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Pennsic A & S
I entered the Pennsic A & S display. Where I learned most things that get entered into A & S, will never, ever be worn or used. There were a great many objects that were stunningly beautiful, which received many tokens of appreciation, that will never see the light of day outside of A & S competitions.
"How do you keep that clean?
Clean? It never comes out of the box". Sadness.
I found myself leaving tokens for the "interesting" things that were mostly overlooked. Boards of finger braids, leather shoes, felted hats and charge cases. One lady had some plain brown thrown pots. They ended up being hand held incendiary vessels- clay bombs, with accompanying research. Wheeee!
It was a real eye opener. The quality of work was phenomenal and yet I was uninspired by a majority of the pieces. It breaks my heart to see such glorious work and articles of clothing that are relegated to a box. I felt less skilled, less of an artisan. I was pretty down on myself. And then I went through my Pennsic pictures.
I was reminded why I play. I cannot compare my skills and projects to those around me. I can only compare them to myself. Have I grown as a costumer, cook, researcher? Did I have fun? Did it bring me joy? I want people to wear what I sew, skip around a list, get dirty, throw it into a bag/washer it so they can do it all over again the following week.
It was a hard lesson to learn. I think I got it.
"How do you keep that clean?
Clean? It never comes out of the box". Sadness.
I found myself leaving tokens for the "interesting" things that were mostly overlooked. Boards of finger braids, leather shoes, felted hats and charge cases. One lady had some plain brown thrown pots. They ended up being hand held incendiary vessels- clay bombs, with accompanying research. Wheeee!
It was a real eye opener. The quality of work was phenomenal and yet I was uninspired by a majority of the pieces. It breaks my heart to see such glorious work and articles of clothing that are relegated to a box. I felt less skilled, less of an artisan. I was pretty down on myself. And then I went through my Pennsic pictures.
I was reminded why I play. I cannot compare my skills and projects to those around me. I can only compare them to myself. Have I grown as a costumer, cook, researcher? Did I have fun? Did it bring me joy? I want people to wear what I sew, skip around a list, get dirty, throw it into a bag/washer it so they can do it all over again the following week.
It was a hard lesson to learn. I think I got it.
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I'd much rather see stuff that can be used, myself.
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(Yes, I made Roman leather underpants)
And I've said, in judging comments and display comments and other places, that I'd rather she someone finish an item and use it than see a bunch of embroidery samplers that show great technique, but do nothing with it.
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Before I'd had enough and wandered off, I campaigned hard to keep the concept of doing samplers out of the MK textile guild's accomplishment levels. They serve no purpose, beyond practicing stitches. I'd rather see a finished project, instead. Even if it's a small one.
Some of it is because often, finishing a useful item requires more than one skill set.
Some of it is that I consider my diddlings somewhat in the nature of experimental archaeology. If it isn't something a normal person can use... possibly the concept of what is "authentic" about its making is not correct. I have a number of heretical theories right now regarding the German housebook style gown and brustlecks as a costume item. :-D
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2 cents...
I cook because I enjoy feeding people. Example: Had the food at the State Dinner been inedible for whatever reason but I followed the period recipes exactly, to my mind I would have failed. Not a knock on following those recipes or those that do, just that I get off on the feeding people part, not the research part.
In short, stressing over "your art" is silly unless you aren't getting what *you* want from it.
Re: 2 cents...
Yup learned that too.
Initially it was recommended as a way to get people to learn who I am and see my skills. As I evolve, the reasons have changed.
If its food, 99% of the time I have ulterior motives. That gives me a captive group for testing recipes which will be served to a larger audience. I am researching/making 2 period recipes for Coronation for this purpose.
If it is clothing, often times to show how clothing is armor and vice versa and that it does not need to be same ole, same ole.
And every once in a while it is to get a piece out of the way, like Bubba, my sugar piece.
I am finding I like displays (Pennsic) far better than contests. I love the research/learning part of a project.
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Hey! You got mad at me when I did that last bit. /pout
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I prefer to make practical items though and enter them, so you're not alone in that. :) Time is precious and I can't justify making a gown or someting that will just take up space later on.