Pennsic 53

I am glad to see many had a great time at Pennsic 53, for the most part. While Pennsic War is definitely an experience to have at least once. Especially if someone plans on being in the SCA long term. A person should evaluate their individual needs and see if it’s an event you can do on a regular interval that works with your life and health. Some food for thought I am providing on my own experiences. I have attended both a two week time span and a single war week in my two times attending Pennsic War. It’s an intense planning prepping and attending sort of event. 

Here is the list of my personal Pros and Cons for attending Pennsic War on a yearly basis. These are my experiences and opinions, they are not reflective of others choices and preferences. I am a non combatant gentle, I do not participate in martial activities. Which means my viewpoint will not include these options as experience. 

My list of my personal pros for attending Pennsic War:

• I love the plethora of classes, also want to teach some unique classes on dolls that are more fit for this huge gathering of people. May be able to find more doll folks out there, finding a niche tribe is more likely in a large gathering event like this one.
• Seeing my friends and acquaintances. There are a collection of people, I get to only see there and not out at other events. Also getting to see my friends do what they do best is peak heart warming. 
• The unique medieval merchant market shopping experience is peak amazing. A caveat for myself, long as it’s going to be things used and not hoarded. Window shopping is some well spent time, also great way to get those daily steps in.
• Knowne World Arts and Sciences display, an opportunity to see what things gentles are working on for research, arts, sciences and crafts. The topics are so vast you will learn something you didn’t know before guaranteed. Also an opportunity to network with the  A&S community in a larger forum within the SCA. 

My personal cons for attending Pennsic War:

• I do not like camping as an adult. Being hot/cold q/sweaty dirty is not my version of a good time. Yes there are showers but depending on weather the effects may only last a few hours at best. 
• I like sleeping in on vacation and that cannot be done in a tent after 10am. Also I miss classes when my sleep schedule is not on an early enough trajectory. 
• Am a temperature sensitive person who does not change my style of clothes persona for the weather. It’s Tudor/Elizabethan or bust, heat exhaustion is real. I do linen garb in warmer months, a linen kirtle and linen shift and hat for sun protection in a garb. 
• As a redhead, give me 5 mins and I will be sunburnt even with proper skin protection. Am more careful of my limits as I age, I also have problems with beach vacations for this reason. Also means I need to be covered in fabric to avoid sun exposure. Challenging in the summer months. 
• Extreme weather can make the day to day tent camping very challenging. Let alone loss of property by Mother Nature or via theft. As much as things are waterproofed or kept in totes to assist there is only so much that can be done to fight the weather. It’s has become more extreme over the years with tornados in Pennsylvania than in the past. 
• Pennsic is attended by nearly 10 thousand people yearly. Which that creates unique opportunities for gathering and camaraderie, it’s not always good all the time. I have had to regulate the amount of socialization in the current years. Which means I will need to hotel Pennsic and treat it more like an extended day trip event.  Then go back to relax and decompress for my own mental health.
• I do not drive a vehicle that does well off road and I do not plan on selling my perfectly fun and well maintained Mustangs for an SUV. I am the only person who does SCA in my house and I do pack lite for my own needs. The car is just enough space for me and my stuff for day trip events. This means if I do attend Pennsic War in the future. I will have to rent a vehicle for a week, then take my own. 
• Expense, not only does one need vacation time to cover typical household bills. Planning food expense and consumption, making clothing, renting a car and hotel for my personal needs makes it not a cheap vacation. It’s considered a cheap vacation but this depends on your individual needs. 

I am not old in terms of my body but do want to protect it and treat myself well enough to continue to participate for many decades. Which means I need to consider my tolerances now and adjust as needed. Hoping this gives folks some things to think about regarding this large camping event. It is truly fun and can be quite enjoyable experience, although there is much planning that needs to be done for things to go smoothly.

