Happy Belated Chaunnuka, Solstice, Yule,Christmas, kwanza, holidays

I was taking a survey of the skills I have learned since joining the sca in 2004. A long list but I can say being a Scadian has enriched my life in so many ways.

So here is a list;. Knitting, crochet, clothing sewing, many styles of embroidery, pattern making, improved technique in sculpting, lacemaking, millinery, spinning, weaving, wood carving, period painting, wig making, jewelry, glue making, beading technique, goldwork, silverwork, miniaturization, beginnings of clockwork. Those are off the top of my head will remember more later no doubt.

Then I was also thinking about the holiday season and thankful for many people: my love Albert, my kitties, my home, and my related family and my sca family and friends. May you all have a safe, happy and joyous holiday season with lots of warmth and love.


Happy Holidays you and yours,


Albert, Maureen and kitties Jace and Starr

Leafing Out

Well finally jumped in both feet to bobbin lace. It’s not as bad as I expected, delightfully relaxing. Watching YouTube videos helped my understanding of the working and basics to begin practicing. Finding that I do need to be careful to not twist till ends of rows but other than that I have some progress photos. Best description for lacemaking is that it’s is a from of weaving like  tapestry, with more delicate thread to make your own ground as you go along.

I plan on making 3 leaves since the kit I have had 3 different lace flowers to attempt. Pink variegated floss for the flowers and a minty leaf green for the leaves. Was nice to work on all this while waiting for dinner. It took me about an hour to do the whole leaf. Though with only one pattern will be able to do one a day as it needs to set in the pins for a day. It’s takes longer to wind up the bobbins for the pattern in this case then it does to complete the piece. Though not surprised as this was expressed in the videos I was watching while researching how to make bobbin lace.

If I can complete them all, I want to put them on a hair comb. Though will see how they turn out first. I can then try the rest of the samples before working on the pricking I have from France. Plus working on any other kind of ideas from my books.

So here is to an adventures in lace,

THL Marrin O’Kealy

Automatons on Parade

Well been making drawings of types of medieval dolls whileo planning for the epic automatons. Purchased some pashmina scarves to use for doll gowns the automatons. Marino wool and silk blend fabric which has enough body in the weave to pleat lay correctly. Making both similar to the extant as far as design of clothing. I have some other trim I may use but I have ideas on some options to make it look nice.

 Though wanted to show the scale of the instruments the automaton will respectively holding and playing.  I think they’re in genius just perfect for this kind of project. I will have to see how holding will be a challenge for the hands.

With this project, I plan on making two based on the extant in the  kunstkammer wien in Vienna Austria. Will have one play a violin and the other play the lute the ladies will be having a jam session of medieval proportions. So have the yellow and red gowned automaton play the lite as the original. Then the one orange will have a blue underdress and long braid with a caul covering.

Both will have pearl chokers and moveable arms to strike the tunes of the instruments. I plan on the arm and rolling action. Though we shall see  how it all comes together for these two.

Visions of medieval sugar plums,

THL Marrin O’Kealy

Source 1: http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2015/01/amazing-automatons-robots-victorian.html?m=1

Source 2: https://history-computer.com/Dreamers/Torriano.html

Rare images

I have more success in finding images of extant items from the back. Guessing it’s more common for modern artisans to take better research images. So easier to get complete views all around an object. if you look to your left, we have train folks.

Found some gems of the automaton from the side and back. Will be useful in getting it to look correct. Helped me answer some more questions I had about the hair styling and caul in the back and how long it was. As I know there are ones that are long and braided in the back with a tassel at the end. So

Shall see what options for movement I can create. Will be experimenting on a few gears and progression movements eventually. Gathering materials in the mean time. All I can say it’s going to be super epic. So going to let all of you enjoy these. I found them drool worthy as a larger scale challenge.

For the meantime have kitties vying for attention and mostly settled. Hoping to share more as research, planning, and tinkering begins on the automaton.

Excited to tinker,

THL Marrin O’Kealy

Source 1: http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2015/01/amazing-automatons-robots-victorian.html?m=1

Source 2: https://history-computer.com/Dreamers/Torriano.html

Menagerie

Well last of the horn and bone bobbins for lacemaking are on their way. All the pretties to make pretties. All the shiny spangles will be tough to choose which ones for practice. Such tough choices have to be made. Though I will have to get time to sit and practice. Will not be with a new arrival in the house

Personal note picked up Jasper’s ashes from the emergency vet. I am hoping no need to visit for many years. Though it’s been tough on Albert and I in very much the soft parts of the heart. It’s more so for our mountain of floof, Starr. I think she knows she is last cat and is acting quite differently without a feline companion. So for the holiday we decided to honor our lost ones, by naming an eventual new one with an inspired name.

