Faire Ladies, Faire Lords

Quality, American-Made Renaissance Costumes

faire

That One Time I Was on You Tube!

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Its Story Time! This post is about That One Time I Was on You Tube. The summer is moving along and I’m turning my thoughts towards the upcoming faire season. I’m getting excited, antici-pation is building, and I’m reminiscing about good times in the booth.

This past Spring of 2024 I was emailed about giving an interview about my shop at Faire. As some of you know, I never pass an opportunity to talk and promote my passion, my life’s work in costume design. I’ve done a few over the years; recently I did a PodCast for Dan McLaughlin. It was a bit silly, but I  think everyone liked it. Anyhow, it was a yes, please! We emailed back and forth a few times getting familiar with the project.

The day rolls around, the booth is hopping, customers aplenty, and finally late afternoon comes with the interviewer, Lanchen Milhalic and her production help. She was so nice!  And who knew, she really loves historic costume and it just so happens that the Renaissance Pleasure Faire (where we were) is known for its historical elements. And, surprise surprise my shop is heavily historic in my design and fabrics. Ta Da! I’d like to take credit for also letting her know (off camera) that we were at the Original faire, and my booth help and I gave her a few clues on when it started and by whom. Which she does cover in her video and I think its brilliant! Her video is definitely from a customer’s POV, so its not just a ‘fan piece’, and of course its about more than just my shop. So here is the video, I hope you like it. Visiting the World’s First Renaissance Faire 

+++Closing weekend at Koroneburg Festival is here. Celebrating the Baron, his beer and chocolate.…

Now that I’m a big important Internet Star, its still my pleasure to share these fun things with you. Please share this with your friends and family, your guild mates, your cosplay people. And as always if you need help or just want to get in touch, I’m on Facebook and you can email me here. My next event is the Northern California Renaissance Faire and I’d love to see you there!!!

Renaissance Lord’s Shirts

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You should know I’ve just restocked the Renaissance Lord’s Shirts from size small through 3x. These get made up only once in a while so I’m putting the word out. Come and get them! They are impeccable in sewing quality and its a fantastic cotton fabric. Worth every nickle. Here’s the link

DESCRIPTION:

The Renaissance Lord’s Shirt is an embellished version of our traditional renfaire Gentleman’s Shirt. I make batches twice a year, in June and December. If an item is out of stock you must backorder through the website and I will be in touch about wait time.

The traditional renfaire shirt features a stand collar with with knife pleats and a button/loop fastener. Made of 100% cotton in a light shirting weight in offwhite. The sleeves are a medium width cut for a better fit with sleeves or bracers and cuffs also have pleats and a button fastener.

The shirt is pre-washed and shrunk so you can be confident in the fit. Available in adult sizes small through 3x and cut long because I love tall people. I am not kidding, these shirts are amazing for Big Guys. Made in the USA just like all the costumes I produce.

The Traditional Renaissance Lord’s Shirt is for everyone going to renfaire, SCA, and LARP events who wants to be just a bit fancy, stylish and well dressed. Renaissance swordsman, ruffian pirates, and ye romantic poet prince; everybody loves this shirt. Its a traditional, classic design, for a reason – because its well made and looks even better.

++++white cotton shirt with pleated collar, cuff and button closure

Ladies, you can wear one too – its very comfortable and a great ‘middle class working woman’ kind of style. Just order by chest size using the Mens’s Chart. This shirt is the very basis for your renaissance outfit ~ so get two, one for each day you will be at your event.

My traditional rennie shirt is easy to care for too – toss it in the washer and dryer. Done. You can bleach as needed too if there is a great ‘turkey leg sauce incident’. Don’t be afraid to use peroxide on that grease stain.. its fine.

Warranty:

If you have questions about the Renaissance Lord’s shirt, contact me and I’ll help you out. I stand behind my work. I will fix the shirt if its defective. If I can’t fix it I will replace it. Seriously, I care about my work and want you to be happy. That’s what I’m here for.

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.

