Not your typical SCA A&S nerd

[gurdymonkey]

Really. I don't think of what I do as "A&S" the way most people in the SCA think of "A&S". Competitions are not only a non-motivator  inspirationwise, they make me insane, and not in a good way. (You spend 20 years riding green-broke horses in shows, you get all competetive instinct ground out of you because you're there to give Baby mileage, not to win.)

Display? And deprive myself of the use of something I slaved to make in the first place by sticking it on a table?  I love music but don't enjoy being in the spotlight, which is why the one-on-one of street performance appeals to me a lot more than standing up on a stage, be it feast hall or bardic circle.

And yet, I just emailed the A&S coordinator and asked for a spot at the Artisan's Display at Estrella. Yes. I am voluntarily chaining myself to a spot for 3 hours to see if anyone in attendance gives a rat's backside about the Tosenin Kosode project. Why? Well, it's a little thing called giri. There are probably thousands of people in our Society doing fingerloop braiding. Or tablet weaving. Or calligraphy and illumination. Or blackwork embroidery. The big fad craft in the West  is/was making lampwork beads for Viking treasure necklaces. I even made one damn bead at risk to life and limb and then told the person who insisted I give it a try that I was going back to paper and glue and getting the hell away from that oh so period hothead torch, thank you. (Ooh, note to self, pack kite-making supplies....)  Anyway, my point being that there are a lot of people producing a lot of like works.

How many are doing painted fakes of Asian textiles? How many of those are doing it because they saw mine first?  Trust me, they're out there, but there are not thousands.

 As some of you may remember from my adventures last year, there are people in Our Fair Society who believe that non-Western personae have no place in it. As Saionji, I represent a minority. I have a duty to my fellow SCAsians to portray my persona in a positive light. I am obligated to be at that table a week from Sunday doing so. 

Comments

[sarahbellem.livejournal.com]

That kosode should be displayed, because you're right, almost no one does that kind of work. Especially since it's a time and place where painted/printed textiles used in clothing is a period practice, AND it looks damn fabulous.

Have fun at Estrella!

[ldyanna.livejournal.com]

If you make kites, can I join in? The only thing I'm obligated for are the breakfasts on Fri-Sun.

[czina.livejournal.com]

Well, I went to the showcase last year, with my big inkle loom to work on my Pentathlon project, and with the Roman Chamfron v.1.0 - along with my little loom to let people try the leather cards.

I got some response to all the items - but then I got people who passed right on by, and our corner of the pavilion didn't get all the visitors, either.

Don't be surprised if people just wander passed and not notice - but don't be surprised if you get someone who is 'traditional' (an Elizabethan, or Norse with oodles of beads, etc. - you know, the standard type of costumer/fiber geek) - who will spend a lot of time with you.

Having something to work on was great for me - it actually gave me some uninterrupted time to do some weaving, which I hadn't had the entire war. Having documentation for anything you have is good, too - along with a pen and paper (or somesuch) so people can write down the parts they want to research. In your case, having info about the various groups and resources you have available may come in very handy.

But have fun - I'm sure you'll look great! And don't be surprised if people are taking your picture, because there were very few 'on the body' displays last year that I saw.

And if all else fails - bring out the hurdy gurdy and George :)

[sasha-khan.livejournal.com]

Saonji -

You are the Mother of honor.

All who know you, live.

[takadai-no-tora.livejournal.com]

BTW, Sasha, glad to hear that you're doing better.

[aureellia.livejournal.com]

This is an odd question I suppose, but how often does a really great instructor press a particular style/era/culture? I didn't get into making beads because of a desire for that culture but rather for an easy and period craft that I could make. I bet you have a dozen you haven't presented. Just saying.