[Ansteorra] How to Trap a Laurel

Thu Jul 28 14:04:42 PDT 2011

I did not realize that was your daughter. Glad she had fun. It's those types of things that 
really make my day... seeing the light go on in someone's face as they feel a bit of the period 
techniques and realize they can do things that 5 minutes earlier they hadn't realized that they 
could even yearn to do. Very fulfilling.

The rest of it will come eventually...

Because there are only two or so opportunities a year for that type of display, many of us here 
in the southern region have taken to creating an Artisan's Pavilion and bringing it to events. 
It's purpose is to stand as a place for people to come and interact with artisans in their 
natural habitat. Not so much display items, but more to have impromptu one to one teaching 
opportunities. We really should figure out some form of heraldry we can fly so that people will 
recognize us. But, if you see a big Ansteorran colored shade fly with what looks like people 
playing with tools under it, you've come to the right place. Come in and say hi!

Haraldr

On 7/28/11 3:24 PM, Zach Most wrote:
> I'm a big fan of Haraldr's displays.  It really does feel like you're stepping into a craftsman's workshop.  It works particularly well at venues like Laurel's Prize where you have the time to play with the tools.  He taught my daughter how to use a bow drill. It was a great demo that spread enthusiasm.
>    And have you gotten to sail in Czina's corracle?  It's another great example of something that's fantastic, and more impressive outside of a formal competition setting.
>    Gaston
>
> On Thu Jul 28th, 2011 11:14 AM PDT Haraldr Bassi wrote:
>
>> Hello Vincenti,
>>
>> Most of your examples have solid evidence for people doing the exact same types of things in
>> period. Historically archery tourneys had odd shoots (split the wand, grid etc) and rarely used
>> a modern concentric circle paper target. Fencers tended to be well dressed and the period they
>> were popular lace was the standard dress. Chivalric tourney fighters would invest their winnings
>> in fancy armor to impress people and intimidate their opponents.
>>
>> Unfortunately, for most of period, there were little to no places where multiple artisans came
>> together to compare and contrast their creations to other artisans in a competition, at least
>> not that I've seen.
>>
>> However, some artisans were also merchants and if they didn't have an attractive booth display
>> their family would starve. But in general, most artisans would have a one on one relationship
>> between themselves and their patron for creation of a specific item or service.
>>
>> My own personal approach to artisan participation displays is to use this as an opportunity to
>> actually perform my art in front of people. This equates to the artisan working in his shop with
>> the front raised up and people walking by and being caught up in the sounds and smells of the
>> work. While that approach works well for non-competition, it doesn't stand up so well for static
>> display competitions like Kingdom A&S and Gulf Wars.
>>
>> A very specific example, there is a world of difference between seeing a spring pole lathe in
>> action with wood shavings flying all over the place and soft chuff of the wood and tools working
>> together to seeing a picture of a lathe and the results of a week of effort culminating in a
>> very basic wooden bowl. Believe me in how tough it is to express the thrill and grandeur of the
>> creation of something so small and humble.
>>
>> Haraldr
>>
>>
>> On 7/28/11 9:58 AM, Doug Copley wrote:
>>> Perhaps looking at it a different way ... I see people doing things everywhere that don't *NEED*
>>> to be done. At the Archery range I have seen bobbing heads with the faces and even eyes painted,
>>> fish that explode, Evil Elmo with 3 inch fangs and a sword. None of these types of things are
>>> *NEEDED*. But they do make it fun and draw attention. The chivalric fighter on the field that
>>> spends $800+ on a helm, the rapier fighter that makes sure they have lace on their clothing for
>>> fighting in, or even the artisan that gets some black cloth to put behind or on their display.
>>> None of these things are *NEEDED* ... but ... we are only human and our eyes are drawn to things
>>> that are interesting and / or contrasting. There are ways to do things that will make it far
>>> better and more exciting than a small bowl sitting on a table with a card.
>>>
>>> While I agree that we all need to be careful not to get sucked in to flashy=good and that we
>>> need to look at the underlying work that it took to make something. We should still be aware
>>> that contrasting colors make it easier to notice something. When I setup my display with the
>>> crossbow it is not to add lights and everything to it, it is to create a contrast of colors. The
>>> wood in my crossbow was too close in color to the table tops and they were plastic so I really
>>> did not want the table top to take away from my display. To fix that I put down some black cloth
>>> and suddenly it looks better because it stands out more.
>>>
>>> I am looking forward to Laurel's Prize Tourney and I am devising traps for any Laurels that may
>>> venture too near:-)
>>>
>>> YIS,
>>> Vincenti
>>>
>>>
>>> On 7/28/2011 2:07 AM, Ld.blackmoon wrote:
>>>> greetings
>>>>
>>>> lol, don't feel lonesome , between being strongly opinionated, not
>>>> afraid to open my mouth, and having terrible documentation skills, I
