[Ravensfort] AAA event stories?

Karen Picou kladd at houston.rr.com
Tue Jul 13 21:26:24 PDT 2004


Jacinth,
We make period carts and boxes.... You can email momma cammie on the list
and she can help you
Karen/Ophelia

-----Original Message-----
From: ravensfort-bounces+kladd=houston.rr.com at ansteorra.org
[mailto:ravensfort-bounces+kladd=houston.rr.com at ansteorra.org]On Behalf Of
jacinth
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 12:42 PM
To: The Barony of Ravensfort
Subject: Re: [Ravensfort] AAA event stories?

Annes wrote:
> I also am still just really awed by Robin of
> Gilwell's recounting of our 25 years of history. It
> was a damn shame that he had to do it during feast
> and so many paid him not a lick of attention. But I
> am going to get a copy of that, you betcha!

I would like to see a copy of this.  It is a pity that this was done
_during_
feast.  I unfortuantely could not eat feast, so I did not buy it (not for a
lack
of wanting, but dietarily prevented), so I was pretty well chased out as
soon
as court was over because I hadn't... much to the dismay of those friends
who had hoped for my company at the table anyway.  Not very nice,
although I can understand that seating for 500 might have been limited.  If
you get a copy, could you send me one?  I was certainly not going to stand
around outside the enclosure just to watch everybody eat!!

On the whole, I got to see the event from another side than normal... that
of the merchant.  Friends, merchants work hard, don't get to shop, or get
to participate in classes or other activities.  They have to stay with their
stock and provide a necessary service to members of our kingdom... if you
can't make it, you can buy it. :)  I spent a lot of time with HE Brian at
his
new shop... I learned how to make leather pouches (found out I was pretty
good at it, too... not surprisingly), helped wait on customers (which at
times
was pretty chaotic), and provided company when it was slow (it can get
boring when you don't get to go anywhere).  It was nice to have shade, and
not get blisters, although my pedometer showed I put in about 10 miles of
walking each day.  It was a good feeling to be able to help out, but in a
different way.  Now I am sure I want to learn how to make shoes!

I did get away to do some dancing on Friday... everything ran too long and
too late on Sunday.  I was very disappointed with not being able to just sit
with long lost friends at feast... as a result I lost track of most of them
that
evening and was not able to say farewell or anything.  The fireworks were
worth every penny and then some... the only thing missing was music, but it
isn't like that could have been done sitewide anyway.

The Historical display was really interesting, although I was disappointed
we
didn't have as many items as most every other group.  I somehow thought
more was going to be sent, based on discussions that I had heard, but
maybe I was mistaken.... Too late now, but couldn't we have sent our
Baronial petition?

Next time I am also going to make a handcart to carry my stuff so I don't
have to make so many trips to the car.  I even have a pattern in one of
my medieval furniture books that I might be able to manage... it'll probably
be ugly as I don't work wood, but a grand experiment.

I saw many old friends who hadn't been about in a while, and met a few
new ones (who are as passionate about string as I am!!).  On the whole, I
feel re-energized creatively, and I am going to get some projects started
this week.  As I was looking for garb, I realized I need a whole new
wardrobe... I'm planning an Elizabethan, something Japanese... maybe Heian,
and of course finish my Viking kit.

I had creative discussions with others about their interests and offered
information....  here are somethings I had for other people:

For those interested in Kumihimo... Rodrick Owen's new book on Takadai is
out (flat Japanese braids) -- it isn't really new, but a reprint.  Not a lot
is
published on this manner of braiding, get it while you can.  It's called
"Making Kumihimo : Japanese Interlaced Braids".  For those who don't know,
takadai is a manner of plaiting using a frame that has pegs to hold your
strands (this is oversimplifying, but if you like braiding you will probably
love
his work).  A few weeks ago he was at Convergence (a bi-annual textile
convention) and had lots of kumihimo on display... a real national treasure.
Come and see my copy if you are hesitant to buy unseen.

Rodrick Owen's book on "Braids: 250 patterns from Japan, Peru & Beyond" is
worthwhile and has lots of hints about working with a maru dai and using
alternatives when you can't afford one.  He has good techniques, and lots
of good examples and diagrams.... good information on the types of braids
documented in period.   There are several books in the Bibliography that are
worthwile to have a peek at, too.  I have a copy of this in my library, too.

I have a couple of really good books on kimono and how to wear them.  One
thing I was appalled about were the number of people who were wearing
lingere silk kimono at AAA...  no! no! no!  and open to the waist!!  no no
no!!
Let's work on the RIGHT way to do this!  Wearing a kimono properly is proof
showing how good your manners are to the Japanese.  Bad kimono = bad
breeding.  They are so easy to make, and fit to the wearer... no excuse to
be wearing your mother's dressing robe guys!

I have my studio mostly cleaned up.  If anyone is game for an evening a
month to work on projects, let me know and I will have an open-library.  If
you get tired, bring a suit and towel to go for a swim.  We need to nail
down a day for knitting.  I still haven't heard specific dates from those
interested.  If you don't set a day, it might never happen.  I am not going
to pick a day myself, because nobody will show up because it will be wrong
for _them_.  My schedule is flexible, now that I don't have dance practice
during the week.  I will teach individually, if you like... but you are
going to
have to contact me about it.  I am getting ready to put a new warp on the
loom, too.... warp-weighted loom is unused at the moment.  You are
welcome to come work on it if you want... but you need to make an effort
to finish it within a month (none of this put it on and leave it for a
year).

At any rate, the event was worth the trip.  It was amazing to see what
Ansteorran spirit truly is... it is a big, boisterous family of friends.

Regards,
-Jacinth-
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