Unfortunately, the newest gesso...still doesn't seem to want to hold gold.
First pic - loose gold, followed by attempt of transfer gold.

When I managed to lift gesso with the transfer page...I gave it a rest.


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Second batch of gesso, painted onto more samples. I over-wetted my first button, so painted on a v thin layer, then added a second, then a third button, for additional layers of gesso.


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Lady Kerttu has set a challenge to the scribes of Drachenwald, to take on a new skill or hand, and practice it for 30 days.

Her original challenge is on FB, and I am not, so I'm repeating what I've read on DragonscribesMy own challenge will be to improve my gilding skills. I've talked about it a lot, and it's time to quit yakkin' and just do it. ( Read more... )

More of my weekend not in Bath ( Read more... )

On Saturday I got together with thorngrove, to learn the mysteries of the soapmaker.

I've been doing some reading linked to my current putter in medieval cosmetics, and soap falls into this category, albeit as a relatively late addition to the range of cosmetic products - and had mentioned I'd love to have a go. Luckily thorngrove proved, as always a terrific resource ( Read more... )

15th c linen underwear from Lengberg Castle, East Tyrol, Austria

This talk was probably the highlight of the event, where we got to see hot new research, practically fresh out of the ground. Nothing like 500 year old undies to get textile historians excited...

Lots of people have seen the article in BBC history pages about the linen clothes found in ( Read more... )

Thank you all for feedback on the perfumery and smellies stuff. I've dropped a note to Isis about her sources. Small world - she has a link to frualeydis, who is an active SCA person in Nordmark.

Baldwins definitely seems a good source for some specific items, tied with Pans Pantry.

So I'm compiling a list of items I want, and comparison shopping.

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One of my earliest medieval clothing (well really costuming) experiences was with velveteen - I was charmed by the prospect of making a 'push 'n shove' (basically an ahistorical low-cut bodice that would show off my assets), and made it in red velveteen.

I used one layer of fabric, and the pattern was based on a cotehardie pattern that buttongirl had made for ( Read more... )

Again, scrolling through Ed Yong's 'missing links' and he's pointed to a terrific article in the NYT called 'How companies learn your secrets'.

It's about marketing data, how and why we form habits, and how (large) companies are using your purchasing records to guess when you will change your habits and develop new ones - in this case, when you find ( Read more... )

...free largesse!
Yesterday we received a package from Fru Johanna aff Hukka -  beaded necklaces, and tokens to mark our drinking cups - kind of like wineglass charms, but they'd pass for rosary beads. It also came with a handwritten note, which was very sweet. What a thoughtful lady.

Brain is swirling with 14th c ideas of clothing and hairstyles. ( Read more... )