Crazy busy for Easter

   Getting the launch of the training session at the Mill organised has been a great deal of effort. I think I am paying for it. Work is coming in but I still have a back log. One of my commissions has caused me a great deal of aggravation but I believe I have resolved the issue. The work has been varied the last month. The Star Wars character piece, Darth Revan armour bridge, a strap for a Steam punk purse, a strap for a Radley bag, a repair to a pair of boot for a medieval reenactor and an order for a pair of slippers.

  Easter Bank Holiday weekend in the UK approaches. I have my pitch arranged for at Papplewick Pumping Station steaming days which are Sunday and Monday 20/21st April from 10.30am. Papplewick is an amazing place. High Victorian engineering at its best.

  The engines will be steaming and there will be a couple of traders besides myself, a chap doing some wood turning and not least Dave the Blacksmith bashing out Unicorn shoes. I think the model boat club will be there too. There is something for everyone in the family.

Click HERE for their website. See you there?

Papplewick Christmas Fair

   I was one of a select few craftsmen to be invited to attend the Christmas Fair at Papplewick Pumping Station. Click HERE for their website. There was David Gill the Blacksmith, Bob Newman the wood turner and me doing my leather work. Well, I would have done some leather work but it was perishing cold. The sun was so low in the sky, it being the day after the winter solstice, and the courtyard being surrounded by two story buildings and beyond that a big stand of trees which all led to a lack of direct sunshine. The wind was biting cold. I set up my gazebo but only put one side of it. Anymore and I would have a parachute loosely tethered to the ground. The one side gave a degree of shelter from the wind. I set up my new folding table and set out the goodies. Extra care was needed to make sure nothing would blow away in the gusts.

   11 0'clock came and gates were opened. Folks came in and went straight past me with hardly a glance. I discovered this was the choir that were performing at midday. Visitors came in but did not linger. Most were dressed in their finery for the concert. The volunteers of the Pumping Station came by to say hello which was very nice. Bob the wood turner was set up next to me. He was very organised. He had a trailer which was set up with a lathe, lights and a heater. It took him minutes to set up and pack up. Bob likes a chat so we kept each other company through the day.

Old and new knobs

I was recently given a seized up Singer 29 leather sewing machine. The wooden knob on the flywheel was broken. I knew a wood turner would be at the event so I took along the broken knob. It had split from end to end from drying out. Bob was only too pleased to make my a replacement. As he rightly said, doing something bring people in and it passes the time. The story of the knob gave Bob something to talk to the customer about and it demonstrated the cross over in skills.

The new knob fitted to the 29

 

   As the day warmed up and the wind dropped more people came to see the various performances. Those folks that had seen the performances then came to look at our stalls as did the performers themselves. Lots of the volunteers came by to say hello. I met some interesting folks. Lots of stories for folks to tell me. I found out that the model boat club was based at the pumping station. That gave me an idea to do up my A class yacht so I could sail it at the station. The A class is impressive in full sail.


   Ashley, the Director of the station, came by to see how we were all doing. I now have an open invitation for all the open days at the station for 2014. I can see Papplewick being a regular venue for me. It is a nice place and nice people. The event close at 4pm. Just as well, the Sun had set and with the sun went whatever heat it provided. Being out doors all day was fine. I was dressed for the day and the gazebo provided shelter from the wind.

   The steam engines were shutdown and were started to be cleaned. I packed up my pitch and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and with that my last event for 2013 was over. Time to take stock over the Christmas break. Having said that I was at The Identity Store in Matlock on Monday. Jackie made me a brew which came with a mince pie. Jackie left me to peruse the stock. I have a couple of commissions for which I need suitable pieces of leather. Jackie came up trumps as usual. Whilst chatting over the brew told that Jackie and Peter, The Identity Store, would like to do some joint events in 2014. We did a joint event at the Midlands Game Fair earlier in the year. Click HERE for the story.

Merry Christmas.
 

Isambard Kingdom Brunel !!

    It has been a bit strange since the weekend. I worked very hard to get ready for the Comicon in Birmingham followed the next weekend by a local event on Saturday in Ashby the which book ended by Steampunk events on the Friday and Saturday nights. Throw in a visit to suppliers, a quite pint with my Movember brothers and a drop in my friends shop to have a glass of bubbly to celebrate their 25 years  in their shoe in Swadlincote and I suppose it is no wonder I am a bit pooped. On Tuesday I was in London on a discovery mission about new technology to mix in with my traditional style pieces. I cannot say anymore about that except that it is very interesting.

