Blackthorn Kraftworks

09/15/2026

Forming a double mag holder for a Stevens .22 r***e.

07/23/2026

These are all dyed with some vinegaroon I made. The one on the right was dyed with the leather untreated. The other three all needed cleaning, so I applied some acetone the day before dying.

What a wild difference! Not what I was trying for, but the pre-treat with acetone definitely makes for a cool distressed look. I'll use it again.

07/06/2026

Like many (or most) of the medicinal plants in my garden, these were foraged.

Blue Vervain typically likes a wet environment, so I was uncertain I'd be able to keep them going.

These were foraged last year from a lakeside near Big Rapids, Michigan and have done well. There are several sprouted from their seeds in neighboring pots. I'm creating a wet area where these will be bedded in, but it's easier to keep them soaked in pots for now.

07/06/2026

I found this growing in the wild last year and brought it home.

Spotted St John's Wort is the only native St John's Wort that is close to the Old World variety in medicinal activity, and possibly as strong.

This one has done well, and will move into a bed later in the year.

08/20/2024

Building a greenhouse over an old basement.

08/03/2024

This summer transplant was highly successful, and I wasn't at all surprised.

Heal-all

Although I've never seen it wild in my yard, I've grown some from seed. But I couldn't pass up adding more from an abundant wild source in Michigan, and another in West Virginia.

08/02/2024

Another successful transplant during flowering and high summer (not recommended).

Garden Phlox. This time from West Virginia.

08/02/2024

Foraging find.

Successfully transplanted.

05/18/2024

https://lynchburg.craigslist.org/grd/d/madison-heights-bielefelder-chicks/7748356590.html

Hatched May 18th Females (striped) are $6 a piece, or $5 a piece if you want 4 or more. Males (white spot on head) are $3 a piece. Bielefelder chickens are a heritage breed with sex-linked chick...

05/04/2024

https://lynchburg.craigslist.org/grd/d/madison-heights-free-range-organic-fed/7743774109.html

Mixed flock eggs from free range birds, fed exclusively from organic, non-soy feed. Unwashed to protect bloom, but not filthy. $5 per dozen or $20 for 5 dozen, will meet or deliver