michaelsbagley

Oh don't worry about that. The amount I will be out of pocket is nothing to me in the grand scheme of things... With the car repairs I have had lately, it has just been a matter of available funds. How about we call it you buying the first round when ever we meet (if we hopefully meet up some day)!

Sorry about that. I meant to post about this the other day, but I haven't had time to get to a post office until today (and the spare funds to cover postage on the sets without a SAEs. They will go out today, so keep a weather eye out for them throughout next week!

Hey Adam, there is no solid yes or no answer to that question... On the whole, most re-enactment groups and events are okay with using cotton canvas over hemp canvas, so for most cases your answer would be yes (actually, there are no instances of in pirate re-enacting that I am aware of where it wouldn't be okay). Now, that said... Stuff that is made well, and from the correct materials does tend to garner more attention and garner greater praise. I haven't seen it in the pirate re-enacting community, and to be truthful, it does seem rare in the greater re-enacting community, but there are groups and/or events where correct materials matter more (and perhaps may even be mandated). So ultimately, the answer to your question lies in what you are going for, and if you plan to attend the more strict events/group functions, do you want to have to make a second bag later on. Or do you want to settle, and aim to stick to the more relaxed events (which really seems to be the majority anyways).

Ooops, meant to send that via private message...

I think I somewhat agree with you here... It doesn't seem to fit the image of the really well placed fops (going from the fashion plates and other paintings)... But it does seem to be more or less on par with what Desportes was wearing in that painting of him with the hunting dogs. Gorgeous outfit, thanks for sharing that Sterling.

Alchem is another source, that is significantly cheaper than Darkwood. I've compared the two, and while both are good... You really do get what you pay for with the Darkwood, their craftmanship is awesome! And I feel remiss for not mentioning the pub's own 1st Mate Matt and his company Baltimore Knife and Sword, whose craftmanship constantly impresses me.

If you wanted to spend a little more money... There is Darkwood Armory, they do good historical designs that are fencing ready. Popinjay (whose web site seems to be down) also has good stuff, and from what I recall, for cheaper prices... But with their web site being down, it is hard to say if they are still in business or not.

Rats! Good to hear from you again!!! There is a list of those from the Pub considering going in this post, but the master list has almost 60 names on it (which I can't fully share ). That said, real life tends to trim the list by around 30 to 40 percent (in my experience with most events).... Which still leaves us with likely almost 40 folks coming! So are you coming alone? Any chance you can drag young Chuckton with you? Or anyone else? It'll be great to see you again man!

Uhm, wow. There are no words to describe how awesome that work is.

I think this is the link you were thinking of M.A. d'Dogge. While a bit further out, there is also the Santa Maria pirate weekend, which is a great place for starting out, as it is open to re-enactors, and more entertainment focused pirates (although there is a preference for historical gear).

Cotton was certainly in use by the upper eschelons of society in this time frame, I have seen references of higher up officers using silks to have their "uniforms" made... Truth be told, I haven't researched officers much. What little I know would indicate that their outfits would relatively match the unit's, but be made of any custom materials the officer chose.

If there is anyone out there interested in buying one of these, I did find THIS ONE on eBay for $46. At that price it is a STEAL!!! It is very plain and not dyed, and very similar in size to the one I made. Let me tell you, it cost me at least that in just materials to make one, so I don't know how this person (whoever he or she may be) is selling this at that price!

Yep, most of the participants sleep on the ship. A few do the hotel thing, and there was one or two talking about staying at a local camp ground and commuting in daily, but like I said, most sleep on the decks of the ship. If you can make it, you will want to read this web page as it has most of the basic information, anything else you need to know, you can ask here, or email or private message me about. Would love it if you and/or your lady could make it up for this one! It was great hanging out with you in St. Augustine!

There are two guys I know considering driving from South Carolina, while their coming is still up in the air, by reason one needs to drive through North Carolina to get here from South Carolina.... So if you are genuinely interested, and if they are able to make it, perhaps a car-pool may help you make it? I would need to find out from those guys if they are coming or not, and if so put you in touch with them to sort out the details. Let me know if the possibility interests you.

Goats? Sheep? I somehow think that as amusing as some of the stories could be from including livestock in the mix would be... I don't see it happening... Unless we find a petting zoo willing to bring a small exhibit... On another note, and please keep in mind this information is not complete and will likely have a lot more added to it, I have started updating the "Battle Safety" web page. There is nothing there that is too out of the normal, but we are going to handle the boarding action a little differently. All the black powder stuff is the usual fare (although more needs to be added for completion). Also, if there are any additions anyone can think of, please let me know as work is killing me lately, and my mind isn't on this so any nudges or reminders would help. Any questions or wording you think needs to be cleaned up would be most welcome as well!

I think if we wait until the Santa Maria (I hope that won't be too late), it might be best to see who else we can talk to about it there... I think we might be able to talk a few more into it (if that won't be too late).

