I have been a historical re-enactor since 1985.  I started as a boy bugler in an 1885 Canada Militia group and have spent my life researching, developing and building products for historical reenactors.  I am a certificated leatherworker, shoe, boot and saddle maker and hold degrees of a B. FA. in music and design and a B.Ed. in History, Indigenous Studies and Arts Education as well as a certificate in Industrial Education.  I taught high school for 28 years and currently teach at the university level.  I am still an active reenactor in the 1867-1918 time periods and have developed my skills in building helmets as a result of never being able to find one in my size or of any sort of quality worthy of historical reenactment.