A time to reflect on: The Civil War

Today is a big day for may costumers, it is a day that orders had to be finished, and ready for History to come alive. The Civil War has begun, and for many it isn't about who won or lost, it is about creating living history, for those who work very hard at recreating history, a history many know nothing about.   For some it is about Slavery, others it is about States Rights, and for some it is about their families, and the sarcifice their families went thru, for those it is personal.
 I am one of the lucky ones, I have been working on our Family History for 25 years and have found just how history comes alive , Theoplius Wiggins left a diary of the horror of the war and what his company went thur at Chickamunga, Lookout Mountain, and Stoney Face, some of the worst Battles of the war on Southern Ground. I have been to each of these places and each one leaves a mark on ones Soul. You don't walk away untouched. As I create day dresses, Ball gowns and 3 uniforms I am reminded of how hard it must have been to hand sew each of these garments. Theo writes to the Ladies who have made their new shirts with much thanks and humble words for their talent , it is a sobering thought. As the war began  there was a navie thought it would be over quickly and partys were the order of Southern Society. The ball gowns and the thoughts of "partys" kinda make it diffcult to keep focused as I sewed. Knowing  many young men would  never return to their loved ones. Theo writes about the men who had no shoes, no socks and how their feet suffered, the lack of blankets and warm clothes, thru some cold nites and days. So today I challenge others costumers to take the time to remember the fallen of the Civil War and look around their shops to see what can be created for those in need today whether you clean out your scraps or your closet , let us give back , many us together can help others. None of us ever want to see a Civil War, as we know the Price is to Great. May History remind each of us "Not to Repeat the Past ".

South Florida Closing Weekend

Morning Breaking over fair site

We began the day with cool temperatures, 69 and a slight ocean breeze, Set up was done with much laughter, groans, and of course the tired thoughts of just how long 5 weekends had been .

We opened with a slow start, Many of our Patrons were discussing the The Tsunami in Japan, and work that would have to be done to help Japan recover. It definitely was a subject that we heard thorough out the day. We did see less patrons, many told us on Sunday,they were stuck in the front of the TV watching the hard facts of what had occurred. It definely affected people, we talked, listened and try to asnwer any questions that our guest ask. It was a day in which people felt far more motal, as living in South Florida we are much more aware of what  Mother Nature can do with water . Our guest spend this day enjoying  far more beverages,that any other day of the show. And yet we were kept busy . As the day progressed the heat rose, the weather man missed again. By 3:00 pm we were all dragging, so the chocolate was broke out, which lead to the ultmaite Chocolate cover bacon  treats.

Chocolate bacon begins

It is amazing,  a must for those who love chocolate. Our guest were having a wonderful time and new friends were met and made. It was a good day all in all.












Sunday Morning started out cool but we knew we would have the same heat of yesterday, Closing Day here is so different, than many shows , it is a day of roses, gifts and thanks . Our morning started before boom as it always does with  fair staff wanting new clothes, Today would be a very busy day as all of our clients meet and greet at the booth . I had the pleasure of seeing pictures of my early work still being worn, and the pictures of the day it was worn, first 12 years ago  Wow , it reminds me of why I do what I do

Deb wearing her bodice I made 12 years ago and in my hand the pictures of the day it was delieveried

Our guest were in great form, on Sunday I laughed so much my sides hurt this morning . The day was filled with pictures being taking. We spend the day helping new clients pick new items and set appointments for new out fits. My appointment book filled quickly by 4pm ,I had to start adding pages to the list.  As of this morning there are no availble appointments until April 15. The afternoon went so fast, It pasted in a blur,

Chris suprized me by arriving in garb to take me to Pub sing, a rare thing indeed!  As I have done the South Florida Rennassaince Fair now for 17 years , I have never missed the last song of pub sing, It hold far to many memoriesof faces ,places ,smiles and a few tears. It would not be fair without" Health to the Company"

      It was a great pleasure to Dress Her Majesty

              The Oueen , she is truly noble and a force for good.

                                  Baj would be proud.

