I May Not Know How To Count, But You Can Always Count on Me
- Cailleach Dhe
- Dec 13, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 24
Barony of Bhakail, Yule, December 13, 2025
Materials: COE 104 Glass, Wood, Spray Paint
A Collaboration of Artistry with Morwill MacShane
If you were around for the mis-count mis-hap I made at Pennsic, not recognizing that tied for first, minus one point in the second vote meant second place, and not third, some of the hilarity of this post may not hit the same way.
Because I was so honored to be recognized by my friend, His Excellency Mikael, as his first Arts & Sciences champion of his time on the Baronial Seat, I knew I wanted to step away and give him a gift from the heart. Humor is in the heart, too, is it not? -grins- I decided to make Mikael an abacus, so that he could "always count on me".
I wanted to create something with a historical basis, so I looked into myriad countries versions.
China had the Suan-Pan, which was typically a wooden border, reinforced with metal. This style of counter was used vertically, and had two separate decks, or counting areas - one upper, and one lower. There were two beads on the upper deck, and five below. See image here.
Japan had the Sorobon. This was similar to the Suan-Pan, but only had one bead on the upper deck. See image here.
Lastly, Russia also had the Schoty, which was a horizontal counter that consisted of ten beads across, and four rows high. Both hands were used in the act of counting.
I chose the Suan-Pan, and began my art with creating 42 beads - 6 each of 7 colors of the rainbow, to flesh out 6 rows. This, for me, was an exercise in consistency. With that many beads in alignment, I wanted them to be as uniform as possible. I began this project using a graphite mold to help me achieve this, but by the end of the 42 beads, I found myself only using the heat of the flame and gravity to create the beads, and still maintain that consistency!
Before putting it all together, I referred back to the image I used as my inspiration. Again, my counting skills were not up to par. I created another 21 beads to fill out the width of 9 rows. 9 rows.
As I finished the final beads, Morwill used the measurements that I gave him to miter-cut the edges of 3/4" wide poles, and create the dividing piece to split the upper and lower decks of my Suan-Pan. He also cut 1/8" stainless steel rods into short mandrels that the beads could easily slide up on and down on. I chose steel for its durability, despite the extant having wooden dowels.
I put together a simple page of documentation, and brought my piece to display at Bhakail's Yule, where I held the competition to find my successor. At the end of judging, I brought His Excellency to see my display, and gifted him rainbows made by my hand. Photos forthcoming.
As for the competition, I put together the following:
***A&S Competition:***
The Honorable Lady Cailleach Dhe ingen Chairain requests a fierce competition where artisans from Bhakail and its neighbors recreate, reimagine, or interpret medieval works using historically informed techniques and materials in order to name her successor.
This is not just a competition—it's a display of devotion to historical arts and sciences authenticity, and the flair with which Bhakail is known.
This is your chance to showcase your best project—whether it’s newly completed or the pinnacle of your past efforts. We request that your project has found its completion within the past two years.
Categories may include any art which is known within our Society. Examples include Illumination & Calligraphy, Heraldry & Banners (Painted or Embroidered), Woodwork & Carving (Furniture, Boxes, Tools), Metalwork & Armor (Forged or Decorated Pieces), Fiber Arts (Weaving, Embroidery, Garb Construction), Glass work, and much more.
Photo of Cailleach, in Baronial Court, announcing the new A&S Champion of Bhakail by Dayna Tarabar
Links used for documentational reference:
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