Making Gourd Rattles

Today I wanted to design some gourd rattles.
Here is what I have done so far.

1. Take 3 clean bottle gourds and cut a hole in each end. I started the hole with a drill, then used a gourd saw to cut it. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask. I worked outside to have good ventilation.
2. Scrape all the seeds and membranes out of the gourds. 
3. Find a branch that feels good as a handle. I used eucalyptus from my yard. I like the way they look with the bark on and it is a lot less work.
4. Smooth the holes out. I used a Dremel with a sanding attachment.
5. Get the handles to fit as well as you can. Smooth out any imperfections in the wood with a file or sandpaper.
6. Find gravel to put inside the rattle. Don't forget to put it inside before attaching the handle.

Next time I'll figure out how to embellish my rattles. I'm thinking woodburning, beads and feathers. We'll see. 

Gourd Rattle 1

Gourd Rattle 2

Gourd Rattle Three

Holding the 3 gourd rattles.

Now I need to attach the handles.

More branches for the next time.

Paleoplanet and Al Sahid Info

Just a quick note to mention that the Paleoplanet meeting that would have been on Sunday has been postponed. The Pasadena Roving Archers are having an event that day and there won't be space for us this time.

Also, we are going to an Al Sahid SCA demo on Sunday in Apple Valley.  The bow making bench is going to be with us, so come on by. Contact me if you need more info.

Robin Hood hats for sale.

My newest arrows. I sold six already and have six left.

Conejo Shoot Photos 2013

It was another amazing Conejo Archers event last weekend. I thought I'd share some photos for those that missed it. Saturday was hot like summer, and Sunday was cool and breezy. Camping was great. We all went out for dinner on Friday night to Red's.

On Saturday night we had a bbq. We made steaks for the two of us and others cooked what they brought. Jack and I shared hot chocolate. Aimee brought a fancy cake with glazed strawberries. Yummy!

I don't see Benson and Lisa very often, and they were shooting with Sal's group, so it was great to have my booth right by some of the moving targets so I could watch everyone shoot.

An archer checks out Ken Villars' booth.

Good to see more girls shooting.

Darla catches a nap after a busy day.

Ken, John, Sal and Guy

Guy getting the camp organized.

Me on Saturday

Sunday was windbreaker weather. Aimee, Lisa, Benson and Sal head up to the range.

The outhouse moving target scenario was popular.

Aiming at the stegosaurus moving between the straw bales.

Benson and Sal shoot at the dinosaur.

Aimee and Lisa shoot at the moving mosquito.

Heath's amazing historic replica arrow.

Wicked arrowhead.

Heath discusses historic archery.

Jack helping with dad's archery business.

Japanese braid weaving is called Kumihimo.

Jack is tired. Time to go home.

The Kids Arrows Are Ready to Go

I finished some of the kid's arrows and sold the pink ones at Conejo. I bought more feathers at Conejo and today I'm finishing the last 12 arrows. I already glued the feathers on. I just have the tips to do, so I'll have them at Woodley Park. Remember, these are for small kid's from 3 to 8. Bigger kids use adult arrows.

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.

Arrows For a Friend

A friend of ours ordered these great arrows. I hope she wins a lot of trophies with them.


Arrows by Guy Taylor.

Teeny Tiny Bow and Arrow Set DIY

Source: slowrobot.com via Theodora on Pinterest

You know I have all these parts. I'm so tempted to do this.

Lots of New Bowyers in the Making

Ready to make bows from boards.

Gabriella finishes her first bow.

Guy explains the process.

Now to get everything all drawn out.

Oops, splinter.  Always keep a pair of tweezers handy when working on wood.

Bow horse and splinter removal

Yesterday we had a great turn out at the archery range. Four young ladies showed up to make bows. So Bill helped them out by donating boards, and Guy helped them lay out the lines and get started. Gabriella was there and she finished the bow she started 2 months ago. It looked fantastic but turned out too light for her draw. It will make a great present to someone with a weaker set of shoulders. She'll have to make a new bow for herself. Or cut off the tips to make the bow stiffer.  Guy helped her put together a bow string.

Terry was working on his bow, but he got a little heavy handed and dug in too deep.  I don't think his bow can be saved. It's a learning curve.

John Scordo brought a bow he made that was the most beautiful laminated bow I have ever seen. Hopefully I got a good photo of it so I can show you. It's hard shooting photos in the shade.  A lot of them don't come out. Somewhere my camera is buried in yesterday's tote bags.

Guy tests out John's bow.

John explains how he made it.

Ken and Barbara weren't there because she's just about ready to bring a new life into the world. It's too dicey to be that far from home in case that little thing called labor starts.  We wish the Villars family the best with their new arrival.

Lizard sunning itself on a rock.

Me in my wet bandana and sunhat.

Stalking a squirrel

 Gabriella finishing her longbow.

See you all next month.