   The Steampunk events were a hoot. The Saturday do was at Snibson Discovery Museum in Coalville. Click HERE for their website. It was not just a gathering but it also had several small performances and one grand performance. It was sort of a promenade performance as the audience moved for one tableau to the next. We were led to the theatre through the machine hall of the museum escorted by one of the miners [who as a day job explain the mining equipment to the visitors]. Many of the exhibits were wrapped up as if mothballed. The miners script went along the lines of the machines being of another age and our failure to understand how they worked or what they did. However they were preserved so they must have been important. It is difficult to relay the impact of the grand performance but I shall try. Snibson is a disused coal mine. The winding gear and many of workings and railway tracks are still present. It was a pitch black, cold November night outside as we were led from the theater were we had just experienced a performance relating to the memories contained the Cast Iron and how to extract those memories. As we made our way through external part of the Cast Iron memories interactive pieces, our way lined by braziers stoked up by the biting wind. We gathered in front of  a gantry which crossed the railway tracks. A young lady gave us two soprano operatic solos. Very powerful from one so small. Hanging from the gantry was a large screen. As the operatic element came to a close a gentleman on the other side of the gantry gave a spoken piece. As he delivered his oration a montage of images splashed onto the make shift screen. The oration was in form of a advertisement for an imagined company concern with future of power. Coal, history, power were all heaped into the performance. It sounded to me like a political manifesto being delivered. The climax of the oration was a real locomotive bursting through the screen. It was a very powerful piece. We were led through the darkness of the goods yard to the dimly lit museum. On entering the museum we were presented with a red pouch with contain something hard. On inspection it was a piece of coal. It was quite moving. With the museum to ourselves we took in the galleries and drifted back to the foyer where a second helping of food had appeared. A smashing three piece combo [organ, accordion and drums] were quietly playing traditional English country tunes in an up beat tempo. In side rooms there were exhibits of ray guns with the inventor along side to explain the up side and down sides of each piece. Next door was a several pieces from the museums collection of clothes. The pieces were corsets from the 18th and 19th century.
   I spotted a couple who looked vaguely familiar. Given that I went to an event were I fully expected to know no one at all it was a bit of a surprise to recognise a face. The couple turned out to be Cumbrian's we had met on a BMW motorcycle weekend twenty some years ago. They were attending another Steampunk event the next evening so I arrange to go to that as well and take my good lady along. An altogether splendid evening.

  The least said about the Saturday craft market the better. There had been a Steampunk event on all day at the Space centre Leicester. Click HERE for their website. We only attended the evening element. The rocket tower lent itself to a bunch to retro-futurists. There was performance poetry [John Cooper Clark's job is safe], a kind of musical hall witty banter and comedic songs element and a mentalist. In another space was a series of Victorian gaming tables, a type of shove ha'penny, bagatelle and pontoon. The event was collecting for the Movember men's health charity which had ended on the same day. Click HERE for the Movember website and find out what it is all about. The night end with a set from a Steampunk band "The men that will not be blamed for nothing". They were raucous, witty and odd in equal measure. Anyone that can do a tune about IKB [Isambard Kingdom Brunel] is okay with me.

Turn the sound up and click play.......



   We met our buddies, made some new buddies, had a few beers - Moore Beer in fact, an homage to the great Sir Patrick Moore and locally brewed by Belvoir Brewery and had a jolly good time was had by all.

Thanks you and God save the Queen.

MCM Comicon Birmingam - Day Two

   Day two was a later start but no less busy before the gates opened to the public. My costuming dressmaker, Belle Costumes, arrived with her Princess Leia, Queen Amadala, Valkyrie and Jawa costumes. I added my pieces to her outfits, Leia belt, Straps for the Valkyrie breast plate and the chain maille epaulette for the same costume. We also had to rearrange the table. The count down was given by the tannoy lady and the people flooded in once again. It was a different crowd from the Saturday but no less energetic. A number of visitor folks came to both days so they were greeted as "friends". The Valkyrie piece was something Fem451, my dressmaking friend's cosplay nom de plume, and I put together for the show. Fem451 made a medieval/Game of Thones style of dress and a breast plate modeled from a Victorian theatre prop. I made the plaited leather straps for the breast plate and a chain maille epaulette. It got a lot of comments and the piece drew people in to speak to me.

   Through that piece I got a number of contacts and hopefully a commission or two. The Savage Opress piece drew a lot of comments. I later discovered it is the only one in this country. The feed back on the overall impression and detailing was very good. It is comforting to know that a knowledgeable audience appreciates your work. More of Savage in another post.

   I donned my costume for the afternoon session. The wide belt supports my back very nicely. I might start wear the belt more often. I was chatting to a professional costume actor, as you do, he commented on my outfit and deemed it to be a Steampunk theme. So now I know. My winderbusse drew nearly as much attention as Savage Opress.

Mark, the bass player from the Steampunk band Birthrite dropped by. Click HERE for their website. I duly enrolled him the Ashby de la Zouch light Winderbusse yeomanry.





   
   Thanks to Simon and Jackie of the RPF for the invitation and for looking after me. Thanks to the lads and lasses of the RPF for making me feel at home over the weekend. The Judge Dredds for not taking me into custody. And lastly but not least my better half for putting up with comings and goings at all hours

MCM Comicon Birmingham - Day One.

