"I'm not dead yet!"
Still dealing with chemo, but fighting on.
Might I suggest a tax de-ductable gift to a children's cancer research hospital of your choice?
.
17 January 2006

Knocking off more dust and repainting new walls.
The shop has been moved to Oklahoma.
Coming in February, I'll be opening a Blacksmith Business.

11 January 2003

Knocking off some dust and repainting the walls.
I'll be adding a new section for plate armour pieces as well as putting the neck ties in their own.
Just got in another fresh printing of Knitting Steel since the holiday orders cleaned me out and I've got about half of the second volume plotted out.

 I'll be starting to outline Volume 2 of my how to make chainmail book series the first
week of November. If there was a topic or pattern not covered in the first that you want to
see, please send your suggestion on in.

 Got a few cosmetic changes done up. I'll be working on getting the pricelist crosslinked.
Knitting Steel's second print run is down to 4 copies so I'll be getting another print run ordered shortly.

 Quick update for those of you anticipating the book.
I'm down to scraping together the cash for the first printing. Thought I was going to have it this week, but I have one custom order that I'm waiting on that requires 400 anodized rings and I won't get paid until I can get them on their way here.
Worst case scenario is I order the complete first printing on March 22nd when I get paid.

 Busy, Busy, Busy...
"Knitting Steel" is undergoing the final proofing.
I have also acquired the chainmail.biz domain name and linked it here.
That is much easier to say on the phone when giving directions on how to find this place.
If you haven't changed your bookmarks from the old Micronet site, this would be a good time.

 At long last I have a working home computer again.
My operating system took a dive while trying to upgrade Internet Explorer
from Microsoft's web site and I've been working on getting it working
without losing any data. Fortunately I had some backups so all was not lost.
I'm going to get the site cleaned up and updated a bit and then finish recovering
my manuscript for "Knitting Steel."

 Busy, busy, busy. Thought I'd leave a note just before it starts up again.
Looks like the title of the maille how-to book is going to be "Knitting Steel".
Suggestions have trickled off and that is the best so far.
I got back the last of the critiques on the first draft, so this week I'll start adding the photos and drawings.
Right now I'm looking at April for pre-orders and the first print run.
When announced, I'll probably accept pre-orders for two weeks and then get the first run done up.

 The last of the Christmas rush orders are all completed and I have some time to do some more updating.
I have added a link to the outline of Amourer's Guide that I am compiling in my spare time. At the moment I am considering having it spiral bound so that it will lay flat. The publishing cost will be the final determinant though. Feel free to leave a comment or suggestion.
This week I'm working on a fur lined bikini and I hopefully I'll have the new digital camera ordered.

 Doing some reorganizing. I'm changing up the "uncut rings" page to be a supplies page. I'll leave some links to folks who sell pre-cut rings, but it is not commercially viable for me to purchase the metal and then sell for a reasonable fee due to outrageous UPS rates to Alaska.

 I've named and priced the new head piece.
The brass shipment finally arrived.
I have also started to compile a "How to" book on maille.
The current special is instruction on making the "grizzly" weave.

 Should have a couple new pictures up this weekend.
Had to make a couple price changes to reflect my current brass and copper cost.
All current orders will remain at the quoted price as they were received.

 In the process of making some cosmetic changes. Feel free to leave a comment in e-mail or the guestbook.
The shirts will be delayed a bit. Had a couple orders to fill and my new halter design didn't work out the way I planned.
This afternoon I'm doing up a design for a brass edged headpiece and this week I need to get a gauntlet done. More as it comes.

 I have entered the dress in the Alaska State Fair. Hopefully in a couple weeks I will be able to report on its placement.
The 14 ga hauberk is about 3/4 complete. Currently at the sleeveless vest stage. I'll probably add three more rows to the bottom so get it down below my belt before adding the sleeves. I'm taking a break this week and making the yoke for the 16 ga shirt right now.
I should also have a new halter top design posted the evening of the 26th.

 The new bolt cutters are here. I should have a 14 gauge and a 16 gauge hauberk completed in August.

