tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44073039722194970952024-03-12T20:02:15.006-07:00Antiquity GamecraftersBrian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-52665522445989721342012-08-06T09:38:00.002-07:002012-08-06T09:38:50.911-07:00Auction to bring home an orphan with Down SyndromeAn amazing family that we know and love are embarking on the adventure of bringing their new son, Lincoln, home from his birth country. Lincoln has Down Syndrome and needs to get home very soon! He has been placed (at the ripe old age of 5) in an adult mental institution in his birth country - away from the love, care, toys, smiles and acceptance he needs most! Please consider partnering with the Twietmeyer family to bring him home by participating in this auction: <a href="http://www.twietssparklebluetoo.blogspot.com/2012/07/twietmeyer-auction.html" target="_blank">Auction for Lincoln</a><br />
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One of the items up for bid is a <a href="http://twietssparklebluetoo.blogspot.com/2012/08/gift-certificate-to-antiquity.html" target="_blank">gift certificate to Antiquity Gamecrafters</a>! Be sure to head over there today!<br />
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<br />Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-2415669876164904662012-02-20T18:35:00.000-08:002012-02-20T18:35:17.955-08:00Now Accepting Pre-Orders for MancalaMancala is now available for pre-order from Antiquity Gamecrafters! We have come up with a design for our customers using the variation which has 6 bowls on each side and a large bowl on each end. This is slightly different from the one we made for our niece which was featured in a previous post, but it is the variation that our family has mainly played for many years, and we love it! Visit one of our storefronts today to place your order!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.antiquitygamecrafters.com/uploads/5/3/0/7/5307579/124464.jpg?5092834" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.antiquitygamecrafters.com/uploads/5/3/0/7/5307579/124464.jpg?5092834" /></a></div>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-64945558265471006022011-06-16T05:22:00.000-07:002011-06-16T05:22:21.786-07:00First attempt: Mancala BoardWe finally did it! A mancala board has been made by the AG clan. It was by special request of our niece for her graduation present. We are still deciding whether it is going to become a regular feature of Antiquity Gamecrafters, but meanwhile, here are some pictures. It was made from a beautiful old piece of Michigan Walnut.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y31sSdoBpzM/Tfn0ucSh5-I/AAAAAAAAAJI/ww7IEXbKHKs/s1600/Mancala1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y31sSdoBpzM/Tfn0ucSh5-I/AAAAAAAAAJI/ww7IEXbKHKs/s320/Mancala1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mfer08R2lA/Tfn01LTiEBI/AAAAAAAAAJM/3V21E-8XJd0/s1600/Mancala2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mfer08R2lA/Tfn01LTiEBI/AAAAAAAAAJM/3V21E-8XJd0/s320/Mancala2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5YvbrClmIM/Tfn08CNox1I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/6J1ElhdCGAs/s1600/Mancala3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5YvbrClmIM/Tfn08CNox1I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/6J1ElhdCGAs/s320/Mancala3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-2115677107735669662011-04-30T06:06:00.000-07:002011-04-30T06:53:54.000-07:00Springtime in the woodshopSpring has finally arrived in the AG woodshop. No more bundling up in several layers, remembering an hour before we want to work out there to turn on the space heater. No more staining and poly-ing in the house because it's too cold in the shop.<br />
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This week it moved to open-the-garage-door-wide weather. Some of the Gamecrafter family got the whole shop swept and shop-vac'd and re-arranged and now it looks all fresh and ready for fresh sawdust. One of us made some progress on a special project for a friend. Another one sat themselves on the shop floor and practiced some chip-carving. Spring is here and we're itching to be productive!<br />
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So, what can we get out into our shop to make for you today?Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-44680561799464498142010-12-20T09:58:00.000-08:002010-12-20T09:58:50.179-08:00Not too late for Gift CertificatesThere are two ways to get gift certificates for those last minute gifts. You can either purchase them via paypal on this blog or go to our Etsy shop and purchase them. Give the gift of family time!Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-25159080529624028092010-11-29T11:32:00.000-08:002010-11-29T11:32:29.141-08:00Announcing this year's Christmas Order DeadlineChristmas is only 26 days away and if you are hoping to order a game that will arrive in time for pre-Christmas delivery, you need to place your order no later than December 10th! So hurry to one of our online stores today or head on over to Out of the Box in Zeeland right up until Christmas!<br />
