The Armour Archive

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Kilkenny - I think you are right. It's not quite what I was going for. I will have to keep looking to see if I can find some acanthus design that I can use. This one was as close as I could find, so I gave it a shot.

Thanks,
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Heya Aaron! How are you? I hope you and your family are well! An acanthus design is what I had been looking for, but didn't find quite what I was looking for. This pattern was from a sheet set I found online, and then traced it on the leather. I can't imagine getting much sleep while using those she...

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The background is done with my super secret, historically accurate background tool. It's a nail setter - it does ONE frickin' bump at a time. But, I can fit it in the tiny spaces, and this texture does show up on a number of historic pieces. Once I get some more done, I will post pics to see what yo...

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Well, I don't know what I was thinking (and whatever it was, I regret thinking it). This design didn't look as "busy" (or unrecognizeable) on paper as it does on leather. I'm hoping once I get the background done that it will look better. I was going for the medieval-ish leafy flowery look...

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The stuff I got is from Royalwood LTD and is Irish waxed linen thread. I thought that might be pretty good stuff, so maybe I just need to go up to 3 ply. It's a shame, as I like sewing with the thinner stuff, and I like how it looks on the finished product. The look and feel of the linen is SO much ...

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I went back to the site I got it from, and it's listed like this: "2 ply waxed linen thread (cord)". Other sites just have it listed as "linen thread". How can you tell the difference? Is it possible that the stuff I have is thread, but 2 ply was just too thin? When it pulls apar...

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Is linen thread different than linen cord? I have some 2 ply linen cord that I bought to use as thread, but it does not take stress very well at all. I can snap it just by pulling on it.

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I will take this stuff. You have 9 yards total? If so, I will take all of it. Let me know how much shipping will be to 43213 and let me know the total, plus how you would like payment.

Thanks,
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The leather scissors are a nice thing to have. I bought them on sale for like $35, but even if I would have paid $50, I would not have regretted it for a second. Background texturers are almost a necessity, but I have never found much use for the other kinds of stamps. I prefer to trace my designs o...

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I wish I could still make them. I quit making maille a while back due to having some pretty painful arthritis in my wrist - probably caused by all the maille making I did. Plus, butted maille just doesn't sell well anymore and I chose not to make riveted. You could add a collar like that to an exist...

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I've made a few maille standards. I used a leather "collar" under the stand up part of the maille, and sewed the maille to that. You can also sew in (or velcro) padding inside the leather. You can use buckles and straps to close it all, or you can go with a slit that laces closed.

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Thomas, I would imagine the PDA could easily fit into a waxed tablet style case. Padding could probably be added as well to help keep it from bumping around. As for the insulin pump, I would have to see it and get the dimensions to know if there's a medieval case/pouch that would work for it. I'm cu...

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Thanks for all of the suggestions guys! Thank you also for your kind comments! Ya know, I hate to say it, but I kinda hope this art gallery thing works out. I've gotten burnt out on commissions, and will probably get burned out switching to an instock setup, because I will eventually get tired of ma...

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In my experience, drilling the holes leaves little bits of shredded leather around the holes, while using an awl produces clean holes. If the leather is thin enough, I always use an awl. But, with the thicker leather (like armour thickness), using an awl is prety darn hard work. In my opinion, the l...

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Those are all good ideas! I have a marking wheel, but never use it. I always use a ruler and mark the pieces that way. Then I usually lay the punched piece over the piece that will be sewn to it, and then transfer the marks. Very time consuming and sometimes a bit difficult to keep them lined up... ...

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Jess, Do you know if those are all leather, or are they a hard case with a leather cover? I think an all leather case would eventually start to sag, so I'm guessing those are hard sided with leather covers. An all leather one might not be too difficult to make, but covering an existing hard sided ca...

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It's so funny you mentioned that company. I've had pics from that site saved on my PC for months. I LOVE those bags! But, they look very complicated, especially since I don't have a leather sewing machine. A sewing machine would make it alot easier, and I'm thinking a handsewn version might look.......