 We are considering an all black male kitten for our 4yr old to teach all the cat like mischief. I hope Starr is up to the task. It’s bittersweet but I know Jasper and Tabbitha wouldn’t want us to be sad and we couldn’t forget them. So it’s going to be a Boo for certain we will see about the first name. Looks like will be picking  him up Saturday.

I will be kitten proofing the house this next week. Though here are some pictures of 3 month old kitten cuteness.

Heavy but full hearts,

THL Marrin

Arabella Doll Gallery

The Lute Player Lady Automaton

Gianello Torriano 1501-1585. This clockmaker and mechanic made several working small android like machines that emulated people small movements. Mainly the looped actions were prayer, playing an instrument of some kind, along with head, foot and arm movements. All this could be programmed to follow set path and react to bumping a solid object. This made me think of other wind up toys and small clockwork like items. So it seems that the beginnings of this kind of small machine for entertainment is from late renaissance. It’s been an exciting discovery of information for my doll journey.

The particular one I was wanting to possibly recreate  The Lute Player Lady. A woman like doll it is said to move with small tripping steps, strumming the lute with its right hand, and turning its head from right to left. It can advance in a straight line, or follow the path of a circle. She is wearing a golden colored silk velvet gown with scarlet ribbon overlaid with gold bobbin lace. This figure is 44cm tall which is about 17 inches in English system. Made by her creator in the late 1555-1558 for Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor at the end of his life. So this was created in a monastery in Spain, Gianello made amusements for the emperor in his later life.  The lady is notably one of the first automatons. 

Gianello is said to be credited with a monk automaton that strikes his chest and kisses a cross created in 1560. The so called Clockwork Prayer was made of wood and iron, 39 cm in height. A little over 15 1/3 inches in th English system.  Driven by a key-wound spring, the monk walks in a square, striking his chest with his right arm, raising and lowering a small wooden cross and rosary in his left hand, turning and nodding his head, rolling his eyes, and mouthing silent obsequies. Every once in a while, he brings the cross to his lips and kisses it. Amazingly, after some four and a half centuries, the automaton remains in good working order. This is attributed to Gianello Torriano and is housed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. this may be a future field trip.

Sadly the extant item doesn’t work. Attempted to see if there was a video of her on the internet to no avail. She is housed in the Kunstkammer of Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Though there is enough information on the way it moved and a picture of the inner mechanical workings it maybe possible to replicate. I am not good with machines though can easily can make the doll and all the outer decoration. Currently wondering if working some simple systems may allow it to work as noted.  Researching the simple clockwork and see if I maybe able to test a few theories. In the meantime sharing this with my followers some interesting possibilities for future work.

Blessings to little Discoveries, 
THL Marrin O’Kealy

Source 1: http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2015/01/amazing-automatons-robots-victorian.html?
m=1
Source 2: https://history-computer.com/Dreamers/Torriano.html

Doll-a-Paloosa Gallery

With the near completion of Arabella. Figured I’d take pictures of the 3 so far and see the progress. I do have plenty of makings for others with  my research. So keep in mind I have images of paintings enough to do 9 dolls total. Though I know of others enough to make 10 at minimum. So here is the images I have so far:

Arabella Doll Progress-Part 4

I was able to complete the red gown over the weekend. The flu has taken 3 of my workdays last week, no pleased. Though I have great regard for my coworkers health. Will be taking this one on the chin, though hoping the reason is understood. On the related topic, the doll made some progress as I needed to do something while recovering. Stir crazy Marrin is not a safe lady.

Glad I had my flu shot so this lasted a few days instead of weeks. Although it’s still trying to hold its germy grasp.  My nose is a faucet which is not how it started. Was fatigued, muscle aches, stomach and fever. Those disappated except the fatigue and fever then add in the sore throat and  no voice for two days. Now draining all this lovely ick hoping this is all done for the year.

Back on topic. Just as it is currently, it’s very lovely well fitted to the doll. Though I know there will need to be beading and some mild embroidery to consider. Taking some additional time to study the original more before finishing a design decision.  Plus I am pleased on the reworking of the spangles on the forepart skirt. Still working out most of the design challenges but it’s mostly done.  So I have some in progress photos and the current status of Arabella. Please enjoy.

