May 9, 2001
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Okay! It’s been a rough couple of weeks, we are computerless for a while(Shhhhh….I’m doing this at work!) Life has been hectic and I feel as if I’m just this side of losing it. I know it will get better(This too shall pass!), but it has been a long haul and I’m ready for some good to happen.
Faire is still great! It is the only thing making me happy and keeping me sane right now…being with my Pirate family. 3 more weeks of Corona, then a long break…and we will all need it!
Oh well, back to work(shhhh!)
Bright Blessings,
Amethyst
Comments (7)
Hello, I was wondering if you have ever been to the Pennslyvania Renn. Faire? We go every Summer but it is the only one I have ever visited. I love the atmosphere and would love to be more involved than just a visitor each time but I don’t want to come across as an idiot by going in some ridiculous getup. How do you feel about novices? Could you suggest what type of clothing to wear to this event?
Good day Lealyon,
No, I haven’t been to that particular faire. Living in Nevada, I’ve only been to ones relatively close to home. We attend faires in California, Arizona, Nevada(we have a great faire here!) and in September, we are going to Colorado!
Novices are great, we were all novices at one time! I have been attending Ren Faires since I was in high school in California. When I was on my own, I began to dress up (it is just so much more fun in garb) and participated as much as I could as a patron.
A year and a half ago, Michael and I joined a group (a guild) that allows us to be on the other side of the rope, so to speak. It is even more fun, because, as an educational guild, we HAVE to be period. Michael and I bought a 12′ by 12′ pavilion to take with us to faires(how cool is that!! I love it! What a way to camp!) We dress, speak and behave as if it were the 1670′s~Okay, I try to speak and behave as if if it were the 1670′s…it is a challenge! We are a Pirate re-enactment group and our main focus is our cannons!We shoot black powder cannons and guns ~ it is a rush!
Okay, enough about us! If you truly want to be part of faire as we are, you need to look for guilds and groups that participate in faires as we do. One option is the SCA…The Society for Creative Anachronisim. There is also a magazine called Renaissance and it is marvelous. you might find some local groups that way. Even if you don’t, it is a wonderful source of information. Also, don’t forget the internet…it is a great source, as you probably know. ~~ There are two really important things to keep in mind…The first is this:The reason we do this is because it is FUN…you have to enjoy this! It is a hobby and a somewhat expensive one, but FUN is the reason we do it! The second is: You have to find a group of people you enjoy being with, because you will spend an awful lot of time together! My Pirate group is my family, I love them dearly!(I even got a Moher’s day card and gift cause I am essentially the group’s Mom!)
Well, that is probably way more info than you wanted…Oh yes, I forgot to address what to wear. For you, the basic outfit to begin with is this (and you should be able to find this at the faire or if you or someone you know sews, there are dozens of patterns to choose from: 1 or 2 blouses (usually with long, full sleeves) 2 skirts (an underskirt and an overskirt), a bodice (an evil necessity, but boy it makes you look good! ), some type of shoe or sandal, and a hat or head gear of some kind. If you have two blouses, two skirts and a reversible bodice that gives you several options for combinations. Now this is the list for your middle to lower class character, If you want to be a noble, that is a little different and we can cover that later.
Hope this answers your questions! Participating in faire in any way is fun, but I do enjoy it so much more as part of the cast. It is a ball.
If I can be of any more help, just ask. I love to talk about this and just about anything else!
Bright Blessings,
Amethyst
No, I love the long post! I can see how much you love this hobby. It sounds so exciting and rewarding. We went last year and as we were walking around one of the cast walked up to me. He was dressed as a nobleman and he started a conversation with me. He said, “Hello Lady ( )! Was that not you I saw last night dancing on the table top at the ( name of local bar in the town)? He took me off guard then I realized he wanted to play with me.
Instead of backing down like I usually do for I can be very shy I thought why not play along. I said a few words to the effect that I had WAY to much to drink that night and the mead was strong and I have NO memory whatsoever happened that night. I do hope I did not go to far. He laughed and said a few words then walked on. My kids and husband were standing there with their mouths wide open! They thought I lost it I guess and I was a complete embarrasment. To the kids anyway. I said that is what they want you to do. To play along and go back in time to this wonderful time period. I love the fact that you chose pirates. I did understand from looking up certain sites on the net that there are two classes like you explained. To play a nobleman would cost much more than a middle or lower class person so that is what I will probably aim for this Summer. I plan to order something off of the net and with your help I now know what pieces to buy. I plan on dressing up my daughter too. She is 6. I think she will love participating in it. I wish I could get more involved but I do not drive and the faire is so far away. For now I will just enjoy our few visits there. Thank you so much for responding to my questions.
Lealyon,
It is a ball and I think if you investigate, there might be (but I’m not sure), a faire closer to you. The magazine “Renaissance” lists most of the country’s faires . You can find the magazine at most bookstores, especially Barnes and Noble or Borders, or the equivalent.
Being middle to lower class is so much more fun!!!! Being noble entails so much protocol and rules and regulations. Not to mention the coustumes are much warmer and heavier(although they are lovely!)
If you want to se our group( I’m not posted yet!) go to http://www.roguescove.org. You will get an idea of what we do. If you go to the crew site, my husband is Robert Macduff, and his history is posted, and my best friend, Wee Wench(we are still working on her history and background.)
Have a marvelous weekend and I’ll talk with you soon.
Bright Blessings,
Amethyst
I checked it out. It is so interesting! You seem to have so much fun. I love the costumes! Thank you. I saved it in my favorites so I can keep up to date on what you are doing. Thank you so much for the info. Yes, I remember watching the regal men and women walking about in their beautiful outfits and they looked SO hot! I definitely choose the loose fitting clothing. Bright Blessings. Lealyon
I tried the link, but it does not seem to be there anymore. Is there another?
I just tried it and got right on…make sure its “.org”. sometimes I forget.
Amethyst