Tag: Brooch

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Silver Brooch- Aelfwine Aekworthe

Pray heed to the edict of the crown and consort that celebrates the craftsmanship of the following gentle :

Meticulous craftsmanship creates a monument to the myths and memories of yore. With a masterful hand and historical heart, Aelfwine Aekworthe recreated thorborg trousers with remarkable precision. This pair, perfectly patterned and produced, reflects his profound passion for past apparel. His work wonderfully weds authenticity with amazing artistry. From creating beautiful bows to accurate arrows and further creating his kit down to shoes, his dedication to detail ensures that every seam and every stitch speaks to the stories of those before. This gentle not only defends his art with writings and study, but with the axes he has also created.

Thus do we, Tindal and Emerson, crowns to the mighty East, demand Aelfwine’s entrance today at Sommer Draw, AS 59, into the auspicious order of the Silver Brooch.

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Returning Home

Gnew has been and likely always will be my favorite event. Yes, it’s hot but you know what? It’s home. This year the plan was to take it easy. I am still re-learning my body as I am going through changes as I continue to lose weight and see how my instrument is working. Minor other health issues but nothing to bring up here.

Since I had earned consorts champ, I have been trying to put up monthly challenges, serve as a mentor and teach. I chose to provide 3 classes at GNEW as I would not be fencing.

My first class was Friday for 12. I was presenting my ad hoc choir. This was not the best time for this class to be successful, but beggars can’t be choosers. We had a mixed skill level group but not much for vocal variety. Click below to listen to the group perform the piece they learned day of!

Edi be thu, heven queene

Sheet Music-Edi be thu, heven queene

Later in the day, I met with several performers who had an interest in the Bardic Arts. Aalina and I hosted a Bard round table to discuss questions, stories, fears and all in between. We had the full gambit of questions and I feel like the new generation of performers is strong and ready to flourish.

From there it was off to teach my son about the joys of service in the SCA. He is 9.5 so doing for others if somewhat foreign to him still. I ran off to retain with Their excellencies Stonemarche. I was given a plate of delicious items to share with the Deed gallery. There was nor formal gallery this year so tasty treats for all!

Saturday I started my day in morning court, seeing folks celebrated and then off to my final class. I did my rounds class. This class had originally been inspired by Aneleda Falconbridge. I had taken it over when she was elevated to Laurel. It had started as her labor of love and I have been continuing it. Inspired by this I have been putting together a book of all period rounds. It is a work in processes, but I hope it will continue to be a tool that folks will use to keep singing in a safe space.

Rounds Book compiled by Solveig Bjarnardottir

Here is a small recording of the folks singing in my group. This song is originally in German, but I am using the English translation with my students.

Music Alone Shall Live

The rest of the time in between was a blur until court. Previously, I had been asked if I would serve as an alternate on the A and S team. This was an absolute honor. I didn’t put much thought into it, but it has really kick started my desire to go into further documentation with my pieces. However, look at this group of amazing folks!!!! I am so excited to do this. Look out Pennsic. More to come on that post Pennsic.

Last but not least, for Saturday, my love was to be recognized in court and become a Lord. Wolfgang was to receive his silver brooch. I have a mold of the silver brooches I had made before. if you look back in past posts, you can see what they look like. However, this time, to make his special, I enameled it for him so it represents the heraldic picture of the award. That night, my house mate was being being apprenticed and I had the joy of heralding him and wandering camps to sing and do Bardy things. Just a good ol’ shennaniganless night. Irish coffee without the irish and songs for old and new friends.

Sunday was pack up day. The saddest day of all. Sure, it was hot and gross all weekend, but this is where my heart lies. As I was packing up, some old friends from Malagentia asked if I would mind mentoring their child in Bardic Performance. I was honored and moved. I have watched this amazingly warm human grow and nothing would give me greater honor. I cried back in camp. This… this was my passion, my joy. To bring bardic to the world, be safe and be a teacher. I cried for joy. We drove home…. washed off the GNEW tan and that was the end of this tale.

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Love for my Laurel-Ican

Several months back, my Pelican reached out to me and asked if I wanted to create tokens for my Laurel as she was going to be asked to join the Order of the Pelican. At that time, I was unable to complete the project so I said no. More covid struck the world and the event was moved to a much later date. I wanted to do something more special than just tokens. I wanted to do something that meant something to Sabine. Her full SCA name is Sabine de Kerbriant and she is a 14th century french woman. What better way to capture that than to do a 14th century brooch. Her badge that she marks all of us is a heart. So, I found a heart shaped brooch. I wanted to something truly accurate to her persona. Luckily, l found this. See the below link:

Link to museum where brooch is housed

The original brooch said “Without being parted” which wasn’t what I really wanted to convey, so I did some research and found a 14th century french phrase which seemed to be more fitting. “Here I am Yours” IOSV IEI ATI VCI.

