Billy and Charlie's Highest Quality Pewter Goods

Six more days for folks from outside the US to arrange to pick up orders at Pennsic. See our previous post at https://www.facebook.com/BillyAndCharlie for full information and instructions.

Short version: FREE DELIVERY TO PENNSIC for customers who live outside the US only. If you or a friend are going to Pennsic, you/they can pick up your prepaid order at the War.

Write us at [email protected] for a coupon code and instructions before ordering. You must use the coupon code we provide at the time you order - not afterwards.

The last day to place your order for Pennsic pick up is Friday, July 26. Write us by the 25th at the latest for the coupon code and tell us where you live. We will also ask for the SCA and mundane name of the person who will pick up the order.

Bundle your order with those of other friends – or encourage them to order separately. Please share this post to your national/regional groups.

Remember the naughty video from the Yper Museum we showed you last Wednesday? We are indebted to Herby (of the Gebrüder Zinngießer) for further information on the story behind the animation. Herby remembered reading an article by Ann Marie Rasmussen, an important scholar of pilgrim signs and other cast brooches and knickknacks, including naughty ones. Rasmussen’s paper, Wandering Genitalia: Sexuality & the Body in German Culture between the Late Middle Ages & Early Modernity (2019), recounts the story.

The prelude to the events in the animation concern a knight whose argument with his p***s ends when he castrates himself. (You really must read it for yourself – we could not do it justice.) The p***s then goes and hides in a convent, but eventually reveals itself to the nuns. Their enthusiastic welcome eventually results in so much conflict that the abbess declares a tournament, the winner of which will get the p***s.

Read Rasmussen’s paper at https://annmarie-rasmussen.squarespace.com/wandering-genitalia to find out what happens next!

Miss the video? See it at https://fb.watch/tlr16eIgch/

Again, our thanks to Herby - https://www.facebook.com/GebruederZinngiesser

Pennsic approaches! And we have a special offer for customers who live outside the US who are normally subjected to high shipping costs, long delivery times, etc. – FREE DELIVERY TO PENNSIC.

Customers who live outside the US only: If you or a friend are going to Pennsic, you/they can pick up your prepaid order at the War. Note the following, so we can get your orders to Pennsic in time for pick up:

Write us at [email protected] for a coupon code and instructions before ordering. You must use the coupon code we provide at the time of order. Do not order first and then ask us to refund the shipping. (And do not get funny and put in Cooper’s Lake address – you will be charged state sales tax.)

Once you have the coupon code you will order as usual on the site, then add the code for Pennsic delivery and free shipping.

The last day to place your order for Pennsic pick up is Friday, July 26. Please write us by the 25th at the latest for the coupon code and tell us where you live. We will also ask for the SCA and mundane name of the person who will pick up the order.

Bundle your order with those of other friends – or encourage them to order separately. We’re sorry we cannot meet you in person, and we hope you and your friends have a wonderful War!

Please share this post to your national/regional groups.

Are you upgrading your kit with a belt made with our excellent buckles, chapes, and studs? Check before ordering that the studs you choose fit onto the strap that fits the buckle!

Every buckle and chape need a strap of a specific width. That width is given at the end of the description. Similarly, every stud (mount) needs at least a specific width of strap. That number is also given on the stud page. Compare the numbers to make sure the stud can be used with the buckle.

In the sample images from our website, you can see that the Bumps and Dishes stud (3/4” or 19mm) can be used with both the Catalunya (1” or 26 mm) and the Longinus (1 ½” or 40mm) buckle and chape. The Copenhagen stud (1 4” or 32mm) is too long to use on a belt made with the Catalunya buckle, but will fit with the Longinus.

See our buckles and chapes -
https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/beltfittings/buckles-and-chapes/

and our studs (mounts) -
https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/beltfittings/belt-studs-or-mounts/



(Hint for non-metric users: Although we give both inch and metric measurements, you may find it easier to use the millimeter numbers in this case, rather than numbers like 1 3/8” or 11/16”, to make a quick check against the buckle.)

In February, a mudlark found a little flat pewter figure of a nicely dressed lady in a stream in Leicestershire – a small doll. Astonishingly, this toy is intact – the only known complete doll of this sort. There has been a fair amount of press around the discovery, and we were already interested when we got a number of requests for a replica.

We live to please, of course and we are delighted to add this charming doll to our selection of toys. We love the jaunty sway in this little lady’s posture. She looks like she is just stepping forward to dance! Her dress is extensively decorated, both front and back and she wears a tidy hat. We don’t know why she has tucked her arms up, but if you take her gently by her elbows, you can lead her through bransles, basse-danses, pavans and galliards, or anything published in Playford.