Now I leave you with pictures , if I have forgot anyone  for give me

SAFE JOURNEYS

Patrons of our Faire and of the Needlefairy



11 Year old bodice handed down



Her Majesty the Queen



Huzzah and Safe Journeys

South Florida Renassaince Festival 4th Weekend

 

NO it cant be 4th weekend

Good morning Monday, what a weekend, it started with a Boom literally, and we were off on a run , first  the booth filled up with old friends and new clients and the sound of pure sweet laughter. The air was clear and cool, the perfect faire day unfolding before us. Morning started with new thoughts of creation and design ,thank goodness I keep a  book with me,this show has added 10 pages of wow, hmmm and of course clients new request.

The new Doublets were the first to go and the display gown went next, after that, the day blur into paperwork, history and of course spending time planning clients new creations. It seems that this show has created clients who know exactly what it is they want. I will have a full week after this day.



the Shrewsberry Bodice



 Lunch came and went , and we recieved the another wave of patrons, this time it was the New Shrewsberry Bodice, that was the must have item,  a steel boned long bodice, that is "the most comfortable bodice I have wore yet" (a quote I heard throught out the day ). I was rather pleased on that . 











 Our clients unmistakeably the most photographed  to day. It seemed as if we were flying through this day, I did mange to run away for a little while, only to catch  my favorite music artist "Owen Phyfe." He is amazing and a must see at the Faire, Our day was fast coming to a close and we really didnt seem to realize how fast it had gone, until we hear the closing Cannon.

After a very long day  I sat and thought of how the day had gone,  only to stretch and change my view,it did a body and mind good





the view



Sunday morning 5:30 am, Damn I am tired, far more than I expected. This is the feeling I get by closing and I have another weekend to go, hmm is that coffee I smell, as my feet drawing my unwilling body out of bed.Thank Goddess Caffina for this morning okay cool. I manged to put every thing in order last nite so I can sit and work on this divine cup of java for a bit, I am going to need it ! The weather man is really making it hard for me to be excited for today, he's calling for heavy rain this afternoon. great............. Damn!!!!!!

Truck is ready and Oh wow Did I get a surprize, spring has show herself ,I wasnt expecting these for another week or so. They will be all in bloom by weeks end there are about 30 of these in my front yard. And it is off to work I go, with a better thought and spirit. Set up was normal but with thoughts of watch the weather, Sundays are hard to call this year not sure if it is the change in site or our patrons. And the thought of rain dampen everyones spirit ,we started as a normal sunday would ,but that would be the only normal for the day. We met the time jumpers,( Steampunk) after lunch and wow what great costumes! And then we watch the rain roll in with a burst of wind, Us pushing to move displays and covering the stock as best as we can . We always have a booth full of people when this happens . It rain for a good 25 mins,and  cleared quickly. The day progress as normal, minus the drying out of any wet stock ,that would be later after show. Had the please of seeing many friends and sampling a new culinary delight, Chocolate covered Bacon, OMG It is the perfect salt and sugar combo I think I have ever tasted wow, leave it to the Texans. And so the day was one that will be marked by Food, Freinds and one beautiful ending, you can get here in South Florida.  Enjoy these as I had to take them to share with all of you

 



South Florida Rennasaince Festival weekend 3 Pet days



Airmas



Saturday morning began with the knowledge of the heat that would  be with us and the 4 leg guest that would join us through the faire day. Set up was alot of reworking the racks, and checking for misplaced sizes. I had spend the week adding to the Men's Doublets rack, by building 4 new Doublets, and one Jerkin. We were very busy last weekend with the guest and clients. I had to add to all the racks as the new designs are quite popular.

Our Theme weekend was for the Dogs so to speak, We have a weekend for our beloved pets to join us and met other Owners who want to bring out their babies . It is always an interesting weekend  you never know what you will see, rare breeds of Dogs but also lizards,birds,and a rat.

None as cute as my own beloved Airmas, he is my favorite of all the beautiful animals that I met this weekend. Believe it or not our four leg guest were very well behaved. They ranged from Silky size to Great Dane.The Heat of the day was the challenge ,it hit 88 really quickly , causing some of patrons a free trip. But all in all we had a wonderful weekend.

South Florida Renassaince Festival 2weekend 3 days

Saturday morning broke with a hint of the heat that was to show it's self later in the day. Our morning set up went on as usual, with the addition of another crew member. Her name is Alex, she is in her second year with us.

