RenSymp from the eyes of a newbie.
Rydell on Tribe posted this, and I wanted to remember the words the blogger posted. She reminded me of a much younger me, who had joined a new Scots guild way, way, way back when. The blogger is posting about her experience at this year's Ren Symposium.
Musings from a Ren Faire Newbie - Part 1, the crash course training
The part I wanted to savor is behind the cut...
Costuming classes. As a newbie, I’ve been really cautious in accepting information as gospel until I can get some info from people whose work seems reasonable and reliable. Last year I went to a couple of garb classes but found that I couldn’t use the info that focused on garb for English and noble garb. There’s not a lot of information on Scots clothing. Everyone says, look up the Irish. Yup, right. Let’s just say, for the last year I’ve done a lot of researching on the internet.
This year I wanted to take more “how-to” focused classes. This year I went to 4 classes. There was the one on fabrics for performers - Great hands on! Touching and feeling samples of fabrics, explanations of what was good or bad for each one, sources for finding fabrics, lots of personal experience samples, and a chart of fabric burn test results! The class on sewing tips and tricks - Useful! They shared their treasured tools and equipment and sources. Suffice it to say I’ll be taking a trip to Home Depot with a sewing project in mind! A special highlight was being the sewing dummy for Margo Anderson for the Draping the Doublet class! She was so matter of fact and clear in showing how the art of draping can be really be useful and easy! I’m not intimidated anymore. Bonus: I got to keep the pattern!
And then there was the one on busting costuming myths - Fabulous! Costumers and garb enthusiasts are particularly great at sharing information on clothing myths as they are brought to light through research on extant samples. THANK YOU KIMIKO SMALL!! Yes, people wore black, pink, and lavender. No, blue was worn by high ranks as well as low ranks. No, back lacing isn’t the only way to deal with tight bodices on gowns. Yes, peasants wear hats. Her handouts were great! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (Please see Kimiko’s website -A Gentlewoman’s Accounts, http://www.kimiko1.com/- for information for the areas she has researched.)
This brought tears to my eyes when I read it. I did have several folks who told me they really appreciated the classes I had taught, but most were friends. This is someone who is pretty much a newbie, learning the basics of what she needs to know about faire, to carry on when we older folks have moved on.
And for the other classes she took touching on the various Scots pertinent info. Our clan members didn't have RenSymp, we were self taught and taught other members of the clan, covering everything the blogger touches upon, drilling month after month, till we knew who the others in the clan were by faire name, why we were at faire (those long cattle drives), and interacted not only with faire guests, but other guilds as well.
I am still frustrated at Bill's words during the round table. I still wonder if I will spend the energy at RenSymp next year, and am still inclined to not go. But I know for sure my energy was not wasted on those who were open to learning this year. I just keep thinking there has got to be a better way.
Musings from a Ren Faire Newbie - Part 1, the crash course training
The part I wanted to savor is behind the cut...
Costuming classes. As a newbie, I’ve been really cautious in accepting information as gospel until I can get some info from people whose work seems reasonable and reliable. Last year I went to a couple of garb classes but found that I couldn’t use the info that focused on garb for English and noble garb. There’s not a lot of information on Scots clothing. Everyone says, look up the Irish. Yup, right. Let’s just say, for the last year I’ve done a lot of researching on the internet.
This year I wanted to take more “how-to” focused classes. This year I went to 4 classes. There was the one on fabrics for performers - Great hands on! Touching and feeling samples of fabrics, explanations of what was good or bad for each one, sources for finding fabrics, lots of personal experience samples, and a chart of fabric burn test results! The class on sewing tips and tricks - Useful! They shared their treasured tools and equipment and sources. Suffice it to say I’ll be taking a trip to Home Depot with a sewing project in mind! A special highlight was being the sewing dummy for Margo Anderson for the Draping the Doublet class! She was so matter of fact and clear in showing how the art of draping can be really be useful and easy! I’m not intimidated anymore. Bonus: I got to keep the pattern!
And then there was the one on busting costuming myths - Fabulous! Costumers and garb enthusiasts are particularly great at sharing information on clothing myths as they are brought to light through research on extant samples. THANK YOU KIMIKO SMALL!! Yes, people wore black, pink, and lavender. No, blue was worn by high ranks as well as low ranks. No, back lacing isn’t the only way to deal with tight bodices on gowns. Yes, peasants wear hats. Her handouts were great! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (Please see Kimiko’s website -A Gentlewoman’s Accounts, http://www.kimiko1.com/- for information for the areas she has researched.)
This brought tears to my eyes when I read it. I did have several folks who told me they really appreciated the classes I had taught, but most were friends. This is someone who is pretty much a newbie, learning the basics of what she needs to know about faire, to carry on when we older folks have moved on.
And for the other classes she took touching on the various Scots pertinent info. Our clan members didn't have RenSymp, we were self taught and taught other members of the clan, covering everything the blogger touches upon, drilling month after month, till we knew who the others in the clan were by faire name, why we were at faire (those long cattle drives), and interacted not only with faire guests, but other guilds as well.
I am still frustrated at Bill's words during the round table. I still wonder if I will spend the energy at RenSymp next year, and am still inclined to not go. But I know for sure my energy was not wasted on those who were open to learning this year. I just keep thinking there has got to be a better way.