Why have we offered such a broad range of dances? No one is sure exactly when this lady was made. The Portable Antiquities Scheme database gives a range of 1500 – 1650, but our inquiries to costume experts suggest it is possible she could be even two or three decades later.

What is certain is that she is delightful and that she will be loved by your child, or your costume- or dance-obsessed grown-up friend. Give her a whirl!

https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product/early-modern-pewter-doll/

Did you have a good time at the events you attended this long weekend? We know a lot of you were out having fun. Many of you are also now preparing for the next big event (mumble, mumble, mumble, Pennsic). So what have you realized you need right away? Buttons, clothing fasteners, or spangles for the clothing you are frantically sewing? Veil pins? Charm holders for your event medallions? Small gifts for camp mates or tokens to leave at arts exhibitions or ransoms for tourneys? Toys and games to keep the kids (and yourself) amused? Tableware?

We have what you need!

Let’s start with buttons. We offer 24 different designs of buttons, in a range of sizes. The Small Pearled Button, the Small Button with a Flower, and the Small Dotted Button are 3/8” or 9mm across. The largest buttons, at 7/8” or 23mm, are the Doublet Button, the Maurizio Star, and the Maurizio Arabesque buttons. In between are the Medium Pearled, Wavy-Armed Star, and Medium Button with a Flower, as well as the fancy Buttons with Glass Stones, all between ½” and 5/8” (13-15mm). A customer favorite is the Medium Button with Tiny Fleurs. And my favorite is and always has been the Babuin button (both are 11/16” or 17mm).

Explore all the choices on our Button page - https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/dress/buttons/. We look forward to hearing from you!

It's tourney and big event season, and we are providing many happy customers with SCA regalia. If you or your friends are about to be elevated, or if you would just like to freshen up your accoutrements, please consider our excellent pewter goods. We have medallions, brooches, collars and fitting to make them, links for livery collars, buttons, veil pins, you name it!

Start at https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/household-goods/sca-regalia/, or check out the links from these photos. We look forward to hearing from you - and to making you as resplendent as you deserve to be!

Okay - this is probably early modern, but today is Hump Day. So we are sharing this interesting post from Dordrecht Ondergronds about pieces of felt in the shape of erect p***ses, and a new book (Textiles from Dutch Soil) that explains the delightful purpose they served.

If you make one, please let us know!

Tourney and event season has begun! We hope you are having fun - you are keeping us busy!

We had gotten behind on casting for stock. Marianne has a day job and Mac is in the midst of a powder room/laundry/pantry renovation, so we usually just pack orders if we can without restocking right away. We took time this weekend to catch up. Finished up seventeen items that we had cast over the last month or so but hadn't cleaned or assembled, and cast fifteen additional molds and finished the pieces.

Tired, but happy!

We’ve blogged! Many medieval brooches and badges were openwork – and some had backings that made the pieces even more beautiful. We explore how to identify pieces that had backings, what the backings were made of, and how you can express your ideas and creativity by supplying your own backings to some of our pieces.

Read the blog at https://www.billyandcharlie.com/backing-materials-for-openwork-pieces/

Kunera, the invaluable online database of medieval pilgrim signs and secualar brooches, has announced a recent update. They have uploaded 900 additional objects, bringing the total number of items in the database to more than 28,300. They have also added geographic data for many objects.

Have a look around - https://kunera.nl/en

Are you able to watch the solar eclipse tomorrow? Have fun and stay safe!

Want to test your eclipse glasses in advance? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2szbaBL9JEQ

Don't live where you can see it? Livestream beginning around 17 UTC (1pm EDT) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUw4yi9XSsU.

Enjoy!

And, now that we’re back in the office, the NSFW version (no point posting that on a weekend!): With Valentine's Day around the corner, we invite you to let W***y and Charlie send you something that will make an impression on that person you have your eye on. Not into hearts and flowers? Check out our Naughty Knick-knacks for our grown-up Valentine treats - https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/household-goods/naughty/

We look forward to hearing from you!

With Valentine's Day around the corner, we invite you to let Billy and Charlie send you something nice for your sweetheart. Check out our page of brooches with hearts or loving inscriptions - https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/brooches/pin/sweetheart-broches/. Or look into flower brooches - https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/brooches/pin/flowers/ - or pretty brooches with no obvious extra meaning, but a lot of beautiful stones - https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/brooches/pin/decorative/. And don't forget the purses, veil pins, and other dress accessories at https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/dress/.

We look forward to hearing from you!

A nice, easy project for a chilly day. Putting together a collar for a customer - and working at my dining room table while the studio warms up!
https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product/livery-collars-and-necklaces-of-links/

It's Wednesday - Happy Hump Day! And with this weather, we need the week to be finished!

This just in from a friend: "Feeling salty today so I'm wearing my c**k ring brooch with the blue stones."