   The folks flooded in and it never stopped from that moment onward. The was lots of positive energy in the air. The folks were very knowledgeable. I was pleased to see they appreciated the items on show.The two hits of the day were the Savage Opress costume, a recent completion for a customer, and my Winderbusse. A steampunk weaponised contraption.  Folks ebbed and flowed. Chats were had, enquiries made and business cards distributed.

   I took a stroll round the event as I was getting stiff just standing about. It amazing what was for sale. Sweet for Japan, self published comics, a myriad of collectibles and the celebrities autographing for a few quid. I made way back to the stand and took up duties again.





Imogen modelled my Steampunk epaulette. Imogen lives in Dudley and rocks the steampunk looks on daily basis

















This young gentleman posed with my winderbusse as a favour to me. I don't think he minded.










   The day continued in much the same way. One couple did look a bit lost. The couple were of pensionable age and came over to have a chat with me. They were amazed at this new world they had discovered. They had been at the Model Train exhibition which was also on at the NEC. They took a chance and stepped into the comicon world. They liked it. Lots of folks enjoying themselves without expenses of the anyone else. It was accessible to them because the was lot s film and TV references. The gamers and Japanese anime kids was a bit strange to them but they liked the atmosphere. It was not until the tonnoy lady announced the event was closing did the visitor numbers start to dwindle. In fact a few souls had to be herded out. We exhibitor tidied up and picked over the day during well deserved sit down. I got away at 6 pm which felt early. Back tomorrow for part deux.



 

MCM Comicon Birmingham - Day Minus one.

   Day minus one at Birmingham Comicon and Collectomania. I turned up at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday at 2.30 pm. Security directed me to a car park with a long queue of vans and cars. As luck would have it the chap I was to meet, Simon and his missus Jackie, were in the same queue. Again as luck would have it they was nearer the front of the queue than me. Given there was just two lines of vehicle I ran the car down to meet him. I was let into the queue....which was nice.We were directed the loading bays where bun fight commenced. If your are not on the list you are not coming in! was the gist of the security guards message. Jackie worked her magic and entry wrist bands were procured as were free parking passes. Gold star for Jackie's merit chart.

  Si and I bagged a heap of tables for our pitch. Si gets a call to say the bike has turned up. What bike? It is only the Lawmaster motorbike from the Judge Dredd movie. We gingerly unload it then had a bit of bother manoeuvring it. Too many cooks etc. I take charge...whats new.... I whizzed round and through the doors of the venue in a trice. Nothing broken, scratched or bent. It really i easier to to do on your own. To be fair it is quite a light bike if bulky. The three of us build the back drop for the set and position the bike and Dredd manikins. A few posters and graffiti are we are done.

   I set myself to setting up my area. It is not that big a job once we have decided where all the other exhibitors are going.



Before long the other exhibitors had arrived and unloaded there wares. Unbelievable models of space ships, amazing latex masks, brilliant costumed manikins and fantastic space helmets.

   I got home about 8 pm. I glass of wine with a late tea then bed...well eventually after in had made a number of labels.  A 5 am start. It is frosty outside. However I get sorted, shower, shave, breakfast and butties made and I am in my car for the run over to the NEC in good time. Everything is as we left it the previous evening. The lady on the tannoy system counts down to the opening to the public. The folks flood in.

   

Next Outing

   Here is your next chance to see, fondle and smell some of my work. Sir John Moore Foundation know their audience. There is a free glass of wine included in the admission price.

I hope to see you there!

Click HERE for Sir John Moore Foundation website

Phew! That was a day

   Well that was a day. After a potential rocky start when the copper sheet I had order was found not correctly cut to size the decent folks at Smiths Metals in Beeston re-cut replacements as I waited and were very apologetic. They made it better by providing a brew. They gave a very personal service. I will using them again. Click HERE for their website.I got away earlier than expected which was a bonus. The next stop was to drop the copper sheets to a polishing firm in Lye near Stourbridge in the West Midlands. The company shuts down at 1 pm on a Friday. I think that is a legacy of the old hours of working. Lye is in the heart of the Black Country. I like all the old factories and workshops but it is a pain to travel round. I made it with quarter of an hours to spare. When my business was completed the Dad of the firm introduced me to the sons business which is laser etching.

   I had my sandwiches in the car park. It was warm and sunny. "Very mild for the time of year" as they say. A railway line ran past the car park. Trains kept me company whilst I made a few phones calls and replied to emails. I took a punt and decided to visit a beekeeping suppliers that was sort of on the way home. I found the place fairly easily even though it was in the sticks or so I thought. Having bought a supply of bee candy I set off North for Solihull. In a matter in minutes I was in the hurly burly of Solihull. I had a look round Toys R Us for Nerf guns. Lots of cosplayers use Nerf guns so I figured I would do some research. I was sadly out of place in the creche that is Toys R Us Solihull. Solihull is right on the M42. Once leaving Toys R Us I was on the motorway heading home.

