If I could make something half that cool out of clay, I wouldn't give it away.  I would run around all day yelling, "HA!  Look what I made!  I RULE!!!" and rubbing it in people's faces.  (Not rubbing too hard, though - don't want the tiny turtles to break off.)

teapot, have I ever mentioned that I love your work???   

*sobbing with desire*  I am mad with love for mini journals.  yours rocks!!

licalee, that shampoo you sent me in the Sweat Shoppe Swap did WONDERS for my hair!!  Kudos!!

re: Bristol, you will get your mix: people who do nothing but faire and are unashamed (I actually admire them for being so unconcerned about what's popular); people, like me, who are really hyped up by faires but work on downplaying it because we know it comes across weird (like my Star Trek fandom!); people who are there to be "different" and wear any kind of crazy alternative sexy costume they want; and the vast majority, people in regular clothes who show up for something fun to do.

What you'll LOVE is the shops.  Even if the costumes/accents/playfulness turn you off (and I do know they're not for everyone!), you can't beat the array of craft goods for sale!!  I hope you'll go for that, if nothing else.

Also, if you have lunch there, try the shepherd's pie - it's quite delish!

I think it's fun and quirky and cool to be into faires, but I think it pays to know when to "turn it off" and not bother people with it.  In real life, I'm pretty quiet and serious, so dressing up and going to a faire gives me the freedom to be more friendly and flirty than usual.  (I liked one of the musicians in one act so much that I asked for a kiss, and I got one!  That's not soemthing I'd EVER do outside of hte faire!)

please PM me and tell me how you like it, if you do end up going!!

I would love to go to Texas sometime - they are supposed to have the biggest and best faire!

I've been to one in Texas, but that was years ago.  The only thing I remember about it was an embarassing episode involving an alcoholic beverage I will never drink again 

Ah, now don't leave out the KC RenFest when you're talking about biggest and best.  I don't think I have seen Tartanic there, but I am rather fond of the local faire.  I should work on a new outfit, so I can go in costume this year.

Perhaps I will show up on your doorstep and go with you!     As for Tartanic, *massive sigh*, they don't have any more midwest dates scheduled this season except highland games in Michigan, which I can't make it to.  They really need to come back up here, or I need a really good excuse to go to Texas...

I attend Bristol the most.  I'm near Chicago, so I have been a number of midwest faires.  I would love to go to Texas sometime - they are supposed to have the biggest and best faire!

first off those are cute, I like the pen cap in the position where the sword would go

It is quite common for SCA fighters to have several little flags hanging off of their belts, with the flags being favors from their sweeties and/or tokens of their local SCA governing bodies' appreciation for valor.

I normally strip off my beltflags before making my yearly voyage to the ren faire, but I do see several friends of the faire with tolkens on thier outfit,  I always wondered if they were rennies or sca people or both...

this years ren faire outfit (minus hip scarf and belt, not historically acturate but fun to wear, and yes I wore a lighter color peasent blouse to the actual faire, I didn't want to die in the heat)

looks great!!  I've been in the same garb for the past few seasons (OK, so I bought a new dress late last year, but it's not cool enough to wear to summer faires - just to the October faire near me).  Anyway, I'm shopping for a professionally made bodice or Irish dress and possibly some new shoes.

Early on, I fretted some about historical accuracy.  Now I'm all about looking cool no matter what.   

is that what's referred to as a 'fairing'?

~kat

I don't know - I've never heard that term.  I've heard them called favors or tokens.

My home faire sells those yellow window signs, like the Baby on Board ones, except that they say "Wench on Board."  hehe!

I'm a ren faire "playtron" - a patron who plays along at renaissance faires by coming in costume.  (And saying "Good day" and "M'lord" sometimes, though I don't bother with the accent because I'm really bad at it.)  A tradition at ren faires is the giving of favors - a small token, usually a pin to be worn on the bodice or shirt, to signify friendship.  The favor usually reflects the giver, and it can be given to faire friends or to new acquaintances.

Below are my favor from last year (left) and this year.  Last year's was a burgundy shield made from cardboard and covered in fabric, then stitched on the edges with beads added, then a pen tip glued to the front like a sword.  This year's is a wooden disc handpainted with a swan image, edged in pearl string.

Other faire fans, I'd love to see your favors and other faire items!  My next plan is to make a new costume skirt with some WONDERFUL markdown fabric I got as a remnant on 90% off.  I also have most of the pieces to make a new, big belt pouch for carrying CDs that I purchase from independent musicians I meet at faire.

Totally fabulous!!