From there, I did my work. I 3D modeled this in fusion 360

This is the image after many many hours of modeling

From there, I made a mold out of high temperature silicone and cast it

After it was cast, I cut off the sprue, cleaned it up, ran it through a rock tumbler.

To make the brooches functional, I took silver plated copper, cut them to length, wrapped them and filed the edges to make them sharp. I made 75 of these for Sabine’s elevation. My hands were cranky.

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Words for Phillipe- Silver Brooch

Words by Lady Solveig Bjarnardottir
Based off a 12th century Troubador Song by Guillaume IX (1071-1127)
Translation by Baronness Kirsa Oyutai

I shall make a new song
Before the wind blows and it freezes and rains
My passion is trying me and putting me to the test
To find out how much I love it
Well now, no matter what the struggle is, I am moved for that reason
It shall not loose me from it’s bond
Instead I become it’s bard and I deliver myself to it
The consuls may write my name down in their charter
Now, don’t go thinking I am crazy
I love my noble kingdom
Without it, I give no song
I have caught a hunger to serve with my music
None shall remove me
I serve no other kingdom
If I do not give my music, I shall wither and die
Today, I pledge my oath
As I now serve
A brooch as it’s mark, the consuls bestow
On this day, a silver brooch I am born

Une nouvelle chanson j’écrirai
Avant que le vent souffle et que la terre gèle
Ma passion m’éprouve et me défie
De trouver tout l’amour que j’ai pour elle
Maintenant, peu importe quel est l’obstable, je suis transporté
Je ne peux échapper à son emprise
Je suis dorénavant son barde et je me livre à elle
Les consuls inscriront mon nom sur leur charte
Ne croyez pas que j’aie perdu le nord
J’aime mon noble royaume
Sans lui, je n’ai aucune mélodie
J’ai faim de servir avec ma musique
Nul ne peut me retenir
Je ne sers aucun autre royaume
Si je ne peux partager ma musique, flétri et mort je serai
Aujourd’hui, je prête serment
Comme dorénavant je sers
Une broche comme marque, les consuls m’offrent
En ce jour, une broche d’argent est née

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Scroll for Alianor Salton

A woman whyt words can find her whey.
Quiet, though well versed, she has her head covered when there is work to be done.
Norse, South, East, West the books take her.
Through research, new mysteries are unveiled.
Her attention to detail brings truths to the light.
Her family, all, gathered in notes, papers, quill and ink.
All this is brought to a head till the very end and capped off with certainty to accuracy.
With fine attention to detail, I, Margarita, Sovereign to the East kingdom, do find it only true and proper, to induct Lady Alianor Salton into the Order of the Silver Brooch, this Yule, January 4, Anno Sociotatis LIV, in Ostgardr and have her join her rightful place.

Alianor Salton

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Silver Brooch for Svana Vefa

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Yet you, our loyal subject, capture it in frame. Times which would only be left in memory to those who lived it, now tangible to all. Fleeting art now immortalized. You weave our history and create memorial, such that Arachne and Athena would marvel. You dress the part and bring joy to your art. Diverse artisan, humble and joyful. Your talent helps our kingdom grow. With that in mind, we, Konig Wilhelm and Konigen Vienna, only find it fitting, to bestow upon Svana Vefa,  a symbol of our appreciation. We, this day, October 20, AS 53, at Shire Wars VIII, do make you a member of our order of the Silver Brooch.

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Birka # 10

This is my first of double digit events for me. This is starting my 9th year in the society and I am still so very fond of my first event. This was also my partner’s first Birka. I chose not to fence this year as I wanted to focus on him and make sure he got to do everything he wanted at his first Birka.

Our main concerns today were making several deliveries as well as seeing friends of ours receive awards. Also… Fashion show.

Aegir had provided 3 tree of life necklaces to the auction for the incoming reign. I made the matching earrings for them as he wasn’t comfortable to making them. I happily obliged. After finding his 3 delivery recipients and receiving his auction purchase, I had to make my deliveries and receipt. I had donated a 30 minute private performance for the auction, however, this delivery was of another nature.

Last year, I was inducted into the prestigious order of the Silver Brooch. This is the award of arms level of Arts and Sciences awards in the East Kingdom. We decided to do an artisans gift exchange. My recipient wasn’t there, but I delivered hand made trim to her. I finally met up with my gift creator and I was in TEARS with the gift she presented me.

