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1. The Calabash Project  «
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Thos. Martin
Shaping The Stummels
Thursday, 12 April 2007

Topic: 1. The Calabash Project

For years Jimmy Durante ended his radio and television shows with "Good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." Does she really exist? Some, in Calabash North Carolina, say he was speaking to and about the owner of The Calabash Restaurant. Did she really exist?


Posted by thos.martin at 9:49 AM EDT
Updated: Thursday, 12 April 2007 5:43 PM EDT
Permalink
Saturday, 7 April 2007
Save the Calabash!
Topic: 1. The Calabash Project

Read my article: Save The Calabash, in the Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston, April 078 Newsletter.


Posted by thos.martin at 11:35 AM EDT
Permalink
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
African Calabash Peace Pipe
Topic: 1. The Calabash Project

A peace pipe in Afrikaans is a vredespyp. Peace - vrede. Pipe - pyp. I was sent instructions and (2) gourds to make such a pipe. The owner did not want to part with his pipe, but sent along instructions and a brief history.

The stem functioned as well.. a stem, and a string ran through it. When smoked the string absorbs the tobacco oils and repels mosquitos when worn around the neck. Larger versions served the more important purpose, meetings.

 

The gourd I was sent had a nice round tobacco hole. I broke the stem trying to pull the pipe cleaner out which was supposed to make the draft hole as the clay interior dried. Unfortuneately the cotton of the pipe cleaner stuck to the clay and I couldn't get it out. When I used another gourd I cut off the side of the gourd which didn't yeild a nice round tobacco hole. But I got to say, I am looking forward to hiking, fishing, canoeing with this around my neck keeping me mosquito free!

I filled the inside of the mini-calabash with clay and then cleaned of the outside, added the Kokopelli with pipe decorative touch, the string, and filled it with tobacco. Viola; vredespyp!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Read how you can help The Calabash Project, and Save the Calabash!

 



Posted by thos.martin at 7:52 PM EDT
Updated: Thursday, 29 March 2007 8:29 AM EDT
Permalink
Sunday, 25 March 2007
You've got Mail
Topic: 1. The Calabash Project

The Calabash arrived in short order, actually the same day I recieved word that the growers got their money. They are such nice people. They included a set of salt & pepper shakers that are their specialty with the smal gourds. Pictured here is my son putting them to "the test."

They also sent me: small gourds "in case I find a use," some cut Calabash and some whole (but cleaned, "for practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I mostly liked the way they went on what we would call a "road trip" looking for an indiginous local made pipe. And they found one that belong to an old man, but he would not part with it. Instead he gave to them, and them to me gourds to make my own and a little sketch and description about the local pipes- not the calabashes we are familiar with. These are the African peace pipe. I will blog about that shortly.


Read how you can help The Calabash Project, and Save the Calabash!



Posted by thos.martin at 5:06 PM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 27 March 2007 10:35 AM EDT
Permalink
Thursday, 15 March 2007
The let down after the hunt & Van Gogh
Topic: 1. The Calabash Project

After searching for nearly four months, the CAlabash gourds are on their way to the states, the paymnet is on its way to S. Africa. I'm feeling a bit of a let down as there is nothing left to fo but wait (and make pipes).

So, I thought a little Van Gogh was in order. See Slide Show.


Posted by thos.martin at 10:57 AM EDT
Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2007 9:16 AM EDT
Permalink
Monday, 12 March 2007
Out of Africa: Tracking My Gourds
Topic: 1. The Calabash Project

South Africa POS Mail Tracking:

accepted on 12-Mar-2007 15:25 at the MORGENZON (RPO) post office
Date last tracked (scanned): 12-Mar-2007 15:25
Current Status: In transit
Delivery Office:

Item History

Scan DescriptionPlace ScannedTrace InformationItem StatusDate Scanned
O-ACCEPTANCE DOCUMEMORGENZON (RPO)  12-Mar-2007 15:25



Posted by thos.martin at 3:42 PM EDT
Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2007 9:17 AM EDT
Permalink
Sunday, 11 March 2007
Logo Buttons & Magnets
Topic: 1. The Calabash Project

To help The Calabash Project in South Africa you can buy a pin, magnet, or pipe. Read more.


Posted by thos.martin at 1:41 AM EST
Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2007 9:13 AM EDT
Permalink
Saturday, 10 March 2007
Gourds Out of Africa
Topic: 1. The Calabash Project
Just a quick post to report that there are 15 gourds ready to be shipped out of Africa. Currency exchange (USD into ZAR)alone will take two weeks. There are gourds on the vine still growing that are slated to be TM pipes as well in 2008. The following season the planting can be specifically for pipemaking.

Posted by thos.martin at 7:52 PM EST
Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2007 9:18 AM EDT
Permalink
Friday, 9 March 2007
Announcing the Calabash
Topic: 1. The Calabash Project

[THIS ENTRY IS BEING POSTED AUTOMATICALLY. I AM AT THE NEW YORK PIPE SHOW]

Pictured: (Top) Medico Calibash with new bowl added. The pipe is 1940ish. They were basically the Kaywoodie "seconds". Note briar extension to account for short stem. It also holds a filter. The gourd has some marring. (Bottom) My 2nd and final Calabash prototype. Note black stain and lattice/meerschaum bowl. Junction of stem to gourd to be improved. It is a nylon stem with threaded insert commonly used for New meerschaums. This pipe is most large.



 


Posted by thos.martin at 7:32 AM EST
Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2007 9:19 AM EDT
Permalink

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