Missy

Roland and Guy making johnstone

Andrew shooting with a broken arm.

Mike working on a longbow.

Gary tuning a bow.

Lauren, Tom, and Jon talking shop.

Me enjoying the sunshine.

Knapper's Corner

2010-01-26T11:31:00.001-08:00

If you are interested in Knapping. this looks like a useful magazine. http://knapperscorner.com/

Paleoplanet Gathering Photos

2010-01-19T09:56:00.000-08:00

It turned out we had our gathering after all at the Arroyo Seco archery range. The rain didn't start until about 2 so up until then it was business as usual for us with people doing knapping, bow making, atlatl throwing, archery and some pretty cool stuff. I was the only one with a camera so here are some of the photos I took.

Postponement Possible

2010-01-15T13:33:00.000-08:00

It looks like Mr. Weather is not going to cooperate. Tom is talking about postponing the meeting until next Sunday. So before you drive out there be sure to check http://www.paleoplanet.net/ for the lastest info. Unless you live in Pasadena and it's no big deal to look out your window and see if it's raining.

Paleoplanet Meeting This Sunday

2010-01-14T10:29:00.000-08:00

We should have some great weather for this Sunday's meeting. We got a bit of rain mid week so that should green things up out there, wash the dust off the trees, and make everything more beautiful than it already is. So bring your bows out to build, or bring your flintknapping tool bucket, or your beads to sew onto your quiver. Come prepared with tools and questions. We do have a loaner tool bucket in blue, because no one can anticipate every tool they might need. Or if you have old tools you wouldn't mind adding to the bucket you can do that too. Label your stuff because at the end of the day we always end up with a few leftover tools or wood and no one knows who it belongs to. See you out there at the Arroyo Seco bridge.

Halcyon

2010-01-12T22:49:00.001-08:00

I want to live in a yurt. I don't know why, because I have no experience other than tent camping to compare it to. Can I buy an acre out in the country in Calif. and put a yurt on it? I'm not sure what to do about bathroom facilities. Solar shower and camping toilet? I can't believe I said toilet in my first blog post. Anyone have any land for sale in Halcyon CA?

Archery on My Birthday

2010-01-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

For my birhday I want to the Mile Square Park archery range. I was hoping some of our friends would be there, but alas, it was just us. So we shot until our arms were tired, and then went out for a soda and tacos. I can't believe that on such a gorgeous Sunday the range had very few people. And we were the only two doing traditional archery.

Making a Basket Quiver

2009-10-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

I really must try this. I don't have the supplies yet, and no money to get them at this moment. http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000065;p=0 This is one of the most beautiful basket quivers I have ever seen. I love all the different colors and textures in this. I also like how it comes to a point at the end. The other ones I've seen have a hard wood base in the shape of an oval or rectangle. A flat bottom has some advantages, but I'd love to try the pointed version.

Photos From Paleoplanet October 18, 2009

2009-10-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

I was so busy I didn't get to take a lot of photos. The dog's name is Biscuit and he was a total riot. I worked on my berimbau, and my atlatl darts. I never even got around to my beadwork.

Straightening the atlatl darts.

2009-10-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

Today I continued on with straightening the atlatl darts that I started yesterday at the Paleoplanet gathering. Usually the cane will start to sweat as it's heated up, and then you can bend it. I noticed it wasn't sweating no matter how long I held it over the Sterno can. Then I realized the last swirl of wind must have blown the flame out, because the can was cold. I figured that was a good time to take a break. My hands are still fatiqued from shaving the tough wood from off of the nodes.

Mississinewa 1812 and Paleoplanet

2009-10-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is our next Paleoplanet gathering in Pasadena. I'm looking forward to working on a berimbau, my atlatl darts, some beadwork, and learning more basketry techniques.

And to get in the mood, someone just sent me this video. I love the boy with the hoop, and of course the fire eater and the musicians.

August Paleoplanet Gathering

2009-08-19T01:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday we had perfect weather for our monthly archery gathering. Here are photos of Marianne and her daughter working on their first bows. She brought me peanut butter cookies too.
I worked on juggling and knitting and beading. Not exactly Paleo but that's the way the peanut butter cookie crumbles.

