The Gothic Scribe: His Hands and Tools
A historical look at the Gothic Scripts, from Early Gothic through to Fraktur, Making Oak Gall Ink, and Cutting of Quills.
Exhibits
Danse Macabre Game, Coptic Tunic and Persian Calligraphy
Like most of us in the Hobby of a Thousand Hobbies, I have more irons in the fire than I had time to explain.
2020 Bling-Off Challenge Scythian Edition
My 2020 Scythian clothing project.
Bliauts and more: 12th Century Women’s Clothing
A selection of 12th century women’s garments including bliauts, a chemise, and other styles of dresses.
Heinrich’s Manesse Page, Pegleg’s Baronial Gameboard Award and Learning about Roman Patios
A casual process discussion for an original scroll, a nonstandard gameboard Baronial scroll, and a call for advice on roman patio making.
Bottle Gourds: seed to supper per 16th Cent. English techniques
Detailed accounts are written by pre-1600’s English plants peoples on how to grow gourds. Here is an account of a fun experiment growing Bottle Gourds following the historic techniques as closely as possible.
An Everyday Italian
Marcella di Cavallino’s 16th century Florence (and other ideas).
Sauces from a Saucy Cook
Some notes on testing some Mustard and Green Sauces from 14th & 15th Century English and French Manuscripts by Tanikh bint Farid al-tabibah.
Millinery and Costuming Skill Building
This year has been a whirlwind, and I have progress to show off in multiple areas – Culinary, Scribal, Millinery, Costuming, etc. My exhibit is an overview of the different projects I’ve been working on in these areas this year.
Calligraphy as an Art Form: Appreciation and Evaluation
Even if you’re currently thinking “I don’t know anything about calligraphy!”, I hope you’ll continue reading.
My goal is to bring more awareness to the level of detail and dedication calligraphers put into their work, describe what makes calligraphy beautiful, and teach people how to improve their own calligraphy.
Applying Image Analysis to an Original Design in Opus Anglicanum
As I begin the journey to a Kingdom A&S entry, I would value feedback on my most complex entry, focused on analyzing Opus Anglicanum images.
I am just beginning and seeking insights on my concept, feedback on my planned process and early research, and tips for moving forward.
Mobilier Medieval: Domestic and Vernacular Furniture
Why domestic furniture? As we learn about the people of the Middle Ages, we inevitably seek to discover how they engaged with their domestic environment. How did they physically approach their work? How did they sit and sleep? Did use of furniture reflect place in family, community, or society? What can materials and styles tell us about trade and the exchange of knowledge?
Fruit of the Womb: Prenatal Food in Renaissance Italy
One of the crucial tenants of Renaissance Italian humoral theory is the belief that females are of a colder and wetter disposition than the hotter, drier nature of males.
Art and Resources from the Scribalcorn!
Welcome to my little corner of Athenaeum!
Becoming a Scribe! If I can do it, you can too!
A journey of becoming a Scribe and an introduction on how to start.
Practical Research into San Gong Chuangzi Nu, the Three Bow, Little Bed Crossbow
San Gong Chuangzi Nu appears in a Song Dynasty document. There is a good bit of talk about it but no consensus as to how it worked. This project seeks to remedy that.
Late 14th Century Tabby Weave Plaid Fabric
A sample of wool cloth based on an extant textile excavated from Baynard’s Castle.
Embroidery in silk based on extant finds in the eras around the Song Dynasty.
Exploring Architectural Elements in Opus Anglicanum
Is there iconographic significance in the architectural elements of the splendid embroidery work known as Opus Anglicanum?
This question intrigued me and led me down a path that included studying Opus Anglicanum images and learning about the iconography of medieval architecture.
While I didn’t find the answer I was looking for (yay science!), I found a treasure trove of potential paths for my research – especially around three Opus Anglicanum pieces featuring unique architectural elements.
Paint on Silk
In the beginning Well- the beginning of my story anyway, It was not until a little less than 4 years…
The Rise of Fashion: Italian and French Garb for 1385
I am fascinated by the history of fabrics and the stories we tell with clothing. My goal was to research and make two sets of garb that reflect the story of our SCA personas– an Italian merchant widow remarried to a Frenchman from a minor noble family.
No Bees in My Business
As a beekeeper, I have been thinking about making a period bee suit for quite a while. This page describes the start of this journey, beginning with (and inspired by) a surprisingly atypical illustration of beekeepers, and how I began looking into the details of that image, through the current point of creating two appropriate undergarments – a (man’s) camicia and a (woman’s) pair of calzoni femminili.
