Crochet caplet

I was given this moss-like yarn for free so I decided to make a costume piece with it for the cooler fall weather. It was hard to work with, but you can't really see the mistakes either due to it's fuzzy nature. I had just enough yarn to make what you see here, otherwise I wouldn't have minded making a larger shawl. I like the end result and it's nice and warm to wear! The pattern is from Debbie Stoller's Happy Hooker book. These are easy to make in case anyone is interested!

I meant to put a clasp on the front, but right now it's just an impossible knot!

Draped over the back.

Huntsman's Hood

I've been wanting to try and make a leather hood/cowl for some time now. This was an experiment based on a cloak pattern for cloth. I made some adjustments and away we went! I was surprised at how big the hood turned out. As much as I would like the hood to "drape" it could still be done with a bit less leather. Still, I think it's very period looking and does the job. Made out of really cheap suede splits (you can see some of the holes in the pics. Personally I think they add character).

The clasp is a line 24 snap.

The back. It is really hard to take pictures of yourself.

With the hood down. I liked this shot, so I included it.

Lilah's Utility Belt

Eat your heart out Batman! This is a tool belt for one of my LARP characters who -- as you can see -- has a lot of stuff she has to carry around with her, including weapons. I decided to go for a forest motif in green leather (it's hard to see, but the belt is made up of three Ivy leaf shaped sections). Functionality also played a huge part in the creation of this piece. I needed something that would not only carry all of my things, but allow me to bend, crouch, sit, and run with ease. Pieces had to remain flexible and some of them I even made removable (like the sword sheath). I look forward to testing it in the field this weekend!

You can see the ivy leaf motif best from the front.

Dagger holster, pipe and tobacco pouch and rope ring.

I love the way the sword sheath turned out! The gap in the back is also due to the fact that this character has a tail I have to accommodate.

Salamander Art

I did this a while ago (March I think?) but I didn't have a viable scanner. I found this while cleaning today and I'm glad I did, because now I can share it! This piece is done with inks, watercolour and gauche on watercolour paper.

He who triumphs over the flames of passion by Sabine Gorecki, 2011.

There is a lot of personal symbolism in this piece, as with much of my "line work" art. The Salamander is seen as the elemental of fire, often associated with purity. The crown is another symbol often seen with Salamanders. In this case I feel it shows his sense of mastery over the flames. This piece shows different cycles, and I made the salamander in an "ouroboros" position as a symbol of self-renewal. We all have the ability to continually remake ourselves as well as mastering ourselves, achieving balance with our needs and passions.

Real buckskin shoulder bag

I found some real deerskin at a reasonable price, so I made a similar bag to my black suede "buckskinner" bag, with a few adjustments. The strap is cow suede (because it's next to impossible to find a piece of deer hide long enough to make a strap like that) but it adds to the durability of the bag. And it matches! I had a hard time with finding something in my stash that matched.

Medium sized buckskin bag.

I left the natural fringe on the flap for that "rugged" look.

Belt Bags

These period style bags are larger than the belt pouches I make, but still have the benefit of hanging from a belt. Based on the Butterick pattern B5371, I cut them out of suede splits and stitched them together by hand.

Period belt bags made from suede splits.

Meduim "Buckskinner" shoulder bag

I'm working on some larger pieces. Here's the first finished one. A very simple, "buckskinner" style over-the-shoulder bag done in a durable black suede. All hand stitched with a wide strap.

Black over-the-shoulder bag.

Simple, single pocket with wide strap.

Medium sized bag on a medium sized person for scale. :D

2011 Belt Pouches

Four new belt pouches ready for the new LARP season! Each pouch is set with a line 24 snap on the front and the back strap for easy removal (live and learn). Leathers range from stiff stone oiled cow hide to hair-on-hide.

Everyone's favourite belt pouch is back!

Peacock Mask

I made this for the masquerade, but couldn't go to the ball. *sniff* Oh well, there's always next year! Carved out of thick (9-10oz) leather and painted with metallic acrylics.

Leather peacock mask by Sabine Gorecki.

Clutch purse

I made this for a gift exchange, and I'm pleased to see my hand stitching improve so much. I think I finally got the knack!

Gray clutch purse with hair-on-hide flap.

Oh, look at that stitching!

Spirit Pouch

I made this tiny pouch based on the Butterick pattern B5371 out of scraps. I added the fringe on the bottom and turned it into a necklace instead of a belt bag.You can see the full sized versions here.

Little "spirit pouch" necklace.

Amigurumi-o-pus!

I started by following a pattern for an octopus finger puppet, but I got frustrated and went free form to finish the body. Add button eyes for a finishing touch and viola! Made for a gift exchange.

Amigurumi octopus.

Fafnir

This bracelet has proven extremely hard to photograph. I'm never really satisfied with the results, but the piece itself is a huge accomplishment for me. Fafnir is a chain mail bracelet done in Dragonscale weave. I used bronze for the small rings and a gunmetal finish for the larger rings. The result is dark metal with fiery undertones!

Fafnir by Sabine Gorecki

Close up of clasp and weave in less direct lighting.

Tag Keepers

I created these little "tag keepers" out of hair-on scraps.

Just the right size to hold LARP tags!

Old Belt Pouches

Hair-on-hide belt pouches from summer 2010.

Belt pouch made from black chap leather 2010.