On the bench- jewellry and crap steel...:-)

 Just a quick update on what is up to now: Arm ring from table cutlery...

 Another one from bronze...

 This one I found in the forest in a very strange manner: I followed two wild pigs into a holly thicket, and they just looked at me and began digging in the ground, looked at me again and went on their merry way... where they had dug, there was a junkheap of an old farmhouse, and there it was I found this piece of silver. Of course I had to punch a Celtic wild boar into it...

 Top to bottom: Three-layer laminate, Damascus, three layer laminate blades with reindeer antler, birchwood burr and bog oak from a mine in Witten.

...and a blacksmith´s knife from spring steel. That did not turn out too well....

First try in repoussé technique on Úlenklawe´s hilt

I had this old tableware in fine silver lying around not doing anything, so I figured I ´s just try out some jewellery work for Úlenkláwe´s hilt. Might not look the part, but it should be an owl ;-D. Still a lot of room for improvement (I should have annealed it once more, to prevent the beak from tearing).  But for starters, I like it.

Viking Bling;-)

 I guess it has happened.:-) I have fallen in love with Viking bling.

I got a bit of fur and a silver cup for the magic troll (you know, vikingsgángr...;-))

 And I have tried something new: Silverworking and jewellery. Certainly not as eloquent as the magic troll´s work, but I am still learning:-). This is a "shot spoon". Little archaeological evidence has been found concerning this valuable tool. But it is very practical to have on a re-enactment fair. Just imagine someone brings out the well-seasoned whisky and you have none;-).

 I made it from an old spoon. It was annealed and then drawn out to get deeper and rounder, and I forged a swan´s neck to hold the two-in two byzantine chain [edit]: This type of chain was also popular with the Pictish peoples abroad. This one is made from brass wire.

 Plus, I got the small Rus replica finished and tested it, which was a disappointment at best. Chopping antler dented the blade, and the hindmost part towards the handle is so soft it just so carves mild steel. Doh.

But overall, I like this new obsession;-).

On the lash-enchained;-)!

 This is a bracelet the person I love most in this life gave to me. And I daresay it means something...*ggg*

She´s got me on the lash!:-) And do I like it? This is an ancient Byzantine technique she employs in brass and steel wire. Look here for more info!

Jewellry forging tutorial on Saturday

 On Saturday morning I rode to the smithy to do some forging with Ulla. I got to know her on the "Imkerfest" in Sprockhövel, and she asked if I would teach her to make a fibula.

 Of course I would;-), and this is what came out. I forged the needle, the rest was some collaborative work.

 Then I tutored her forging a wall hanger. She did extremely well, and did it all by herself. We had some jokes, and some very good-natured talk in the progress. Another encounter I feel privileged to have made. I really like those people I get to meet these days, and my life is the richer for it.

 Ulla learning how to use the forge and building a fire. She did well at that, too. That the forge went out while doing the finishing work on the fibula was all my fault... that coal does not keep the fire very good, and I forgot to add some wood to sustain it.

Ah, yes, and some kids dropped by, too, and we forged this snake and a bottle opener.










It was lunchtime when all was said and done. Ulla really enjoyed it, and since she really loves to read fairy tales to children, she will work for the Bethaus also. I look foward to having her as a co-worker!