Medieval art involved not creative freedom but subjection to rules. Some time after classical antiquity all period creations were done for God’s glory. If that’s the case how does art relate to you and me in the Society for Creative Anachronism? Especially since the organization is apolitical and nonreligious. Why is Art important in the SCA? First, what is art? […]
Historiated initial of a man citing a layman by touching him with a staff. You may have noticed I now have a copywrite on my blog. Well, it’s actually an uncopywrite. I am releasing my rights to everything I personally create here and place them all into the public domain. What does that include? That includes articles I’ve written or linked to my posts on this blog since I started it in December 2015. Unless I state otherwise that will apply to any future content I personally create and publish on createme365.com. What does this mean to you? As much as you want you can use my uncopyrighted work in various ways. You could: Repost it on your own website Translate it into other languages Transfer it to different media like your own articles and posts Make money from what you create from my work such as selling it in ebook form or linking it to Amazon and make money. Develop a scribal workshop or seminar based on my handouts You don’t need to directly ask my permission to do these or other things. You can just do it. If you’re not sure about something, consult your inner counsel and make whatever decision you believe is honorable. Don’t ask me about anything legal because it’s all Greek to me. Plus, I’ve already put this in the public domain. While I am giving away the copyrights, if you reuse my work, please give me […]
True ease in writing comes from Art, not chance, as those move easiest who have learned to dance. — Sound and Sense by Alexander Pope. I came across this aphorism in a book I picked up down the street at the Half-Price Books Store. The quote describes the way good writing appears. It’s a bold claim that a good writer makes it look effortless and easy. […]
My spare room being used for Lilies prep. Every year I go to Calontir Lilies War and this year is no different. What’s different is what I’ve realized from doing this annually. It is important you purge your hygiene and health products each year. When I started paying attention to dates on the personal products I took to Lilies my […]
A scroll created to appear like a two page spread. Recently a beginning scribe asked me, “What’s the difference between a scroll and a period manuscript?” I thought you might also want to know. When you receive an SCA award you’re given a fancy commemorative document. We call these “scrolls”, even though they’re seldom rolled up. The biggest difference you’ll […]
One distinguishing SCA feature you readily notice is our awards. Our Society puts immense time and effort into award creation and distribution. Each Kingdom has its award traditions, but to me, Calontir’s are the best. Each scroll is given for an important deed by the person receiving it. Those giving them know their importance too. Scrolls are proudly presented by […]
Hello and Greetings You may have wondered if my links to products provide me income. The short answer is “no”. I include links to products for your convenience. One source you may use to find more about it or to buy it. At the time you read my post they may not even be the cheapest or best place to […]
A Hair-raising Learning Experience From the recent scrolls I’ve done, I decided each scroll’s an experiment. It’s an options’ string from its inception to beyond the scroll’s completion. A learning experience all the way. When you receive the text you choose from the different calligraphy scripts and illumination styles. Once you pick the inspirational manuscripts suited to the recipient’s persona you select […]
Norse Kris Kinder Hat Tweaks In the past, I’ve given you a few scribal tips. I hope they helped and didn’t cause frustration. But little I write here is a rule. It’s for fun. The only rules are those given by the Monarch, SCA Corpora or the Kingdom. Each Kingdom sets laws and passes authority to officers. Some are more specific […]
HL Nikolai Kolpachnik Spinachev’s Baronial Arts and Sciences Championship Competition Entry. I’m not that great a cook. Mostly cooking doesn’t interest me. I’m also not a foodie or gourmet. High-quality or exotic ingredients don’t interest me. And I can’t be bothered with food skills that don’t involve a microwave or Keurig. Attending a scribal gathering or making an SCA scroll […]
In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describe how complementary, connected, separate influences compel and connect. I know many such twosomes that exist. Fire and water, expansion and contraction to name two. The SCA has its own. Current creation methods and historic recreation efforts. As a scribal production Laurel, I am drawn to Medieval illuminated manuscript techniques and style yet creating award scrolls […]
I was asked by a scribal friend last week how I would critique another scribe’s scroll. In Calontir we often talk about this and how to do it. Critiquing another person’s work is tricky because of the personal pride held by the sharer and the hearer. Some encourage gentleness. Others recommend a quick comment like my Mom ripped off a band-aid. […]