Morgan



Alex



 Everyone had an air of expectation of the the day.  You could feel it in the air. The energy was rising as we came closer to the Cannon greeting . Our Patrons created lines out into the parking areas, it definitely was going to be a day! The cannon greeted us with it's throaty Kaboom and the energy levels started to rise even higher. We were gaining excitement with each wave of patrons , and wave they did! I remember looking down at my time piece at 10:15 and truthfully the next time I caught the time was somewhere after 3:00pm, it was crazy, everyone Knew exactly what they wanted, no hmm, or maybe. People were on a mission, no need to sell them or offer options.

The Amazing Debra



 Days like this are so wonderful, you can really get inside their views and see where they want to take their dreams. It makes my part in their creation so much fun.  So with the day flying by most of us did mange to be a privy run late in the day, food was a grazing event , I dont think any of us had a real lunch , however we really did have a Wonderful day with our clients.

An old friends daughter gave us a huge pick me up, she was doing chocolate sales for her school, and had Dark chocolate bars which the staff and I really needed by the end of the day. It gave us just enough energy to finish out the day.

 The sun had bought us the heat we expected , however once again the site crew and Bobby had thought it all out, We have on our path, sections of Shade cloth hung from poles every 20 or so feet, these keep the heat down amazing well.   Huzzah for Bobby& site crew!!!!!  Even with the heat of the day there was shade and that South florida breeze. I have added pictures of our area and neighbors so you can see how the shade cloth works.You can see the poles in these pictures take support the shade cloth

                                                                Our Neighbors

We also we able to aid the Queen with wardrobe this weekend as well . I have created a way for our clients who are breastfeeding to be able to still look awsome and take care of their childrens needs with very little fuss and or visual disharmony.  It's tuff enough having small children when you are 4 feet wide, and laced in .

                                                     Her Magjesty  The Oueen with her prince

           And thank you to our clients and friends who came out and supported us this weekend



The Lady Rebacca and Her Lord



The Lady Rebacca Squire

Florida Renaissance Festival video

South Florida Renaissance Festival Day 3 Kids Day

Our morning started with a Cool gray sky, slowly warming up as if stretching it self to wake slowly. Faire site in the morning is kinda of erie, quietly waiting for something , a sense of expectation. Yes it seems to know when the "kids are coming". Our Schools, come and learn something of the Faire and the handmade items that we sell, as well as a chance to socialize with other schools. It can be a large challenge to work with 5500 kids at once. Our Security Staff does a helluva job considering all things, and how many kids we have. We open a littler earlier for them 9:15,and the day ends at 2:30.  It has always been challenging to do these days, because kids can ask some of the wildest Questions you can imagine. It is a day for us to encourage future clients, teaching about the history of a Spanish held village during the rein of Isabelle and Ferdinand, we are also part Parent, diplomat, and sheriff. 

We often see some of the smartest as well as the bored and those kids tend to want to bring out the wood swords and fight with each other - Bad Idea? or Natural Selection?
  Debra came in to help with the invasion of kids, I thought having an extra hand would help. Oh so glad she was there....

Our Faire gives out questionaires to the kids ,to aid them in learning

about the Period, this includes the Joust, clothing, the technologial of the age . It can be amusing to see a young male student stammer out the question about the farthingale. My personal farvorite is the princess reaction to the gowns , of course. 

 The day warmed up very quick, and it was going to get hotter that we expected. Most of the morning was spend talking to the kids and doing photos with all of them. We are basis photo prop's for most of the kids, on average we are photographed about hundred times a day during kids day. It can be very hard to do this, while talking to them . The energy is crazy and the volume of sound is of rock concert quaility. It is almost like watching a small army taking over a defined area, a swarm that spreads out quick over the site. But for all the insanity it is a wonderful way to see how the education system, so needs our help. If we can make it fun , it will stick. Which is awsome when a past years kid walks up and quote you from last year,  you know why your doing this. I really wish parents would really work on Manners with their kids, it is the first thing you notice.  Sadly it shows that we are forgetting how important manners are.

 We answers questions that are the normal ones and tried to answer the new ones. The best Question of the day for me was, Can you Hide someone under there - meaning my Skirt.  The second best : How did they stay Fashionable. The range of questions are becoming more current based, not easy to put in period context.  I have to say yesterday seem like a full day, brain wise ,but that is because it was a three day push and those are always hard, we have another next week end.

As the day came to a close I had one group that really showed interest in the Gowns and what we do , so we did this pic ,with them looking forward to bring their families to faire this weekwend. They were great  and reminded me of why we do what we do