Faire Ladies, Faire Lords

Quality, American-Made Renaissance Costumes

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Ned the Minstrel Memorial of music and life

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You may or may not know that Ned the Minstrel passed away in the fall of 2019. Breezy Julie Beck and I are in the early planning stages of a memorial. This will be a celebration of the music and life of our beloved friend.
We are approved to have the memorial for Ned at Koroneburg Festival on the Sunday of the 3rd weekend, June 11/12th. All friends and family are invited. You will most likely have to purchase a Festival ticket to attend as we are holding the memorial on site. Anybody who is familiar with his music is invited to play. If you wish to speak that would be appreciated too.
Help us celebrate Ned in love and friendship. There are trinkets and small items of his I’d like to gift to everyone. Also, there are some of his songs and some music too I’d be glad to share out. I have a few bequests to give.
Ned the Minstrel loved Koroneburg Festival very dearly, and especially in its rebirth as a place of laughter and creativity. So, it is fitting to let him rest there forever.
If you have ideas or questions, please MESSAGE me. You can also contact me through Facebook. I’m happy to help with info or however I can.

Sneak Peeks

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Hello everyone! This blog post is to give you a bit of a costuming sneak peek to pique your interest (haha did you see what I did there?) in the coming spring faire season. Lets talk about new fabrics and new designs for 2022 at Faire Ladies, Faire Lords.

First are the lovely lilac stripes you see in the picture. This sneak peek is all about bloomers. Yes, the linen bloomers are back I am planning them in 3 colors – grape, lilac and ivory stripe, and ivory. That stripe fabric is so sweet, its a linen/cotton blend and a nice lightweight too. Imagine wearing those lovely bloomers with a lilac or ivory color half chemise.

Next sneak peek is a new dark grey in my mid-weight linen blend, pictured below. I’m planning its first style for the menfolks and Venetian Breeches is a nice choice. I envision color blocking with an offwhite shirt, the dark grey breeches. It is a neutral palette which gives a lot of leeway for adding other colors to a man’s costume. Also a bonus, the dark grey is easy to keep looking nice and cleans easily in case of misadventure. LOL

Third sneak peek is a Pirate Jerkin for the menfolks. It is a deep scarlet color and features a Vneck with no collar. This is an experimental style, and like everything I create is about the line and cut of the garment, not so much about trims and fussy details. I’m hoping it catches on. If so, there will be other colors in future seasons. Sorry, no photos yet.

Recap

4 bolts of fabricThis spring season will see a lot of neutral colors and spring colors for women and men’s costume. I’m building inventory in new-ish styles like short Chemises, and the new Jerkin. There are plans for more styles, stripes, and surprises. Like all plans I make they are not certain until everything comes together; time, fabric, sewing and the million other details that are part of the development process.

Finally, for those who are fans of the over the knee socks I carry – at this time they are now available only online. I am not juried to carry them at Southern so be sure to get them in my online costume store early. I don’t want you to be without.

Yes –  Faire Ladies, Faire Lords will be at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale, CA. You should be there too. New booth, new staff, new designs, and as always lots of fun. I’m hoping for Sunday Lunch With Friends to become a tradition.

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Thank you for reading my Blog. I appreciate your reading and your patronage so very much! Did you also know its pretty easy to keep up with my writing if you Get the Insider’s Newsletter? Anybody who reads so thoroughly deserves a nice reward, like a discount coupon for my website. Hint, Hint. You can also find me on Facebook. And as always, I will see you at faire!

Welcome Home, my season at Nor Cal Renfaire

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This blog is about my season at Nor Cal Renfaire. About 8 weeks ago, I stepped up and set up shop at the Northern California Renaissance Faire not knowing what to expect, or how to make it happen. Let’s just say I have been ‘Going With The Flow’ and I’m so glad. It was a season I’ll never forget. Because it was more than a ‘season’, it was a combo of a career benchmark, professional development pinnacle, and a lot of personal happiness. Many friends new and old said, “Welcome Home”. And that’s what it felt like, coming home.

Benchmark:

Those of you who have followed along my journey to this date know that I’ve been regretting passing a golden opportunity for about 20 years ago to be a part of this show. Now I am there, a fulltime permanent vendor. And it was a successful run, like REALLY good for sales. Frankly I’m enlivened by the cash flow after almost 2 years of nothing. I feel happy! I’ve already signed the contract to be a part of the show next year. That good.

Professional Development:

I got a great booth helper, Alice. And, we hit it off! My management style (I think trainer/mother hen/fearless leader) and her style worked GREAT. She surpassed my expectations, and I think I helped her reach new levels too. At this time, she reports that it was her best year ever working at faire. I’m happy with that. Working with management was a learning curve, and not without a few bumps. Being the new kid can bring surprises, and I feel I got through them with some grace and a lot of acceptance coupled with a willingness to learn. I’m grateful to have had experienced friends there to ask questions of; and the marketplace team are seasoned veterans who were willing to take time here and there and explain things to me. I don’t think I have better bosses and advisors.

Personally:

I reconnected with so many old friends. Shannon! Larry from Dragonfly Studios, Richard the violinist, Jost in security, Adriana and Michelle. New friends too – I’m looking at you crazy kids at Cuthberts! My neighbors at Tickle Thy Fantasy were amazing – thank you Janine and all the lovely friendly happy wonderful people there. Plus, new cat friends – hello Falkirk and Captain Jack! My neighbors at Hearts Delight too – Vincent and the great Hearts family (those women rock)! They run quite possibly the most professional booth on the circuit. I am so pleased to be a part of our community and neighborhood. The coffee booth every morning, and the wonderful Mongers and Puritans, the awesome faire staff; thank you for the welcome! I didn’t recall everyone – please forgive me if I left you out.

martina vending at renfaire

There were fun social things too, though I attended only a few. I was pooped most of the time – so much work, even with great help. By the way, we need a third person at the booth. Anybody want a job? New company practices include a Sunday Lunch With Friends. What a great thing, a picnic every week with the fancy table cloth and really good food. Welcome Home.