   I had five stops on my 150 mile journey round the English Midlands and achieved something at each stop. I very efficient day all in all.

   If you of the Tweeting persuasion you can find me on Twitter @diamondawl
 

The Midlands Game Fair

   The weekend of the Midland Game Fair was a long, long weekend. It took a lot of preparation. The Midland Game Fair is treated as one of the last major game event of calendar. The Great Wall Motor World Series Clay Shooting Final and the Great Wall Motor World Series Gundog Championship Final with Chudleys, the European Field Target Championship and the Countryman’s Weekly Champion of Champions in the Terrier and Lurcher events were all held despite the weather on Sunday. As usual is missed the Falconery, working dogs and the heavy horse. I spent all my time in the Knife tent.

   I got to the show ground at Weston Park at 7am on Saturday and managed to park right outside the tent that was to be my home for the next 48 hours without any drama. I was at the event supporting Jackie and Sarah from The Identity Store [click HERE for their website]. Sarah set up their stall along one wall of the tent. I had a table at the end of the run of stall. We had arranged that I would do a series of demonstrations and from that we would sell kits to make the things I had demonstrated. As soon as you do anything on a stall you get an audience. We hoped to gain from that draw. One kit was for a leather tooling set and the other was for a sheath for a knife.


  I started off by do a "Blue Peter" and making parts of the sheath kit to show the various steps. The kits contain a generous piece of leather, a pair of needles, thread, an awl, a pattern and instructions all for £15. The kits are available from the Identity Store. As Saturday progressed I had worked through the Blue Peter parts and was starting to end up a series of sheaths. Part of the demonstration was saddle stitch. However once I started a saddle stitch I had to complete the piece even if it was after the folks had dispersed. By Sunday I was finding different ways to finish the sheaths.

   The tooling kits were a bit different. For a start they are fairly expensive at nearly £50 and that is without any leather to tool. I really only had five to ten minutes to show the skills before folks wandered off. I set upon a tactic. If some poor beggar that would be standing near the bench, when the allotted time came round, I would have a chat with them then ask them their name and set about tooling a piece of leather with their initial letter. That would keep a couple of people at the bench. I would manage to demonstrate the techniques and as I said before as soon as you started doing something a crowd would appear. We also had some people that bought the kits because they had come that purpose in mind then I would show them a few basic techniques. It seemed to work well. I was encouraged when folks asked when the next demo would be and actually turned up at the agreed time.  

    We sold quite a few sheath kits and several tooling kits. I was able to press Diamond Awl. I did a few on the spot jobs, a hole in a belt and stitch or two in gun case. The jobs covered my lunch. I picked up a small bespoke job along the way. I was surprised how many of my business cards disappeared from my bench. I hope those folks are reading this post and drop me a line with a job.

   The time passed quite quickly. As I mentioned we were in the Knife tent. There were six stall holders selling knives of one sort or another. They covered the breath of the market. A couple of chaps from London were selling Indian made Damascus steel blade in a bowie or Indian style. Another chaps sold skinning knives. Another sold all kinds of blades from lock knives to collector bowie knives and a chap from Preston was selling fixed blade knives he had made. They were beautiful. He started with a steel bar, cut it to shape, ground it, polished it and made a handle. If I have more than £140 spare I am having one. The only trouble with him was that he makes his own sheaths for relaxation. He make really nice sheaths.....bugger.

   The weather on Sunday was a bit iffy. I had a lie in but was at the event by 7.15am. The gates for exhibitors closed at 7.30 as the event opened at 8am. 8am came and a flush of people came through. The early bird and all that. I had a nice chat with a young farmer and his girl. 8am really was a lie-in for him. I did not get his name but I wish him well. It was steady all day but quieter than Saturday. Rain was forecast and at 4pm will got a hours worth of downpour. The game was declared and will all started to pack up.

   I managed to do some market researc on my tack. In essence folks really liked it and most of them understood the cost but the reality was that the stuff from the Middle and Far East made in webbing was easy to look after, just chuck it inthe washer, and was cheap. The same old story really. My only let down was not getting to the chap that was selling Pith helmets in time. He was rained off early....doh!  
 
        

Events for September

  It has been a couple of very busy weeks. My holiday did not really materialise as I had to intervene to make sure a certain job got finished and delivered. I suppose that is the leather workers lot. I have had interesting conversation with several people about collaborations. I cannot say anything about them in case I jinx it.

   I went to vintage fair on the 26th. I met a very interesting fellow and picked up a few of lovely objects to embellish one of my current work in progress. I should have that piece completed this week along with the two repair jobs sitting on my work bench.

