Added 1 February 2004

Wolveswood Exchange actually began through no will of my own. I started out making Medieval clothes for myself to wear at Renaissance Festivals. Soon after that I began working with leather, making pouches, belts, sheaths, and a couple of pairs of boots. All of this grew out of a profound interest in the Middle Ages. My friends liked what I made, so I started making things for them too.

While doing this I decided I wanted to learn how to make maile armour (often erroneously called chain maile). I had a difficult time getting started, but with the help of an armourer at the Thistle Cot at the Arizona Renaissance Festival, I learned the proper technique.

I had barely started my own maile when I got my first "job". A blacksmith saw the small swath of maile I had brought to the festival to show my mentor, and offered me a crossbow in trade for a maile vest. I was nervous about taking such a job seeing as how I was even less than a novice, but he was able to convince me to take him up on the offer.

I didn't begin working on my own maile again until after I had finished the blacksmith's armour. It wasn't long after I started working on my maile again that a friend of mine referred another friend to me to make a maile shirt. Thus, THE BIRTH OF A BUSINESS!

The "business", such that it was, lay dormant for many years. But now, my wife and I are trying to make a go of it, purely outside of our day jobs. This is definitely a part-time arrangement for both of us, made out of the love of our hobbies. So come in, take a look, and if you see something you like, let me know! Right now, what is shown on-line is there just to show what we do and what we are capable of. I hope to have items listed for actual sale in the very near future.

I make all the armour myself, from "scratch." The only thing I don't do is make the wire. I use wire to form the rings, which I then individually link to form the armour. I believe in as much authenticity as possible, which is why I do not use any power tools to make armour. As such, sometimes it may take some time to complete an order. I am but one man, and making maile armour is a very time-consuming task.

All of my armour is made from 16 gage "black" steel wire, which I form into 5/16" rings, linked in a 4-on-1 pattern, meaning every ring is connected to four other rings. All coifs come with a cloth headpiece to wear underneath the maile. I can make the cloth pretty much any color you desire, or you can send me cloth for me to use, so it will match the rest of your costume.

I will have a picture up soon.

Thanks for looking!

Go to the main Wolveswood Exchange page to view other products for sale

• Jewelry - Natural stone, swarovski crystal, and glass jewelry
• Glyph Art and Wares - Petroglyph designs for decoration and use
• Fountains - Natural stone fountains