Faire Ladies, Faire Lords

Quality, American-Made Renaissance Costumes

Nor Cal Renfaire

Going to Northern CA Renaissance Faire

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Its that time again, time to get going to Northern CA Renaissance Faire in Hollister, CA! The faire opens on September 14th and runs weekends through October 20th. There are coupons available online NOW at https://norcalrenfaire.com/ and all sales are via the website, so plan ahead and get your tickets before you go. Yes, it has sold out before and I don’t want that to happen to YOU.

male human wearing a sleeveless jerkin vestfemale human wearing a partletteThe team and I are deep in the build process, and also packing up bins of costume for you, my patrons. Variety is necessary to living well, and I have some returning styles from years past. For the ladies, I have brought back an over-partlette like the picture on the left. For the lords, a sleeveless jerkin SORTA KINDA LIKE THE ONE HERE ON THE RIGHT. These items are not on my website, the faire is where you can see them.

Of course I am bringing all the standard styles for women, men, and children that I create. Overdresses, bodices, shirts and breeches, bloomers, caps, hats, bonnets and more items than I can list. All in linen, and in new colors. Its a lot! Did I mention childrenswear? Little shirts, chemises, dresses, and pants. Good stuff.

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jost amman woodcut of The TailorFor my patrons that want to secure their purchase before they get to faire, I have a special deal. Its a coupon code PICKUP. It will remove all shipping and handling charges and direct me to pull the product and bring it to faire where you can pick it up. This applies to any piece in my website shop – especially handy for items that are not sold at faire like Socks and these pockets and these bodices. Yes, buy them online and I can have you pick them up from the booth.

That’s all for now. Its always 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.

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.

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.