   I am just in the process of arranging a joint outing with a leather supplier to the Midland Game Fair which is to be held Weston Park on the weekend of the 14/15th September. Click HERE for the event website. I will be doing demonstrations of leather carving and stitching in conjunction with The Identity Store. Click HERE for their website.

Draycott in the Clay Summer Show

   Summer fairs are something of a lottery in the British summertime as the weather holds the key to the visitor numbers. The weather has been mixed in the week leading up to the show. I had committed to the show so I went. I was at the show ground at 10am, a nice civilised time of a Sunday morning, and was directed to my pitch. The avenue of trades was was laid at very well and the pitches were mire generously sized than other shows. My pitch was facing a roped off area. It was not until later did I find out that this where the tug-o-war competition was to be held.

   I said hello to my stall holder neighbours for the day. We all set out out stalls with one eye on the skys. I was ready by the appointed time and dropped my car off to the trades car park. The walk back to the stall was the most I saw of the show all day. 11 0'clock the gates opened and folks drifted in. The tug-o-war-ist organised themselves and commenced the competition. There was a lot of shouting and grunting as the competition wound its course. Apparently this event was part of an international tug-o-war league.

   Folks had their "leather" stories they wanted to share with me. Enquires were made and cards taken. That is part of what the show is about. A couple of people sought me out which bodes well. The Denna costume created lots comments. It quite surprising the range of ideas folks have about the piece. I dressed costume with my sword and buckler. One young lad must have come by to look at the sword a dozen times. With his Dad's permission I let the lad hold it. I showed him the "at ease" and "attention" positions. he could hardly hold it up. The sword is a basket guard cavalry sabre so it can only be carried and used in one hand. It turned out to be a bit heavy for him but it made his day all the same.

    About 2pm the sky became dark and the rain started to fall. A heavy drizzle to begin with and then it pelted down. Despite the rain the tractors and vintage cars had their parade. The heavy horse presentation were made but half hour of heavy rain and the show was effectively over. The Welsh man giving a demonstration of working dog using Eygptian running ducks in the main ring was entertaining but he could not save the show. The visitors ran for their cars. I just sat it out. The rain did abate but its dastardly work was done. I left the stall up to dry in the wind. In the end it went away dry.

   All packed away for 4pm. I took a trip to the beer tent for a pint and a sandwich. Then wandered down the far end of the beer tent where a steel band was playing. They played all day as backround music when there was no event in the main ring. They were great. Next door to the band but outside the beer tent was a toss the wool sack event. The game is simple, a hession sack is filled with wool. You have a pitch fork and there is a bar to throw the sack over. This look like a game for the locals. In truth, besides me, I think it was only the locals left. As the bar got higher the fancied players started to join the competition. Eventualy youth and bulk won the day. And that was my day out. A nice event spoiled by the weather.

Ashby Show

   Ashby Show [Click HERE for website] was a big deal for me. It was the first full scale agricultural show I had attended as a trade exhibitor. I had been on the other side of the counter many times. I had been fretting about the weather. For a week before the show the weather had been amazing, hot and sunny, just as a summer should be. I was concerned the weather might break on or before the show. I was at the show ground at 7am. It was grey and we, my fellow traders, felt a couple of spots of rain. We set up, optimistic that the weather gods would be kind to us. As the morning gave way to the afternoon the sun came on in full effect. It was glorious summer's day in England.

   The horse riding event were held early in the morning so they were pleased with the relative cool weather. It took me ages to get set up. As they say work expands into the time available. I usually get set up in 45 minutes at the market. It took me over an hour. My pitch was on the main avenue running between the public car park and the show ring. My stall neighbours was Lester who made horse inspired jewellery on one side and on the other side a pair of brothers, Geoff and Ben, who sold knives. All very complimentary trades. I like to think that was arranged by the show organisers. I was set up before the gates opened although there were some very early starters.

 

   I nipped off and got the bacon butty and a brew. I sat in my fold-up chair and ate them in peace for a few minutes. Just as I wiped the flour off my face the fun began. I was on my feet all day. There was a steady stream of browsers, questions, folks reminiscing about bygone skills, stories of lost loves and working in leather. One chap asked if I was mending things today. Yes was the answer. He whipped off his belt because it needed a rivet resetting. His missus was a bit put out at his actions but this happens to me all the time at the market. He was an interesting chap. I had a chat with the knife brothers. They asked about a sheath for a 14" butchers knife. So just for something to do I made them one. I knew if I started making something it would draw a crowd. The brothers were chuffed with the result. I let them have the sheath. Their knives need sheaths they are wickedly sharp.

  One chap was very interested in the stitching leather together. After a minute or two of disconnected questions I stopped him. I got two small pieces of leather and showed him the process; edge, mark, prick, stitch and burnish. He was fascinated. I gave him the piece and he went any way delighted with his "gift". I like an enthusiast.

