LadyBrower

All the steampunk/ Victorian stuff floating around is very inspiring. This costume is the lovechild of my obsession with faeries and my love of all things wacky. =)

It's all handmade, and completely out of my normal realm of linen, wool and historical stuff- it is made from bubble organza (which is 100% poly!) Its flirty and fun and I hope someone will enjoy it.

All three pieces, Bustle skirt, Shrug, and hairpiece for $30 plus $7 priority shipping. Sorry, the corset, spankies, boots and girl are not included. It is shown on a size 6 model, but it would fit anywhere from a 2-10 just fine I think.

The shrug creates little faerie wings in the back by tying it a particular way, but can be untied to wear as a scarf or plain shrug.

Close up on ruffling on the bustle

Faerie wing shrug

Hairpiece

Happy birfday again, love! I made cookies but they didn't make it through the computer so I had to eat them myself....

Now that is something I would have liked to go to... Bacon.... yum.

Here are some more pictures of the guys from the event. I didn't think they looked pirate-y as I have never seen them wear armor or anything like that at 18th century events. These are pretty cool....

I like it, but the traffic is not the same as e-bay. But their fees are low enough that you can afford to do it and another site if you wish. Its like, 20 cents per item for four months and like only 3 percent final sale price or something... Its a very supportive community.

PoD- Thank you for your Praise! I'm glad you like your items!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies but Jane Austen and Seth Grahame Smith. It's fantastically ridiculous and I'm only on page 13.

I don't think it's dumbing down history that is the problem here. I think it's the lack of flexibility in getting people out there to begin with that is the problem. This thread is really not the place for this. But... When I started reenacting, I started with Civil war. My first event I wore the worst dress imaginable, wore sketchers boots and had a pink elastic band in my hair (this is important). It was AWFUL. but it was loner garb so I could get out, play, see what it was like. I was immediately spotted by someone who became a very good friend whom everyone called "hard core marc" because he was, well, HARD CORE. (lol). He spotted my pink elastic, and started chatting with me about why I was there, what I was wearing, why it was incorrect, what I could do, where I could go, what resources were available, etc... He became one of my best friends and I LOVED him. Actually, he's the reason that I am so concerned with accuracy now. And okay fine, I'm sure some of you might think I'm not. but this is also the reason that I understand the need to just get out there. For a long time my civil war stuff was not perfect. Hell, I never could afford really correct shoes, but it is all part of the debate... Should I have been barred from participation? Or just pointed out for my folly? These are all questions worth addressing and a whole other debate entirely.

BUT. The question at hand... The Sea Rats Atlantic looked AWESOME this past weekend. They provided the pike drills as well as blacksmithing. Should that go away because one kid was acting silly on a day that the event was not officially taking place? Or some of us didn't have the right pants (and yeah, it really was my guys that had the wrong silhouette and we knew going into it).

No, history should not be dumbed down. We should be prepared to acknowledge our shortcomings (like my pretty pink elastic or our 18th century garb) and make improvements. But to have this feeling like I can't go somewhere without someone looking down on me because they feel they are better because they are more "PC" it makes me not want to improve, but find another time period. That is not going to help continue reenactments. They will become extinct.

I don't know if I have made myself clear at all because I'm getting upset... I take this a little personally so I have to apologize for that.

Thanks! It looks like you guys had lots of fun. Very nice pot. What's cooking?

Hutspot or something like that... it was mashed tatoes onions, carots in chicken broth with lots of butter and milk. Its a dutch stew apparently. It was the biggest pot I've ever seen... lol.

There is not much.. mostly me and my guys, and Jess playing games. And a couple of some others of us that were working on the "Hutspot"

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=470936332&albumId=1040714

I've been doing quite a number of events with the Sea Rats Atlantic and they are really an awesome bunch of guys... We were actually their guests this past weekend, and it actually makes me concerned that it might have been me and my guys that were really off garb wise, and them less so. We had the colors and stuff. We were told to come as we were and do our best and just leave most of our pirate stuff at home and tweek to the best of our ability. We are trying to expand our reenacting periods and Joe has been so kind to help us out A LOT.