A Medieval Medicine Chest and A Garden of Herbs
Tools of the healer’s art, remedies, and bringing an herb garden to a Crown event.
A Recreation of the University Curriculum of the Middle Ages
An exploration and recreation of the curriculum of the medieval university system.
Cartography in the SCA
A discussion of cartography, both historical and modern, my experiences in map making, and what was involved in my current project.
The Art & Science of Throwing
A continuation of my research into the construction and use of the plumbata with a new conclusion on how best to throw them.
So Many Hobbies, So Little Time: Crafty Times with Claire
A small selection of work I have done in various types, because I’m a squirrel and it’s too fun to stick to one hobby!
Transitional Hennin
Research and creation of a couple of hennins as true to period as I could make them.
Laurel
Experimental Archeology: “Scythian” Felt Booties and Stockings of the Pazyryk Altai
Pazyryk Bootie
Culinary Demonstrations
Culinary displays can be attractive and attention getting at public demonstrations.
Here are two examples of demonstrations that can be used at both small and large setups to engage with both youth and adults.
Demonstrations can appeal to multiple senses or be limited based on the comfort of the visitor.
Scandinavian Cuisine During the Vendel and Early Viking Age
In 2013 I decided to do a year of Viking food for events to match my persona. A short time later, after digging into research I realized this was not going to be a short term project. There are very few primary sources, arguably there are none. Everything that we have is secondary or tertiary and undoubtedly wrong. This presentation is my evolving work at becoming steadily less wrong.
Early Medieval Slavic Garb: A Beginner’s Journey into Embellishment
I wanted to learn some basic embroidery and narrow-ware weaving skills. I ended up falling down a rabbithole! This about my journey and lessons I learned along the way.
How I Spent My Spring Pandemic
A sharing of some of the woodworking projects I have undertaken in the past year. Covering online classes, furniture making, and a walk through of bentwood boxes from log to finished box..
Disability in the Middle Ages and other projects
Disability in the Middle Ages research and other projects.
So Many Hobbies, So Little Time: Crafty Times with Claire
A small selection of work I have done in various types, because I’m a squirrel and it’s too fun to stick to one hobby!
An Online Visual Dictionary of Scythian Artifacts
Creating a shareable online visual dictionary for Scythian artifacts that can be visually sorted by material, use, decoration, geography or century.
Oil Techniques of the Italian Masters
Study and process of the Italian masters: Canvas and Oil Paints
Laurel
The Many Mi-Parti Variations in 14th Century Medieval Manuscripts
Examining fourteenth century manuscripts for clothing made mi-parti or “divided in half.”
12th Century Adventures in Silk Taffeta
I didn’t make any medieval clothing for most of 2020 since there were no in-person events to wear it to. But that all changed in February 2021, when I spotted an orange silk taffeta with gold brocade stripes in one of my favourite online fabric stores. Herein I tell the tale of the mantle and bliaut that I made from some very colorful silk taffeta.
Hiding Modern Items Using Period Techniques
A look at an embroidered journal cover and a cart caparison
The Arts and Sciences of Isabella da Firenze
An overview of the various arts and sciences I research including alchemy, indigo dyeing, shibori, and linguistics
Aliter Dulcia
Experimentation and redaction of ‘Another Sweet’ from De Re Conquinaria, a 5th Century Roman Cookbook.
Knitting in the Baltic States: The Latvian Mitten
Research and Re-creation of a Baltic States mitten based on extant fragments from Estonia.
Experimental Textile Archaeology of Firenze 1490
Working with fibre is like learning music: you can be taught the mechanics, but no-one can teach you the soul. I have gone down many rabbit holes and learning to weave cloth for Aspasia in 1490 Firenze is the focus of this presentation.
Against Sunburn
Some more research in medieval medicine. “An ointment that the Salernitan women make that is very good for sunburn and fissures of any kind….”
Henna and Thread, Music and Dance
A look at four different arts…because why choose just one?
Reconstructing a Roman Dish: Putting Together the Puzzle Pieces of “Beans, Another Way”
An in-depth examination of a reconstruction of a Roman recipe.
Laurel
Rus’ Arched Plate Ochelye
Image overview of Pre-Mongol Arched Plate Ochelye (Headbands) of the Kievan Rus’ and Artist’s interpretations.
The Språng Journey of Halima al-Rakkasa
FAQ on språng: what it is; where it came from; historical inspirations; modern uses; where to find more information; and how Halima got hooked… and twisted.