Currently I have no plans to make these to sell (for now).... Except for the slightly larger one to be donated to the auction for the Santa Maria, and the price for that will be determined by how well the auction goes. But just so you have an idea, THIS LINK takes you to the web page of someone who is selling these in a small size, I have searched a lot for these, and that link is to the one closest to the same size as the one I made above, and the cheapest price I could find, and it is $130! And also keep in mind it is also a little smaller! Larger ones tend to range $200 to $300 or more, I have seen them priced up to $1200 for very large ones.

Mark, Jennie and I met with Linda (the director of the Santa Maria) during the "Official" opening of the ship yesterday (the ship has been open a week or two now). Few more new details... For Friday night, those who wish, have been invited up to amuse/interact and entertain (mostly through photo opportunities) a reunion of a sorority. It'll be a mixed group of mostly more mature members of the sorority (sorry guys, there will be no current sorority members). We will need to aim to be at the conference hall for the "Treasure Island" themed reunion party at about 7:30, it is about a half hour drive from the ship. Someone will remain on the ship to welcome those who will be showing up after that. We should only be gone a couple of hours (or less). A local Sea Shanty band, The Hard Tackers will be performing at either the Sorority reunion Friday evening, OR at the ship during the day at some point during the weekend (or if we are lucky both). They have a MySpace page if you wish to check them out some more. (I've heard they have a Facebook page as well, but wasn't able to find that, but I did find the "John Schomburg" Facebook Fan page, and he is one of the main member of the Hard Tackers). We have also talked Linda into having the ship open from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM during this weekend (normal spring hours are only 12:0noon, until 5:00 PM), so we have more time to interact with the public. We are also looking at doing the auction a little differently this time. With the fees and such that eBay are charging, we are thinking of auctioning some of the items off at the ship (those that can't be shipped, or are too expensive to ship, and the smaller items), only using eBay for items we know have broader appeal and can be shipped more easily. We are hoping this will help get the money we are raising through the auction to the ship rather than lining the pockets of eBay Inc. So, please bring your pocket books, and have them stuffed with cash, as there will be some great items in the auction. I'm sure I am forgetting something(s), so either Mark will add more to this, or I'll post again in the next day or two when I remember them. There will also be some updates to the participants web site in the next few days or so, mostly about safety guidelines and stuff.

I'll try and take some pics of the inside tonight and post them tomorrow... Thanks for the compliments! No wooden stiffener Hawkyns,I used thicker leather for the end pieces (6-7 oz. for the body, and 8-9 oz. for the ends).

So over the last week or two, I slowly put together a leather portmanteau (I was taking my time, and have been busy with other things as well). I made a small one, as this was my first attempt, and I needed and wanted something to put all of my black powder cleaning and loading supplies in (they were busting my haversack at the seams ). The whole thing is about 5 to 6 inches in diameter, and about 15 inches long. Normally it would have a leather strap, but Diosa made this awesome inkle woven strap for me to use, and I thought it would make a much nicer and cooler strap. I am currently making a second small luggage size one (about 7 inches by 20 inches) that will be for the Santa Maria charity auction, and then I will be making the wife one big enough for her (which is larger yet ). It is made entirely from veg-tan leather and hand stitched with waxed hemp thread. I dyed it using the dye that Tandy Leather factory typically sells (I forget the brand name). The buckles are actually later period shoe buckles, but they are way too tight for the leather being as thick as it is, so they were kind of a mistake. The other thing I learned in making this first one, is that while the straps (that go all the way around the body) add a neat look and more strength to the thing, the extra effort was not worth it, so any future ones I make will have straps that attach at the front and bottom (and do not get sewn all the way around). Another picture And a more front on view

I'm hoping to convince Mikey to get a trailer hitch so that I can have both out at the same time. Mark After several long seconds of negotiation with the missus where I explained what I needed a trailer hitch for, she grudgingly agreed (whole-heartedly). We've already priced out the hitch and installation, so the Pyrate-mobile will be affixed with a towing hitch within the next few weeks (whether you buy the Black Sheep or not), so we'll be ready.

So much for express mail. They told me 4 days.(after the Easter holiday) My bad Gertie, I forgot to check the mail Friday, and they were in the box Saturday, so the tiem estimate was accurate. And boy your cards are awesome! All of the cards I have looked at are great!!! (For the record the sneak peak is one of the reasons I am okay with being the cat-herder for these things!) As soon as the last set rolls in Monday or Tuesday (or Wednesday at the latest), I will get them out.

At this moment, most of the cards are in. I am still waiting on Gertie's, but with international mail I expected that to take a bit longer, and then there is one other who got them sent a bit later... That I expect to show up at the same time as Gertie's. I am guessing that Cross bailed, as I have heard nothing more from him since his brief post, so I think he dropped in the post his withdrawal, and then never looked in on the thread again. So we do have only 9 sets of cards this round.