Making Quivers by Fayme Harper

2009-07-06T09:55:00.001-07:00

Saturday and Sunday we had a fellow over learning to make arrows. He's so happy about his new archery skills. He wants to make a leather quiver next. I was discussing different kinds of quivers with my boyfriend. He's made some great ones. I said leather is heavy and if you are doing archery on a roving course, every little ounce adds up as you are climbing over hill and dale with your bow, arrows, quiver, bracer, water bottle, and other gear.

Some light weight alternatives for quivers include yucca, basket, bamboo and canvas quivers. You have to decide if you want a back quiver or a side quiver. I find side quivers much easier because they fasten on with a belt and you don't have to lift them over your head and shoulders. Also you don't sweat as much as you do with leather strapped to your back. Just remember there are a lot of alternatives. And I know leather fringe on a quiver is very popular. But leather fringe is heavy. You can add plenty of other embellishments in lieu of leather fringe, like hanging beads, coins or talismans.

Yucca Quiver

Mini Quiver

Side quiver

Leather quiver

Also, if you've never looked down inside a quiver, most of them have some padding in the bottom to protect the arrows from hitting the bottom. That can be foam, fur, or stuffing of some type. It keeps the arrows from rattling around too.

Canvas Quiver

Fire Counter

2009-06-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

I just added a counter at the bottom. If you need a free counter there is a link for it at the bottom of the page. I thought fire was an appropriate look for a blog on primitive tools and archery. Where would we be without fire? Cold, that's where.

Atlatl darts

2009-06-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

I've decided to start making some atlatl equipment so I can join in on the fun. So when we were visiting friends in Silverado yesterday Guy spotted some cane that can work well for the long darts. We got home too late last night to do anything with them, but today I cut off all the excess branches with pruners, and cracked off the dried sheathing as best I could. Then I tied the whole bunch into a bundle to help it to dry more or less straight. I still have a long way to go but at least it's a start.

I've started carving two atlatls in the past. Who knows where they are now. So I need to keep an eye out for them or start a new one.

My Boyfriend the Fletcher

2009-06-02T17:26:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend's archery blog is here: http://greenmanarchery.blogspot.com/
He's always making arrows with new combinations of feathers and cresting and shafts. As soon as he delivers one set of arrows he gets orders for 3 more. I wish he made enough doing that so he could quit his day job. But CA prices are so high you practically need 3 jobs just to have a normal life. Not even a life of luxury, just a life of paying bills on time and fixing your car when it breaks.

I've made some arrows, but I don't have the patience to make 12 things that match. So I'll leave the arrowmaking to him. I do make them for myself.

Conejo Traditional Archery Shoot

2009-05-03T20:38:00.001-07:00

We just got back from the traditional archery shoot in Simi Valley. My little craft booth did fine. I don't know what I was so worried about. I took lots of photos that I'll be posting soon. Archery is truly a sport for both genders and all ages. The Conejo Archers put on a great event.

The face painting was a big hit too. A lot of the younger kids were volunteers and enjoyed some face painting fun to go with their jobs in the snack bar and on the archery range. We shoot at big foam animals and someone has to haul them all out there over many acres, set them all, up, and bring them back in later. So the younger volunteers helped with that too.

They had prizes for the best archers and a big raffle. They gave away a lot of smaller items and also 2 bows.

Our campsite was busy making bows, mending arrows, grilling sausages, consuming carnitas tacos, and having fun. We had a jam session Sat. night with a guitar, drums, a ukulele, and flutes.

Then we went to sleep in our tent with the buzzing snores of our fellow archers. Then everyone was up early to do the 2nd day of the shoot. Except for me and the other vendors. We went to set up our booths for the day.

This post is getting long enough so more later.

Conejo Shoot

2009-04-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Next weekend I'll be going to the Conejo archery event in Simi Valley. I may be vending there but I haven't heard back yet from the organizer. The event itself is up and over some pretty steep hills so my boyfriend tries to get me to stay in camp. And right now I'm pretty out of shape so I'm happy to comply. And sometimes it's a scorcher. This is maybe my fourth time there. I'm sure I could get through the course if I had to but it ruins his fun if he has to worry about me falling off a cliff all the time.

