It's been a quiet but busy few months.

**artificer** · 19th February 13, 09:44 AM

Since November I've not had much opportunity to post here. I've been terribly busy with some personal and non-material professional projects, but I've not been idle at the workbench.

A few more brass cantle sporrans have gone out, including:

a piece laced on the exterior;

fox fur and interior attachment on the bag;

and several more casual sporrans;

pt1

ith:

**artificer** · 19th February 13, 09:51 AM

pt2
Sorry for the two part post-

The project which consumed a moderate bit of my December was entirely non-sporran related, but I've been dying to show it off anyway.

My 7 year old is a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan, we've been co-reading the books, and as the books are completed, watching the movies.

My special gift to him for Christmas was a full size, wearable Uruk-Hai helmet, and a scaled down set of shoulder armour.

The Weta studio master of the Uruk armour:

And my finished version for my son:

Click image for larger version.

Name: DSC09945.jpg
Views: 7
Size: 101.7 KB
ID: 9982

I decided NOT to do the 4' long square scimitar the orcs carry as it would be MONTHS before he could run around in the yard with it and I didn't fancy
him swinging it wildly about the house causing all manner of havoc.

ith:

**Tony** · 19th February 13, 10:01 AM

Reading through this thinking..Nice brass...wow, I'd love a red fox fur sporran....nice detailing there...nice plain sporran.....holy crap! an Uruk-Hai helmet!!!!!!!!!!

Great work!

**Thomas H** · 19th February 13, 10:42 AM

Great to see you back

- Great work as all ways- thank you for sharing - all ways makes me

**TheOfficialBren** · 19th February 13, 12:52 PM

Wow! All impressive work, my friend.

**Downunder Kilt** · 19th February 13, 01:24 PM

As always mate, fantastic styling and workmanship. I also like that tea cup holder from the other side of your business, so whimsycal.

**cable scot** · 19th February 13, 01:26 PM

Nice to see you haven't lost your touch

Great work as always and saveing the sword for the mud months is a good idea.

**Marshall** · 19th February 13, 01:33 PM

Excellent work as always and the LotR stuff is pretty fantastic as well. I hope you and your son enjoyed The Hobbit too?

**artificer** · 19th February 13, 07:40 PM

Thanks all, I'm always chugging away in the shop, even when I don't necessarily get to post here.

Originally Posted by Tony

Reading through this thinking..Nice brass...wow, I'd love a red fox fur sporran....nice detailing there...nice plain sporran.....holy crap! an Uruk-Hai helmet!!!!!!!!!!

Great work!

LOL! That was pretty much his response on Christmas morning as well. Stunned silence for a few moments and then a near-supernova of practically pants-wetting excitement.
There's nothing quite like a 1.3m tall Uruk charging round the main loop of the house (accompanied by the LotR soundtrack, of course) while I'm trying to make dinner. ;)

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

As always mate, fantastic styling and workmanship. I also like that tea cup holder from the other side of your business, so whimsycal.

Thanks Mike!
for those that have no idea what Downunder Kilt is talking about, I've been moonlighting (during November) doing some Steampunk and novelty projects for a convention i was to attend.

ith:

**unixken** · 20th February 13, 04:46 AM

Everything looks terrific! I especially love the helmet - that would rock for a kid! And the tea-cup holsters are awesome!

Doc Holliday could have used one of those for his cup. (I would post a youtube link to the Doc Holliday cup-twirling scene, but don't wanted to run afowl of a certain forum rule. You can google "Tombstone Doc Holliday cup" and click the first link, to see for yourself.)