For those who might not be familiar, Gulf Wars is another large war in the SCA.  It will be from March 11-19 this year and more information on the event can be found here:  http://www.gulfwars.org/

This even is full of A&S activities and will offer a number of classes on a broad range of topics.  http://www.gulfwars.org/activities/arts-sciences-2/classes/  

In addition to that classes listed in the event materials, there are often additional classes that will be held onsite.  This year there will be a series of Viking and other early period classes held in a dedicated space set aside by the merchant Feed the Ravens. 

The class list downloadable at the link below (as the image might not be large enough to view from some devices).  I highly recommend not only checking out some of these classes, but checking out the amazing wares (often with a high level of authenticity) offered by this vendor.  They are also very nice people which loads of knowledge and experience that they love to share!

One of the best places to get inspiration for SCA projects is at SCA events.  Even events with no classes will have artisans sitting around casually spinning, sewing, knitting or working on whatever their portable craft of choice is.  And I have yet to attend an event where I did not see at least one piece of garb that drew my eye. 

Most artisans are more than happy to discuss their work, their process, their research.  Events also often offer competitions or displays where you can check out a completed piece or a work-in-progress and typically view the documentation along with the work. 

One of the most artistically inspiring things I have come across in the SCA is the A&S Display at Pennsic (to be held this year, on Sunday, August 3, from 1-6pm in the new Great Hall).  For those unfamiliar with this display, it is a gathering of artisans from across the Known World showing off some truly incredible projects.  It is absolutely worth checking out!  to whet your appetite for this year's display, below is a gallery of some of the wonderful pieces I have seen over the years!

When I started my monthly inspiration posts I had intended to focus on artisans in the SCA community, or an occasional museum collection, rather than merchants.  I realized that that would actually leave out some incredibly inspiring artists who can definitely serve as a muse for our own creations.  Beyond that, I think that maybe highlighting an occasional merchant (who's wares go beyond costuming) can help individuals such as myself who are looking for items to help advance our kit and make our attempt at recreating the past more complete.


So my inspiration for this month is Reannag Teine.  This vendor is actually a mother-daughter team located in California.  They produce a wide range of stunning pottery that covers many time periods and cultures.  I initially was introduced to their work when a friend out west shared their page on Facebook.  Since then, I have enjoyed looking at both their wonderful recreations of period pieces and their whimsical unique art as well.

One thing I love about their Facebook page is a photo album that shows the original item and their recreation.  (You can click on the photo to the left to go directly there.)

For other documentation, browse their website and note that often at the bottom of each product section there is information, documents or images of the historic pieces that inspire their art.  Personally, have ordered a set of their 10th Century Viking pieces and am eagerly waiting for its arribal!.  (Thanks very much to my mother who gifted me with a giftcard for my birthday that is allowing me this purchase!)  I will definitely add images to this post when the pottery arrives!

They seem to have offerings for just about everyone, from Ottoman Turkish, to Greek, to Vikings, to some very nice Celtic knotwork, to those just looking for some nice new feast gear.  Below are a few more of my favorite pieces.

Here again are the links for Reannag Teine.  I recommend that you check them out!
http://www.reannagteine.com/default.html
https://www.facebook.com/ReannagTeinePottery


(And did I mention that these are cat people?  With a host of wonderful cat inspired pieces?  My world absolutely NEEDS these items!)

All photos use with permission!

I think that when time allows, I would like to make ensembles for any number of cultures that are either contemporaries of the Vikings and with whom they had cultural exchanges.  I would love to dabble with Slavic, Saxon and Finnish especially. 

One of the most incredible portrayals I have seen of Finnish is Duchess Siobhan of Drachenwald.  Her work is often based on grave finds and the execution is highly detailed and incredibly elegant. 

Her blog can be found here:
http://heavymetalembroidery.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/finnish_apron_from_kekomoki/

And I also recommend looking at the photos she has in her Facebook albums: Facebook

Incredibly inspiring work!

(Photos used with permission!)

I had a few contenders for this month's inspiration post but when I saw this woman's work with block printing fabrics I just had to share it.  She is from Russia and her name is Savelyeva Ekaterina.

Someone was showing her lovely embroidery on one of the Viking clothing forums and eventually her Facebook page was linked there.  She does very nice garb and her printed textiles are sumptuous!  (Poke around on the page too as she has some pottery with painted cats that is nothing short of adorable!)

I highly recommend just poking around for a few minutes and look at the lovely reproduction prints she has worked on.

https://www.facebook.com/savelyeva.ekaterina.7/media_set?set=a.796297043719248.1073741830.100000168788749&

My choice for this month is a blog called Loose Threads.  It is run by a woman named Cathy who produces posts that not only well-written and well-cited, but who is very clear in explanation of her thought processes on exactly why she chooses to do things a certain way.

I originally found her site when researching Viking garb, but she covers a good many other areas as well.  And she is great about posting new articles and other resources as she finds them.  I very much recommend grabbing a cup of tea and taking a few hours to leisurely stroll through her work.

http://cathyscostumeblog.blogspot.com/

The internet is an invaluable resource for members of the SCA not only in that it can guide our research, but there are a million ways in which we can use it to find sources of inspiration.  Even when things do not fit our persona, they can inspire us and I have decided that once a month I will share something that I just find to be exceptional.

This month's inspiration is Mistress Mathilde Bourette.  I saw a post on a SCA garb forum showing off an exceptional hennin and was rather in awe of it!  I was even more delighted to see her website detailing both the research and construction of the hat and knew that this would have to be my first Mid-Month Inspiration post, please check out her work below!

http://wp.bymymeasure.com/15th-century-butterfly-hennin