>>>> doubt I will ever join them either ; )
>>>> I think the problem is different than most people see, from my
>>>> perspective . as an a&  s peer , they should be looking at every thing
>>>> they get the chance to , and advising / teaching as often as possible.
>>>> not just teaching / advising their chosen students. they should be
>>>> examining all entries , not just the ones with flashy colors , or fancy
>>>> displays. if your entry needs those things because it isn't very well
>>>> made, or it is made from modern materials in a modern fashion , I guess
>>>> that's ok, but , if I want to sell my stuff for profit I'll build a
>>>> display to attract the people with no knowledge, but lots of money, a&  s
>>>> peers are supposed to be both knowledgeable and interested in things a&
>>>> s , as the top of the a&  s food chain they shouldn't need flashy /
>>>> shiny to attract their attention.
>>>> skill and craftsmanship / knowledge should draw them like a moth to the
>>>> flame .
>>>> but hey , its their show , let them have fun their own way , ill keep
>>>> having fun making things ; )
>>>> again , just my opinion : )
>>>> Be Safe , Be Happy, Have Fun .
>>>> Arthur
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michelle Dodd"
>>>> <lygabrielerdb at hotmail.com>
>>>> To: "Ansteorra"<ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 12:50 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] How to Trap a Laurel
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I am not a Laurel and most likely will never join that little club.
>>>>> However, I have been a merchant for several years&  I know that you
>>>>> will get more interest by having an interesting display. Having things
>>>>> at different levels is basic eye catching. It holds interest, where
>>>>> people will actually look at the items.A bowl on a table with a piece
>>>>> of paper is boring. Put that same bowl on an angle, to catch the light
>>>>> and show the colors, is much better&  will get more response. While
>>>>> chocolate is good, you don't need "showgirls Or oiled towel boys".
>>>>> Just put a little effort into the display of what you put so much time
>>>>> and effort into making. I normally would not get into this discussion,
>>>>> since as I said I am not a Laurel, but I once entered a small A&S
>>>>> 'event' which, while NOT LPT,was similar in that it was for discussion
>>>>> and advice as to how to do 'it' better. What ever 'it' was.My display
>>>>> was flat. I had no table cover. Nothing to make the display
>>>>> interesting. At the end of the
>>>>> day I had few remarks, less advice. While it is certainly possible,
>>>>> that nobody there knew much about what I was displaying, I don't even
>>>>> remember what it was, If I had had a more interesting display, more
>>>>> people would have stopped and looked. YES it is merchandising. But if
>>>>> you want people, besides those who "geek out on the very things
>>>>> artisans are working on", to look at what you have done than you HAVE
>>>>> to catch their eye. Laurels are humans too, most of the time. They
>>>>> want to look at interesting things. Ly Gabriele
>>>>>
>>>>> The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we
>>>>> are allowed to remain children all our lives. (Albert Einstein)
>>>>>> From: barrett1 at cox.net
>>>>>> To: ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org
>>>>>> Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:05:35 -0500
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] How to Trap a Laurel
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "And there are some shy Laurels. I have met them. But in
>>>>>> performance of our duties in aiding artisans to be their best, we should
>>>>>> never have to be lured like a mythical unicorn."
>>>>>> Suvdchin, OL
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Umm... I'd like to point out publically to my fellow Laurels that you
>>>>>> guys
>>>>>> are ruining what could be the wildest Arts&  Sciences blowout the
>>>>>> Kingdom
>>>>>> has ever seen!
>>>>>> If we convince people we need wooing, we could have full body
>>>>>> massages while
>>>>>> reading docs, with champagne and quail eggs and those little toast
>>>>>> things
>>>>>> with smoked salmon while artisans display their work with wet bars and
>>>>>> chocolate fountains and showgirls wearing nothing but feathers and
>>>>>> jewelry
>>>>>> and oiled towel boys with sloppy hair and sedated monkeys wearing
>>>>>> little SCA
>>>>>> outfits all dancing around suggestively like a Kafka-written
>>>>>> nightmare when
>>>>>> not leading you gently to the vomitorium.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'm not ashamed of my dreams!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> : )
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Anyway, all joking aside, yes, most of us became Laurels because we
>>>>>> geek out
>>>>>> on the very things artisans are working on - we can't help but pay
>>>>>> attention, most of the time.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Her Grace Willow was honestly trying to lend a helping hand, give a few
>>>>>> pointers to those who have never displayed before, but she was trying to
>>>>>> help, not declare Commandments. If your table has just your favorite
>>>>>> drinking mug and your art on it, we will stop by.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Shame though,... everything is better with monkeys.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>>>>>
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