The Campfire Trail: September 28 - DIY Homestead - Nearly Forgotten Mountain Crafts

September 28, 2022

Day 362 of the Adventure

Today was spent collecting more video footage of Mountain Crafts in action. We've been creating a library of these videos which demonstrate useful, and sometimes nearly forgotten skills around the homestead. Earlier in our quest, we added blacksmithing and cornmeal grinding. Today we added a cooper making wooden buckets. A Weaver making woven rugs on a loom. Soap-making, some wood carving, pottery and candy making. Part of our purpose is to briefly demonstrate the craft but also show that these skills can be used for income or barter as well.

Personally, I enjoy watching the craftsmanship of these historic skills and trades. I suppose many of them have truly become obsolete. Still, they speak to the ingenuity of the past. For example, I'm not sure of the necessity of wooden buckets any more, but how awesome is it to see all of the patience and precision that goes into the crafting of a wooden bucket. Who knows, there may come a time again when costs or supply chain problems may make getting a modern bucket impossible. I guess then we'll know how important it is to have someone in our circle that can craft us a wooden bucket.

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “We don't value craftsmanship anymore! All we value is ruthless efficiency, and I say we deny our own humanity that way! Without appreciation for grace and beauty, there's no pleasure in creating things and no pleasure in having them! Our lives are made drearier, rather than richer! How can a person take pride in his work when skill and care are considered luxuries! We're not machines! We have a human need for craftsmanship!” ― Bill Watterson

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost on the Lake (Colombia/Sumatra blend)

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Mountain Craft

Pottery

Cornmeal Grinding

Blacksmithing

Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos

Building Gable Vents

Framing Roof Soffits

Shelley Painting Trim (Chicks in the Sticks video)