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Merry Christmas from the whole Antiquity Gamecrafters gang~Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-67912757858548033222010-10-07T16:21:00.000-07:002010-10-08T14:50:00.146-07:00Shop Local - Save on shippingDid you know that our games can be purchased locally if you live in West Michigan? If our shipping costs have been keeping you from purchasing one of our games, this is the perfect opportunity for you to save! Just stop by the Out of the Box Games Store in Zeeland Michigan today! Here is their website for directions:<br />
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<a href="http://www.ootbgames.com/">http://www.ootbgames.com/</a>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-57957574162514444962010-09-23T16:57:00.000-07:002010-09-26T14:59:25.164-07:00Goodbye 1KM<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Antiquity Gamecrafters has for the last two years called 1000 Markets our internet home, but with the recent acquisition of 1000 Markets by Bonanza, we didn’t want our customers to be unable to find us. Please look for us by going directly to <a href="http://www.antiquitygamecrafters.com/">http://www.antiquitygamecrafters.com</a> . Our new website is now live!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">We hope you visit us again soon,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Brian and Jennifer</div><div class="MsoNormal">Antiquity Gamecrafters</div>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-10985643989800231752010-05-18T06:17:00.000-07:002010-05-18T06:17:43.640-07:00A place to call homeAs we mentioned in our earlier post peeking into our workshop, Antiquity Gamecrafters has up until now been borrowing space from my brother's garage to do the woodworking stage of making our board games. We lived about 5 miles away, and although it doesn't seem like much, it was really hard to get there with Brian's full schedule. So we are very, very thankful that we have now been able to move into a new house with a two-stall woodshop and a driveway for the van ;-). Seeing how full the shop is, we can't figure out how we fit it all into one corner of my brother's garage, and we're so thankful for have our own space.<br />
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So we may need a post with a new peek into the new woodshop very soon....keep watching!Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-34929286032438787332010-01-27T10:47:00.000-08:002010-01-27T10:47:01.649-08:00Knothole: A peek into the Woodshop<div class="blog_post_body"> I realized today that I am entirely too lacking in curiosity. I don't think it has ever occurred to me as I've shopped handmade artisans to wonder where they do all this beautiful craftsmanship. Do they have a studio? A workshop? Do they do their art on the living room floor?<br />
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In this utter failure to be curious, for instance, I have made the assumption that our fellow artisans are of the 'starving artists' variety; cramming their supplies into the corner of a bedroom or dining room. I have no idea whether this is a fair assumption or not. I have no earth-shaking research to share with you. But I thought that just in case there are those who have the curiosity to wonder what it looks like at Antiquity Gamecrafters, I would give you a small peek into where these games have their beginning.<br />
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Our humble abode has neither a garage nor a basement. This provides a bit of a challenge for a family trying to create with tools like routers, table saws, jointers and drum sanders. So this is where the extended family gets in on the deal....specifically my brother and his family. They have a very large garage and have generously allowed us to house our tools and wood in a sizable corner of it. This in itself is a great blessing, but there have been side benefits as well.<br />
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For one thing, it gives us extra opportunities to spend time with family and the kids especially love the Saturdays spent there playing with the cousins and enjoying the resulting goodies from Aunt Jody's latest baking sprees. For another, the cousins themselves are being exposed to woodworking and the possibilities for passing on handmade craftsmanship to another generation are increased. This is something that we as artisans take great delight in.<br />
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Our games only have their earliest beginnings in this shop. Most of the sanding, staining, painting and other finish work are done on every available flat surface in our small house. Someday, perhaps we'll have a large house with a pole barn, room enough for every tool and all the finish work. But I think that when we do, we will have lost a little something; or maybe my brother and his family will have to come our way. I'd better improve my baking.<br />
