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For the Event Coordinators ...
Who we are
Hilton Handcrafts is a family run business nestled deep in the
Ozark Mountains that hand-makes all of our own products (NO imported
or resale items!) in the traditional woodworking and woodturning
method. While our Renaissance Faire activities are new, we
have been working in the traditional woodworking / woodturning field
our entire lives. We have researched, tested and even written
books and produced videos on the subject of traditional woodworking.
In many cases, we have had to stretch out into the realms of
blacksmithing and related fields of coopering and weaving to
complete our products. Many of the traditional tools used, for
example, simply aren't made or to be found anymore. So, we've
had to make our own in order to give our products and demonstrations
that truly authentic feel. Starting from a freshly cut tree,
we work through the entire process of creating our kitchenware,
furniture and other traditional items entirely with equipment like
the pole lathe, shavehorse, handtools and techniques exactly as how
it would have been found in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period.
Truly, the vast majority of the products we make and the way that we
make them are indistinguishable from those from those time periods.
Take look at our products and pictures of our public displays
below. If you have additional questions, please contact us at
artisan.hh@hiltonhandcraft.com (or here)
and we'll be happy to discuss what we do.
- Enjoy!
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Above is our basic workshop / demonstration setup with pole
lathe, shave horse and riving block/tools.
It is setup in a style as close as possible to what a woodland
turner, Bodger or "green wood" woodworker of the period would have
had.
The left side is our "demonstration" area where we work throughout
the day entertaining and educating the large crowds that we always
draw.
The right side is the merchant area. It's empty in the photos
above, but depending on the show, we bring up to $5,000 worth of
inventory to fill that space. |
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Our booth and/or demonstration area requests tend to be light,
preferring to work within and around nature as much as possible.
Being that we are woodsmen and work around, with, and through the woods,
we like to be situation in as woody an area as possible. Here's a
list of requests... Space: 15' frontage
x 20' depth (booth only), 15' frontage x 25' depth (demonstration area
only), 30' frontage x 30' depth (booth and demonstration with
camping in the booth).
Camping: We much prefer to camp at the booth (actually,
in the demonstration tent) if restrooms are nearby.
Electrical: It would be nice, but certainly not
required. Our operating-hours area is completely non-electrical.
Water: A water source nearby is fine.
Phone / Internet access: If it's available, we'll use
it. Otherwise, we don't miss it.
Other: SHADE - Our demonstrations are very
physically demanding and continuous throughout the day. Also, the
crowds we draw, like it too. Place us in your most heavily wooden
area and we'll be right at home. SEATING - We draw crowds ...
comparable to most of the stage shows. Some sort of seating is
most welcomed in front of and around our demonstration area.
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Renfaire related products for the patron or playtron in all of us.
Some of these items you'll be familiar with and some will be completely
unique that you've never seen for sale anywhere before. All
products on this page are as close to 'period' as we can make. If
not, we'll note that. In fact, most historical items are even
made in the same way with the same type of tools that they were made
back in the 1400's, 1500's and 1600's ! And, frankly, these
are just a small fraction of the types and, especially, the variations
that we make. |
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Spurtle - An ancient Scottish stirrer that predates
the spatula and other related kitchenware. Specifically
used for porridges in the time period, they are great for many
stews and soups! |
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Tankards and mugs. Made in many different styles
but the basics are the same .... wooden, foodsafe and guaranteed
for life. Fill with your favorite thirst quencher. |
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Drying rack for clothes, towels or anything that can
be hung over it. Lightweight and easily transported to
faire. |
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Woven and sculpted seat stools. No nails,
screws, wedges or glue hold these together! It's all made
in the traditional "green woodworking" style with techniques
that create extremely strong joints without all of those modern
conveniences. |
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Drinking vessel. Made on the pole lathe, it is what
it's name suggests. Basically a small bowl with a handle
to drink from. |
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Flea catcher or trap. Yep, that's right.
Worn around the neck in the Renaissance and Victorian periods,
it captures fleas so they won't "bug" (HA!) you as much.
Just another historical artifact that we produce out of wood. |
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Apple-core style wool and thread spool. |
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Goblets. Same as our tankards above. Some
are a style more contemporary (the top picture) and some are
made specifically for a much earlier period, such the those in
the picture below, which are first century period style and wood
used. |
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Mallets. Who couldn't use a good strong mallet
that feels great in your hands? We make a lot of mallets
mainly because we use them ourselves! But, we also supply
many many carvers around the world with our Ash (above) and
Osage Orange (below) mallets. |
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Rustic benches. These are the short one-person
ones pictured but we make much longer ones for parks,
corporations, lodges and anywhere that somebody wants to sit
down and marvel at the beauty and construction of what they're
sitting on. Want one (or several) for your faire?
Just let us know and we can send you pictures of what is
available. Specifically made for harsh outdoor use, they
also are wonderful to be used inside too. |
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Stools. This one is a carved seat version.
Like all of our traditional furniture, there are no nails,
screws, or glue holding it together. It doesn't need any
of that because of the traditional techniques used. We
have smaller (kids) versions, weaved ones, and larger ones too.
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Bowls. Made on the pole lathe right in front of
the audience from a single block of wood. Completely
foodsafe. Sizes anywhere from 6" to 20" diameter. |
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Dibbers. A fantastic seed or bulb planting
helper. Simply press these very hard wooden items into the
ground up to the level that the bulb needs and you have a
perfect hole to plant. |
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Peppermills and salt vaults. Ummmmm freshly
ground pepper. Wonderful! |
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Plates. Like our bowls, there are several sizes
and styles. All made from wood. |
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Chopping blocks. Round, square and all sorts of
styles. Most are end-grain chopping blocks which is the
absolutely best, most durable style you can find anywhere. |
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Wine bottle holder - cantilevered. A fun and
amazing way to hold single or double wine bottles. It all
has to do with balance! Unless you see it yourself, you'd
never believe that they are incredibly stable. Keeps the
wine bottles slightly tipped down so the cork doesn't get dry.
A fantastic display for your wine. |
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More to come ..... |
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