Beyond the Mediterranean Triad: Reimagining a Middle-Class Roman Meal
Using recent archaeological discoveries, a study was made examining what is known and what new knowledge has come to light regarding the diet of middle-class Romans. Armed with this data, historical manuscripts were reexamined and interpreted with an eye to recreating what a meal might look like for a middle-class Roman family.
Toothaches, Anesthesia, and Fertility Control – pre-1600s European Medicines
Some research in medieval medicine.
Isabella Whitney, Poetess
A new rabbit hole for a Bard.
Mobilier Medieval: From Tree to Chest
As my interest in vernacular furniture has grown, so has my curiosity about the processes which went into making household items. What tools were used to shape and join them? What were the materials and how were those materials prepared? What methods of production did cabinetmakers practice? Inspired by the late Jennie Alexander, author of “Make a Chair from a Tree”, and the continuation of her work done in partnership with famed joiner Peter Follansbee, I have been exploring the entire furniture-making process from harvesting trees through the finished piece.
A Mongolian Case Study: Functionality and Proportions
Explores the functionality of clothing and proportional measuring systems in the context of a Mongolian clothing project.
A Lobed Phiale
Process of creating an ancient lobed phiale or drinking bowl.
Adventures in Indigo
When you’re struggling with your own projects….Try to answer someone else’s question! A few experiments about creating blue ink with indigo to answer a question from Athenaeum 2020.
The Bounty of Information You Can Learn from Period Letters
Love, business, plague – parts of the every day lives of the middle ages experienced by both commoner and king. And captured in the letters they sent. Reading medieval letters unveils so much incredible information about day-to-day lives and the people who wrote them. This article samples quotes from a variety of topics to show you how rich these letters are in sharing information about the people of the Middle Ages.
Teaching Tablet Weaving During the Plague and Beyond
Exploration of the Oseberg 12L1 woven band, the pattern, fibers, and theories about what it may have looked like in period. I have also been using modern technology to make learning more accessible to beginning tablet weavers.
Oseberg Style Wood Carving
A slideshow of the progress of two woodcarving projects.
Rag Dolls: A Small History and Recreation
This project is dolls, specifically “rag” dolls throughout the medieval ages. I was motivated to do this project because I often see children at events playing with modern toys, so I wanted to research the use of toys for medieval children. In this research I recreate a roman rag doll and dress them according to later period portraits.
Beekeeping through the Ages
An overview of beekeeping from antiquity through modern times. Looking at hive designs, tools, methods, myths and theories.
Foray into Period Embroidery
These projects have a broad range of historical accuracy but always with the intent to become more knowledgeable and move towards creating items that could have been found in our past.
Art From a Year in Seclusion
A selection of my work in Scribal Arts, Research, Costume and Accessories.
Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta: folio 44 Reproduction
Highlights from my project to reproduce one page from the Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta using the same tools and materials a 16th century scribe would have.
All’s Fair in War and Intellectual Property
How does copyright work? Fair use? Creative Commons? What kind of content can we- as SCA artisans, researchers, and lovers of history- use as we create our own works? Can we protect the work we make under mundane law? An ongoing project aimed at creating IP resources tailored to the SCA.
A Study in Historical Banner Making Technique
A foray into the world of period banner making.
A Scribe’s Journey
We all begin somewhere, for many of us in the scribal arts we dream of creating grand pieces. It can be intimidating to transition from painter to designer. Branching out can be intimidating but ultimately fun! This is one Scribes journey thus far and the lessons learned with each piece that has been created.
From Drill Bits to Data Bytes
Looking at building both skillset and toolset while furnishing an encampment. A series of online classes and discussions aimed primarily at newer woodworkers aiming to help people get started and discussing different ways to achieve an end result without investing in expensive specialty tools, all while I learn to adapt to a digital audience.
Silverpoint Drawings in the 16th Century Italian Style
An exploration of the challenges of drawing with silverpoint.
Tools for escaping your Manor
First exhibit pieces representing an escape toolkit useful throughout history. Each kit contains a book, a story, a vessel, and a drink found in that period and location.
Fairy Tales, Frame Stories, and The Quarantamaron
An overview of research into the history and evolution of fairy tales; a brief study of frame story narratives; and an introduction to an original project, Quarantameron.
Finger Loop Braids by Deorwine aet Earneleia
This exhibit includes some finger loop braids, some uses that I have put them to and PDFs with instructions to make them.
The Art and Science of Throwing
Research into and experimentation with a thrown weapon that was designed to be used in combat situations: specifically a weapon that the Romans used in the 3rd – 5th centuries AD, called a plumbata.
