Thursday, August 26, 2010

Puppets On Parade















Well here they are, the cable shoulder puppets I described in my last post. They are made from sculpy polemer clay for the the head, and legs, rabbit fur for the body, feather for wings and accents, they have marble for eyes and stiffened felt in areas, and jewelery accents for collars and bracelet.

They work by a cable system attached inside the body the make the head move up, down, and side to side. The movement is very life like and really neat to observe. I saw these awesome creatures on a site and couldn't afford the price, though I took some consideration to have one made was in my mind.

So I made my own version,these are in no way to copy the original ones. My puppets are sculpted differently and from different clay material, they use something like an acrylic wood material for the originals I saw on a website: http://www.fantasypuppets.com/.

The puppets on this site are called woodbabies, and are found at several renaissance faires, festivals, and conventions all over the US. I do have plans to have a puppet special made by the same company, its going to be a unicorn puppet made in my heraldry colors, as soon as it all passes through. So for right now my homemade version's will suffice the children of the local shire. Also I plan on using them in my Puppet research paper as a form of modern version and show the progression from Puppet and Marionette origin.

I do have some plans for the dollhouse, the puppets were a light side project. Setting things aside when I have time with projects lets me get a new approach to them when I return back to them, this prevents monotomy and boredom with topics. So I right now I have plans to put the stained glass in soon and finish the details on the center tower like painting, that is most of the construction portion. After that there is lots of embroidery projects to decorate the inside of the castle. So soon will be time to storm the castle, again.

A Busy Bee,

Maureen







Saturday, August 14, 2010

Having a Puppet Good Time




Well here it is August and Pennsic is now over, time to get back to the grind of mundane work and Fall SCA events. More the second for me since I didn't attend Pennsic. Not sure what is planned for this fall yet, but I am looking forward to cooler weather and wearing my Tudor velvets a few times to keep toasty.

Spring, Fall and Winter are good weather for wearing Tudor fashions, they are warm lined and layered. Though in the summer these layers are not able to be taken off, especially for modesty sake. Really silks in a lighter variety are the only way to get relief from the heat in the Tudor style. I do have some Italian garb for just this reason, there are times it is just too hot to put on a corset and mutliple layers of a Tudor gown. Its not persona correct, but I would rather be incorrect for my persona and not have heat stroke besides keeping your sanity in a Tudor Gown in weather over 70 degrees can be challenging.

Currently whilst all have been at Pennsic, I have been working on some fantasty cable controlled puppets. You would see these at the local Renaissance Faire's or most Faires around the country for that matter. I ordered one unicorn shoulder puppet online for a good price, it is to be custom made in my heraldic colors. The price was good compared to the going rate I have seen online and via word of mouth.

These are modern puppets that are controlled by a cable going inside the body and attaching to the head allowing it to move up and down and side to side. The movements are very life like and I thought it would be an attraction for the kids in the SCA. I am making other puppets to be used for childrens activites but they are comming out of my personal budget, so I they won't be shire property. I did find another puppet on Craigslist at a better price and am buy this one too. It looks more like a bat or cat like creature but still will be useful for kids activities. I have some collars made from an old metallic belt that I took apart and refashioned for the puppets to wear, if all goes well I should have 4 puppets to work with, a unicorn, a gryphon with wings, a dragon with wings, and a cat/bat with wings. So there is a managerie of fun and excitement, I can't wait to see how the two I am making will turn out.

Though if all goes well, they will be a welcome fascination to the shire, be seen at local gatherings and would be fun to make in heraldic colors and beasts for shire members as a keepsake. It is alot of work but they are one of a kind and specific to the person's heraldic beast and colors. The whole concept was too good to overlook just cause they are fantasy based. They will be mentioned as a modern form of puppetry in the end of my puppet research paper, might bring one as an example and one period made form. I like comparative studies, though it won't be a huge focus in my research, since the item has to be made in the period correct styling, materials, and techniques.

I might be deemed Mairin The Puppet/Marionette Mistress if I am not too careful, which would be fine with me. The toymaker nickname has already been taken by Claus, personally I am not the type to intrude on a nick name. With all that I have been doing within the past few months: the tudor barbie like dolls, the castle doll house, wooden puppets, and now heraldic shoulder puppets. Things are getting theatrical all the way round, though I think most shire folk don't mind.

I will be finishing the doll house in September after the puppet managerie, the puppets should be done by the end of August. I will work on garb sometime in September for Justin to wear to Ren Faire. Then I have a lacy chemise to make and silk fabric to make into veils which will be beaded and embroidered. From the same silk fabric will be made into partlets and lighter accessories to garb. I tend to make my garb for the next season in the opposite time of year, its worked well so far. Never hurts to be prepared. I do have to reorganize my closet and get things taken out to the shed, its been needing freshening up for a while.