I cannot stress enough how great these guys are, very generous and sweet. Yes, they are very rambunctious (there is that young thing- and I'm not trying to make excuses, it's just the way it is. Some of them are as young as 15 I think... don't you remember when you were 15?=P) But they are really good guys. No, they are not perfect angels but no male ever is... =P

Wearing it over a proper cap with your hair secured in a bun helps it stay better when you tie it underneath the bun. A good hatpin helps too- especially if it is windy.

I wear my hat in a similar fashion... but with the ribbon over top which makes it more of a "bonnet" I take the ribbon over the crown and tack it to the center with a little "x" and then at the band. I've also taken to wearing it tied in back. It stays in place better.

Very pretty!

i agree with callenish, the best thing i ever did for my shoes was to wear them through a thunderstorm and its aftermath.....get them good and soaked, then wear them till they are dry(or close to it)

Yup-- Same with mine. Ended up down pouring at one point at Mifflin... They fit soooooo nice now. This is especially good for the straight lasted sort 'cause then they conform to your feet quicker.

For cool weather wear I am now offering all shifts, shirts, petticoats and other things in raw silk =) Its so soft and cuddly I was rolling around in it....

Do you have anything in a purple linen for stays and petticoats (solid or stripes)?

I don't have anything "in stock" but I can order it or dye it. =) PM me if you are interested.

Thanks for the "support" ladies. Hehe. =) If there is any way I can be of assistance, please let me know. =)

I'm sad to say I haven't sold anything on etsy yet, but I am sure the transactions are easy, especially using paypal. I like the community-- the people have been so nice and their fees are so reasonable!!

hey, hey... looks great!!!!

One of the descriptions I read (and was going to try) called for beeswax and just "oil" but it went heavy on the beeswax so it was closer to a paste, was really rubbed into the fabric with a stiff brush.

Ah, Mr. Cutter, that does help. Thank you!

Well, they were allowed on board as nurses and laundresses until the BRN decided that was a bad plan.

"In 1703 nurses and laundresses were assigned to the British fleet and paid at the same rate as seamen. Recruited from seaport towns, these women often were the wives of sailors. However, women aboard the vessels caused discipline problems and were the source of much discontent and friction among the crew. Later they were replaced with male nurses, the reason for the policy change given by the navy being the predilection of the women for drink." (Zachary B. Friedenberg, Medicine Under Sail, p. 25)

Interesting... It says "In 1703..." is it specific to that year, or was this already an accepted practice? Also, how much later were they replaced?

Also, would such a practice be employed on a pirate vessel? Say, having a wife aboard as a cook, nurse or laundress? Is there any evidence to support this?

So wait- the half moon isn't in Albany till the 26? I'm sorry- I can't find the schedule.

If it's not till then, my crew might be interested in going up there if there is a contact...

RIT has a pretty good dye remover...

depending on what you ultimately want to do with it bleach could have a cool effect though. Sometimes blacks bleach out pinks/ reds or greens... I've had all sorts of wacky experiences with the stuff in my teenage years. =P I would cut a few pieces and play with different concentrations of bleach, making sure to wash out and rinse thoroughly, otherwise you will totally destroy the fabric which, could be a cool effect in itself.

Then, you can either leave the color it turns or dye over it with browns, reds or greens or use home-made natural dyes to get more earthy, distressed tones.

You cal always try just leaving it outside for awhile in an area that gets a lot of sun... Then just use it as is..

Lots of options...

ah bugga. Why does everything have to happen that weekend? Maybe I'll journey to Albany on my own on Saturday. Anyone else going to be there?

When will they be where? I haven't found any information except for when they were going to be in NYC and I wasn't going to try... I did want to see the half moon again... You know, half moon marauders and all...