On the homeward stretch folks,

THL Marrin O’Kealy

Arabella Dolls Progress- Part 3

Well making steady progress on the red gown. This undertaking is going slower than the rest of the assembly. The puff and slash upper sleeves are all organized other than detailing. I am working on the hanging sleeves of the backside of the puff sleeves. Though my stitching is going slow being so tiny for the trim. It is going to take a few days to lay out properly and complete.

The overskirt hemmed and  ready to sew trim but need to lay the metallic pattern first. That kind of  detail, waiting for the weekend to tackle. The pleating is going to be something with the silk dupioni it has the stiff weight of a taffeta at this scale. Looking forward to the richness it’s going to add to the whole look.

On the doll I am working on the goldwork on the forepart before any of the red dress is even added. It’s a simple pattern but it’s tedious. Though in respect to the project it’s all tedious. For some reason I thrive on complicated tediousness. Something calming about taking one step at a a time to make an epic ending result. Therapy for certain.

Regards,
THL Marrin O’Kealy

Arabella Doll Progress- Part 2

Well I was able to complete the list of items from my prior doll post. So made a partlet of silk organza and used silk thread to decorate and attach to doll.  Here are the images step by step.

Unwrapped the hair and added yellow gold silk net woven with gold warp and silk weft over a base of silk organza. Thinking there is some from net or hair decoration from the painting details. It’s not easy to tell up close since most internet images get pixelated upclose. Although  on the bun used gold wire and silk to make a hairnet. I do plan on adding pearls as a finishing touch later.

I was them able to make the sleeves with organza under layer. So when the doll is posed you can see the lining underneath. Then from handmade bobbin lace I made ruff and cuffs and attached to the sleeves and partlet respectively.

So have all the under layers done and just need to work on all the outer gown construction and details before adding them to Arabella. Very pleased at how I am able to more effectively work through the patterns in my head and work the concepts to physical completion.

It’s a labor of love and despite some loss it’s helping me cope. Not looking forward to working tomorrow. Although much better with the break for my mind and grief. Will not be the same without my primary seamstress assistant, Mr. Boo. Though talking about him makes me think a book of Boo stories needs written. A project for another day.

Here is Arabella in her current array of finery. This will be her state as the outer layer is finished but clothes for the most part. Though as that layer is fastidiously made decorated and attached there will be updates.

I must say there is going to be so much gold work on this layer it will be interesting to see and feel the weight of this garment as compared to dolls I made in the past.  My next one after this will even have more gold work couched  on it so there will be definite weight to that one for certain.  This is another 10” size doll. I like the size as the scale is not impossible to get the details out in the correct context.

Excited, anxious, grieving guilt, and relief are all wrapped in this project. Though I must be patient and allow the proper time to do the rest to the correct finishing work.

Feeling like a ball of emotions.

THL Marrin O’Kealy

Arabella Doll Progress- Part 1

Hair drying to place 

I have been working on the doll at a great pace. Not in a rush but taking advantage of a long weekend. The white and black cord in the hair will be replaced with gold and silver braid. Needed something there to hold shape as the glue and beeswax set the style. Which the combination worked great no need to cut the hair to make the style stay. Makes a larger bun in the back of the head but I can scale some of this with more styling.

So made the wig, strawberry blonde human hair same kind  as the first doll I made.  Then I attached to the hand sculpted bust with hyde glue and let dry. Used a tie to keep in position while drying.


 Then from twill tape and jacquard trim made a pair of bodies, sewed with thread. I will be

sewing more into position tomorrow with more items being made for her. From more twill tape made a bumroll stuffed with cotton batting and cotton  woven cord for ties. Positioned on doll using tabs on bottom of corset for guide.


 The forepart is made from  silk velvet and silk dupioni scraps assembled the bottom seam with hempen cord to make a hoop for stability. I will need to make goldwork on the black belt but will be doing so carefully to follow the pattern from the painting. Pleased so far with how well this is going.

Tomorrow want to make an silk organza partlet, ruffs and cuffs of bobbin lace and begin the goldwork on hair and forepart skirt and make gold slashed understleeves. So hoping to get all that done though it depends on what the day brings. Here is what she looks like so far.

