Women and Archery

I'm so thrilled that the Paleoplanet group, that used to be so anti-women, is now over it and teaching women and girls to make bows. And a lot more women and girls are coming out and digging in because of the exposure to the movie Hunger Games and the movie Brave that comes out in 2 days. I haven't heard a man in our group make a sexist remark about women making bows in a long time. And I see that as great progress.

January Paleoplanet Meeting is Moved To February

Guy makes a bow while David looks on.

Guy and Sal work on projects.

Guy's shave horse that he made proves to be useful indeed.

We welcome families.

I just found out our February Paleoplanet gathering on Sunday has been moved to March 4th because of a marathon, plus we are still having the regularly scheduled meeting the third Sunday of March.

Here are photos I took at the January gathering in Pasadena CA.

Bowyer's Bench

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.

Bowyers Meet in Pasadena March 2010

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.

Mississinewa 1812 and Paleoplanet

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.

Paleo Pasedena Oct 2007

The Pasedena gatherings are still going strong.