Ended Official BYC Mini Contest - "WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY?"

[Kota Mitera]

Here in the tidwater of Virginia our weather has already been predictable but here lately and especially this week ... like today is really cold and I am layered and on Saturday, if the forecast is accurate, it will be warm and I will be in shorts and a T-shirt.

 

[Momma_Bear]

I don't know about not good enough, those are all pretty darn good!

Thank you, I appreciate that!!

 

[Momma_Bear]

Very nice!

Thank you!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Entry #1 - Tanning Deer Hides

My homemade fleshing beam with the draw knife I used to peel the upper part of the log​

I know it may seem odd, but my hobby in the past three years has been taking unwanted deer hides that are normally tossed out and working them by hand to tan and produce hair-on hides, or buckskin. We aren't the ones hunting- we pick up the ones people just bury normally. I wanted to get into tanning hides, and this is where I started. I'd say we've picked up 50 or so in the past 3 years. It's very seasonal- November to February only.

​

The beginning of it is a bit gross to folks, but the end result is so worth it. I'd say the most difficult part is the initial fleshing (cleaning) and after that it's a joy. I turn on some Western Swing and have at it- averaging 30 min per to clean and 1 hour per to dehair (if going to do so). I was thrilled my husband gifted me a skinning apron last Christmas and durable gloves to use, to keep this process less messy! I've even made my own fleshing beam- with my husband's help of course, last year. I started this season getting 7 to make buckskin, which are ready to be smoked now. It's something that helps support us a little when we sell them, and I feel pride because those hides are not just trash now. People can decorate a cabin or craft with them. They aren't perfect like a commercially tanned one, but they are special. I learn something I can improve on every time, or a new technique that helps.

​

I've personally made mittens, two quivers to hold arrows, a hand-warming muff, and walking stick handles with some pieces. Future ideas include a buckskin shirt for my husband and our own Christmas stockings! I also use the hooves for decorations, and harvest the sinew for my own crafting. I love being able to transform the hides- it's a hobby I enjoy so much, I look forward to deer season like it's Christmas just because I get this small window!

Left to Right: 1.) Child's quiver 2.) Harvesting sinew
3.) Dried sinew 4.) Hoof as decoration on a necklace​

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Entry #2 - Pallet Artwork (last entry)

​

What started 4 years ago as using scraps of our rough cut wood from the sawmill evolved into picking up pallets local businesses threw out or burned. When we make trips to the local hardware store, I always ask for a few. Selling some of these helped sustain us in rough times. I like to wood-burn and paint in a lot of other different ways on different materials, but I grew fond of pallet work. In particular, the pallet crosses do well.

​

I'm not good at expressing faith or really reaching out to people, so I try to do it through my artwork. I select a verse and get a picture in mind, and try to convey that. It's also important for me to never use stencils or traceable things- to always draw even the letters by hand. It makes it imperfect and unique. The crosses have gotten more decorative over time as I try to grow and improve. I hope when people see the crosses or other work, even if they don't buy them, that they take a minute to think about the verse and learn from it.

​

While it's hard sometimes to take things to a craft show and make back enough to pay for the booth only, I do still enjoy what I do. It's opened the door for conversation, and I've also found that when I go out to the workshop to make these, I de-clutter my mind and stress loosens up. I can't have that in my heart when I make these things- so it's therapeutic too.

​

 

[N F C]

Entry #2 - Pallet Artwork (last entry)

View attachment 1603352 ​

What started 4 years ago as using scraps of our rough cut wood from the sawmill evolved into picking up pallets local businesses threw out or burned. When we make trips to the local hardware store, I always ask for a few. Selling some of these helped sustain us in rough times. I like to wood-burn and paint in a lot of other different ways on different materials, but I grew fond of pallet work. In particular, the pallet crosses do well.

View attachment 1603343 View attachment 1603350​

I'm not good at expressing faith or really reaching out to people, so I try to do it through my artwork. I select a verse and get a picture in mind, and try to convey that. It's also important for me to never use stencils or traceable things- to always draw even the letters by hand. It makes it imperfect and unique. The crosses have gotten more decorative over time as I try to grow and improve. I hope when people see the crosses or other work, even if they don't buy them, that they take a minute to think about the verse and learn from it.

View attachment 1603353​

While it's hard sometimes to take things to a craft show and make back enough to pay for the booth only, I do still enjoy what I do. It's opened the door for conversation, and I've also found that when I go out to the workshop to make these, I de-clutter my mind and stress loosens up. I can't have that in my heart when I make these things- so it's therapeutic too.

View attachment 1603342 View attachment 1603347 View attachment 1603351 View attachment 1603354 View attachment 1603348View attachment 1603345 View attachment 1603346
View attachment 1603355​

Very nice!

 

[MrsMistyReal]

Y'all did an amazing job love each of your hobbies,wishing y'all the best love & miss y'all xoxoxoxos

 

[h2oratt]

Entry #1 - Tanning Deer Hides

View attachment 1603328
My homemade fleshing beam with the draw knife I used to peel the upper part of the log​

I know it may seem odd, but my hobby in the past three years has been taking unwanted deer hides that are normally tossed out and working them by hand to tan and produce hair-on hides, or buckskin. We aren't the ones hunting- we pick up the ones people just bury normally. I wanted to get into tanning hides, and this is where I started. I'd say we've picked up 50 or so in the past 3 years. It's very seasonal- November to February only.

View attachment 1603318​

The beginning of it is a bit gross to folks, but the end result is so worth it. I'd say the most difficult part is the initial fleshing (cleaning) and after that it's a joy. I turn on some Western Swing and have at it- averaging 30 min per to clean and 1 hour per to dehair (if going to do so). I was thrilled my husband gifted me a skinning apron last Christmas and durable gloves to use, to keep this process less messy! I've even made my own fleshing beam- with my husband's help of course, last year. I started this season getting 7 to make buckskin, which are ready to be smoked now. It's something that helps support us a little when we sell them, and I feel pride because those hides are not just trash now. People can decorate a cabin or craft with them. They aren't perfect like a commercially tanned one, but they are special. I learn something I can improve on every time, or a new technique that helps.

View attachment 1603315 View attachment 1603316​

I've personally made mittens, two quivers to hold arrows, a hand-warming muff, and walking stick handles with some pieces. Future ideas include a buckskin shirt for my husband and our own Christmas stockings! I also use the hooves for decorations, and harvest the sinew for my own crafting. I love being able to transform the hides- it's a hobby I enjoy so much, I look forward to deer season like it's Christmas just because I get this small window!

View attachment 1603317 View attachment 1603325 View attachment 1603327 View attachment 1603326
Left to Right: 1.) Child's quiver 2.) Harvesting sinew
3.) Dried sinew 4.) Hoof as decoration on a necklace​

Very cool. We got a hide of a dairy cow o

 

[h2oratt]

My second hobby is making items out of duck tape. I have made flowers out of pens and a few wallets.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@h2oratt - We have tried to get into cow hides but every place I have called to either has someone picking up, or won't call us back I am going to have to try and find someone who small scale processes their own cattle I think, as we don't have any of our own right now.