When I first started talking about metalworking, I was standing in a Pennsic vendor’s tent looking at pretty shiny viking bits to hang from my brooches. I wanted to buy some, but more than that I wanted to make my own. Then I thought, what if I constructed a kit. One entire kit, completely by hand from head to toe.  I voiced the thought to my camp mate and she didn’t even blink, she just said, “we can do that.” I now wear her belt.

Every  effort I have ever made at creating something in the SCA has always been encouraged and assisted and I think that is one of the things that originally made me love it so much. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen (or been) the casual observer who is pulled in and next thing you know there is an impromptu lesson and they’re trying their hand at something they’ve never seen or done before.

My first attempt at making a hanging bit on my own was a needle case. I drilled out the center of dowel rods as I didn’t have access to bird bones and wood burned viking designs. Metal cases seemed so far out of reach I didn’t even consider them an option for the project.

I am excited now to start working on the things that initially inspired me.

I wanted to leave some of my goals here, the more immediate and the long term ones so that I can reference back to them

1. Set up a backyard forge

I’m so grateful that my husband is on board with playing with metal and will be assisting me in my journey. Our most immediate goal is to get a small forge/foundry set up. We plan to start with a modern tools and conveniences so we can get a feel for what we are doing before trying a fully period setup.

2.  Full period forge/foundry set up

As you may have guessed from the above notes, eventually I would like to get a full period forge/foundry set up. This seems simple enough but I worry about location as I have a small yard in the city.

3. Make Period Bellows

I feel that my carving and crafting  skills are going to play a large part in this journey and it is something that concerns me. I am going to have to practice and hone them as I would like to completely build a period style bellows to fan my forge.

6. Period Feast Kit

Like I mentioned above, my carving skills are going to need some work. However, I can’t get the idea of a period feast kit out of my head so it’s going on the list!

5. The Great Goal: Complete Viking Kit

As I said to my Laurel that Pennsic, I would like to completely make a kit. The basic pieces I ultimately would like to make (although I think I hate the idea of weaving) are:

• Veil
• Veilband
• Underdress
• Apron-Dress
• Brooches
• Hanging key
• Hanging hygene kit
• Bead String
• Ring
• Bracelets
• Belt
• Knife
  • Knife Chain
  • Knife Sheathe
• Leg Wraps
• Shoes
• Pouch

I may have also said to my laurel when I had this insane thought, this will probably take me at least 20 years. (I assume the weaving will take at least 15 of those years. )

So there we have it. My first few thoughts and the beginning of a plan for my next steps and projects. I’m excited to get started!