Maureen 

Basel Beerwives- Accessories

If the “devil is in the details”, then I am a grand servant of Satan. At least when it comes to my art and outfit fitting, all my dolls look like they’re real people. Each of the Basel Wives actually has an assortment of various accessories. I’m planning to share some pictures and details of each in this particular entry. 

Velvet Pockets are made from the same velvet ribbon that matches the colors of the wool dress that each doll wears. This ribbon was obtained from Micheal’s arts and crafts store to maintain the same dye lot of color for consistency in the designs.

Daggers with Sheaths were obtained with some creativity on my part. The sheaths were made from scrap leather sewn with waxed linen thread and dressed with 18k plated bead caps down the front. The hilt holder and clip are from jewelry parts and a necklace bale. The daggers were miniature metal pendants with a cat head on the pommel, 

Linen Aprons are made from the same linen as the shifts and haub head coverings. The aprons are made in sets of two with different arrangements of mild lace insertion for interest. 

Jewelry is unique to each doll; some are pieces that came with the original procured bride doll. This works out great, as pearls are always popular in the 16th century. Other dolls don’t have any, or the jewelry was broken from the Ashton Drake bride ensemble. So I went into my bead caddies and found scale brass beads to make strings for each doll as appropriate. 

Leather Stamped Belt was also creatively procured. As I bought 10mm lengths of strapping cut the belts to length, used an O-ring for the buckle, and punched holes for the bosses on the end of the belt for interest. These were also sewn into place with waxed linen thread.

Ceramic Steins were a find from a local thrift store in Mifflinburg at a small antique store. They are a set of four steins with a salt finish and blue. Two are lozenge patterned all the way around, one conical, the other rounded. Then the other two have sayings in German with a coat of arms device on one side. They were created as a collectible set of 2.5-inch-tall pewter-lidded ceramic steins by the Anheuser Busch company.  As a tribute to the German beer-making heritage. 

Sets of Keys were a lightening brain moment. As I found key charms at Walmart in the jewelry section. I used the bronze finish along with silver keys to show different stages of age at the top of the ring and split rings in copper to bring in various metals into the look. Each set is secured with a pin to a prong or on a ribbon to one of the velvet purses. 

Inspiration strikes in many ways,

Mairin

Basel Beer Wives- Creative Beginnings

Many are preparing for the United States' 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which falls this Saturday, the 4th of July. I have been digging into research that is doubly old, as per my usual. I was inspired to make more dolls that are dressed outside the English 16th-century scope. I do have some experience working with German, French, and Italian styles of clothing. So I decided I wanted to make dolls that were more German or from adjacent countries like Switzerland. I have made a few 16th-century German dolls in the past but not a whole series. All inspired by four miniature lidded salt ware beer steins I found while thrifting locally, obtained a few months ago.  

The dolls are all Ashton Drake bride dolls, so they are all beer matrons. Also, women most often did the brewing for the house, so this is not an out-of-the-ordinary task. So they have a wedding ring painted in naturally and white bridal shoes, although period shoes are not so high-heeled. These dolls were part of a collection that I obtained from the original owner. The original owner happened to be a Canadian Scadian, while the tariffs and the Canadian mail strike made it nearly impossible to ship the dolls at a reasonable price or within a reasonable time. I planned a trek to Niagara Falls for an afternoon exchange, as that was the only option remaining.  Made a new Eldomearian friend in the process and had a lovely lunch before heading home. The original owner knew I would be redressing the dolls and wanted them to go to a good home. If the dolls had been thrifted instead, they could end up in a landfill, so she was trying to find the right person to take them on. Am always happy to take on adult fashion porcelain dolls for redressing. I did get a hard time from a US Border Partol agent, who thought an afternoon in Canada was odd on the reentry side, although I am not surprised by the hard time with the current way things are being run. Was able to make it back without creating a wee international incident. The dolls are supplies to make art objects, not contraband. While I have a security background and understand rules, regulations, and declarations, this was a little crazy. So all dolls from this project are Eldomerian imports for creation into the Basel Beer Wives Project.