   The Denna piece, on the dummy on the left of the stall, drew comments and enquiries all day. I even got one of the girls to try the gorget on. She was a LARPer [Live Action Role Player] so she liked dressing up. The table was arranged from left to right as re-enactors/costumes, tack, bags/cases, belts and the Cedar blocks on the end. At the back I had a couple of hides and on the left I had a belt lengths of hide. I don't make belts a spec. I like folks to pick the leather for the belt from the strips of hide. I think it adds something to buying a bespoke belt.

   Hazel came along to help me with the day. Hazel had sense to turn up a a civilised time. Hazel kept me going but did manage to see all of the show. I managed to see the car stand directly opposite me across the avenue and the quick scan over the vintage cars as I quickly walked to the loo and back.

   A number of familiar faces popped up on the other side of the counter. So a big thanks to them for the support. You know who you are. 

   Plenty of cards where taken and given out with a bit of luck commissions will arise from them. One chap, Ian, said he would see me the next afternoon, Monday. OK I though. 4pm Monday my phone goes off and it is Ian. He give me a commission, exactly as discussed. [Update the commission is completed]. I also went over to see the stunt rides but I just missed there show. I met them at their tent/stable/truck and had a good chat with them about tack and horses. I did just happen to have a few pieces of tack over my shoulder...as you do. It was a very full day. Hazel had brought some lunch but I did not get a break until 2pm and then had to eat on the run as folks were still coming by. I also met a very interesting fellow from the Hedgelayer's Society. 6pm came and a flurry of activity saw the camp disappear into its respective vehicles. It went away quicker than it came out.

   So that was Ashby show done. I got a few ideas, some of which I have already put into action, and met a bunch of decent folk. I even picked up a few quid.

Shopping and Keeping Focused

  As a rule I do not like shopping. However shopping for leather is another story. I have several sources for my raw material. Which one I buy from is dependant on what I going to make. Some of the suppliers serve a particular market, other are more general in there coverage and one is very special.

   Thursday last I went to Northampton to my general supplier. Northampton was a major centre for the shoes making industry in times past. Industrial scale shoe making has been moved overseas like so many other manufacturing businesses however the design and development departments of many famous name shoe makers are still based in the town. I had a chat with the owner. I had brought swatches as references for the items I was to make. This kept me focused as I could easily spend all my money buying interesting leather. The shops has two parts. One part is out warehouse which is racked out of one side to hold hundreds of rolls of leather of every conceivable colour, weight and finish. Under the packaging desks, on the other side of room are more more racks but this area has all the high quality leather which are stored flat. It was from these racks I got a bridle shoulder. This is for my exhibition pieces of bridles and halters. I also got a very nice piece for one of my commissions.

   The other part of the site is "The Shed". This is a more casual affair. More racks on the walls but also pallets on the floor. Leather everywhere. Everything from Buffalo to lamb kips and again all kinds of finishes. The tricky bit is that no two hides are the same and the finishes can be a bit dodgy with blemishes here and there. However the hide is good quality, notwithstanding the blemishes, and it is cheaper. You just have to figure out how to cut the piece from the hide and work out the benefit of wastage versus cheapness. I found many decent hides I just had to focus on what was needed for my immediate needs.


  Then the fun begins. Estimating the size of the hide. You have to pay for all the hide even though it irregular in shape. Multiplying the square footage by the price. Then some chin scratching and sucking in wind. Maybe even a low whistle. Cost, counter cost. Eventually a shake of hands and one of the chaps wraps up the purchases. Everywhere I go they wrap the hides in brown paper.


  

Update on note to self

   Unfortunately I did not take any notice of my note about over indulging. It was quiet at the market on Saturday due to another event being held in the town. Just as well perhaps. It was not at my perkiest. Mr and Mrs B collected their belt and are thinking about another project in leather.

   On Sunday I went over to Hill Farm to their open day. The farmer is one of the stall holders at Castle Donington. I had a good chat with the girls about the horses and had a good look over their tack. It was a very hot day for working the horses. Storm drew the short straw and got the pull the harrow around for half and hour or so. It takes the fork lift the move the chain harrow but Storm drags it round the field quite easily.

  

An uncommonly good day out.

   After the heady excitement of Collectomania and the impending move into the new studio Hazel and I decided to have a little time together. Haze has been reading an excellent book called "Far from the sodding crowd" alternatively titled "More uncommonly British days out. It covers 45 uncommon days out in the UK. 

  


One of the days out was Papplewick Pumping Station which is half way between Nottingham and Mansfield. Click HERE for their website. The pumping station has a two majestic beam pumps in full working order. They were in steam the day we went.

You can roam round the engine room and get up close the working machinery. Equally as interesting is the boiler room that provide the steam for the engines. It has six Lancashire boilers! The whole station was constructed with the style, confidence and pride in Victorian municipal engineering.



