It is nearly one year since I was put on vigil to be a Laurel. I did a small number of events up until Crystal Ball that year then I had a bunch of other things that needed my attention. I do still have some things that need my attention, like Gertie’s upcoming surgery, but seeing everyone at Pennsic has my Took side looking to emerge.
One thing I dearly missed was my friend’s vigil and elevation to the Laurelate in Atlantia. Sophia the Orange had her vigil at Pennsic 50 and I dearly wanted to be there but my other obligations took all my money and vacation time. I had Parvati make this medallion for her though and it is now in her hands.
I hope it brings her joy. I know I have several medallions so I will not be upset if she doesn’t wear it.
Rambling aside: I have sometimes been accused of fake generosity. That somehow my desire to give a gift is meant to be more than a gift. I am not really sure what is meant by this criticism. I am not sure how much stock I put in “love language” but it is clear to me that gifting is one of my love languages. If I feel like I should give you a gift, it means you are important to me. Acts of service are also a love language (doing something for someone is just a different kind of gift). Now, all human interaction is ultimately a desire for reciprocity. It is how we as social animals build bonds and a society. That said, I have been burned when someone has said they would do something for me but then didn’t. That doesn’t change my desire to gift; it just refines who is on that list.
I reminded myself of a question Master John asked me at Pennsic last year, after I was put on vigil, “What is your next big thing?” It has taken a year but I think I have it.
I have mentioned the Apple Tunic before. I have started on it FINALLY. It is intended to be FANCY. First, we will start with the under tunic, then the over tunic, then pants and a hood. I have the pattern for the tunic skirt (the tiny ones; sorry). I will tablet weave more trim. I will add beaded flowers to the hood, and probably laurel leaves, and a cloak, with the knotwork swans that Astrid made me. It will be a lot of work.
That said, who is Oswyn of Baðon still escapes me. I am weird in that my personae need to be someone who could have existed. I need a backstory. Oswyn Swann existed before the vinegrier but once I learned more about vinegar and vinigriers, the personae came into being. But who is my original persona? Cider is really not in period for him but it could be. The stained glass and fused glass I do are decidedly modern.
My glass work has suffered lately. The glass shop I had gone to is mostly closed now. I don’t have a kiln for fused glass and given my personal circumstance it is unlikely to be happen. I had made a few mosaics in the past. Why not focus more on that?
I know when I am serious about a project when I have a grand idea for it. What if I redid my deck as a huge mosaic? What if I did the knotwork swans as that huge thing? There is the hook. I will work towards that.
I also wanted a project that I could take to Crafter’s Greens, etc. I can’t really bring vinegars or ciders. Sometimes the site doesn’t allow alcohol and really, it is the yeast or bacteria doing the work so it is kind of boring to watch. I tablet weave because I need to, not because I love it. And my sewing/embroidery will have to get better to do the Apple Tunic but I don’t feel it is who Oswyn is.
But a mosaic artist? Maybe. I don’t think there is any evidence that Anglo Saxons did much mosaic. They would have known about them from Roman ruins and notable Anglo Saxons travelled and so would have seen them. There was even a section of Rome, the Schola Anglorum, that was established by English for English pilgrims. Perhaps this is what Oswyn of Nova Londini (my third persona) would have done. Travel the world as a mosaic artist.
In any case, I have several projects I would like to do with mosaics. The deck is one. Adding mosaic to my vinegar cart is another. And just making pretty things for my house with the scrap glass I have.