Scythian Hat and Other Projects
This is a collection of projects that I have been working on recently. I made a Scythian hat for a friend and have been playing with some basic metal working which is all very fun and very new to me.
Hands On – Learning Four Calligraphy Hands as a Beginner Scribe
A hands on look at four period calligraphy styles.
Sonnets
Is it Possible to understand someone and continue their works as if they were doing it? In writing, this is called duplicating one’s Ideolect. In thought process, and even criminal behavior, this is called “Profiling”, in the Arts, it is either called “Forgery” or, if signed by the actual creator, “Replication” 😉
Dressing up the Rapier
Recreation of three period Rapier hilts and how they were constructed.
Beginning my Mughal Indian Garb Journey
Join me on my journey as I learn to create the garb of the women in and among the courts of Mughal India. I am a beginner sewer and creator and invite you to see what I have learned.
Kanavati
This Dragonfly’s Clothing and Scribal Projects: A Collection from Three Master of Defense Elevations
A doublet and two scrolls.
Exploring Etruscan Clothing
My exhibit is an overview of my dive into making a pair of Etruscan outfits based on extrapolations from funerary art and a handful of scholarly sources.
Weaving Explorations and a Silk Purse
Weaving from more Baynard’s Castle finds to create hose for spouse.
As well, exploring more from the Song Dynasty, combining weaving and embroidery.
Explorations in fabric finishing.
Bardic Pilgrimage: the 2021 Stopover
Meandering musings about needing to learn more Bardic stuff
A Scribal Journey: explorations in illumination and calligraphy
A few years ago I found myself enjoying painting charters for the Kingdom of Avacal. When the pandemic came, I decided to spend the time upping my scribal game.
SCA Combat Filipino Kalasag Project
A pre-colonial Filipino war shield sends me on personal journey and search for understanding a part of who I am.
A Bycocket Fit For A Queen & A Honeycomb Smocked Apron
Nothing quite makes an outfit complete as having an amazing accessory that makes you feel great. This exhibit features two such accessories – a peacock feather and minivar bycocket, and a honeycomb smocked apron.
Solbella’s Geekery
Creativity and madness are all apart of the process.
Silk Road Goods
Welcome. Join me in my journey through the Pottery and bookbinding methods of Tang Dynasty China and the land where the sun rises Japan.
Early Period Armenian Needle Lace
Armenian needle lace is reputed as having the oldest history of pure lace.
A 15th Century Recorder Case, of Laminated Leather
These clever cases made of laminated leather are astoundingly ubiquitous in museums and private collections.
I have been attempting to make them since 2018.
Today I will show you the particulars of one single project, from initial design to completion.
My tangled web, weaving cloth and trim
Recreating the Cambridge Diamonds with woad dyed linen and learning to weave cloth on a floor loom
All The World’s A Stage
I am setting myself the task of designing and creating 12 Shakespearean characters + Shakespeare himself in the styles they would likely have been first presented wearing between 1595-1607
A Salle of Swords
You can NEVER have too many SWORDS! Come and join me as I continue on my journey, this time, creating nine rapiers inspired by historic swords from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Accessories: Hoods & Hats
Several “mini” projects from 2020 in the realm of hats and accessories to work on my tailoring skills.
Rescued from the Closet, a Gown of 1518 and Quick Venetian Hairstyles
I fell in love with 16th century Venetian women’s clothing. Committed beyond reason, I gathered up my pile of paintings, my needle and caffeine, and fell into the canals of Venice.
Laurel
THE MOST INSANE THING THAT I HAVE EVER MADE…yet: a study of my 12th Night Houppelande)
Welcome to my world of houppelandes! I love Houps! I could sped my entire SCA career just focused on outwear of the 15th century. In fact, I do!!! Please join me in a study of the origin, construction, and research I embarked on two and half years ago (it feels like six months – Yay, COVID!!!) in creating my 12th night mi-parti fleur de lis Houppelande
Aeron Corrino: A Kween’s Closet Untuck’t
My focus is a project to create a series of Shakespeare character costumes. My focus last year was the Cleopatra design. This year I am presenting the Calpurnia design.
Laurel
An Exploration of Twisted Placenta Ceramics
Follow my adventures as colored clay forms shapes, and twists into a quest for excellence and an analogy for character.
Laminated Leather Cases (Etui), based on 14th-16th century examples
Leather is a fantastic and underused material, and I am excited to keep learning about it. I hope other people want to learn about it, too.
Get more leather! Carry around your stuff!