Mary Ostler

Rabid builder type that jumps from project to project. Loves woodturning, Medieval mechanisms, and everything that has moving parts. Gadgets, Clocks and Chemistry Rules! Shown a big red button labeled "Do Not Push ~ Danger", would have to be restrained from pushing said button.

I was asked how the cartoon was coming. The answer… Slowly!
I will be starting a whole new cartoon soon, as this first one was just to work out some pattern issues. The first problem being the lack of a middle section in the original painting., Thanks to a suggestion from Mistress Agnes, I have decided [...]

In 2009 an unlikely NY Times bestseller hit the shelves. Somewhere between Stephen King, Dean Koonst, & V.C. Andrews sat and unlikely novel. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Well it’s a year later and Quirk Books, out of the goodness of their Quirky hearts, have released on the unsuspecting public a prequel to the original book. Enter….

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies awn of the Dreadfuls

While researching  the Turkish Carpet Project, I found an interesting sub section of the carpet weavers. Turkmen Tent bands are straps that go around the outside of Yurt like dwellings. They are partially knotted just like Turkish carpets but with backgrounds of plain weave. The majority are symmetrical knots but…heres the kicker… The knots happen on the open upper [...]

Last minute commission came up the other day. I was requested to make a Niddy Noddy. Its a tool used to wind skeins of  yarn. I have made one before, but entirely turned.  The period images that are kicking around show a turned handle (usually with cross bracing) and curved boards that the yarn winds around. Since the person [...]

Tir Righ Investiture 2010 happened up in Kamloops (Shire of Ramsgaard) this year. There will be a post on the event in the next few days, but wanted to dump the plethora of pictures I took of the Court house now.
This site was a sight to see. The detail to woodworking through out the building [...]

JUst a quick post as I am headed out to an event.
I was requested (told really) that I make a plywood bowl for my aunt’s birthday.

This is the first plywood bowl I have made with an inner lip. I left the wall a little thick as I was worried about the laminations separating if I cut it [...]

I have been puzzeling over what the center elelment on the Holbein carpet should be. I think the problem I have had is I have no idea what the size I have to fill is. That means I have to start the cartoon. This may not end up being the final cartoon as I have [...]

Did some more experimenting with the Turkish rug project.
I was having trouble trying to get the same number of knots on the warp compared to the weft. I decided to tie the knot around doubled up warp threads. It worked very well as for the first time I have matching knot counts.

I also tried this [...]

. I have been a little busy and /or sick for the last little while. I do have stuff to post, but am waiting for some final finishing.
Sherbert the Entari is slowly chugging along. Its possible it will be done for investiture, but I am starting to doubt it.
I didn’t kill my Mulberry Tree over [...]

Day of Dance and A&S defender happened this weekend. A smallish, but fun event all told.

Milling masses gather
Lots of images after the jump.