Tyger's New Ryan Ross Bonnet

**rlloyd** · 18th February 12, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

We don't have Kroger this far north, and it's a long way to the closest Piggly-Wiggly. Ingle's and Bi-Lo are the biggest grocery stores around here. I'll be on the lookout for that particular mix.

I'm further north, and Krogers are the premier grocery shopping destinations in the area! Granted, we don't have one in little old Erwin...gotta go to the big city for such fanciful things. I'm referring to Johnson City, of course...it's such a huge metropolis, there are signs pointing to it all over the US! Least, that's what my dad always told me when I was little, about all those JCT signs around...

I'm only about 1.5 hours from you, I can still make it in time for supper!

**Ryan Ross** · 18th February 12, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by rlloyd

I'm further north, and Krogers are the premier grocery shopping destinations in the area! Granted, we don't have one in little old Erwin...gotta go to the big city for such fanciful things. I'm referring to Johnson City, of course...it's such a huge metropolis, there are signs pointing to it all over the US! Least, that's what my dad always told me when I was little, about all those JCT signs around...

I'm only about 1.5 hours from you, I can still make it in time for supper!

Small world! Haha, that picture of me and the cat, a few pages back, was actually taken in JC. Crazy.

**rlloyd** · 18th February 12, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

Small world! Haha, that picture of me and the cat, a few pages back, was actually taken in JC. Crazy.

That's great! I'm from and live about 10 miles from Johnson City and am there nearly every day for one reason or another. I'm also in grad school there, at East Tennessee State, right now.

I suddenly have a strange urge to superimpose Scotland over our part of the US and see what happens...

**Ryan Ross** · 18th February 12, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by rlloyd

That's great! I'm from and live about 10 miles from Johnson City and am there nearly every day for one reason or another. I'm also in grad school there, at East Tennessee State, right now.

I suddenly have a strange urge to superimpose Scotland over our part of the US and see what happens...

That's nuts... I spent a bit of time at ETSU, while I was up there. I really like the campus... sat kilted in the student union and knit garters for several hours, one time; if you ask around, you might even find someone who remembers that.

**rlloyd** · 18th February 12, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

That's nuts... I spent a bit of time at ETSU, while I was up there. I really like the campus... sat kilted in the student union and knit garters for several hours, one time; if you ask around, you might even find someone who remembers that.

I actually see people kilted on and around campus on a fairly regular basis, usually at least one person every 2 or 3 weeks. Pretty good, I guess, since I'm mostly just on campus long enough for class (and parking, which at ETSU can seemingly take longer than the classes). Mostly Utilikilts and the like, though I have seen some tartan over the years and it actually seems as if the tartan sightings are becoming more common.

**rlloyd** · 18th February 12, 02:09 PM

Oh, and "on topic", I snapped a couple pictures of the buckle I was talking about earlier.

**tyger** · 18th February 12, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

..... and there's no way you can put a price on it.

Perhaps so. Yet, you must price your work if you are going to sell, and you do price it when you either trade, barter, or exchange.

In the old days, everybody either made something or did something of tangible value. Therefore, it was usual and customary to price your work. These days, we are far removed from the process by a gaggle of intermediaries that broker. Even worse, a heck of a lot of people do not produce anything of value. Yet they are paid for it.

**Ryan Ross** · 18th February 12, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by rlloyd

I actually see people kilted on and around campus on a fairly regular basis, usually at least one person every 2 or 3 weeks. Pretty good, I guess, since I'm mostly just on campus long enough for class (and parking, which at ETSU can seemingly take longer than the classes). Mostly Utilikilts and the like, though I have seen some tartan over the years and it actually seems as if the tartan sightings are becoming more common.

Man- I never got any reports of kilt sightings there, a couple years ago. That must be a hapnin' place, as after two degrees from Georgia State, I only had one kilt sighting on campus, other than occasionly seeing myself in the mirror.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure I modeled your buckle one time, while having a photo taken to model a sporran for sale (I did't have my own kit with me, so improvisation had to take place). That buckle is a thing of beauty; wear it in good health.

Originally Posted by tyger

Perhaps so. Yet, you must price your work if you are going to sell, and you do when you either trade, barter, or exchange.

In the old days, everybody either made something or did something of tangible value. Therefore, it was usual and customary to price your work. These days, we are far removed from the process by a gaggle of intermediaries that broker. Even worse, a heck of a lot of people do not produce anything of value. Yet they are paid for it.

Indeed, you are correct on all counts, my friend. Sad times we live in, in many ways.

**Nick the DSM** · 18th February 12, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

Bonnet making is very much a labor of love, for me. In this day, it seems most craftsmen have to feel that way, as technological advancements and unskilled foreign labor churn out mass produced products (of low quality) at very low cost. A lot of people are pleased with said items, but I think that items in that category are still over priced. The only mass produced items left in my everyday Highland wardrobe are kilt hose, and those are made in Scotland, not China. Once I have time to get into hose knitting, those will be cycled out, also.

When a craftsman produces something with their mind and their hands... and their sweat, blood, etc... they put a little piece of themselves into their work.

So when I kilt up, I have with me, not only the finest examples of artistry, but also reminders of my friends... skilled, creative people, with names, faces, and personalities. And when people ask me about the kilt, and pieces of kit, I can tell them about the history and function of said item, but that's not the most rewarding part. After I get through with "the belt used to be the only thing that held a kilt up", I can say "This one was made by Lamar Britt- an eccentric guy from Conyers, and the buckle was crafted special for me, by a friend of mine called Mark Goodwin... I might be related to him, but we're not sure yet".

That beats the heck out of a Made in China sticker, and there's no way you can put a price on it.

I've always admired the work of craftsman from knitting to Hot Rods, it is an artform that is underlooked nowadays.

And so far I am about halfway with my savings to obtaining your fine specimens.

**tyger** · 18th February 12, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by rlloyd

Oh, and "on topic", I snapped a couple pictures of the buckle I was talking about earlier.

Oh man, you did a great job of lighting this buckle, for the light really reveals the relief that most of my work gains through stretching and bending of the metal. I need to do a better job with my photography.

Guys, not to change the topic, but I just have to tell you that I am working on a book of fishing poetry. Wheew! Got that off my chest.