Baron Wars Ten...hoo boy.

[merimask]

Wow.  This weekend I suddenly realized it's been TEN years since the Summer Of Liberation.  Ten years since the divorce.  Just...huh.

Baron Wars X, 2007.

Ten years ago I was freshly separated from my ex and struggling like hell to make ends meet.  I was doing every single SCA event within driving distance...it's a wonder everyone wasn't sick of me by the end of that summer.  Anyway I recieved a phone call from a fellow named (aptly) "Cowboy" who was planning a start-up event near Toledo Ohio and he loved my masks and would I pleeeeeze come merchant since he needed cool merchants to help draw a crowd?   Not being one to pass up any opportunity that year, I said "sure".

So, I packed up my stock and left the kid and the dogs (my Aussies Tucker & Ruby were still alive then) with grandma, and drove five hours to Toledo.  The event site was (and remains) the coolest I'd ever seen, Fort Meigs.  A real 17th century fort, complete with earthworks and stockades...a lovely site.  One could almost completely suspend one's disbelief in the modern world in a place like that, especially at night with the torches lit.   Baron Wars one was a huge success.  I got hit upon frequently enough to become convinced that my life was not "over" (and in fact was beginning all over again).  Cowboy was swamped with people...he expected about 300 and over 800 came.   I sold many masks and had a wonderful weekend and made a ton of money.  I drove home on Mother's Day (I remember this distinctly) feeling pretty good about myself and my ability to care for my little family. 

Even though it was a scary, uncertain time, I always look back on that year (and especially that one event) with fondness.  I was at my strongest, most determined best that year.    It was, oddly, a very happy time in my life.

So, fast forward past many other Baron Wars.  Many many things change.  Fort Meigs remains the same...in fact due to renovations it is perhaps better than ever.  Maybe (throwing humility aside) I can say that about myself and my artwork as well.  :-)

Some pictures:

The front stockade of Ft. Meigs...coolest site ever.


Before a battle.  Everyone's milling around discussing who is going to kick who's butt.  And just how that butt kicking will go down.


Commencement of the butt-kicking!  It was a bridge battle...the hay bale lanes = bridges.  Oh, just shut up & squint!  See?  Bridges.


I REALLY love all the period tents...there were hundreds at this event.   Doesn't it look neat?  That's hand-painted, by the way.


Merchant's Row...some of the larger period tents.  Those things cost upwards of 2,000 dollars.


My row...I'm down there somewhere.




My own Not-Period tent.  Eh...at least it's waterproof.  Plus I use it at regular Art Fairs...because the period tent look really doesn't float at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Festival.  :-)

My stuff looked pretty good on the new grid walls...

The new Kirin...

the Celestial Dragon & the Spriggan masks...

Fire & Frost!

Mask sales were so-so.  *shrug*  It was great just to have them out in the open where people could see them.

BIGGEST difference between my first Baron WArs and this one; I'm married to a good guy who is an excellent provider.  If I have a so-so event, it's not the end of the world.  Being able to really enjoy an SCA event without fear of forclosure hanging over one's head...that's priceless.

AND!  Because I'm honest:

I don't know what the worst thing about this picture is.  The lighting?  The cheap hotel room?  The glasses (yes I wear glasses)...or the fact that I'm NOT WEARING PANTS?

I think it's the no pants thing. 

Comments

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

I am completely careless about my state of dress when I take pictures. If anything scary pops up, I just crop it out...and all I can see is your legs from the knee down! I think I'd take a pic with my undies actually SHOWING and still not feel weird about showing it to people...it's no different from a swim suit and I'd be totally okay with that, so... :)

Anyway, I like that picture. Bad colour of course and a bit blurry, but otherwise, I think that's the cutest one I've seen :) (I like photos that don't look overly 'posed'.)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

lol...thanks. :-) I was just sitting there watching the weather channel(hoping for more sunshine because Baron Wars tends to experience volatile weather...May, you know) and going through my purse...and there was my camera. Click!

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Ohh! Just wanted to let you know that your package arrived SAFELY today. Yayy!! Everything is simply lovely and I'll probably do an entry about it later today or tomorrow (the colors are PERFECT) but I just wanted to set your mind at ease & tell you the Eagle has Landed. ;-) Thank you, thank you!

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

Oh good! I do worry about them. Damn customs jerks. I hope it didn't look like it had been thrown down and stomped on, like the one that was returned to me did. I can't believe how badly they messed it up!

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

PS: Glad the colours are right. I figured they'd be pretty close to your favourite combo :) I hope the necklace isn't too long...but since you said 18 inches at least, I took you at your word :) It's one of those cleavage-dippers. Of course you can always shorten the dangle...