ANST - Pennsic Gift Baskets

Fri Mar 30 06:27:49 PST 2001

Greetings unto the populace of Ansteorra,  

It is that time once again, when Their Royal Highnesses  are 
preparing for their upcoming rein of our most stellar Kingdom.  As 
you may be aware, shortly after stepping up, they will travel to  
distant lands, to help our friends at Pennsic War. Traditionally, at 
war, Ansteorra gives wonderful gifts to the  Royalty of the Knowne 
World... this Pennsic War should be no  different, hence my 
missive. 

Her Highness has asked that I coordinate the gift baskets  for the 
Leaders of the Knowne World. For Gulf Wars, this task falls  upon 
the baronies of our fair Kingdom. In order to ease the burden  of the 
baronies, and to showcase the vast talents of Ansteorra’s  
populace, Her Highness has asked that I appeal to the general 
populace as well as the cantons,  shires, colleges, and 
strongholds of Ansteorra for this task. This  is a great opportunity, 
for all Ansteorran artisans, to share the  beauty they create, while 
making Ansteorra proud. 

Her Highness has asked that a few guidelines be set forth.  

  1.Nocandles or soap: When handmade, these items are lovely 
    gifts.  However, since most gift baskets traditionally contain 
    candles and  soap, even the handmade beauty loses its 
    appeal. So please, be  creative.

2.Liquid gifts (cordials, wine, etc.) are lovely, but need serious  
consideration. These items are difficult to transport, and will most  
assuredly get hot before delivery. If you wish to donate these  
things, please be aware that they must be very tightly sealed (I  
would suggest a good sealing wax [not paraffin] on top of whatever  
cap you are using), and well packed for travel. Again, they will be  
hot before delivery. If the heat will spoil it, it is probably not a good  
idea.

	If you know an artisan who does not have access to this list, 
please pass this information, as well as my contact information 
along to them. Besides my contact information, I have included a 
list of gift ideas, for your convenience. These are  just suggestions, 
so again, be creative. If you have other ideas you are  unsure of 
please contact me. I  am thrilled to have an opportunity to 
brainstorm with you. 

Thank you all, very much, for your time, and effort. With your help,  
Ansteorra’s star will, once again, shine as a beacon of beauty and  
excellence, throughout the Knowne World. 

In  Service to the Dream and its Dreamers, 
LadyAfan ferch Elystan 
PennsicGift Basket Coordinator 

  Contactinformation 
Afanferch Elystan 
(GwenRhine) 
5925Martha Dr. 
Watauga,TX 76148 
e-mail:grrhine at swbell.net 
phone:817-498-6847 

  Listof gift ideas  (This list was passed to me, and I believe was a  
    list of some items that were given at another Pennsic War.) 

  Tablelinens 
pillows
periodlooking coffee mugs 
An  illuminated page from a period book 
handknitted mittens 
necklacesmade of semiprecious stones 
handmadeglass bottles 
crochetedlap warmers 
poucheswith tablet-woven edges 
a   children's activities book about knights 
wine
gloves
a   full apron for a cook 
tabletwoven trim 
jewelry
magnifyingglasses with a nice handles 
Damasknapkins 
Basketcloths 
A   full set of hand-turned wooden feast gear 
Hand-madetassels,  
Champleve'medallions of the Kingdom's arms.  
a   bag painted with the Kingdom's arms,  
big turned wooden candlesticks from Hobby Lobby,  
chipnecklaces,  
handmade paper 
a   hand made ocarina 
longdistance gift cards, 
beanie-babydragons,  
silvervases,  
sandalwoodfans 
a   soapstone box and candleholders,  
boo-boomedicine,  
bathsalts  
trim.
paintedwall hangings in Celtic motifs 
Honeymead 
Herbalcough remedy 
A   pair of vambraces 
a   necklace of coral and bone 
yardageof damask brocade 
a   selection of various trims 
woodenchests 
napkinspainted with the arms,  
somereally spiffy jewelry pouches 
extralong wooden hangers 
an  extra long garment bag in kingdom colors 
belts
Basketsfilled with fruit, cheese, and bread; coffee, tea, and cocoa; 
    snack  foods, bottles of water, and other practical items, 
    obviously intended for  use *during* the war.  
Basketsfull to the brim with things *someone* was likely to have  
    forgotten at home: toothpaste, toothbrushes, an alarm clock, a 
    coffeepot,  tea and coffee, soap, shampoo, etc. 
bathoils 
longdistance calling cards  
stamps
stationarywith the new King and Queen's name and address 
Big plastic bucket w/supplies for Minister of Children – crayons, 
    paints,  Popsicle sticks, etc.  
littleglass jars with various dried/fresh herbs or honey.  
Crowns*never* have enough kingdom heraldry color coordinated  
    dinner napkins. 
handmadecake of hand lotion,  
handmadebruise balm 
embroideredpouches 
dresshandkerchiefs 
freshwaterpearl necklaces  
Givingedibles can be a bad idea - they tend to get shut into boxes 
    for  travel and forgotten about. 
Gettingpotables is always nice (even if the Crown doesn't drink it 
    gives  them the opportunity to pay their entourage *really 
    well.*) 
Hoodsin kingdom colors are really cool! 
Crownssure get a lot of sets of matching goblets. 
Batterypowered hand-held fans, socks, little chemical hand-
    warmer  packets to go in your gloves on chilly nights, tiny 
    flashlights, etc....  
Canvastote bags 
Material(esp white for veils/shirts) 
Feastgear 
Artificialsinew 
DuctTape 
Embroideryfloss 
Needles
Gesso
Wood
Bookson art in the Middle Ages 
Embroideryhoops 
A   belt blank 
Bookson heraldry 
Bookson armor 
A   seam-ripper with the little light on the end 
lanterns
Goodpaper (ask for 'elephant paper' at a paper shop) 
A   piece of good leather 
Paintbrushes (ten bucks can get the good ones rather than the 
    cruddy  ones) 
A   length of trim 
A   length of lace 
A   basket 
Someostrich plumes 
Somepheasant feathers 
A   Nine-men Morris game 
Dice
niceperiod looking buckles 
Rivetsfor armor 
A   strap-cutter 
A   rawhide mallet 
A   brick of beeswax 
A   hydrometer 
A   wine thief 
A   package of corks 
Patterningpaper 
Bookson brewing or vinting 
Campstools 
Decksof renaissance style cards 
A   yeast culture 
Periodcookbooks 
Buttons
Hooksand eyes 
Goodthread 
Someantler 
A   cows horn 
A   yard or two of buckram 
Tracingpaper 
Blanktapes 
Brewerslogs 
Carvinglinoleum 
Drawknives 
Rattan
Some550 cord 
Tentstakes 
Bannerpoles 
Seedsfor different herbs 
Lampoil 
Beads/Pearls
cloaks,
paintedbanners and "tapestries"  
smallbinders or booklets in which to list gifts given These binders 
    can  have embroidered, painted or leather-worked covers put 
    on them.  
periodbelt findings,  
periodtable ware,  
antlerbuttons,  
bone/bronzeneedles,  
hand-spunsilk or wool thread,  
smallyardages of brocade that can be used as trim.  
award insignia  

In Service,
Lady Afan ferch Elystan
Central Regional Seneschal
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