Hang in there! And wear your W***y and Charlie goods proudly!

As we approach Twelfth Night (and the many gatherings that go by that name) you may be trying to figure out what to do about little gifts to mark the occasion - or what to give all fifteen of your apprentices, proteges, and squires when you get together in January so no one is left out.

Billy and Charlie to the rescue! We have put together a list of some of our best inexpensive gifts. Read all about it at Nine Excellent Small Gifts for $5 or Less: Gifts for a Group for Twelfth Night or Other Gatherings (https://www.billyandcharlie.com/small-gifts/). Skim the page for ideas or as a jumping off point to explore things you never knew we had!

As much as I love our purse kits (https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/dress/purses/purse-frames-and-kits/), it is sometimes a bit of a hustle to get them packed and shipped next day if I have not already cut both the fancy fabric and the lining that are needed. But having a day job at a college means I am on holiday at the moment. Today was the perfect time to get ahead on the linings. I cut and ironed five each of five different colors for linings for the large purse (I already folded and stored the dark green before snapping the photo) and a 7 small linings from scrap.

I hope you all are enjoying the holidays and pursuing your hobbies and other fun activities!

Welcome Yule! A blessed Solstice! Happy Hanukkah and St. Nicholas's Day past! Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa to come! Then New Year's Day and Twelfth Night! Billy and Charlie wish all of you joy and light throughout the Midwinter holidays and through the new year.

Io Saturnalia! I know we’re all “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?” and Christmas Tree Farm at the moment, but to celebrate this historical day of license, I thought you might like something licentious.

We have sixty-six excellent replica naughty knickknacks for your enjoyment and astonishment. They range from our signature piece when we are W***y and Charlie – the Dickie Bird – to Louise, the female equivalent, doing everything from flying to going on pilgrimage. The preeminence of women’s power is displayed in the Regina Terris brooch.

The King Ding strikes back for the patriarchy, while the C**k Ring brooch adds decorative elements to nature. Vulgar jokes prevail with the Dick Hook and Butt Hood brooches and the PINTELIN brooch gives instruction to the bewildered.

Our favorites, of course, are the Moving Violations. From Venus on the Half Shell to the SexPot, these 3-D toys/jewelry will enchant and entrance.

See all the naughty period pieces at https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/household-goods/naughty/.

And remember that during our holiday special (Nov. 24 through December 21) we will include a present for you when we ship your order. Any order totaling $25 or above gets an extra $5 item. Any order totaling $100 or above gets an item (or items) worth/totaling $10. Visit https://www.billyandcharlie.com/ to learn all about it.

These menacing gentlemen are here to remind you the USPS gives a probably-good-enough date of Dec. 14-20 for domestic first class delivery before Christmas (5 to 2 day normal delivery). Dec. 20-21 for priority (3 to 2 day normal delivery). The last scheduled delivery day is Saturday, Dec. 23. https://about.usps.com/holidaynews/mail-by-dates/

Remember that we try to ship next day, but if we have to cast it may take us another day. We are shipping daily, and we'd love to hear from you. Browse our store at billyandcharlie.com - and do ask for your gift.

Have you asked us for your gift yet? During Billy and Charlie’s holiday special (Nov. 24 through December 21) we will include a present for you when we ship your order. Any order totaling $25 or above gets an extra $5 item. Any order totaling $100 or above gets an item (or items) worth/totaling $10. Visit https://www.billyandcharlie.com/ to learn all about it. Hint – you have to tell us whether you want something naughty or nice. (And please do tell your friends about how to ask for a present - we are getting orders that qualify but we don't know what the folks want/)

If you are considering medieval gifts for your children, young friends, or childish grown-up friends, please have a look at our toys and games! We have whistles and other noisy things, miniature pots and cauldrons and ewers and other everyday items, a spinning top, and knucklebones to play a game like jacks (or one with gambling). And do not forget the amazing axeman, suitable for adding to your Christmas village or for finger puppet combat, if you have two of them. Spice up your holidays, medieval style!

Between gift giving and gift getting, not to mention vacation/holiday time and the never-ending quest for indoor entertainment. December and January are a great time to be "crafty". Our purse frames and our purse kits (with Sartor's fabric and almost everything else you need) are fun to make and fun to give. (And the wearer will look absolutely fabulous at any Twelfth Night Celebration!) This is a medium-easy project that requires care more than experience. Every frame and kit comes with a pattern and instructions. Each purse can be made with a mix of machine and hand sewing, or entirely by hand.

See our selection of frames and fabrics at https://www.billyandcharlie.com/product-category/dress/purses/purse-frames-and-kits/.

And please remember that Billy and Charlie want to send you a NICE or a NAUGHTY gift with your order (see other posts on this page or our site for details on our Holiday Special - https://www.billyandcharlie.com/)