State of the Workshop 1

 

State of the Workshop 1.

Figure 1: Ezabi making sure I was warm and comfortable while nalbinding.

 

Yarn, yarn, all the yarn! And pie.

 

At times I have done posts with the wide variety of projects I'm currently working on. Be it hats, lucet cords, yarn I am spinning, an apron dress. Odds and ends that don't get an entire article dedicated to them. At a friend's suggestion I am going to start calling these posts "State of the Workshop." The old posts will get new tags, but will otherwise remain unchanged.

 

Other fun things not in pictures:

Helped a friend get his spinning wheel running again, took it for a test drive, and gave my friend his first spinning lesson.

Brought show and tell to a Norse treasure necklace class, shared my box of largess beads.

 

Hats: A State of the Workshop needs hats. Always seem to be making more nalbound hats for largess and commissions. And we can never forget my most dedicated helper Ezabi.

Figure 2: YouTube, a cat, and a hat in progress.

Figure 3: Almost done with this hat commission.

Figure 4: More hats in progress. One is part of a commission, the other is for largess.

 

Fabric: New linen means new garb! These three just came in. Medium weight for dresses. I have the perfect lucet cord planned for trimming the purple (photo seems to highlight the red tones).

 

Figure 5: Yards and yards of new linen fabric.

 

Whipcord: I had some new whipcord bobbins on order, and they arrived! So far working great, the shape works well with my hands. One of these days I will have to get someone to capture video of me making whipcord, there tends to be a lot of disbelief when I tell people that I make it solo. The shipping had great timing, I got an excellent review at a Baronial A&S night the week before. Also made a really nice hook system for my office doorframe, works great for hanging whipcord.

 

Figure 6: Bobbins at rest.

 

Loom refurbish: This one is a collaboration. Years ago, a very large inkle loom was passed on to me, with the intent that it be used for A&S. However, it needed some repairs. Replaced the missing pegs back then, but it still needs something. Inkle really isn’t my thing, so unfortunately the loom didn’t get used. Fast forward to now, and one of the friends in the Barony is REALLY into inkle. So together we have been brainstorming and have come up with a plan to get this great big inkle back up and weaving.

Figure 7: Giant inkle about to be loaded in the truck. I promise I found a dry spot for the picture by my truck tire.

 

Figure 8: Ezabi also helps with knitting. Very well-rounded skill set for a little kitty.

 

Knitting: Go to a yarn store with friends, and you will come out with at least two projects worth. This one is a tam style hat in progress. Honestly though, I need longer DPNs.

Figure 9: Fresh ink, had to test it out.

 

Useful tats: I got something I have been wanting for a long time, finger tattoos. True to form they will need touch ups, probably at least twice. But I was prepared for that. My longtime friend and artist (he’s done most of my work) is always good about letting his clients know any particular things they need to know. Oh darn, I have to go back. My thumb was the one which sparked the session, got a couple decorative ones done too, but the thumb was the driving force. I had seen others with marks for hand sewing, and following their example I would draw dots every time I needed to have consistent stitches. Well I finally got them done. Now to wait for them to finish healing, and get touch ups scheduled.

Figure 10: Pie fresh out of the oven. Needs to sit and cool, but sometimes you just can't wait.

 

Pie: Pie! Not just pie, but a pie experiment. A dear friend hosts a Halloween party every year, and guests help out by bringing food to share too. However, our dear hostess has a cinnamon allergy. Having my own list of food allergies, I can completely sympathize with her issue. Last year’s experiment was a pumpkin custard that she could partake in, it was a big hit! This year it’s apple pie, and oh goodness this will probably become a staple. Made it just like my normal apple pie, however instead of 2tsp of cinnamon, I did 1tsp allspice, 1/2tsp clove, and 1/2tsp nutmeg.

 

Figure 11: Finished draft for the newest weaving.

 

Tablet weaving: I’ve had a recent fascination with “Tablets that go brrrrrrr,” which is a term some of us in our little Principality use for patterns that have no thinking involved. All cards forward, all the time. There are some really great patterns out there which fit this theme, Narrow Oseberg, Ladoga, Grave II from Snartmo, Felixstowe, portions of Kaupang, portions of The Lady in Blue, as well as some modern ones such as a laurel leaf inspired by Narrow Oseberg. For quite a while I have been planning on warping a version of Ladoga. It is inspired by the colors of the Progress Pride Flag. Drafted it out, and decided I didn’t have enough colors. It was an adventure getting more yarn. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love this yarn, and plan on many more orders. The website though does need a revamp. Ended up having to email my order and PayPal for payment, but it all worked out.

