Cluaran Heritage Project
Making space on Thursday the 1st of October is making space for a discussion about Climate change.
News of a showing of the “People’s Emergency Briefing” film, with discussion afterwards came in to WSC from a Forest Church contact.
Instead of meeting at the WSC workshop we will go to the film and join in the discussion. (At Dumfries Baptist Church centre)
We will be back in the Workshop on the 8th of October with blacksmithing and bench making being the two most popular activities.
Please meet at the workshop for safety briefing, equipment check, and so we know we have enough people!
If we are unable to row we can work on the oars, learn to hoist the sail on dry land, and feed Cluaran some boat soup.
Thursday evenings in September will see the return of “Making Space” evenings in the workshop.
Making Space is a time to get round to things. It is a club rather than taught workshops. It is also an opportunty for skills sharing.
Ongoing projects by WSC members include:
“Making Space” is about dropping in to give things a go. Simon is on hand to help, and there are found and recycled items to make things low cost.
First time is free, after that we ask for a donation to Wordsmith Crafts CIC to help cover costs.
Making managed.
More next week. Same time same place 7 till 9.
Thursday evenings until the 21st of May will continue to be “Making Space” in the workshop.
There has been a lot of tidying and sorting! (And lots still to do)
Ongoing projects include:
But “Making Space” is about dropping in to give things a go. Simon is on hand to help, and there are found and recycled items to make it low cost.
First time is free, after that we ask for a donation to Wordsmith Crafts CIC to help cover costs.
One more making space before Easter!
The 19th of March will be the last Thursday evening session of this block of Making spaces. They will return in April starting on the 16th of April.
May will see the summer show season begin, so our activity will be moving outdoors and around the Irish sea region. There is still time to get involved.
Here is a clip from a warm day in Kirkcudbright in 2022
Adventures await!
This is a curiosity rather than an experiment.
I made a pewter armband inspired by the Galloway hoard. The techniques I used are pretty similar and the dimensions are close. They are not exact and I’ve used a different metal – so as I say, not an experiment.
However, in use, metal fatigue set in and it eventually broke. This then resulted in a similar object to armband 15 of the Galloway hoard.
My armband broke roughly in the centre, but will need to be cut where the ribbon links. It has signs of metal fatigue on the edges due to use. It started as curved, but a couple of hammer blows will flatten it. They are unlikely to fracture the edges though, just as making the armband curved (after punching the design) did not fracture the edges.
So here is a gallery of the armband I made and wore, to compare with images from the NMS, especially of armband 15.
For more info on the original archaeology visit the NMS website! Or the museum itself for loads of awesome – although the hoard is doing a world tour from Kirkcudbright to Austrailia so I dont know if you will see armband 15
Like I say, just a curiosity, not an experiment!
Shove (or Holy) Tuesday is traditionally a time for clearing out the cupboards and having a party.
This fits with the seasons in the northern hemisphere. Summer is coming, but winter isn’t quite over yet. Some of us will be reflecting on this and use the evening to mark the preparation for a journey through lent, for others it is simply time to enjoy company, friendship, and food.
So we are having a pancake party at Simon and Kates. We will have some pancakes on the go (GF, Vegan, and full fat!) and some toppings, but please bring your own favourites to share too.
There will be space on the fire and the hob, as well as pans and skillets!
(Come to maker space on Thursday evenings if you want to see how they are forged)
To celebrate (and stock up before the long journey) the plan is to gather at 3 James Avenue (and Simon and Kates) for a Wordsmith Crafts – Cluaran/Quartz pancake party on Tuesday the 17th of February
19.00 onwards.
It is a bring and share thing, so clear out your cupboards and get together to feast!