HANDCRAFTED HISTORY


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The handcrafting camp at Hägnan

During Hägnans Medeltidsdagar in Luleå this summer, (that the local SCA group Frostheim organized) I had the over all responsibility to make the handcraft camp work out well. We had a camp outside (or inside if the weather was bad) with different kinds of handcrafts that each participant brought (so you could do whatever was in your interest and current project, as well as trying out some new things others had.) My work was mostly about saying “yes, good job!” and checking that the guard schedule was working. And reminding people of lunch – lunch is important!

Basically, it’s not that much work – happy handcrafters of different kinds gather and sit down during the days to craft, talk and show different kinds of handicraft to interested visitors. I usually try to make them bring many different things to work with, and to show different stages in the handcrafting process so that visitors can grasp what it really is about. Good ways of doing this is showing step-to-step pictures or unfinished objects, talk about the handicraft, lay out your tools etc. People get really interested when handcrafting is actually done – my love even got attention for winding yarn by hand when he sat down and helped me…

I also brought my market shop with me; but as usual I’m just not that interested in selling things from a specific place, when there is an opportunity to go around, talking handicraft, taking photos, sewing on projects and drinking coffee. So my market stall was mostly empty (but my friends checked it for me – thanks!) Anyway, it is good to have the shop with me because it usually spread the costs and make me afford all the traveling expenses.

Johan and Erik from Trix were performing just behind us during the week- first class entertainment while you are sewing!

I really recommend visiting handcrafting areas if you are a visitor on a medieval/viking market. Bring a project, some snack or just questions about different handcrafts and you will be almost sure to find someone who is willing to share and talk about how things are done.

  

Spara

Spara


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My calendar this summer

This summer’s calendar is getting fuller and fuller. But after the middle of August, things seems to calm down. Where are you going this summer? Do you have any particular events or markets that is “too good to miss”?

This is the events that I have planned so far:

6-7 May My workshop in Uppsala (still some spaces left, come and sew with me!)

20-28 May Doublewars in Nordmark (come and join my workshops and check out my inproved shop!)

30 June- 2 July VÄV-gillet in our group Gyllengran

13-15 July Skellefteå medeltidsdagar (I will hold a workshop, an open lecture and also a sewing workshop- come and join!)

18-23 July Hägnans medeltidsdagar (my hometown with it’s magical event. I will work in the handcraft camp and bring my shop)

27-30 July Saltvik (which is kind of a maybe yet but I’m sure planning for it!)

6-13 August Medeltidsveckan i Visby (come and visit me at Kapitelhusgården and join one of my workshops!)

That’s it, so far! There sure will be more events, and most of June is booked on a good thing that I will tell you more about next week =)

(from Hägnan last year)