And so:

Now I am back in the studio and on to new adventures. My spirits are lifted, my heart is glad, my career is back on track. 🙂 I’m updating my online shop with my inventory left from this great season, and adding more new things as the weeks go on. I’ll be posting all about new things, so check back once in a while.

~ Martina

 

Meet my booth manager trainee!

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RenFaire opens this weekend at Casa de Fruita outside of Hollister, CA this weekend! Anticipation is high, there’s more stuff to do than hours in the day to do them. Me, I am out the door this Friday morning. Putting the last touches on my booth and filling the shelves with my awesome renfaire costumes. But I am not taking this all on alone. I have a manager trainee for the booth! Everyone, meet my booth manager trainee, Alicia!

headshot of AliciaAlicia is new to me, but not new to faire. She has worked a solid 12 seasons so far. In food booths, even in the reptile zoo. Perseverance! She came to me in response to a post I made about needing help, and let me know she wants to learn. To be trusted to do things like handle money. To be more than just a body. I’m thinking this is just about perfect. I have been hoping for someone I can train up and rely on.

Opening weekend is our big training opportunity. She’ll be learning all the things, from merchandising to setup to closing. Its a lot, but she’s smart and I’ve got a lot of confidence in her already. Alicia is getting a bit of a ‘trail by fire’ during this first season. I’m going to be offsite the 2nd weekend and that means she’s In Charge. Yes, she’s taking the helm and going for it. Solo, baby!

So, please do stop by the booth and meet my booth manager trainee. Come out and show her what a great, kind group of customers and patrons I’ve got. It will be a good time. My booth is placed on Costumer’s Row, between Tickle Thy Fantasy and Heart’s Delight. I could not ask for a better spot. Bonus, my neighbors are really great people. Bonus Plus, I’ve got garden produce to give away.

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You know that I appreciate your reading and your patronage, yes? Did you also know its pretty easy to keep up with my writing if you Get the Insider’s Newsletter? Anybody who reads so thoroughly deserves a nice reward, like a discount coupon for my website. Hint, Hint. You can also find me on Facebook.

NorCal Renfaire full time

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Fabulous news! Faire Ladies, Faire Lords is now at the NorCal Renfaire full time, as in a permanent vendor. I am in, I will be there, it’s official!

Most times in life, opportunity knocks only once. Back in the early 2000’s I was new in business, with a few seasons completed though still scrambling for balance and success. A fan of my work invited me to apply for a full-time spot. I had to decline. I wasn’t capable of the logistics needed to succeed at this from my San Diego home base. I knew I was missing a huge opportunity, and have regretted it ever since.

I’ve spent many years since attending small faires and counting pennies. Despite lots of networking, applications, and emails each season I could not get accepted into any large shows. I was struggling, working without the kind of support an artist needs to gather strength and succeed. Things changed for me personally about six years ago, and my business began to improve dramatically too.

And so, this year Northern faire needed new vendors. Opportunity knocked a second time! I was ambivalent for a day, admittedly. Because life is complicated.  That’s when I realized that I could have my old dream; this is the place I have worked, scrambled, and sweated for. No more regrets, no more wondering “what if?”. I said YES. See you all beginning September 18th for six amazing weekends. NorCal Renfaire full time? YES!!

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You know that I appreciate your reading and your patronage, yes? Did you know its pretty easy to keep up with my writing if you Get the Insider’s Newsletter? Anybody who reads so thoroughly deserves a nice reward, like a discount on a purchase from my website. Hint, Hint. You can also find me on Facebook.

Guest Artist at Nor Cal Renfaire!

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Its official. I just got my confirmation that Faire Ladies Faire Lords (that’s me) is a Guest Artist at Nor Cal Renfaire this fall. Huzzah! Hooray!

What this means is that I’m setting up and vending at the Northern California Renaissance Faire for three weekends. The booth will be there on Opening weekend of September 18th and 19th, and the last two weekends of October 16th and 17th plus the 23rd and 24th.

At this event, I bring my linen clothing items. I’ll have my gowns/kirtles, hats of various kinds, mens shirts, breeches, chemises, doublets, pockets, bodices and maybe even masks. Currently, I’m in a mad flurry of finishing inventory build just for this show. Lets just say there is a stockpile, and selection will be deep.

I’ve been honored to be a Guest Artist at the Nor Cal Renfaire since 2018, and I’m very excited to be back at this faire specifically and working in general. I have worked for decades to get into this event, so it means a lot to me. Additionally, this is my first faire since Covid began, and I’m really REALLY ready to be out and about again.

The faire is located at Casa De Fruta on Pacheco Pass, HWY 152, 10031 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister, CA 95023. My booth location is TBD – they may insert in the Guest Artist Row, or further into the event as has been done in years past. I’ll be sure to pass along my location once its known.

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Hey, you should know that I appreciate your reading and your patronage. Did you know its pretty easy to keep up with my writing if you Get the Insider’s Newsletter? Anybody who reads so thoroughly deserves a nice reward, like a discount on a purchase from my website. Hint, Hint. You can also find me on Facebook.