Rather than start new projects I have decided to finish up project that have been sitting unfinished. All that garb that was started and abandoned when it didn't get done before the event I had intended to wear it to, etc.
In the past few years I have become increasingly busy with costuming with local theater groups. My son is a fantastic dancer, singer and actor and has been doing as many different show with many different theaters and it is a way that I can spend time with him and help support the local arts. Of course now during the pandemic, there is nothing going on with theater. I have mostly been sewing face masks and Scrub hats for a local hospital and have taken a fashion illustration course over the summer on line at FIT. I have always sketched out my clothing designs, but as a theater costumer, I have had to SHOW my drawings to so many people. I am quite embarrassed at how poorly I draw. But like any other art, the only way to get better is to practice so I have very much enjoyed my online class. I have also found a You Tuber who has great tutorials on Fashion Illustration.
In March of this year, I had the honor of being the Author of the Compleat Anachronist no. 186. Medieval Fiber Study. I took my Medieval fiber study that I had displayed at previous A&S competitions and through the guidance of the amazing editor of the Compleat Anachronist, I was able to get it published and hopefully it will help others with their own fiber projects.
I had signed up to teach a class at Pennsic this year based on this research called "Fun with Fiber". I started teaching this class in conjunction with the A&S project as a chance for others to experience spinning many different types of medieval period fibers. Pennsic has been postponed and they are going to do a virtual Pennsic University. They asked all the teachers to make a video of their class. I originally was not going to do it, as the "fun" part of the class was hands on, but i thought it might benefit some people to show how I choose what tools to use when spinning the different fiber types and also give a bit of history of the different fibers. I even purchased a microphone for my digital camera to help with the video. I should have also purchased an extra battery, as mine ran out of juice halfway through the video. So I sit here, in garb, waiting for it to recharge so I can do rest of it.
If the video works out (and I don't completely hate it), I may continue to do videos for each different type of fiber I have to spin. I could give the history of the fiber and show how I am choosing to spin in.
I had always wanted to do some video blogging, so we will see how it goes. It might be a nice way to get my A&S medieval fix. I have found it hard to attend virtual events and virtual court, as I am just so sad about not being able to get together, and being on Facebook is just so difficult right now. There is just to much hate and division and that is more than I can handle right now.
As with all other hard times in my life, crafting will see me through. Making music is difficult for me right now, it is hard to get the energy for it, even though I always feel better after spending some time practicing, I just can't muster the energy. It is much easier to sit in my craft room (now with air conditioning) listen to audio books and draw or sew.
I hope you are all safe and healthy and hopefully by this time next year we will all be in a much better place.
