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WoolleyMama Custom leatherwork and workshops

Getting close to finishing off a pair of leather covered Vike shields!
19/10/2026

Getting close to finishing off a pair of leather covered Vike shields!

So you do reenactment and your dog wants to be involved, but you want to avoid having a modern harness at the same time ...
09/10/2026

So you do reenactment and your dog wants to be involved, but you want to avoid having a modern harness at the same time - here's the solution! Harness and leash made from leather and avoiding the use of any buckles etc which not only works perfectly but also gives an 'authentic' look whilst at events. No colour applied to this one, it will be allowed to darken with daylight which will give it a lovely finish.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by Butser Ancient Farm equinox event today, particularly those who stood still l...
19/09/2026

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by Butser Ancient Farm equinox event today, particularly those who stood still long enough for me to lecture you about the most amazing bronze age zip pouch or to let their kids try on a helmet and grasp an axe and shield. Cheers!

Recently completed Vike scabbard! Been meaning to put these pics up but then getting distracted by life. Wool lined, pop...
26/08/2026

Recently completed Vike scabbard! Been meaning to put these pics up but then getting distracted by life. Wool lined, poplar core kept suitably slender and 1mm veg-tan leather outer and all evidence based as usual.

The chape is not from the correct time period as the blade

Smeggin' Nora, there's me on my hols in St Just and without warning Mr Bronze Age Swords only shows up and gets all kitt...
24/08/2026

Smeggin' Nora, there's me on my hols in St Just and without warning Mr Bronze Age Swords only shows up and gets all kitted up for a day fetching salt out the mine. Will he survive an honest day's work, or will he escape in the blue bus?! 😂

Over the years I've tried all manor of skiving knives and never got on with any of them. I did find one that suited me, ...
18/08/2026

Over the years I've tried all manor of skiving knives and never got on with any of them. I did find one that suited me, but the shape was wrong, and I kept reshaping it on the old tormek until it did what I wanted. However, the steel was awful and sharpening it was a right mare so I commissioned a good friend to make it properly and he even got the bevel how I wanted it. They work like a dream, so much so that I've realised that I also need a left handed version - time to save up!

Finally finished making something for myself - a Hallstatt salt-pack from the Bronze Age, absolutely perfect for naff al...
17/08/2026

Finally finished making something for myself - a Hallstatt salt-pack from the Bronze Age, absolutely perfect for naff all except carrying rock salt out of a mine some 3200 years ago.

There are a few of these remaining, all very similar but subtly different construction: a pack made from layered cowhide with two poles either side (I've used Hazel in the round), a carry strap which goes over your right shoulder and can be adjusted, and a stick attached to the upper part of the pack which goes over your left shoulder and is held in the hand - this way you can to the salt out once you've carried it from the mine.

I've stuck to as much accuracy as I can with the way it's been stitched and the tying of the thong and feel fairly sure that whoever made the one I've copied was also right handed. I have to admire the way that all the thong stitching has been kept flat, no twists at all even where it wraps around the frame, lovely detail and care must have been taken on these. On the original the upper panels don't have hair on them but I've chosen to keep it.

Things that haven't quite made sense yet: putting it all together was a faff for sure so there must be a more efficient method, lacing that thing through up to 4 layers of hide must have required some kind of tool or hardening of the tips, and the nice dangy thing on the pole which goes over the shoulder makes no sense to me - it doesn't seem to help with holding or retrieving the pole, so maybe some kind of adjustment.maybe someone out there knows and can enlighten me!

Things I'd change? Next time I'd go for a breed of cow which is slightly less modern 😂 that'll teach me to buy cowhide after a b**r or two as I went for the pretty one. Live and learn!

So if this bit goes here, then that bit can go there....which means this bit had to go there before that bit did. Hmmmph...
14/08/2026

So if this bit goes here, then that bit can go there....which means this bit had to go there before that bit did. Hmmmph......

Time to pull it all apart then and have another go! They weren't daft in the Bronze Age

Here's a teaser, this is going back to Bronze Age Swords for a final bit of work so all will be shown soon!For the curi...
06/08/2026

Here's a teaser, this is going back to Bronze Age Swords for a final bit of work so all will be shown soon!

For the curious - yes it is less than 1mm where it meets the handle, and yes the grain meets perfectly 😎

Preparation for a bit of bronze age goodness - cutting thong from 1mm. Doing it this way means I can get a nice long str...
05/08/2026

Preparation for a bit of bronze age goodness - cutting thong from 1mm. Doing it this way means I can get a nice long strip, and it also stops it being perfectly even in thickness which is exactly the effect I'm after

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