</div>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-12117908852609256682009-10-19T07:30:00.000-07:002009-10-19T07:38:39.541-07:00We made the front page at Etsy.com!Over the weekend we made the front page of Etsy.com thanks to a great Medieval treasury by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=8152947">Aromaelarmoury</a> Thank you! Blogger isn't letting me post the screenshot, but I'll keep working on it.Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-43288396423785537872009-03-30T08:11:00.000-07:002009-03-30T08:32:53.422-07:00About our Games Part 1: Hnefetafl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ufL83712-1Q/SdDmHzG8hBI/AAAAAAAAADg/s3hMEdkY7KQ/s1600-h/Hnefetafl_New2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ufL83712-1Q/SdDmHzG8hBI/AAAAAAAAADg/s3hMEdkY7KQ/s320/Hnefetafl_New2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319004181577368594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Hnefetafl is the Viking version of the ancient tafl games, </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">also known as King's Table. It is a northern European style of Chess that dates back to the 8th century B.C. Hn</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">efetafl was popular in Medieval Scandanavia and is mentioned in several Norse Sagas. However, we do not know for certain how the game was played at that time.<br /><br />A game of uneven strength between sides, the players traditionally take turns being the attacker and the defender.<br /><br />In the widely-accepted rules which we have chosen to include with our boards, the outnumbered Swedes try to help their king escape (to the side of the board) from the invading Muscovites. Pieces are moved in the same way as the rook in chess.<br /><br />Players take turns moving, with the attackers moving first. All of the pieces move any number of spaces in a straight line along a row or column (no diagonals) until encountering another piece or the edge of the board, similar to how a rook moves in chess. Pieces may not be jumped.<br /><br />A piece is captured if two of the opposing pieces are moved onto adjacent spaces on either side of it. That piece is then removed from the board. However, a piece may safely land between two enemy pieces – only the moving player may capture. The King may also be used to capture.<br /><br />Hnefetafl is a two player board game<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-20650573305162007182009-03-20T12:49:00.000-07:002009-03-20T12:52:31.786-07:00Plutarch, Aristotle, Shakespeare and a game of Chess<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ufL83712-1Q/ScPztE_RBmI/AAAAAAAAADQ/yqgLN_Rir0o/s1600-h/180px-KnightsTemplarPlayingChess1283.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 106px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ufL83712-1Q/ScPztE_RBmI/AAAAAAAAADQ/yqgLN_Rir0o/s320/180px-KnightsTemplarPlayingChess1283.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315359940986078818" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="blog_post_body"> <p>Spring has only just begun to have sprung here in the Great Lakes Region, but already it tempts us to throw studies to the wind and breathe in the still-nippy air, drinking in the rare sunshine. We as a homeschool family certainly prefer to take a "Sunny Day" off from school to foregoing schoolwork on a "Snow Day".</p> <p>However, school is still in session and an extraordinary portion of our day is given to studying Plutarch's Lives (currently Poplicola), Shakespeare (The Taming of the Shrew), Latin, Logic, World History, music, art, geography, math, English, science, nature study, etc., etc.</p> <p>So when our young students finish school early and have some free time they run excitedly........</p> <p>to the game cupboard. Yes, my children, while wildly in love with being in the great outdoors, are also obsessed with challenging each other to a game of chess. Does this make their nerdy mother's heart sing? Absolutely! It excites me to see my children not only love to do things together, but to do intellectually stimulating things, and in their free time, too!</p> <p>So while they are certainly getting healthy doses of this glorious springtime as it roars like a lion and lies calmly like lambs, I get giddy when I see them playing a board game.</p> <p>What is your family doing to spend time together? May I recommend browsing through our game cupboard? You might find a new obsession of your own!</p> </div>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-10449253287902228892009-02-23T17:04:00.000-08:002009-02-23T17:06:26.896-08:00Not so much blogging, but a little TweetingYes, we have joined the bizarre universe of Twitter and we have indeed tweeted occasionally....<br /><br />Would you like to follow us? Find us listed as gamecupboard! Hope to see you there~Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-64956787527335819682008-12-09T05:30:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:33:56.176-08:00Unabashedly beautiful things......This blog by Amy of the b-line has a great list going of Christmas must-haves and guess what?! She featured our Senet board! Check it out right here:<br /><br /><a href="http://theb-line.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-weeks-wants_08.html">http://theb-line.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-weeks-wants_08.html</a>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-26629787621167831222008-11-24T07:10:00.000-08:002008-11-24T07:15:23.133-08:00Giveaway!!We are taking part in the SHE team giveaway. The Schooling at Home Etsians Team is having a spectacular blog giveaway beginning Saturday, November 22 and running until the prizes<br />run out! One of the items being given away will be one of our games, so be sure to go and check out the blog each day. You can enter twice per day, every day until the giveaway is over.