Figure 12: One day I will invest in a warping reel. But for now a hallway is working. One length is about 12 ft, so a round makes 24, approximately.

Figure 13: Warp weights are all on. The arrangement was too pretty.

Figure 14: So tiny!

 

End note: Listen to your bodies. I am very guilty of pushing way too hard, especially in my mundane life. As a very few know, this last week I had major sinus surgery. I have been convalescing, but today I wanted to do something that wasn’t just sitting on the couch. Oh my goodness! A couple dozen laps down the hallway to measure out my threads for my warp had me needing to sit down for a while. Slow and steady, it eventually got done. Looking forward to when all the recovery is through.

Garb challenge, horn, arm guard, general tinkering, more hats, and a musing.

 

Been up to several things since the last post. Made some new garb, took a cooking class, got an archery arm guard complete except for the ties, repainted a horn, made more hats, spun yarn, lucetted, worked on making coins, and of course went to events and had an excellent time hanging out with my chosen family.

Fighter demo back-to-back with a marathon water station was busy, but well worth it to spend time with excellent people. A few other events attended, as well as several A&S get togethers.

 

Figure 1: Nero helping with photography of the newest apron dress.

 

Garb Challenge:

There is a group on Facebook which is doing a garb challenge. The task is to create pride inspired items, which are then to be worn at your local Yule or 12^th night, depending on your location. I finished this four panel, four gore, apron dress and separate front panel in enough time to wear it to some friends’ wedding. Surprisingly this was the most subtle rainbow outfit of all the ones in attendance. Next up is a new linen underdress with rainbow trim.

 

Figure 2: Was able to do pretty well with matching the panels. Gores didn't have that option.

 

Figure 3: Photograph a dress, get a cat.

 

Figure 4: Friend wanted to make sure I had enough leather for the project, and Rajah decided to help with the photo.

 

Archery arm guard:

Decided that I was not finding the style of archery armguard that I was wanting, so decided to make my own. Leatherwork is new to me, so a good friend and I collaborated. He brought his tools and knowledge to a local craft and chat, while I brought leather and a willingness to learn. It did take two craft and chat sessions, one to carve and dye the leather, and a second to paint it.

Figure 5: Cut, carved, and punched arm guard.

 

Figure 6: Dye and grommets done.

 

Figure 7: Green was temperamental and required several coats.

 

Figure 8: Gold paint in progress.

 

Figure 9: Paint finished, need to make cord.

 

Figure 10: Horn as received.

 

Purchased horn repaint:

Found an inexpensive musical horn at a major online retailer, but when it arrived it was not what I was expecting. I could get a really pretty note out of it. However, the advertisement had led me to believe I would be getting a natural-colored horn, with black paint details and carvings. What I received was a marble brown painted horn, with natural-colored carvings. The brown marble paint just wasn’t sitting well in my mind. Dry sanding with fine steel wool removed the paint, but then I had to think about the repaint for several months. When going to the craft and chat to paint my new archery arm guard, I grabbed the horn and brought it along. Since I already would have paints set up, why not? Maybe inspiration would strike. The same friend who was helping me with leatherwork suggested an aurora theme, and I ran with the idea. Really pleased with how it turned out.

Figure 11: Paint removal in progress.

 

Figure 12: Paint removal complete. Nice warm spring day, and a slight breeze for dust removal.

 

Figure 13: Gold paint done.

 

Figure 14: Starting the aurora. Blue done, with purple in progress.

 

Figure 15: Adding green.

 

Figure 16: Black for the rest of the carved lines.

 

Figure 17: Blue in the knotwork carvings.

 

Figure 18: Finished horn and arm guard.

 

Figure 19: Hot crucible and mold for ingots.

 

Coin making:

As part of the Oerthan Mint the group will periodically have working meetings. This time I manned the crucible, then poured hot pewter into forms. The resulting ingots later get rolled out into thin sheets, cut, and stamped into coins.