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LOL!

Feel free to move it if you like. I just didn't want to make anybody mad.

Thanks!
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Michael, I am very touched by your comments. I appreciate it very much! I have to say that I don't think your work is plain at all. You do excellent work, and you should not sell YOURSELF short! I think most people who do a craft are pretty hard on themselves, but that may not be a bad thing. I thin...

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Guys, Your comments are VERY kind! Thank you! Kilkenny, that is indeed a great compliment, especially coming from you! I admire your work very much! Briefcases would look awesome with tooling, but I don't know how to make them. Maybe I could cover an existing one and do some tooling. Or desk sets......

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Thanks so much! I really like how these turn out - these and the wax tablet cases. They're pretty neat little pieces. I'm thinking of switching venues with these (or at least trying a new one before I switch). My brother keeps telling me I need to take some of my stuff to one of the local galleries ...

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I had a commission to make a water bottle holder in the style of a medieval document holder, and I just finished it up. This will end up being part of a "matching set", as I also made him a leather covered box and knife sheath with this same motif. The leather insert on this was supposed t...

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Thanks guys! All good suggestions!
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Thanks guys! The freezer trick worked perfectly! After a few minutes in the freezer, it popped right out. Now I will have to try the cupcake pan. That would be a good size to use for a small amount of wax.

Thanks again,
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Hey guys, I need to line something with melted beeswax, and I was wondering what to pour the extra into when I'm done. I tried pouring some in a plastic tupperware container, but it stuck to it. If I line the tupperware with waxed paper, will the hardened beeswax pop back out, or will it stick to th...

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No unfortunately I haven't. I think I may email him again and see if he has time to answer. I don't want to bug him, so I doubt I will email him more than one more time. Hopefully he will be able to answer..

I will be sure to post here if I get an answer back.

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That's a super generous offer Hal! However, I believe I sold this one - it was back in April, so I can't remember for sure if he bought it. If I happen to find out I still have it, I will let you know but I won't sell it to you for twice as much. If I have it and you still want to buy it, you're jus...

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bump..

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My daughter has a Sing Star game she would like to sell (titled "Sing Star Rocks"). It's only been played once or twice, and only has minor scratches on the disc from handling it. Comes with both microphones, plug thingy for the mics, game and manual. $49.99 new, asking $25 plus shipping Cat

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I just went back and re read his email to me, and I'm thinking he might actually be at Pennsic. He didn't say if he was going, but he asked me if I was in the SCA and if I was going. His name is Michael Fuller. Anyone recognize the name?

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DanNV, That's a good idea. I haven't had much luck with museums, but I can try. The language barrier might be a problem though. JeffJ, Thanks! That's what I wanted to know. I just needed to know if I was in the ballpark, or if I had some serious reworking to do. Once I get this tweaked, I may start ...

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ANybody have a date for this pouch from Novgorod? My cousin Marty is single and looking Well, if he would date a pouch, I can see why he's still single. Egfroth, I will wait a couple days to see if someone here happens to know, and if not I will email the guy back and ask him if he's had a chance t...

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Unfortunately, this is the only pic I have. It does look like a spiral, but I can't tell if it's one drawstring or two. I would think that using one drawstring, wound around in a spiral, might make it bind and be hard to open and close. I went with the double (and straight) drawstrings on this one b...

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Four purses, huh? But do you have a medieval fanny pack? All the stylin' shepherds are wearin' 'em...but ya gotta be a shepherd.

I wanted to make one, but I figured not too many people are portraying shepherds...

Thanks for the kind words!
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Here's a pic of the original..

Insanity...AKA poor design choosing skills...

"Document holder" water bottle carrier

Melted beeswax - what can I use for a mold?

FS: Sing Star PS2 game w/mics

Re: ANybody have a date for this pouch from Novgorod?