Well lots to do on the list but it never stops, there is always research, cleaning, mending and crafting to be had, that is the life of a SCA.

Take Care,

Maureen

Friday, August 6, 2010

August

Well here we are, just over the cupbst of the summer, all downhill from here. Lots been going on but not much going on crafting lately. Went to a Mayhem fest and had fun letting my metal side out.

Worked on the dollhouse lackadasically, just waiting for my muse to inspire more craziness later. Doesn't take too long for things to come around again. I am looking into woodbaby cable puppets. Seeing if I can use them as a modern interpritation for modern puppetry in my A&S research paper as a way to show how things progressed over the years. I did get lots of dollhouse books for research that contains lots of lovely documentable inforamtion and am looking for the same on puppets. The puppet community seems to like to keep the puppet construction and methods secret, just like the magician community. I will have to work hard to get good sources to for my A&S research. Though I like a good challenge.

So right now planning on going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in September. This will be my first time attending. I expect there to be more of a fantasty slant compared to the SCA events I have been to in the past. Though I am able to get my finace into a garb like outfit with a robin hood hat, so there is a victory for me. He likes costumes but only if they are called for like halloween and such, practical to the end. I will wear something Tudor and WOW the socks off of everyone as usual. Proably will be one of my more simple outfit to be comfortable, and yes I will wear a proper hat. Just am not sure if I want to wear one of my wool dresses or go for something lighter like my cotton irish dress. I will check the weather first and that will judge what I will wear, in this case I must be practical too.

Till more detail arise and till i get more sewing crazy, this is all for now.

Blessings,

Maureen

Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Tudor Q and A

What is a Tudorosity?

A mashed combination of the words Tudor and Curiosity to create the word Tudorosity. Tudorosities is the plural form and the deffinition is as follows.

Tudorosity- an desire to learn or know anything about the Tudor dynasty associated with years 1405 through 1603.

Most people ask my why I make the Tudor garb ?

I find the clothing of this era not only beautiful but also challenging to sew. There is much more care and purpose put into making garments and wearing garments in the Tudor Era. I love the look of Tudor so much I wanted to explore the way clothes were made back then and the subtle changes in fashion and styles of time.

How did you get started in this interesting hobby?

I started with art first, I love to draw, paint, and sculpt all the traditional fine arts. So being able to draw helps me visualize the looks I want to create in my garb. History has always been a huge interest of mine and I've had a knack for sewing since I was 7 years old. It all started with doll clothes and I learned cross stitch embroidery from my grandmother when I was little. I am self taught sewer, crochet, knitting, embroidery and tatting. My methods are learned from books mainly and there is still so much more to learn.

What is my favorite outfit and why?

It would be like picking a favorite out of one of my future children, its impossible. I love all my gown creations and really like the distinct differences in all the styles clothing I make for the Tudor Era.

Do you make the whole outfit including hat, shoes, and undergarments?

I do have a goal of making a complete Tudor from the skin out. As of right now I make 90% of my gowns and accessories. The shoes and stockings, are bought online and the petticoats are a close reproduction but not made by me. .

How long does it take to make a gown?

It all depends on the type of gown. The making relies on the time period and class of the design. Generally if I work on it 8 hours a day on a sewing machine it will take 3 days to get the basics and another 5 days to do finish hand-sewing details and beading. So a week to a week and a half if working on it steady for that amount of time. I work a full-time job so it does take longer than a week to complete. I put over 40-100 hours per outfit depending on its complexity, its like its own full time job of sorts.

Do you make renaissance clothing for sale or custom orders?

No, due to new employment and changes in my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I have no time to support sewing for others. Though I recommend sewing lessons for those adventurous few. There are many fine folks who make and sell historical clothing. I suggest guidance with sew from many fine historical enthusiastic costumers out on the internet.

How long have you been making these elaborate costumes?

I have been in the Society of Creative Anachronism coming up on my 18th year. Active since 2004 working at demonstrations and volunteering when I could between working and other life's distractions. I really concentrated on Tudor sewing in 2007 and worked with patterns to learn proper fabrics, techniques, fit, and silhouette. I really enjoy the eras transition from a medieval form fitting layered cotterdie to the boned Tudor kirtle and then to structured Elizabethan clothing.

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll
Based on art by Giovanni Ambrogio

O’Kealy Heraldry

O’Kealy Heraldry