Faire Ladies, Faire Lords

Quality, American-Made Renaissance Costumes

renaissance faire

Those amazing linen shirts

by

All last year there was a shortage of those amazing linen shirts. No matter how fast I worked, I could not keep enough in stock to keep you folks supplied. This year, I have a plan. I’m  making more inventory, sooner. Inventory for the website AND the booth at faire. Double the number of white linen shirts, and if all goes as planned, about 30% by volume over all.

stacks of folded linen shirtsSo far at this end of January, I’ve got tan linen shirts done, small sizes in white 100% finished, and the larger sizes of white are ready in a week or so. Next will be the stone grey color. And, I’ve updated the webstore with the tiny amount of inventory left from the fall, a few small sized stone grey shirts, a 3x in olive linen too.

Sorry to report, there’s probably not going to be black linen in stock this spring. I’m having issues with my supplier and the quality of fabric they sold me is unacceptable. I’m sure we’ll get things worked out, but probably not in time for spring faire..

So, the plan is for YOU to get these amazing linen shirts while they’re hot! Yes, you could (and should) pre-order so I’ve got up to the minute info on inventory needs. They are the same price as last year so that’s a bonus too.

+++

Its the middle of my ‘winter break’. I still have weekends at home with my smoking hot husband, and I tend to my garden too.  I plan to be at The Renaissance Pleasure Faire in the spring of 2023, on Clothier’s Row. Look for the red/yellow striped roof and my RenLady logo signage. Meantime, you can find me here via email, on Facebook, and more blog posts.

Faire Ladies, Faire Lord shop

Pre season sale at Southern Faire

by

Greetings to all my friends and patrons! I’m having a pre season sale at Southern Faire. Its finally feasible, I have a great new booth, and have been working like a mad woman for the past 4 months to make inventory for the new season. I’ve revamped a few patterns, and added 2 new styles to the line. I promise, there will be a good amount of stuff for you to see and purchase for the season.

I plan to bring as much of my faire costuming inventory as possible. Some items just aren’t ready yet, but I’ve got a lot of good stuff. Additionally, I will be bringing non-approved items like my fabulous socks and brocade fabric pockets. And, as an extra fun thing, I am bringing my clothing line inventory. Its fabulous, and you should check out the website at the least.

This pre season sale is for all the participants at RPFS and is not open to the public. It will be held the Saturday and Sunday prior to Opening Weekend. The dates are April 2nd and 3rd. The booth is located on Costumers Row, on the southeast side of the event. Look for that red and yellow roof. The sketch here is from 2020 season.

All pre season sales are discounted 10% for cash, and the clothing items, socks and non-approved items are available only on this weekend. They go home on Sunday and cannot be purchased from the booth during faire.

So please, stop by during your Dress Rehearsal weekend and say HI. I’ll be there working on making fixtures and dressing the booth. I’m planning to have a new booth helper there too, Darren. We’ll be keeping things casual, since it is a build weekend.

Ned the Minstrel Memorial of music and life

by

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.

Welcome Home, my season at Nor Cal Renfaire

by

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

 

Juried Shows at Renfaire, things to know

by

Renaissance Faires are great for shopping, fact. The very best of those are juried shows at renfaire. You will find the most amazing handmade art, real swords, fantastic jewelry, and supurb costuming. And like any well thought out sales experience there is a method to creating an exciting array of choices for the customer while keeping quality high and value locked in.

By definition;

a juried show is one at which exhibiting artists had to be found worthy of entry by presenting their work to a panel of jurors. There are limits placed on each vendor/artist in terms of what to sell, how its made, where its made, and whether other vendors already sell that item.

This system benefits you the consumer AND the artist. For you, quality and value and originality are strictly enforced. Because you deserve nice things. Save your nickels and treat yourself. For the artist, it means the difference between being too broke to pay for gas to the next show and maybe making a modest living. I feel that is important. Mostly because I chose to go into the arts professionally, and feel the pinch of that starving artist gestalt.

Not every renfaire or reenactment show is run this way. Have you ever gone to an event where there is a tray of cheapo jewelry on every back table? A rack of clothing on the side of every booth – including the hotdog guy? I have. Those shows are death to an artist. Why? Because if there are 12 vendors with the same item the only sales difference is price. The low lowest price. So you as a consumer are getting the cheapest in terms of spending and in terms of quality.

If you know me personally, or have read my newsletters you know how I feel about quality vs. cheap. If you want, do a google search on ‘fast clothing’ for a exciting read on the subject. I’m gonna leave this here, and be happy that there are juried shows at renfaire where I can flourish as an artist and you can come out and see the best there is on offer.

Huzzah the Arts!

##

Hey, you should know that I appreciate 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.

 

Koroneburg Renfest on Gather.town!

by

Its here, its ready to go! Koroneburg Renfest is online on Gather.town TODAY AT 3PM!

The Koroneburg Festival facebook page announcement:

Koroneburg Online begins TONIGHT!
Our digital village is all set up and ready for you to visit. The front gates open at 6pm PST, but you can login and setup your avatar ahead of time now. Come visit the gate in Gather, and see some of the things we have set up out front!
Check out our village on Gather via the Koroneburg Online page: https://renfestcorona.com/koroneburg-online. Keep in mind that Gather requires a laptop or desktop to work! Additional instructions can be found on the page.

“We will be launching our new digital village on Gather.town on June 16! See live shows at our digital stages and explore a digital replica of the actual Koroneburg village where you can meet our guilds, vendors, entertainers, and other wonderful attendees.

JUNE 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
JULY 3, 7, 10, 14, 17
We will run Wednesdays (6-10pm) and Saturdays (1-5pm) for 5 weeks starting June 16th. Return every Wednesday and Saturday during the Online Festival for unique content! We look forward to seeing you and your avatar. 😉“
My shop is prepped and waiting, so please check it out and let me know what you think. I’d love some good feedback on the experience.
Ooomfaaa!!! for Koroneburg Renfest on Gather.town !!!!
++++Martina the Creative Overlord
As always, please feel free share this post anywhere. Also think about joining 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, like new products and events. Anybody who reads so thoroughly deserves a nice reward, like a discount on a purchase from my site. Hint, Hint. You can also find me on Facebook.