 Before I forget to post it again...
I am offering a 15% discount on any one item ordered from this site for a photo of a clothing item purchased here being worn; to be placed in a customer gallery.

 Posted some new items and pictures.
I'm not really thrilled with the way most of the photos turned out, but until I get a new set these will at least give you a peek at what is to come.
I have a new halter design completed. When the new mannequin arrives, I'll debut it.
For those who have already asked, "Doris" (the mannequin in the ensemble photo) is a perky 36".

 A few cosmetic changes.
Had to adjust the Armored Tennis ball price. I forgot about the postal charge. You got a bargain Dan.
The dress page is awaiting a good picture; the hauberk page is awaiting my bolt cutters return.
Looks like the next interesting project is going to be a pair of men's boxer shorts.

 Added a printable order form to the pricelist.
I also made sure that the trademark and copyright notice was on each page to avoid possible confusion.
The new pictures did not turn out well enough to post. Looks like the film got stretched in a few places. I'll get them up as soon as I make a couple new pieces to photograph and scan. 

 Anyone signing up thru one of the Paypal links on this site will be credited with the amount Paypal sends me at that time. Paypal's current sign up bonus is $5.00.
The guestbook site seems to have taken a dive while I was gone. Guess I'll have to find a new one.
New craft link posted and added some code to join the Armourers Ring.

 Thanks to the folks who modeled at the Three Barons Renaissance Fair while I was gone.
I'm back from four weeks of training in Korea. While there I passed out a few cards, made a tourist trip to the DMZ, and walked around the conference table so I can say that I have been "in" North Korea.
The new photos are at the developer so I should have them scanned and posted by the end of the week.
I was also informed of another web site using one of my images. I guess I'll send a polite "naughty, naughty" letter to them Monday after I confirm this.

 All current orders are in the mail.
I'm heading out of town on a business trip. New orders are welcome starting the 23rd of June, but feel free to send any questions as I should still have e-mail connectivity.
If you are in the Anchorage Area, some items will be available at Subterranea on 4th Ave. next to the 4th Avenue Theatre. They will also be available in the Subterranea booth at the Three Barons Renaissance Fair June 3-4 and 10-11.
The aluminum dress has been completed and will be available. Come check it out.
New photos will be up the 1st week of July.
Thanks for your patience and patronage.

 Added to the pricelist. Still working on an order form that I like.
At the moment I'm devoting most of my production time getting some inventory together for the local Renaisance Faire next month. More on that this weekend.

 I'm working on getting a good order form done up. As soon as I get it working on the SunJam Studios site that I've been doing development work on for a friend I'll put one up here.
I did a couple cosmetic changes and got the Paypal banner and links up. I'll credit you my referal bonus toward any purchase on this site if you sign up thru my link. With your $10.00 sign up bonus, that's $20.00 free at no cost to you!. Talk about a nice discount.

 Finally got the new pictures developed scanned, and put up. Made a mistake and scanned them too small though. I'll try to get by my friend's place and get some bigger scans up this week. Restocking the wire supplies is currently a higher priority than a scanner. As soon as I get paid for the current Bikini top, I'll be getting the aluminum dress finished, though I might be able to locate a 1 lb spool this weekend and get it done on Sunday.

 21 February

 I registered the domain name this morning.
Don't be startled by the variation.
I've been using Armadillo Highway and selling T-shirts for a number of years now, so I'm keeping it as the main site with the armor site as a sub unit. Hopefully I'll have the mouse pads and bumper stickers available by Spring. I'm still putting all funds back into acquiring materials and building up some stock. Can't quit my day job yet.

 Here is where I'll put the goings on of what is happening. The aluminum bikini top has become the most asked about item, though the pouches are still the big sellers.
Current projects are finishing the aluminum and copper mantel.
This will be project #2 right after I get the dress done.
I also need to either get a digital camera, or a new film camera and scanner.
You can do your part by ordering early and often. (Blatant Plug... heh.)
As always, custom orders take precedence over stock building.