I'm a big fan of Making Your Own Stuff, because that's something I think we've sort of lost within the Pagan community. After all, it's pretty easy to just open a catalog or go to the local Wytchy Shoppe and just buy what we need -- and that's fine, but there's something very magical about creating your own tools by hand. If you live near Bakersfield, California, you might want to look into the Tehachapi Museum's flintknapping classes.
Taught by expert craftsman Gary Pickett, flintknapping is the process of making tools, weapons, and other items using just a hammerstone and a deer antler. The native tribes of the Telachapi Mountains used cryptocrystalline stones like obsidian and jasper and agate to make arrowheads and knives, as well as other tools. A flintknapper uses harder stones as a hammer to break off small pieces of these rocks, and then press an antler against the rock to break off small flakes and thinner slices.
Anyway, they have a class scheduled next month, but Pickett offers "knap-ins" on the first Sunday of every month at Hart Memorial Park near Bakersfield. Be sure to read the linked article for further details.
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Taught by expert craftsman Gary Pickett, flintknapping is the process of making tools, weapons, and other items using just a hammerstone and a deer antler. The native tribes of the Telachapi Mountains used cryptocrystalline stones like obsidian and jasper and agate to make arrowheads and knives, as well as other tools. A flintknapper uses harder stones as a hammer to break off small pieces of these rocks, and then press an antler against the rock to break off small flakes and thinner slices.
Anyway, they have a class scheduled next month, but Pickett offers "knap-ins" on the first Sunday of every month at Hart Memorial Park near Bakersfield. Be sure to read the linked article for further details.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Yet another reason I wish I lived in California, instead of the middle of Indiana.
Ariasna, don’t you realize you live fairly close to one of the largest flint fields in the Americas? Native Americans would travel many days via horseback or by foot to collect pieces of flint to make their knives, arrowheads, scrapers and other tools. All this right here in OHIO no less. Also since so many different nations came it was considered neutral, if not sacred, grounds.
If I remember correctly, there is a museum and recently a festival honoring flint and flintknapping. I am sure Patty has more info on this region.
OK I now step down off the soapbox.
Sorry, I tripped coming off the soapbox…..
The area I refer to is Flint Ridge, Ohio.
I now shall get off the soapbox again……
Oh my Goddess! Seriously, nothing ever happens around here. Its allways in the northern part of the state. Definitely got to look into this.
At least you’re in the States. In South Africa, especially where I live…finding classes like that is a difficult task. One of the many reasons why I value all of the information that Patti makes available for us.
Druid is right
Central Ohio has several sacred spaces. Flint Ridge offers events at their location. Details can be found here: http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/c01/index.shtml . Also to be found in this area are the earthworks (mounds): http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/c08/greatcircle.shtml . Having grown up in the area, I heard a lot about the Hopewell people. Very interesting stuff!