Atlatl and Antler

An atlatl is a spear thrower used by primitive people all over the world. It's currently enjoying a revival amongst archers, paleo afficiandos and history buffs.

Today I had my first try at sawing antler. I decided my atlatl was too short, so I was gifted a piece of antler to make it longer. I thought I was going to have to saw a bit off each end, but after one cut if felt good in my hand so I'm just going to go with it. I can always cut it down more later if it's too bulky.

San Marcos Area Art Potluck

Arrowheads knapped by Chris of Paleoarts

Last Saturday we drove down to San Marcos, CA to visit an open house held by my friend's art co-op.  In their group they have some potters, glassblowers, woodworkers and a flute maker. Chris makes primitive style tools like stone axes, arrowheads, atlatls, spears, and bone needles.  Him and his girlfriend Carrie did atlatl demos throughout the afternoon, and let people give it a try. Then we all had an amazing potluck. Then there was a fantastic raffle and a silent auction.

See the photos below.

Chris shows guests how to use an atlatl and dart

Bone needles made by Chris

Two glassblowers work on a project.

Teen tries out throwing pottery on a wheel.

Boomerangs and Atlats made by Chris from Paleoarts

Atlatl Carving

Yesterday I hit the jackpot at Art Supply Warehouse. They had many books on clearance ranging from .99 to $4.99.  I bought 20 books for just over $50. That's about $2.60 per book.  They are on wood carving, beadwork, sewing, and drawing.

Today I worked on the goddess atlatl I'm carving.  I got to use my new scraper tools and it's finally looking like I could finish the thing. We are going to see Chris at his art studio tomorrow, so that inspired me to work on my atlatl.  He makes beautiful and functional atlatls.  His art community is having an open house and potluck tomorrow so we are going to drive down there.  It's near San Diego, CA.  Looking forward to it.
Chris can be found at: http://paleoarts.net/

Well, That's Inconvenient

Yesterday I had to relearn how to do paper piecing for patchwork because the chatelaine requires teeny tiny triangles.  I had just about figured it all out and was making fairly consistant progress when my sewing machine started to lag.  Evidently something is wrong with the clutch. Even though I step on the pedal, something seems to be slipping, and the needle sometimes sews and sometimes doesn't. And I can't wind bobbins either. Sigh.  Now I wish I'd bought a new sewing machine like I'd started to a few months ago. Now I don't have the money to do it.

Tomorrow's Project

I am going to be at someone's house all day tomorrow. They will be doing their own thing and I'm supposed to be taking a project to work on. And I want to do quilting. Only I can't find the book I need, or the rotary cutter, or the mat.  I'm so frustrated. And I can't even get to the material because it's buried under a pile of bows (the wooden kind, not the hair kind).  So I guess I'm just going to be twiddling my thumbs tomorrow since it's midnight already.

Can a person die of frustration?

This is the panda shirt I made from a hand carved stamp for my oldest grandson.  But here it is on my youngest grandson since it's already too small for the 2 year old.  I promised the older one I'd make him a new panda shirt.