It's definitely all over for Ola Gorie; I received a second notice from them just days ago saying they had sold out all their remaining inventory for resale, and that they are only going to retail their line from their shop in Kirkwall. Too bad, their stuff was just magnificent. We still have some in stock, so call or email as to what's still available - but once it's gone, it's GONE, and there's no more available. We're looking at the line from SHETLAND JEWELLERY and we'll let you know when we get some in, hopefully for the Woodland Games.
SPORRANS is this month's dress topic, and there's a lot to say about them. Too many times do we see sporrans that are just WRONG - big, bulging rucksacks filled with cel phones, large wallets, rolls of hemp, whatnot, just too much JUNK!
DAY WEAR: there's a lot of leeway here. Leather, fur, brass/leather, brass/fur, silver/leather, silver/fur, artificial fur for those who desire it, even the dreaded NAUGAHIDE (wow, do you know how many naugas gave their lives for that sporran?). You can wear just about anything with daywear - except a Great Hairy. Just don't. It looks ridiculous. Hair sporrans are for military dress only, ceremonial or full dress. Yes, you can wear an evening sporran with day dress, just make it a more formal version of day dress, not a t-shirt and flipflops.
For some sporran ideas, here's our COMMERCIAL SPORRAN LINE - for those who aren't faint of heart or wallet, here are some examples of our CUSTOM SPORRANS.
Sporran chains - most of the current commercial chains are crap, but there are some interesting new celtic interlace and St. Andrew's cross designs out there, not cheap thoough - but what is, anymore? Unless you want to blow your next bonus on a silver sporran chain like the ones I make, you're pretty much out of luck for choices of different chain styles. Some people get a couple of curb chain dog collars and cobble them together - or you can always wear a leather sporran strap with a daywear or military sporran.
Now as to what goes in your sporran: keep it simple. A set of car keys, a small billfold, not much more than that. If you need a place for more stuff and aren't wearing a jacket, get one of those waist belt pouches that many of the suppliers now sell. You can put all your piping bits in one of those - much safer than a sporran to keep your spare chanter reeds and hemp. They also sell little cel phone holders for your belt as well - or why not try living without one for a day? Or even better, get a backpack for all your junk, and let your sporran have the day off!
Now just don't get me started about the Ren Fairy sporrans....! NEXT MONTH - THE KILT!
Black Part Speaks: he's holding off his salvo until after the Boat!