Figure 20: Cooking instructor gave us all brand-new spoons. I now know why this was a favorite kitchen tool.

 

Cooking class:

Attended a medieval cooking class where we cooked over charcoal. I made a kind of meatball, with currents and a semi sweet sauce. Everything that was prepared by all participants was amazing.

Figure 21: Learning to cook over charcoal, and use a ceramic pipkin.

 

Figure 22: My favorite spindle and distaff, made by a wonderful craftsman in the UK. Currently spinning BFL and silk blended roving.

 

Spinning:

Currently working on a luscious Bluefaced Leicester and silk roving, which happened to be dyed by my Laurel. Can’t tell from this picture, but it also has silver and royal blue.

Figure 23: My favorite lucet, made by a local craftsman. For home use I have several plastic bobbins made by my best friend.

 

Lucet:

Picked up some large balls of crochet cotton. They are making really pretty lucet cord.

Figure 24: Hat specially made for an amazing friend.

 

Nalbound hats:

Made some more of my nalbound hats. Two had specific recipients, and a third went to Principality largess.

Figure 25: Mundane work trip had me waiting stopped for construction. At least I had good tunes and a project.

 

Figure 26: Special request for a friend.

Figure 27: Prize winning hat. Was donated to Principality largess.

 

Mundane life made it seem that I was not going to be able to attend the neighboring Shire’s event, but the day before plans changed, and I was able to be there for a half day. Actual conversation from this event.

"What are you working on?"

"Another hat, I make a bunch of these for largesse." *Hands over the red, black, and gold finished one*

"Are you going to enter this in the A&S contest?"

"I didn't know there was an A&S contest."

"You should enter it."

"You know your Highness, I do believe I will."

Long story short, I won the contest I didn’t know I was going to enter. As such I get to wear the Hrafnafjordr A&S Champion belt pouch for the coming year.

Figure 28: Hrafnafjordr A&S championship belt pouch.

 

Figure 29: New windows, and future home of my floor loom.

 

Windows and loom:

The new windows got installed. Now I can get my floor loom out of storage, and finally set it up! Super excited to have my four-harness counterbalance floor loom working again. Already have a few ideas for upcoming projects, mainly featuring my favorite weave structure, variations of 2/2 twill.

 

End note musings:

I had a couple conversations with friends at this Summer Coronet which have really stuck with me. Thinking about peerages in the Society.

I was talking with a newcomer about the meanings of different belts in the SCA, and a friend walked by wearing two belts, a white and a green. It was a perfectly timed example to show that you can be multiple things at once.

Later I went up to this same friend while we were watching the fighting and talked about conversing with this newcomer. My friend, the Knight and Apprentice, said of both his belts “I am but a student.”

Well, this rang a very familiar chord with me. In my mundane life in order to do our job, we have to take very rigorous tests in order to get a license from the Federal Government. It is a common saying in the industry that this is a “License to Learn”.  After almost ten years of having mine that rings more true now than I ever imagined when I earned the industry license.

I have heard several phrases over the years how a peerage is a steppingstone, the real learning now begins, etc. But somehow this friend’s simple statement “I am but a student” was the most powerful, and the most thought provoking.

Later that night another friend was sitting vigil for their very first peerage. As is custom she had lots of visitors over the course of the evening. When it came time for my visit, I brought up the conversation with the Knight/Apprentice, and how it had gotten me thinking. We had a good talk about the crossover of things we have learned in our mundane careers, and what we have learned in the SCA.

So, my personal crossover is that a peerage is a license to learn.

June so far

 

Our King:

In early June The West Kingdom lost her King. His unexpected death sent shockwaves through our reenactment community.

As with many friends who live in the southern climes, I did not know Hans as well as I would have liked. The man I did know was someone I was proud to call King. This was a man who was genuinely happy to see you, genuinely happy you made it to the event, and genuinely interested in how you were doing. Even busy with business of the Crown, he would take the time to let you know, in his amazingly deep voice, that the event was that much better for your presence.

Spend five minutes with Hans, and you knew just how perfect he was for his equally amazing wife Helga. A perfect mix of joy, sass, and friendship.

The outpouring of love, stories, and memories across the community speaks volumes. The West misses you Hans, may you find yourself in Valhalla.