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Music is the only thing that truly keeps me alive. Someone made music for -Me-. After I cried over this masterpiece, I spoke with the artist, Shoshanna Gryffyth, and asked her if we could collaborate. She happily agreed. Not only did this project yield new beautiful art that may not have been created (It inspired art) but it helped me connect with someone I would never had met before.

Next was shopping! I didn’t purchase too much, but I am excited for the newest member of the family.

Harp.jpg

Next, the fashion show! This year, at the coronation of Willhelm and Vienna, there was a challenge issued that we would incorporate Marvel and DC heroes and villains. I’m not much of a seamstress, but I wanted to improve my skills. I am a huge fan of Wonder Woman and German garb, so why not.

I just learned how to embroider. This is my 3rd project for embroidery.  Here are a few pictures of the in progress of the embroidery and then the final project.

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This is Aegir and I in our pieces:

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After the fashion show was over, Baronial court was happening. This was the last court of her Excellency Jocelyn Del Espada. I went to support her and my friends who were to be the incoming Baron and Baroness. After the court was over, I went to thank her for all she had done for me personally. What I didn’t expect was the flood of tears that came from me. She touched me a way that few have ever. She was/is a huge advocate of music. She inspired me to compete. She inspired me to be -HER- Bard/champion. Despite everything she experienced in the past 5 years, between the SCA and Mundane, SHE was my Baronessa.

Kingdom court came and it was time to see my friends receive much appreciated awards. This is always an exciting time for me. However, just before court, my friend, Master Lucien approached me. He was supposed to Herald the Boast for now, Master Scamus. However, he had fallen ill and requested that I do this. I was excited and honored to be able to herald in my friend, fencing teacher and mentor. I had only done this once before, but never for a crowd this large. Luckily, Lucien had written up the boast, so all I had to do was be loud.

Heralding.jpg

 

My friends Kenneric and Cat received their silver wheels, which I had crafted for the (see previous blog post) and our company escorted them into court. Additionally during court I retained for the princess.

After court was over, my favorite part of Birka was about to begin. I was once again honored to run bardic at Birka for the 4th year in a row. We had about 25-30 folks show. We had everyone from ages 13-??? (old). We heard song, story, poem. We had folks who this was their first event, 90th event and those in between. Everyone performed well. I learned a new story which I can’t wait to try out at winter nights (If Aegir doesn’t steal it from me first). Also, at the end of the night, a new and exciting voice arose. I quickly ran to him to present him with my token and encouraged him to get involved. I filled him in on allll the bardic stuff going on and gave him my information as the EKCoP Deputy Chatelaine.

All in all, this was an amazing Birka. So many emotions.. not a single one bad.

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12th Night 2018

We brought it home. Back to Maine that is. There is a long history of 12th night in the southern region of the EK. I’m so glad we did because I don’t think I would have been able to go had it been anywhere else. I knew there was something going on when my Knight and my former teacher had reached out to me a few hours apart and asked me if I was attending. To me, at the time, it felt like this would be a good way to have another opportunity to perform so I thought nothing of it.

When the performance sign up sheet went up, I made sure to put my name up. It was a good opportunity to perhaps perform for the royals, but to continue the new pieces of repertoire I had added to my Bard book.

It was weird not truly working at an event. I didn’t have much of an agenda sans shmoozing and celebrating my friends. I had been feeling ill most of the day and off. A few nights of not sleeping, real life work stress can do that to you. The performance must go on. I brought my handy dandy “NOTEBOOK” (In the voice of Steve from Blues clues) and took a corner.  After I had picked the order of my set and let the music flow, all I could think of was how live this church was. It was beautiful physically, but the way the sound echoed and reverberated lit my soul a glow. The pain and discomfort which filled my body, radiated away.

This is why I sing. Music heals the body and soul.

30 minutes of solid music flew by. More shmoozing. Time for court! I had friends which I had been keeping their awards secret from for months. I waited anxiously to see each of their faces as they were called up. Then, without truly knowing what to expect, my name was called.

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Here. Here I was surrounded by a family of those who’s art was on fire with their souls. A community of which I could now call myself a member of .  Brothers are sisters. The icing on the cake was that my scroll, stunning as always, was done by people who I look up to and call friends. Who offer advice Freely so that I may better my art.

26169153_10101324775117069_3828309388891427686_n.jpgThe scroll illumination and Calligraphy done by Mistress Mickel, the guilding by Master Max and the words done by Lord Nichol.

A small aside. The other items pictured were also a very moving part of my day. The red favor was from the Queen, the black was a site token, the sword representing a friend who was recently, too soon and far too young. The bracelet from Mistress Aneleda who to this day supports and believes me in even when I lose all hope in myself. I am grateful for all.