More Arrows

2009-04-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

Guy just finished two new sets of arrows and got them off in the mail. Another guy came by to get his 2 dozen arrows and ended up ordering 3 dozen more. Wow! There goes my social life. HAHA. It takes many hours to make a dozen arrows. Everything has to be done right and done 12 times over. The shape of the feathers, the trim on the shaft, the right tip, the right nock and so on. I've made a few dozen arrows myself and I find myself losing patience with it. So my hat is off to anyone that can make dozens of arrows.

Atlatl Husband and Wife

2009-03-19T00:47:00.000-07:00

David made this little video of Barbara and Ken (the newlyweds) learning to use an atlatl. Enjoy.

Tom is in the background shooting a bow he made.

March 17 Paleoplanet Gathering Photos

2009-03-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

We had a good time last Sunday out at the Pasadena Arroyo. It was a chilly overcast day and the sun only poked out it's smiling face a few times, but we were just happy it didn't rain. We were busy making bows, atlatl darts, beadwork, gourd water bottles, quivers and all those things we love to work on. This weekend many of us are going to the Sierras to an event called Springville and in a few weeks the atlatl throwers are off to an event in NV called Valley of Fire. So much to do, so little time.

Blacksmithing

2009-03-01T23:38:00.000-08:00

My friend David Brunetta is a sculptor that lives in Laguna Beach CA. We love going to his studio and making things when he has time. On this day my boyfriend was remaking 3 hatchets so he could use them to help with making bows and other woodcrafts. They had to cut the handles off, and then reheat the metal and make it the way they wanted it to be. Fascinating!

Bowyers Meet in Pasadena, CA

2009-02-16T15:03:00.000-08:00

The rain never showed up on Sunday to ruin our archery meeting, of which I was very thankful. I worked on a kokopelli leather patch for my new snake gourd quiver. My friend just got married and she was making a wooden spoon with the help of her husband.

My bf worked on his hickory bow and actually got it up on the tillering tree to make some measurements.

Jon even got the day off from his REI job so he could come to the meeting. I think he's missed the last 3 gatherings.

New arrows were everywhere. Mario's wife received the valentine's arrows that were auctioned off in the Paleoplanet.net auction. She was out shooting them right away.
It got pretty chilly by 4:30 so we packed it in and headed to dinner at my bf's mom's house.

I just found out there is a Pasadena in TX so I guess now I'll have to tag things Pasadena, CA.

Raffle to Send an Archer to Bulgaria

2009-02-09T12:42:00.001-08:00

Our archery group at http://www.paleoplanet.net is auctioning off cool things to raise money to send an archer to Bulgaria. My boyfriend donated 4 things so far. Once you get to Paleoplanet, scroll down to TRADE BLANKET and look for RAFFLE in the titles. His custom arrows went for $150. But he still has other items available. Other members are raffling off things too.

Knappers in Quartsite, AZ

2009-02-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

We spent the weekend in Quartzsite AZ. We located the knappers that have been out there for months making arrowheads and knapped blades and jewelry. We spent about $50 at that booth on chert for knapping. We also found some black obsidian at another booth for .50 a lb. and got some of that. And we also picked up some bloodstone jasper for when we get better at knapping.

We camped in the desert in the back of a truck. I'm afraid I had the wiggles and kept waking up. There are too many rocks on the ground for tent camping though.

I took lots of photos. I'll post the knapping ones here. If you want to see some more they are over here. If we had stayed there longer it would have been fun to paint some desertscapes. We left Friday night and had to be back on Sun. Anyway, I'll go load the photos.

Chert

2009-02-02T06:43:00.000-08:00

We went to Quartzsite AZ this weekend and who should we run into but our two good friends Sal and Aimee. And we bumped into them at exactly the same place that we saw them at last time we were in AZ.

While we were there we visited the knappers booth and picked up some chert for knapping. We also got some black obsidian and bloodstone from some other vendors. Our truck was a good deal heavier on the way home than when we left.

When I got home I went to get the fish food out of the freezer and saw the refrigerator door was ajar. That's right, we left the refrigerator open for 2 days while we were gone. Ugh.

New Arrows By Guy Taylor

2009-01-26T11:38:00.000-08:00

Some more wooden arrows to oogle over. http://greenmanarchery.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-arrows-out-door.html Pretty darn cool. They are so much more vibrant out in the sunlight. Photos have their limitations. Most of the arrows have been delivered to their new owners. The rest will be picked up shortly I hope.