 

 

Mom goes to renfaire

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Photo by Sydney Martin – thank you Sydney!!
Moms love renfaire

Are you one of those lucky people whose Mom goes to renfaire? With Mother’s Day coming right up, I wanted to put in a good word about things I make that I know will help convince your mom to come out and spend a day with you. If you’ve ever wanted to invite her to go to faire, now is the time. Everybody is so excited to spend quality time with their loved ones, so issue the invite and give her a gift for her that fits the occasion.

First up; clothing seems a very likely gift for your mom. Because I think we all agree that showing up in costume makes the adventure extra fun, extra amazing, extra extra. My personal recommendation, especially if your mom is a bit unsure is to get her a hat with a shady brim. Why? Well, you NEED a shade hat at faire. Its hot, sunny, dusty and heatstroke is not a great way to spend the day. Plus, its not a lot of $, but neither is it so expensive that you’re overdoing it. She can spend her shopping time finding feathers, pins, ribbons, all sorts of fun things to decorate your gift. OMG, get two and be twinsies!! Moms dig that kind of thing.

Second; accessories like a cloth pouch are also fun and easy. Again, this suggestion is based on affordability and practical use. What goes in pockets? Trinkets. And handses.. but mostly trinkets and there are a lot of them to see at renfaire. Now she can carry them away in triumph. You’re like the favorite child at this point.

Last, third, finally; think about a Gift Certificate. This gift is all about scalability. You can be frugal, you can be extravagant (think about that Favorite Child status), you can give her the gift of choosing the best costumes for herself. In her size, her favorite colors, all of it.

Meanwhile, please share this post with some friends and have them join my Insider’s Newsletter list by sending me a message. Insiders get neato discounts and coupons straight to their inbox as well as first notice of great things. You can also find me on Facebook.

Yes indeed, Mom goes to renfaire, because Mom always liked you best.

Koroneburg Renaissance Festival in Peril

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Hello friends! It has been a while since I posted. I wish I had a super happy go lucky bit of news for you this time around. I do not, unfortunately. Here’s what is on my mind. My beloved Koroneburg Renaissance Festival is in dire peril.

Faire Ladies Faire Lords shop at Koroneburg

I have been at this renaissance festival since its founding, this event has a large place in my heart. Over the years I and several hundred other participants have planted trees; built buildings, painted fences, over and over putting out 150% effort to make it a success. There is a literacy program based out of this festival. The arts happen here, actually they FLOURISH here. Its been a long road, with so much work and so many changes. New management had come in after the passing of our founder. They revitalized everything. New customers, new opportunities, new and improved. And, in 2019 it seemed that we had finally ‘arrived’.

Sadly, I recently was informed by festival management that Orange County, CA has filed for Eminent Domain rights over the land where my home festival has been for over 25 years. There is a large public works project to increase the size of the Prado Dam and reservoir, and they want our place for easement/flood control. This project has been in the works for years. I am stunned. My heart hurts. I certainly have a lot of strong opinions that I will not put in writing.

Are we for sure dead in the water? mmmm, maybe not. There is a chance the park can be granted an exception to a Vacate Order. It would depend on a lot of factors.

Will we have to scramble to get out right away? Maybe not, because these things take years sometimes. Hopefully information is forthcoming. There are city counsel meetings I’m going to zoom attend to see if I can get information.

I’m not out of business. Fortunately I do more than one show however much I love Koroneburg Renaissance Festival specifically. I’ll be here, plugging along for a good long time. There is the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in early spring each year and also the Northern California Renaissance Faire in the fall. I have my website, and I have you guys. I have the ability to make new plans and dreams, so I will do just that.

lilac half chemise by faire ladies faire lords

New Things: I’m getting more listings in my website Shop. One recent is back by request – this ladies linen hip length chemise. I’ve carried this piece in my booth for many seasons so its past time to get it available to everybody. Coming soon, Mens cotton shirts in two colors. Another item I’ve carried in person that also deserves a broader audience.
 

Until next time with Good News, and I promise to get back to writing more often.

~ Martina, Creative Overlord