Figure 1: Arm band made by Mistress Kinehild.

A special mention to Mistress Kinehild, who was kind enough to make arm bands for the local populous. Thank you for your hard work, at very short notice.

 

Ren Fair:

Figure 2: Support your local artisans! I couldn't resist this cute cup at the Renaissance fair, which happened to match my nails.

Locally one of our biggest recruitment tools has been the local Renaissance Fair. While it is a reasonably small fair, it is such fun to see the various local groups come together. There is a historic village, plays complete with thrown tomatoes, pirates singing in the tavern, boffer weapons, living chess games, peasant dancing, turkey legs, lots of merchants, and of course our fighting and craft demos. The fighters always draw a crowd, heralds announce them, the fights have lots of noise from the swords hitting shields and helms, while the fans cheer and chant.

Figure 3: My Glückshaus board, amongst other games on display. We even played some games.

I ended up bringing several things for the display table. My Glückshaus board, German Brick Stitch needle book, painted sewing box, spindle and distaff, Charka quill spinning wheel, nalbound hat in progress, and my warp weighted tablet loom.

My best friend and I both demoed our warp weighted tablet looms. He had a more complex pattern which involved two packs of cards. I continued on with my leg wrap ties, in a simple all cards forward pattern, which was perfect for talking to interested individuals.

Figure 4: Warp weighted tablet loom set up at the Renaissance Fair. I made the loom, warp weights, shuttle, tablecloth, and foot stool. Purchased items were the chair, table, table runner, and weaving tablets.

 

Hallstatt hatband:

Picked up a really nice straw hat, as I tan like a vampire, but it needs a hat band. Been kicking around the idea of a Pride hat band for a while, and planning to end up with some extra for an apron dress front decoration. The extant pieces are from an Early Iron Age site near modern day Halstatt, Austria. Several textile finds were in a salt mine. Pattern is from HallTex 123, background is inspired by Halltex 186. Colors are from modern day Pride flags for pansexual and non-binary.

Need to finish up the current leg wrap ties that are on the loom, then on to starting this project.

Pattern draft is from the excellent book “A Simplified Guide to Historical Tablet Weaving” by Dagný Sveinsdóttir and Bjorn Sæmunddarson https://knarrtraders.bigcartel.com/product/a-simplified-guide-to-historical-tablet-weaving I am highly recommending this book. Not only is it an excellent how to guide, but also the patterns are historical, and history of the different finds is included.

Draft design was drawn up in new colors using Tabletweaving Draft Designer http://bazzalisk.org/tabletweave/

Figure 5: Drafted out a tablet weaving pattern for a hat band and dress trim.

Nalbound hats:

More hats! When I started making these for largess I never dreamed they would be so popular. Our Princess has requested several more for Summer Coronet, so I am stitching away again. Even planning on taking several skeins of yarn with me later in the month when my spouse and I go to a convention, there are going to be lots of plane rides to get there and back again.

Figure 6: Ezabi making sure I stay put to stitch. Testing out the idea of a plastic tapestry needle for teaching. The plastic needle does work, but I much prefer my wood or bone needles.

 

Newcomers event:

The first local event after the Ren Fair is Newcomers. It is a meet and greet for those who talked to us at the Renaissance Fair, and are interested in knowing more about the SCA. Fighters did demos and classes. There were sewing and weaving stations. Soup and bread for lunch. Even set up child friendly axe throwing and archery.

Spouse snapped a picture of me. In a way this one simple shot puts into perspective how far my crafting skills have advanced since joining the SCA. I knew how to spin and weave, could make a sewing machine go, had done a couple weaving projects on a floor loom, and could do some basic knitting.

Enter what I am wearing, all with skills I have learned in the SCA. Patterned and sewed the apron dress and under dress. Riveted the belt together. Tablet wove the belt favor and the apron dress trim. Luceted the underdress trim. Lampworked every bead on the festoons between the broaches. Not pictured, as it is on the other hip, is a handsewn pouch, with hand embroidery, and tablet woven straps. Learning to use the sling on my belt too.

All skills learned from my friends in the SCA. Whether going to Collegium, craft and chats, or spending a day in their living room. I am always amazed at the knowledge and the joy our group shares.

Figure 7: Setting up some kid friendly axe throwing.