Firstly, I wanted to find images from the period to inspire the project. So who better to look up than Hans Holbein or his son Hans Holbein the Younger, and see if they had drawings or paintings for clothing inspiration? They never disappoint. I found the images below for references on bodice shape, layers, and accessories. These images are attributed to Basel, which is a town in Switzerland. In the 16th century, Basel was a crossroads of commerce from several regions, as it bordered the German principalities, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. So trade was lucrative, and items were moving to and fro through Basel.  So we have our setting for the outfits and some of the accessories 

Then worked out what layers I wanted, in this case a thin high-necked shift, and full sleeves for puff and slash, low scoop-necked bodices, and the gowns/kirtles made out of wool with matching velvet trim. The rainbow set of colors per doll occurred organically, as I was just planning on using wool from my stash to source colors and velvet ribbon from Michaels Arts and Crafts. I wanted as many natural fibers as possible, but didn't want to spend money on silk velvet ribbon. Rayon still gives the same effect in the pile as silk does, and this project is for my own enjoyment, not for an Arts and Sciences competition. Although I still want this endeavor to have the same amount of vismilitude as my competition pieces.  

Each doll has a linen haub, with an under roll to set the shape. A velvet band to match her color dress over the haub. The band over the haub could be decorated; typically embroidery, and it was part of a veil. Linen high-necked chemise, gathered at the neckline and cuffs, with full sleeves. Wool bodice with velvet trim and matching full skirt with guards of velvet bands at the bottom of different widths. 

Accessories include a wool flat cap with feather and jewel detail, a fine linen apron with ladder-lace detail, velvet pouches with filigree decoration, a dagger with sheath, a ceramic beer stein with a pewter lid, a gemstone bottle, a set of keys, a genuine leather belt with an 18k gold-plated boss and buckle, and coordinating jewelry. These ladies are out on the town for a beer run in their Sunday best. 

I’m not done yet, as I have two more that are in the process of being dressed. Although Orange wife and Green wife are coming along nicely, as I have been working on six sets of accessories the whole time. So I kitted them out as I finished clothing layers. 

Keep an eye on this space for more doll fun as I complete these 6 ladies. 

From the workable of the Mistress of Poppets, 

Mairin 

Temperance and Diane at A&S Faire

 

 I was able to attend the Arts and Sciences Faire this past Sunday. It was wonderful to spend time with familiar and new faces. Also, to provide some feedback to entrants in a non-official capacity. Other than my own experiences as a researcher. Spent time with a gentlelady who is making Roman-style jewelry based on extant pieces from the British MuseumI provided insight into Museum dating of objects and some issues I run into in my personal research. Promoting the idea, while the professionals do their best to date accurately. There can be an element of human error or oversight in some facts or in the process. Whereas a researcher has to draw their own conclusions on the true date of the item. Also, be wary of pictures as they can make the scale much different, citing the Greek doll I saw in the British Museum that was only 5-6" tall, but the pictures online make it look much bigger. Pleased to know that this information had some value.   

 Was able to wear my vigil gown with the shirt and ruffs. It looked very regal even without the matching sleeves and no shoulder floof. Did bring my two dolls as my courtly entourage, wearing all my regalia. Received a storage box for all these shiny items. I had asked Meister Silvester Burchardt when I received my writ, requested for this item be made. Exceeded my expectations, it's wonderful storage and substantial. Since I knew I was going to need a way to store and travel with these items in the future. Hoping I can manage another SCA event before Pennsic, but not holding my breath. Hoping for some Sunday State College practice schenanigans to best assist with A&S. Will need to prioritize despite the current employment schedule making it difficult. Rest days are important, but also getting some social time too, can't work and not live around the paycheck.

 In the meantime, I finished another doll project that I wanted to share. This courtier lady's name is Temperance, although not dressed as her namesake virtue.  She is wearing some serious silk with gold-spangled trim and pearl jewelry. She was a bride doll in a previous life, which allowed for her wonderful hair and expression, also has some white heels with roses. Please see attached pictures of her with Madame Diane for all the jeweled goodness.  I love a demure bride doll; they seem to be the best candidates for redressing. Meeting my personal doll criteria: an adult female styled body, pleasant expression, posable appendages, able to hold an object, and at least 12" tall or taller. 

