Faire Ladies, Faire Lords

Quality, American-Made Renaissance Costumes

artist

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.

 

 

CA Relief Grant program for me? What?

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I got this email today: All parties have completed You have been selected! Your Grant Agreement from the CA Relief Grant program is here!

Hi Martina,

On behalf of the State of California, we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to receive the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant. Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature announced this grant program on November 30, recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting health and economic crises have been extremely challenging for many Californians.  To that end, the hope is that these grant funds will help to alleviate your financial strain. Please click here for a special message from Governor Newsom about these funds.

Attached are your Grant Documents ready for signature. Please sign and return within the next 48-72 hours for processing. Please make sure that you have provided your bank information.  After receipt of your executed grantee agreement, grants funds will be awarded to you within 7 business days and can take up to 5 days to show in individual accounts depending on your bank.

Congratulations again for being selected for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant! Please know that the State of California is working hard to support you along with its network of small business partners on the ground.  For more resources, please click HERE.

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Faire Ladies, Faire Lords
Surprise!

Assuming this isn’t a giant scam, I am stunned. I never win ANYTHING. Yes, I applied for this back in January. The odds of my business being selected were very small. I’m waiting for the other shoe, and/or a deposit into my bank. Either one will let me know if this is real.

Meanwhile, if you like my blog or like my costumes and want to keep in touch, please join my Insider’s Newsletter list by sending me a message. You’ll get neato discounts and coupons straight to your inbox as well as first notice of great things. You can also find me on Facebook.

~ Martina

On Quality; or, please don’t buy cheap imported costumes

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I saw such a sad thing online the other day. A woman had found this super cute top by a popular costume shop being advertised on a renfaire based group. The price was low, she bought two. She was so disappointed, she got cheap goods. Didn’t fit, flimsy, poorly made in India. I was disappointed for her. So, I’m going to share my thoughts on quality in renfaire costumes, what to do and how to get it. I’ve been doing this a long time, I think I can share with you and help everybody out.

Back in the stone age when I began in this industry, almost all renfaire or SCA costumes and historical clothing were handmade by independent stitchers or at most a small non-professional hobby group. That started to change in the early 2000’s. By 2009ish, there I was at a Halloween costume manufacturing convention, and there was this guy taking catalogs from folks and handing out his card. He was representing a manufacturer from India and his company wanted to get into the renfaire costume business. Pirates, too. Sure enough within a year or so the cheaply made goods started flooding into the US, from all over. It really changed the market.

It changed the kinds of people who sell costumes too. Now, all you need to set up shop is a good bank account and the ability to get accepted at renfaires that are not particular about promoting art, crafts, and artisans.

black guy tudor era cool hat
This is Bob. He got the good quality outfit that doesn’t fall apart and now has cash for an extra beer. He won’t wear cheap synthetic imports. Be like Bob and have a better life!

How to start?

The implications of this firstly, is that you have to be aware of whom you buy from. Pictures of young cuties with lots of boob showing are not necessarily going to get you something good to wear. Just saying. So, ask where are these made? Do you make them? Be nosy, be curious. A true craftsperson and artist is going to be so happy to talk to you about their favorite thing, you will not regret it. Be sure to ask if its prewashed for shrinkage.

I always advise people who want to dress up and don’t have a lot of cash to get creative and focus on quality. Borrow stuff, ransack the thrift store and find some treasure. Maybe scout around for something second hand from a renfaire online swap and your renfaire friends. You’re going to look and feel so much better than buying a cheapo import. Bonus: recycle reuse remake and you’re making the planet a better place too. Good job mah lil’ sparkle pony!

Natural fibers are important. You are gonna sweat a lot at an outdoor festival. Think long and hard about the implications of wearing a shiny taffeta skirt on uneven ground in 100 degree heat and 80% humidity. Yeah…

This next part is most important to remember. A great festival outfit evolves over time, it does not happen all at once. This means you SHOULD focus on quality, one piece at a time. You won’t have to replace it every few wears if you get the good shirt made of good cotton or linen by a local artisan. Save your nickels for the good stuff, and enjoy yourself along the way. Now you have the cash for an extra beer on your adventure day at the renfaire.

Faire Ladies, Faire LordsIf you like my blog and want to keep in touch, please join my Insider’s Newsletter list by sending me a message. You’ll get neato discounts and coupons straight to your inbox as well as first notice of great things. You can also find me on Facebook.

~ Martina