Medieval-E crafts?

[Stakie]

This might be silly but I plan on doing some arts and crafts for a LARP I participate in. The setting is medieval fantasy type. I was wondering if you nice people could help me find some crafts that I am not already doing? I am not looking for over elaborate crafts but something small and not overly costly. (Most of the crafts cost less and 5 dollars that I am making now.)


Quills, the old fashioned way. Cost efficient since I get my feathers free. I can dye them or even paint them if I wish!
Feather necklaces of all sorts. Sinew does not cost all too much and I am lucky enough to be able to get beads in the lower price range.
Leather book/cover. I'm not sure if I am good at anything leather but I am bound to find out. (Pun intended.)
Bone and shell wind chimes. A little harder to make but also pretty much free.
Egg sketching. Also not sure if I am ABLE to do this but I am sure going to try.

I was really wishing to do more crafts with the sea shells. So if you have any suggestions on things that would fit the time period PLEASE let me know. It would be much appreciated.

[LimeRiot]

What about those flower wreath ribbon crown kind of things? Gosh, that's a horrible way to describe them! I will try to find a picture or link .

[Stakie]

Haha, it's alright. I think I know what you are saying. I think...

 

[Blacksmith]

Wood cuts, historic, artistic, and all you need is an exacto knife.
Hand made paper, also easy to do on the cheap.

Ok, higher effort ideas
Arrow fletching and bow making (doable in your price range believe it or not).
Tanning, also very feasible depending on your ew factor.

[Stakie]

Thank for the ideas but could you give me a visual example of Wood cuts, historic, artistic,?

[MissingWillow]

Have you ever considered making yarn hair falls?  Basically pony tails made of mixed kinds of yarn attached either to a hair elastic or a hair comb.  They are popular at our local Renn Faire, I'm not sure if they would meet your requirements if you're trying to be true to the period. 

[Blacksmith]

Take a look at the Wikipedia article plenty of examples, if you are after technique there are plenty of websites on that.

[Aislynn]

Don't forget about crochet!  I'm not sure the exact history, but I know that techniques similar to crochet have been used to make nets for centuries.  For that matter, other knotted cord crafts would be equally appropriate.

[SimplySeppy]

Don't forget about crochet!  I'm not sure the exact history, but I know that techniques similar to crochet have been used to make nets for centuries.  For that matter, other knotted cord crafts would be equally appropriate.

As an avid Rennie and "hooker" I have been informed and reminded several times that crochet is a "new" craft...in otherwords...a no go for ren faire markets that are big on authenticity. But, knitting has been around forever and a day and is considered an acceptable craft.

Felting has also been around for centuries....

[Blacksmith]

The first written reference to crocheting is in The Memoirs of a Highland Lady by Elizabeth Grant (1797–1830) in the 19th century. In this text it was referred to as 'shepherd's knitting', so there is some date information for reference.

There is other evidence that suggests that crocheting was present in the 17th or 18th century, but nothing firm. It appears likely that the craft of crochet arose from an older form of hand weaving called Tambour that reached Europe in the 1700's.

So, your mileage may vary depending on the period you are shooting for.