  In addition to these two recent doll projects, post-Laureling. I was able to compile a list of names for future doll projects. Although I am going to need more German-sounding names for the next project. I am dipping into making coordinating Merchant Beer Wives to work with four salt wear German style miniature beer steins that Anehauser-Busch created in a series many years ago. When finding these in a Mifflinburg antique store, I knew that these were going to be a prop for some 16th-century German merchant cousins out for a day of beer running. They came with the original certificate of authenticity, too, which was surprising.

So hold on to your Haub! More is coming in some German wool gown goodness!

Mairin

Keep on Keeping On

 Well, it turns out the Fashion Institute of Technology is going in another direction with the doll exhibition and will not be using my 2013 replica doll for their program in the fall of 2026. While it is deeply disappointing, it's not due to a lack of artistry and research on my part. Which is what got my work considered in the first place for the initial honor. As I stated before, being considered for a museum exhibition as an independent artist is a true honor. I know the decision was made with much consideration, regarding the overall message they wanted to convey in their display.  My work is no less valid, and I am still a cited and podcasted doll history researcher. Which is an accomplishment to be noticed and considered, just putting my work out on the vast internet. Build it, and they will come kind of energy. In that same thought process, more doll creation has been floating around in my brain, and the change in employment has made it difficult to want to create. So I dug out the supplies and resolved to make a doll before the news about the museum exhibition. Although I feel more resolute than ever to keep creating.

In the meantime, still making fashion dolls and have a new one to share. This is one I purchased locally at a thrift was originally a Cinderella doll, undressed.  Now reimagned as a 1580's French Courtier, bedecked in blue and gold cotton rayon brocade with copper and freshwater pearl trim, edged in cotton lace ruffs, topped off with a silk organza veil.  She has shiny shoes as they are part of her sculpt and are painted, so go shiny pumps. So here is the moment you have been waiting for: some before-and-after photos and the final result images. 

You can see to the right the before-and-after glow-up of a shoulders-up image. Really get a good sense of the change that a good gown and accessories can make. Her hairstyle is a high, curled ponytail that has not changed. I just arranged it to read as a high-peaked bun, and the bangs were not going to let me arrange it, so I just worked with it as is. The fringe is less noticeable with the veil taking center stage, creating drama. Love how this worked out with just the veil pulling majorly to give the period-like silhouette. 

I really enjoy this profile image, as you can see the volume that the layered shift, stays, bumroll, and farthingale create to build the bones of the outer gown. Yes, she has all the appropriate layers of underwear for the time.  While, for the sake of scale, I could have taken the liberty of omitting the layers, it would create a less voluminous silhouette. I have a little train on this doll, and it really gave a place for the long sleeves to rest and be pinned, so sometimes more can work together in harmony. I am naming her Diane de Cuivre, which translates to Diane of Copper.  Was inspired by Diane de Poitiers, another period French courtier, but wanted the doll to have her own name.

Was debating adding tiny freshwater pearls to the partlet and sleeves, but thought it would make them too heavy even with a light distribution. I'm glad I did with the white of the lace collar and cuffs, it creates enough interest in the area without making it too busy or distracting from the jewelry. I am pleased with the results of this doll. She is ready, regal in all senses and definition of the word.

Keep in Keeping On,

Maureen

Most Noble Order

I wanted to take some time to decompress from my elevation to the Most Noble Order of the Laurel in the past few months. In the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), this is the highest order for arts and sciences. Mine is particularly for my research on fashion dolls of the 16th Century. This was my goal in the SCA starting from 2004. It's time to make a few new goals ;-)

  I like to have soft and firm goals to strive for and look forward to achieving. Success is not the same for the individual. People are on their own separate journeys, and comparison robs the joy of achievement, and there is no "one standard" life.  Still important to embrace the things that keep one motivated in life. Success is unique to each person and will vary individually.