 
  

 The station and environs have been lovingly restored to the height of its form glory. Just to make things perfect the local model boat club was running its models round the lake in the bright sunshine and the local model steam railway club were running rides behind miniture steam locomotive. On the day we were there you could take a tour round the the underground reservoir. Don't concern yourself it is dry as it is no longer used as a reservoir.

 

 
















    The station has a smithy which is run by David Gill. He is a farrier as well as a general Blacksmith. I had a long chat with him about his work and my work. We had a chat about his bellows too. Click HERE for David's website. When I was a just leaving school I fancied being a Farrier but 1970's Manchester did not have oppertunities a Farrier's apprentice.

  Don't tell everyone but I would recomend Papplewick Pumping Station for an uncommon day out. Check their website for the days it is in steam.

Collectomania Milton Keynes

  Collectomania at Milton Keynes was quite a day. Initially I had arranged to meet a chap at the event to discuss a piece but it turned into a day of much, much more. The MKG [Milton Keynes Garrison] let use their area to get changed and generally hang out with them for the day. A very decent bunch they are too. Thanks for the coffee Julia and Mark. Click HERE for the MKG website. The MKG have a stand for all three days of collectomania manning it with various Sci-fi characters; the ever popular Stormtroopers and Darth Vader, tribe of Klingons, imperial officers, Darth Maul and assorted Jedi Knights. If the next two days are as busy as today they will need wheelbarrows to move the collecting buckets.

  I took myself off for a stroll round the stadium. There was lots to see in terms of clubs and traders. I was not there to see the celebrities  Lots of people dressed up. All the ways from babies in prams in Ewoke costumes and a toddler in a pushchair dressed as Dewey from Family Guys complete with a big foam head, just to be clear the foam head was a prop not he kids natural state, through to grannies in Star Trek uniforms. I met a young lady wearing an outfit I have been trying and failing to make for some time. She was gracious enough to let me examine the costume. I hope I was discrete. I put faces to names I have "met" online. I even managed a quiet pint at the one of the bars. 

  It was also a good day for business with an order placed, several enquiries for pricing of pieces and new contacts made.

   Click HERE for the Collectomania at Milton Keynes website. Parking and admission is free. It was also a nice drive back along the iconic A5 in glorious sunshine.

Castle Donington Flyer

What it says on the flyer. See you there.

One Massive Catch up

   One masssive catch up. Here we have almost a years worth of posts from the old Diamond Awl website.

28.03.13 I have been a busy chap getting commissions ready from the last farmer's market and Spaceport. I have a little time to develop some new skills. See the blog entry on chain maille.


10.03.13 It was an early start to get the Seacombe, on the Wirral. I had not been to this sort of event before. The visitors were very interested in the Stars War props I took along. I can report Spaceport is a very interesting place. It even has a section of Wallace and Gromit replicas from "A Grand Day Out" for folks to climb on. It was a long day but I was made comfortable by the lads and lasses of the 99th Garrison and the Mint Imperials.
 










09.03.13 The farmer's market was a little quiet then it went mad all of a sudden. I took an order for a shoulder bag and finally sold a wrist bracer. The lady was very happy with the custom fit.
16.02.13 I have sorted out the blog so now I can add articles. It would be interesting to get some feedback. Also I have two events to go to in March. One the Castle Donington Farmer's Market and the other is Spaceport themed weekend. I am going to Spaceport just to show my wares rather than a market proper. The 99th Garrison and the Mint Imperials with be there as well as some of the actors that were inthe Star Wars Films.
   The Spaceport weekend is just a way of folk seeing my work but I hope it shows the visitors the lengths the players go to for authenticity. It won't hurt if folks ask me about what else I do. I am trying to put together a custume so I don't look to ordinary when surrounded by the troopers.


27.01.13 New entry in the blog. It is about the new City case I have just finished.


26.01.13 I am a clumsy oaf. I have damaged the portfolio area. I was uploading pictures for the latest bag. Here is a picture whilst I fix the gallery. The case has enough room for your city meeting essentials: Ipad or Nexus and holders for business card, mobile phone, your Mont Blanc pens and a clip for your keys. There no chance of anyone breaking this bag in anything like normal use. The corners are rivetted and the leather is heavy weight. Just to make it interesting instead of standard squares or D-rings to attach the strap I decided to use harness hooks. This a horse bridle technique. It has the side effect of making the strap super adjustable.

19.01.13 I have been working on chain maille to embelish the armour pieces I am developing. The bracelet was just a practice piece but it looks really good. It is heavy too! I might make some to order if asked. This one is 9inches [225mm] long. Have a look in Portfolio tag for a bigger picture.

14.01.13 The first of the farmer's market is done for this year. I was well dressed for the cold weather so the freezing weather did not bother me. I took a couple of orders for belts and got sone good feed back from the folks I did nthe Shire horse halter. More new goodies arrived inthe post during the week. Just having a practise working with them.