I bought myself a present. I love the writer/artist Austin Kleon. He has a new book, Steal Like An Artist Journal. I’m flipping through the pages, seeing a little of everything. The first image I came across relates to scribes so well. Kleon describes simply the difference between plagiarism and creative repurposing. He calls it good theft and bad theft. And he […]
I am not a politician. bragging about my accomplishments. I don’t want to be that obnoxious person needling your nerves with bluster and boast. Even so, we all need ways to spotlight our own talents, scribal and other. As a scribe, our works commonly are grandly shown at court, taken home and hung on a wall. While they are appreciated by the recipient, their friends, family, and on-line social network, few others know the work. This makes getting noticed as a scribe challenging. It’s also challenging because, in general, acclaim does not spread as well or as fast as drivel. So, how can you toot your own horn without being a show-off? I’d begin by proving my worth and let my creations speak for themselves. As a scribe develop a quality craft, and be reliable. The person assigning you a scroll depends on you to do your best work and present it before it’s needed for court. Anything less is a deficit for them…and you. Along the way, create works and show them to skilled scribes. Ask for their suggestions. In Calontir great ways to do this are entering Queen’s Prize or Tri-Levels competitions. I love these competitions because I learned the next best step to take, and who was doing what I wanted to learn next. I’ve also privately shown my work to scribes I admire and asked for comment. Most love to share information and often learn from your techniques as much as you can […]
In the SCA we devote hours to award creation and giving. Whether entry level or the highest awards , from start to finish, their total creativity hours are in the thousands for each six-month reign. With all that consumed time, what’s their purpose? Their obvious purpose is to acknowledge the recipient’s accomplished efforts. Whether novice or peer, we celebrate together and mark […]
What should you consider before committing to an SCA Peer relationship? In this post I consider 7 of many possible expectations.
I understand each of us is different. Still, I have this niggling feeling what I’ve done is mediocre. Shakespeare said, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” That is uniqueness. To me, it feels like a goal out of reach. Do you ever feel like that? When I create, I create from my own fervor, […]
I turned 70 this month. A shocking number for me because for centuries, people didn’t often reach that age. I remember in high school learning the average life expectancy was 72 years for women and I’ve almost reached that age. Scary. The good news for my generation in the USA is life expectancy rose to 78.8 years in 2012, a new high. And life […]
Have you every had this experience? You’re at an SCA event working on a project when someone, out of the blue, tells you, “There’s a better way to do that. You should do it this way. It wasn’t a competition or a class. Just a conversation. I’ve seen this happen more than once. Frustrating. Irritating. (I know. It took me […]
Have you heard of the One Word Challenge? I recently discovered it. You pick one word as your year’s focus. A positive challenge that fits with My Atypical 2016 Chuck-It List concepts. Easy. (I like simple.) The first thing I did was google the phrase. Just in case, it was more complex than it seemed. I learned there are only two basic steps. Thoughtfully […]
Ignorantly flailing through historical clothing
Discovering the joy of art
Traveling Fashion Designers 🌼
Photography
historical clothing, cosplay, and beautiful acts of whimsy
Cooking, Crafting, and Bad Ideas....
Shorts, Novels, and Other Things
History is Beautiful
Women's Lives in the European Middle Ages
Going Medieval At a Scholars Pace
ἀνθρώποισι πᾶσι μέτεστι γινώσκειν ἑωυτοὺς καὶ σωφρονεῖν.
Illuminating pastime pursuits.
Allergy warning: contains young-earth creationism and form poetry. Made in a place which processes Tolkien and Chesterton.
Illuminating pastime pursuits.
The thoughts and deeds of a writer, fighter and re-enactor
Learning the arts and sciences of the Middle Ages through research and practice
A tiny obsessive perfectionist sewing her way through history
Mostly costuming and project updates with some philosophy and autobiography for color.
A trip back in time to learn about all sorts of interesting things.
Illuminating pastime pursuits.
Join Me In The Adventure!
Sewing, Embroidery, and a Bit of SF/F Geekery
Marya Kargashina's Medieval Research
Musings on Daily Life in the Ancient and Early Medieval Mediterranean By Sarah E. Bond
SCA: Addressing Authenticity for a Gaulish Persona
Illuminating pastime pursuits.
Exploring the 16th Century and Beyond
Make All The Things!
Weaving, Recruitment and Other A&S Projects
Balancing the SCA and the Mundane
Where the Middle Ages Begin
a blog about medieval manuscripts, by Kate Thomas
Erik Kwakkel blogging about medieval manuscripts
News from Calontir
SCA Adventures in A&S
Illuminating pastime pursuits.
Illuminating pastime pursuits.
Illuminating pastime pursuits.
Illuminating pastime pursuits.
Eulalia Piebakere's adventures in recreational medievalism
My Life and Times, Here and There
Illuminating pastime pursuits.
A diary of A&S projects
An Itinerant Scribe 