Been very fortunate and count all the blessings, after 20 years in this SCA society, to have my research recognized outside as viable for citation and exhibition is HUGE. More on that later, as things progress this year, I will keep you posted on events for 2026. 

So I have so many thanks to folks who helped along the way. This will be a picture-heavy post. 

Many thank-ewes, I am sending out for my elevation this weekend. I had to take a few days to unpack, deal with some feline illness, and get my thoughts organized.

Baroness Antoinette DeLorraine for being my go-to person for organizing and the task of herding all the sheepies. Allowing me to share your brain cells for a few months, Ewe are awesome.

Baron Jehan LeBlanc for set up, tear down, and being part of the evening court sheepie entourage. Shlepping whenever and wherever needed.

Countess Elena d'Artois- for her heralding expertise in the evening court, with a stirring rendition of Hello Dolly. With sheep in the entourage was perfection.

To my worthies who spoke on my behalf: you made my day even more special. Thank ewe!

Duchess Anna Leigh

Mistress Elena de la Palma

Duke Murdoch Bayne- Jason T Robson

Matriesse Elyse De Bref- Debi Dreese-Hoch

Cookies/ Mince Pie: absolutely delicious and I am enjoying the extras this week. I can taste the love in the cookies and mice pies. Thank ewe for making tasty treats for my guests.

THL Magdalena- Drea Choperena

Master Perote- Peter Lee

Baroness Revna Lunaris- Ivy Bruch Bender

Brother Valentine Garnett -also assisted with organizing folks and lining folks up for signing the book.

THL Maggie Rue- Jennifer Sadler was the keeper of the list, those folks to visit with me during my vigil.

Regalia and Garb: I felt like a queen for the day because of this team sewing within an inch of their lives.

Purple wool flat cap : Rhaeya R Mars THL Elizabeth De Salisbury

Purple silk Gown: Magifica Fede De Fiore- Dani Zemba

Suite of Ruffs: THL Lisabetta di Rossi- Ashley Carlton



Medallion- Master Artemius Andreas Magnus- Mark Schwartz

Capelet: Duchess Illish O’Donovan- Wendy Platz Meka

Scroll Mistress Abigail Kelhoge- Gail Kellogg Hope words by Master Cyrus Augur -Cyrus Augur

Wreath by Tomas the Lapidary's Jewelry

Doll Token Pendants by Lady Aurelie de la Rose - Dasha Linares

Lastly, not at all least, I would like to thank those folks who made an opportunity to come provide words of wisdom and encouragement on the day. Also, for those folks who knew that they weren’t going to make it and provided words of encouragement and wisdom during my vigilant period. I will keep all of this advice in mind for future reference.

The decor, vigil book, fabric, linen underpinnings, Juliette caps, red brocade morning court gown, pearled regalia belt, and jewelry were either sourced by me or made by me. 

Some words of advice from a baby peer. For those folks who have a grant level and are looking to an eventual peerage. Buy the things you want, fabric especially, certain accessory pieces, a favorite book, etc. Not only is it cheaper to spread out the cost of an eventual elevation. It makes organizing your special day a lot easier when you don’t have to invest as much by your future self.  Additionally, when you have it on hand already, you don’t have to wait for it to arrive in the mail. Be kind to your future self and plan if you can.

If I use the wrong title, please correct me. Want to make sure I was using the right one with each gentle that I was attempting to tag. If a tag did not pick up on FB and you notice it, please tag the correct person so it appears for them.

The question of sheep, they were a last minute idea of mine since I didn't want all the dolls to be mishandled during evening court procession. So this was a soft alternative that put a smile on all faces. Plus its good to keep everyone on their toes, also lots of punny Scottish sheep jokes to be had waiting to process in. Additionally, I do a goodly amount of fiber arts for my own garb and demo purposes, so sheepies for funzies.