28.12.12 I have got the blog working again. No new posts as I just got it going a second ago. Computers eh!
 
28.12.12 The shop has to come down for a while. Email with your requests or requirements or just plain questions to me via the contact page..

08.12.12 It was bloomin' cold at Castle Donington Market. I was not in the sun this time.  There were lots of folks about and plenty of interest. I dressed the stall a bit differently. I think it was better. 

05.12.12 Just finished a satisfying job. A refurbishment of a halter for a shire horse. I had to make a new chin strap, repair broken stitching and generally clean, feed and polish the rig. I am used to ponies and the regular size of horse but these young Shires are something else.

02.12.12 Do not forget it is Castle Donnington farmer's market next Saturday between 9 and 1pm. It is a small but bustling market.  

01.12.12 Latest job is the repair and refurbishment of a halter for a Shire horse.

30.11.12 My latest commision, A Boba Fett ammo belt, has been received in Australia. Isn't the Internet a great thing.

15.11.12 Another commission out the door. Bracers this time for a Sith Lord.
11.11.12 Well..... the market stall went well. A morning sat in the sun with a bacon butty and tea having a chat to folks is never a bad thing. Have a look at the blog to find out what I thought about it. I made a very few bob for Movember.

07.11.12 This month has been renamed "Movember". It is about growing a moustashe to raise awareness and cash for Men's Health issues mainly prostrate cancer. Click HERE to go to my Mo bro pages and see what it is all about. A couple of us mo bros have joined together as a team. We call ourselvers the Moira Mo Bros. We are mo bros and we are for Moira. I am all for keeping it simple. Check out the website and give what you can, should you feel that way inclined. 

31.10.12 Its offical I shall be at the Castle Donington Farmer Market on 10th November. Click HERE for the markets website.
23.10.12 It has been a busy couple of days. Saturday I went to the Walsall Leather museum. Click HERE for  their website. Some interesting characters working at the museum. One chap had worked there 70 years. The museum is one tannery building that was saved from the 60's planners. Next it was up to Stockport to talk discuss the next developments for Star Wars characters. Then today was a make up day. I made a buch of wrist straps. Check the shop out for the individual items. I finish them to length and with a fastener of choice to order and all for £8.50 + p&p!
  










14.10.12 I went to the National Ploughing Championships in Whittinton today. There was a lot to see. H and I were mainly interested in the horse drawn ploughing. It was a splendid day. Not too hot, not too cold and a big blue sky for most of the day. I could not help but cast an eye over the the tack even if was supposed to be a day off.


13.10.12 I got did not attend the Apple Fair as a stall holder but I did go to meet the folks that run the event. I have agreed to go on the next market which is 10th November. I now know what I need to do and what I need to get before the event.

01.10.12  Enquiries are starting to drop in on a regular basis. Folks imaginations are great. I would not have though of doing any of these things. Got to keep busy producing. The Apple Fair is approaching.   

26.09.12 Finish a rather nice mini rikki. I saw a young lass sporting a small low slung rucsack the other day and light bulb went off in the my head.

21.09.12 A busy day in the workshop. Check out the blog for info on the cross belt set.

16.09.12 I finally made myself a drum sling for my tenor side drum. I was going to do a black one then thought "hold up", why not make a set.

 15.09.12 I have yet another order for E-11 blaster holsters. Just as well I got some new 3mm black shoulder in.
12.09.12 The new website went live this evening. This site loads more quickly and has a blog and shop. The blog and shop were hard to operate on the other providers platform. Have a browse round the site. The shop is live so feel free to order one or more of everything.
07.09.12 A new client has taken delivery of their repaired handbag and adjusted bag strap. Check out the blog and facebook for the details.
01.09.12 I have had a couple of rush orders for E-11 blaster holsters. Delivery made on time. Rob at RS a happy chap.
14.08.12 I back from holiday. Two weeks the English Lake district. I picked up loads of metal work and leather. On my way out I delivered commissions for two clients. One was a Star Wars E-11  holster. The other a Trader's Money Apron. Have a look in Portfolio/ Bags for the apron.
27.07.12 I dropped off my commission . It down very well. Look in portfolio/belts for the latst item, a watch strap. I picked up a new commission which I finished in double quick time. I deliver it tommorrow. I made some new  contacts at the Manchester Expo.  Some interesting thing are being to come out of the meetings.
21.07.12 This weekend is the comic-con expo in Machester. I hope to hook up with a few folks. I also have to drop off my completed commission pieces. As soon as they are dropped off I will post pictures on the Portfolio pages.
15.07.12 The Living History fair was washed out...doh! Went to the local country show intead. It was a lovely day out.
10.07.12 Check the gallery, FB and the blog  for pictures of pictures of Hazel's belt.
We are of to The Living History Fair this weekend. Check FB for details.
The shop is not ready yet but bank accounts and paypal are