Tag Archives: Crafts

Early Medieval Iron Making

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

This movie is the first thing I ever saw about early iron production. And it fascinated me completely. Literally combining the four elements in the process to make something. Earth + water make cobb Air dries the oven Fire breaks … Continue reading →

Posted in Documentary, History, Living history, Movies, Re-enactment, Research, Think different, Tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New plans: Gosewyn Spyker – a guitar from 1760…

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

Today I will give a lecture for the Dutch Lute Society about the oldest surviving guitar from the Netherlands. Made in 1760 in Amsterdam by Gosewyn Spyker. This guitar was preserved in the collection of Duivenvoorde Castle, where it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar, Guitar Plans, History, Projects, Research, Woodworking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Printing for Copernicus

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

About a week ago my friends of The Paper Unicorn asked me whether I would like to bring out the Minion Press, for the official opening of an exhibition about Copernicus. Location? The St. Walburgis church in Zutphen… Where did … Continue reading →

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A special parlor: The Grunewald “Harp-Guitar”

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

One of the perks of guitar making are the special guitars that sometimes pass the shop. And being a somewhat quirky person I somehow manage get some of the oddest pieces of guitar history. Like this 10-string “Harp-Guitar” made by … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar, Guitar Plans, History, Movies, Music, Projects, Restorations, Uncategorized, Woodworking, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

King David and his pretty little lyres

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

When researching the old European lyres there are two pictures that always keep surfacing: The Vespasian Lyre Probably the most famous is the one of King David in the Vespasian Psalter (Southern England, 2nd or 3rd quarter of the 8th … Continue reading →

Posted in History, lyre, Music, Projects, Re-enactment, Research, Think different, Uncategorized, Woodworking, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Dutch Tool Chest

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

During the days at the Batavia Shipyard it became clear to me that I want two new toolboxes, destined for the re-enactment events. The reason is that some of my tools are simply too dear to me to expose them … Continue reading →

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Demodag at Baptist Tools

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

Last Saturday I attended the “demo-day” at Baptist Toolshop in Arnhem. They invited three other woodworkers and toolmakers like Tormek, Record Power and Mafell to show their goods and innovations… My neighbour was bowyer Simon van der Heijden, who makes … Continue reading →

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Forging ahead

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

It’s a craft that always captivated me: blacksmithing. The art of working and shaping metal into useable objects. I was always fond of the “Skippers of the Kameleon“, a Dutch series of childrens books, written by Hotze de Roos. In … Continue reading →

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A 17th century “Dutch Plane” – (free plans!)

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

In 1628 the Swedish warship Vasa set out for its maiden voyage. With 64 canons on 2 decks it was the pride of the Swedish marine. But this was shortlived; after only one mile she keeled over, water poored trough … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Projects, Re-enactment, Research, Tools, Uncategorized, Woodworking, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sellas theorbo update…

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

While the re-enactment season has started, work in the shop continues as normal. Jannemieke’s Sellas theorbo is getting along fine. Time for an update… The carvings on the back of the neck are finished. We were a little bit in … Continue reading →

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