Progress despite life,

THL Marrin O’Kealy

Bobbin Lace

Lace Pillows 

Made some bobbin lace pillows for myself, something unique, pretty, and functional. Not willing to pay absorbenant prices for something that was homemade normally by the lacemaker. Constructed them with two different kinds of firm fibers; linen/jute/hemp fabric mix and polysynthetic. For ease of cleaning if needed wanted a stiff firmness. Completed two bolsters with a black velvet cover and a rectangle cookie-like pillow also black velvet cover.

 I will have 110 spangled bobbins all set for fun. Looking forward to the last two orders  of bobbins coming in the mail will bring me up to that total. Was able to get 8 recently, waiting for the large order of 30 yet. I made slip cover for them out of an old linen tablecloth. Which this helped with selecting a color theme, just came to me randomly.

Bobbins in slipcase- spangle side out

I purchased some silk and linen for practice from my favorite sca vender for all things string. Located some 12x12 linen Napkins to cover around my work and to help keep the lace clean. Chose some natural color with red edging. I have some German patterned embroidery pieces that I will use a work covers when I am not working on the lacemaking. It’s in red black and white so nice color combination.

Found a great channel on YouTube to learn and also have my collection of books. It’s a challenge for me to translate the movements terminology though it’s like dancing so just takes practice. So holiday weekend of leaning.

Fingers crossed,

THL Marrin O’Kealy

Seasons Greetings

A particularly difficult holiday without Jasper and Tabbitha. Though keeping busy to work through it all. Had a great dinner with my boyfriend, we opted to go out instead of cooking. We have been sharing Jasper Boo stories trying to be cheerful. We both know he is in a better place and is not in pain. Solice in that the end was quick and pain was not prolonged.

We do plan on getting another male black cat but a kitten to keep Starr company and bring out her playful side. Although this will not happen till the spring, we both need time. In the meantime,  I have some photos of the decorating I did for the holiday season.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful Seasons Greetings!

Warm wishes,

THL  Marrin O’Kealy

Jasper Boo 2005-2018

FF&F 2018

Attended Fabric Fiber and Fighting this weekend.  Wore my new coif, trimmed partlet and of my newer gowns the grey herringbone sleeved tabbed black linen. Figuring out which one I wanted to wear was the tough choice. Though I think it all looked great when I wore my chatelaine and other belt items.

Brought my blackwork embroidery and showed all the delicately fine one strand silk can be. Did my yearly White wolf and Phoenix shopping: 2- linen white , 1 black linen, 2- silk white, 2-  narrow black silk. Then found yellow purple silk garters, red linen garters, narrow garnet silk trim on 10% off since it was from 2014 and 2015. Scissors necklace blue and white beads.. With the garnet trim is for dolls, the linen and silk are for making lace.

Decisions are tough with pretty dresses, what is a girl to do? Wear them all of course to events. Well now to wait for the mail for my bobbins.

Thumbing fingers making tap, tap, tap,

THLady Marrin O’Kealy

Progress on a Weekend

Full length painting 

Well I finally started my doll project-Arabella. I sculpted with knife and scraped and sanded to make the face closer to the shape in the painting. Also separated fingers from the sculpt; sanded and shaped  them. When sculpting a little salivating goes along way. Putting myself into my work again. Though whenever I make an item there is always blood, sweat, and tears that makes the dream a reality. Super excited to have her ready then get all the clothes assembled. The process is so much fun and goes quickly when inspiration strikes.

Profile of painted face

So face and hands are air dry clay,  body stuffed with cotton batting, iron wire in arms, wooden disc in base. Linen body handsewn, together turned them stuffed, head and hands sewen on. Painted with gouache paints and water.  I have base color down and going to lighten to pale court pallor this evening.

I feel the profile is much better. Do have some larger lips but that can be down played with paint. The facial features are difficult to see in the original image due to pixelation when zooming in. The original is abroad so that takes part of the challenge getting an image of the doll close up from the original painting. Though I always make good of limited resources and will see what I can do with the magic of the internet.

Front view of painted face

Have inspiration pictures and current progress. Hoping to get to wig stage tonight or tomorrow, fingers crossed. Really like how the face turned out and hoping to edit some of my other sculpts when the time comes to use them for a doll. Practice makes perfect.

She has a nice expression, I noticed on the original there seemed to be a small bowed mouth so trying a version of this though will tone it down a little when it’s lightened a bit. Though the red of the gown will bring it right back up.

Keeping on crafting,

Marrin o’Kealy