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.
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.
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.
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.
This is Aegir and I in our pieces:
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.
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.
Getting Medieval with Technology
Recently, there was a call for need of silver level and specialized awards in the East Kingdom. Her Majesty, Vienna, has put out a request and I felt like I could do something to help. My boyfriend, Aegir, and I love to craft and find new ways of making things. So, I put out the idea to him that we should make, or attempt to make, some of these awards.
Without hesitation, we both began to brainstorm. He asked me what were ways of making awards and what was acceptable. I mentioned that it only needed to look period or possibly resemble a period item. We then looked to our 3-d printer and our silicone mold kits and the lights in our heads went off.
Aegir asked me what the awards were and what they meant. I beamed as I got to explain to him the meaning behind the awards and the intricacies that were our tradition and lineage. I bring up lineage due to the fact that a friend of mine, David Poirier de le Loup, was going to be honored at Crown Tournament. I wanted to make him his Silver Wheel. In addition, a good friend of David’s and mine, Anne de Basillion, had mentioned to me that team “Do all the things” was going to pass down her medallion to David. If she did that, she would be without her regalia. That couldn’t be a thing.
So, we worked to get this amended.
Aegir taught me how to 3-d model while he worked on the designs for other awards. 3-d modeling is not an extremely difficult process for awards, but it was time consuming. I also had picked a more in-depth design to complete instead of the standard silver wheel award. David is part of the Free Company of the Stella Maris, which is a group of Pi-…. Privateers. So, I chose to make it look more steering wheel like. Anne is also a friend of the company so I would make hers to match.
Here begins the process, 3-D Modeling!
This modeling was done in a program called Autodesk Fusion 360.
From there, we exported the models into a program called Simplify 3d. This is where the data from the 3d modeling was sent for sizing and printing to be completed.
Here are a few of the models we completed:
 This is the “Golden Lyre”
 This is the “Silver Wheel”
 This is the “Silver Tyger”
From there, it was mold making time, baby!
We tried a couple different mold processes in the comfort of our own kitchen. Silicone is not the most beautiful fragrance in the world, so I do recommend proper ventilation. Also, marking a proper container to house the mold during it’s 24 hour cure time is key. Chinese food boxes seem to work well for those who are a bit more frugal.
Here you can see Aegir taking one for the team and handling the fumes.
Here you can see Aegir pouring the mold into our handy dandy takeout box.
While we wait for this mold to cure, we were trying a new gravity fed two part mold… we may or may not have used a salt lick? (It’s a Himalayan salt grilling block thing… it was cheaper than stone)
Here is our finished product (with a little bit of sanding/polishing. Flash happens)
Words for Simona Bat Leon, Silver Crescent
Words by Lady Solveig Bjarnardottir (Based on Psalm 31)
A woman of noble character has been found!
She is worth far more than rubies, she is the diamond of our kingdom.
She lacks nothing of value.
She brings good all the days of her life.
She works with eager hands and brings service to all.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her company and good deeds.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides for the kingdom
She considers a task and performs it;
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that the Barony lamps do not go out at night.
She opens her arms to the poor of spirit
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in black and hold.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She does not eat the bread of idleness.
Many women do noble things,
but she surpasses them all
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but this woman is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the East Kingdom Gates
And so, by our hands, do we, Emperor Brennan and Empress Caoilfhionn , see fit to induct, Simona Bat Leon , into the order of the silver crescent. In Addition we grant her arms Per pale azure and argent vetu, a mullet of six points between three bees, all counterchanged, at Falling Leaves, in the Barony of Carolingia, As 53.
Silver Wheel for Juliote de Castlenou D’arry
She bestows her gifts with a generous hand;
Pausing not for toil and pain for those she keeps silent
Chronicler, wrangler
Weary not through the heat of summer as she serves all ,
Weary not through the cold spring rain as she sings;
But wait till the autumn comes
For the sheaves of golden grain sifted tirelessly for she lives as a warden.
Scatters the seed, and asks not for recognition
So we are moved to do this, We, the East, choose to recognize her this day. We Ivan and Mathilde, Tzar and Tazrina do induct Juliote de Castlenou D’arry into the Order of the Silver wheel on October 28, Anno Sociotatis 52 at The Harvest Festival
Meddlings of the Minnesinger 