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

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

I realized this weekend that I must have met you not long after your divorce. I met DB 10 years ago this fall, and my first Pennsic was the following August (1998). My how time has flown.

Your new display looked fantastic--I love the grid walls. I hope I didn't scare away too many customers by hanging around chatting. I really enjoyed talking with you.

I love your pictures. Mine are still on the camera, though I'm kicking myself that I never got any pictures of the equestrian activities. I love horses, and they looked incredible. I always carry my camera at events but I am terrible at remembering to take pictures.

And, as promised, this is your official reminder to add me to your friends list :)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we've known eachother for a while, now. :-) My work got much better after the divorce. You wouldn't have liked me much back then...I was a very sad person.

That was a lovely event, eh? I should have taken more pictures. I have none of the interior of the fort, & it's so neat. The "tavern" always tickles me.

The horses ARE getting prettier at SCA equestrian events. They used to be kind of sad, like "He's 25 years old & I saved him from becoming glue" but lately I guess there are actually some Scadians with money.

You've been added! I did it as soon as I got home (I remembered!). :-D

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

Whoo hoo!

I don't remember equestrian activities at events until recently, so I can't compare. There aren't very many events in Pentemere with equestrian activities, though there are people trying to change that. I've always loved horses--I even took riding lessons when I was a child--but I decided when I was about 10 that horses my allergies were too bad for me to continue. But I still enjoy watching them.

I didn't get any pictures of the tavern either, and I should have.