Atlatls

2009-01-22T12:33:00.001-08:00

Our last meeting focused on atlatls and Tom gave me a piece of yew to carve into an atlatl. An atlatl is basically a primitive spear chucker used to throw 6 or 7 foot long darts. Some of our members are going to an atlatl festival in Vegas soon so they are all busy bees making lots of atlatl darts and trying them all out.

Archery Clan

2008-11-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping to start a monthly meeting for people that want to work on their arrow making, bow making, flint knapping and archery gear. We already go to one in Pasadena every month, but I thought we'd get a lot more done and stay focused if we had one two weeks after the other one. I wanted something in Orange County CA so I wouldn't have to drive all the way to Pasadena. It will probably be at El Dorado Park, though I'd prefer Mile Square Park because they don't have the $5 parking fee. Well, they do, but they have free street parking. There is no street parking at El Dorado. But most of the people who said they might come live closer to Long Beach, so I may get outvoted.
If Sig comes we can work on gourd art and spoon carving too. But he works in the medical field so his schedule is all over the place. He gave me a spoon carving tool and I can't wait to get some green wood to try it out on.

Also I hope David will come. He lives in Laguna Beach, so either location is closer for him that Pasadena. Of couse if you are reading this and live near Anaheim and think you want to learn these skills, leave me a comment so I can make sure you know when the meetings are.

Making arrows

2008-11-19T21:00:00.001-08:00

Our monthly Paleoplanet meeting got shifted to this Sunday because of conflicting events on the range. I had hoped to have some things finished to show to people this weekend, but the furniture rearranging, house cleaning, box sorting nightmare is taking much longer than I thought it would. I did get some new arrows started. They are painted and I added the cresting. Hopefully I'll get the finish put on them tomorrow so I can let it dry a day. There are six arrows and each one is different. So it's going to be both fun and challenging to pick out the feather colors.

2008-09-08T11:56:00.001-07:00

I just signed up for Tagfoot. http://ping.fm/lfV6m Come see all my links and comments and my wishlist.

2008-08-31T22:36:00.001-07:00

Want to join ping.fm too? Go to http://www.ping.fm.Use the code 'legendofping' and you could have the luxury of posting to all your blogs in one fell swoop like I do. Way more efficient than doing it one by one.

2008-08-31T22:34:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure what 'ping my default' means but I guess I'll find out when I hit send.

2008-08-28T13:40:00.001-07:00

The week sure went by quick. I had a lot more planned but didn't have the energy to do it. My hands are still sore from woodcarving, and so I've had to lay off the knitting and crocheting. I'm looking forward to the weekend. My daughter may visit. We'll see.

2008-08-27T10:09:00.001-07:00

Come view my Flickr photo stream. Over 3000 photos I've taken are waiting there for your pleasure. http://ping.fm/3TTAi

2008-08-27T09:54:00.001-07:00

I just signed up for Ping.fm to make social networking more effiecient.

Conejo Valley 3D Shoot

2008-02-12T15:44:00.000-08:00

Just last Sunday we went to the Canejo 3D Shoot at Tapo Campground. Here are some photos.

Paleo Pasedena Oct 2007

2007-10-24T12:44:00.001-07:00

The Pasedena gatherings are still going strong.

pottery

2007-10-24T12:28:00.001-07:00

We just did our first campfire pit firing out in the desert near Aberdeen, CA. About half the pieces blew up. The sturdy more primitive pieces and the beads I made fared the best.

Green Man Archery

2006-05-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

This is one of the build-along sites I helped put together. http://www.geocities.com/greenmanarchery/
It tells things like how to make arrows and has lots of photos on bowmaking.

Roadblocks

2006-05-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

I've started one long bow, and got the handle all shaped and everything, but when I went to tiller it the handle came flying off. The consensus was that it was clamped too tightly after gluing, squishing too much of the glue out. So that is a road block I have yet to overcome, but as I put 'making a longbow' on my to do list on 43things.com, I'm going to have to hang in there until I finish one.

Sunhat

2006-04-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

I had a great time.

Pasedena Workshop Today

2006-04-30T17:14:00.000-07:00

Paleo

2006-04-30T17:09:00.000-07:00

A place to explore the way our ancestors did things particularly focusing on archery, flintknapping, atlats, stone tools and survival skills.