<br /><br /><a href="http://sheetsyteam.blogspot.com">http://sheetsyteam.blogspot.com/</a>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-35734352342887656532008-11-11T12:08:00.000-08:002008-11-12T12:23:19.938-08:001000 Markets Feature<a href="http://www.1000markets.com/"><img alt="1000 Markets" src="http://www.1000markets.com/images/a/badges/1000markets_200x200_1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Our experience with 1000 Markets so far has been exceptional! The communication, constructive criticism and encouragement have made it a fantastic community to be a part of.<br /><br />This week we learned that we had been mentioned in an article about 1000 Markets and we wanted to share it with you!<br /><br /><a href="http://mattbites.typepad.com/mattbites/2008/11/introducing-1000-markets.html">Introducing 1000Markets</a><br /><br /><br />There are some fabulous shops there and we're really enjoying being a part of this brand new venue. Be sure to take some time to look around!Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-55497710462421105572008-10-27T08:31:00.000-07:002008-10-27T08:34:03.021-07:00We couldn't resist!Yes, I said we were only going to be in one craft show this year..... but when the opportunity came up to be in a very successful one two weeks later, we caved! So on November 22nd you can also find us at the Hudsonville High School craft show! If you come to see us at either craft show, be sure to introduce yourself as a blog reader or fellow etsian as the case may be - we'd love to meet you!Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-81495491226862283842008-10-08T07:03:00.000-07:002008-10-08T07:05:27.022-07:00New ways to find usWe have entered two new venues this week. Check it out:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.1000markets.com/users/antiquitygamecrafters">http://www.1000markets.com/users/antiquitygamecrafters</a><br /><br />AND<br /><br /><a href="http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Antiquity-Gamecrafters/29893588796">http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Antiquity-Gamecrafters/29893588796</a><br /><br /><br />We'd love to know what you think!Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-5478190295599576192008-09-25T06:42:00.000-07:002008-09-25T06:47:22.125-07:00Kwanzaa and Christmas and Hanukkah, oh my!As the holidays begin to rush toward us at an alarming rate, we've been adding new tags to the games we have listed on etsy. Today we added the tag 'Kwanzaa' to the Achi game. We'd love to have your opinion on this ~ is Achi an appropriate Kwanzaa gift since the game originated in Ghana?Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-74328867244321863712008-09-15T13:58:00.000-07:002008-09-15T14:02:16.653-07:00Still hereWe're still here! It's been a busy summer and now we're getting ready for the Christmas rush! If you live in the West Michigan area, be sure to visit us on November 8th at Eastside Christian School in East Grand Rapids for an excellent craft show. It's the only one we're participating in this year, so if you want to see our games in person, here's your chance! <br /><br />Feel free to contact us for more information.Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-60807873319674360692008-05-28T13:14:00.000-07:002008-05-28T13:17:48.253-07:00On the Air with BittyMoose!Check out BittyMoose.com for her weekly radio show!<br /><br /><a href="http://bittymoose.com/store" target="_blank"><img src="http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x160/bittymoose/radiobutton.gif" border="0" alt="The Bitty Moose" /></a>Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-55031313317099509042008-05-13T13:04:00.000-07:002008-05-13T13:16:09.646-07:00Featured....We are soon going to be featured on this blog:<br /><br /><a href="http://blossomingtree.blogspot.com">http://blossomingtree.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />A fellow Michigander and homeschooler, she owns this yummy body care shop on etsy.com <a href="http://blossomingtree.etsy.com">http://blossomingtree.etsy.com/</a> Be sure to check out her shop and her blog!Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-70305100940336069012008-04-25T09:02:00.000-07:002008-12-10T06:57:00.630-08:00New Tools Mean New Games......hopefully.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ufL83712-1Q/SBIFiO6hgQI/AAAAAAAAAAc/VijMgnSfHnE/s1600-h/WoodLathe1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ufL83712-1Q/SBIFiO6hgQI/AAAAAAAAAAc/VijMgnSfHnE/s320/WoodLathe1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193219405988856066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ufL83712-1Q/SBIFiu6hgRI/AAAAAAAAAAk/hcKwNMu8tjU/s1600-h/WoodLathe2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ufL83712-1Q/SBIFiu6hgRI/AAAAAAAAAAk/hcKwNMu8tjU/s320/WoodLathe2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193219414578790674" border="0" /></a><br />Part of growing a small business is expanding the tools of your trade. Today we acquired this beauty of a wood lathe and can't wait to see what new games we are able to make because of it~Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407303972219497095.post-59406105098549959662008-03-04T12:11:00.000-08:002008-03-04T12:14:10.848-08:00Website Changes~Just a brief note regarding our website. During the re-vamping process of our website, antiquitygamecrafters.com, we have temporarily set that address to re-direct to our Etsy shop.Brian and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com1