Atlantia KASF 2017

In years past, I have displayed at Atlantia's KASF as part of a group--the first time with my household, and the second time with the Barony of Lochmere. This year, I displayed by myself, as the A&S Champion for the Barony of Concordia of the Snows. Because I'm a champion of the East and not Atlantia, I did not participate in the Inter-Baronial Champions' Competition. Rather, I entered the open display. I received some delightful feedback about my work, particularly from the Baron of Nottinghill Coill (who was also astounded when he learned I had traveled from upstate NY to attend the event!).

Documentation text:

Comparing Copper and Silver as Used in Viking Wire Weave

A few years ago at Pennsic, an old friend sat down with me beneath our baronial pavilion and taught me to make Viking Wire Weave chains (sometimes also called Viking Knit or Trichinopoly). I took to it almost immediately, and began entering pieces in A&S competitions and displays shortly thereafter.

In one such competition at the Feast for St. Brigit in the Barony of Lochmere, I entered two necklaces. These were woven of what had become my go-to material: 26-gauge, dead soft, enameled copper wire. I like that it was inexpensive but still easy to work with – less prone to kinks and tangles than cheaper options at my local Michael's. I also like the array of color options available, because I could achieve a period look (most extant examples are woven of silver wire) or a less-period, heraldic chain, as desired.

Copper was a solid and reasonable substitute for silver, with valid reasons for its selection. On a molecular level, copper is very similar to silver and behaves in much the same way when worked. Additionally, as stated above, it was available in a silver-colored enamel. And, of course, it was far less expensive than actual silver wire.

In her judge's feedback that day, Mistress Mary Isabel of Heatherstone suggested I try working in real silver, even if only once, so that I could gain a deeper understanding of how it differs from copper by actually feeling it as I work, rather than just reading about the differences.

It has taken me two years to work up the courage, make the investment, and take that plunge. I have to admit that I was skeptical before I started. How different could it actually be, anyway? By this point, I had worked with copper in gauges ranging from 20 to 28 and in tempers from dead soft to half hard. I expected this experiment to demonstrate only which temper produced a similar feel, and perhaps to reveal a slight difference in the silver color of the chains.

Boy, was I in for a surprise.

For the purposes of this experiment, I selected 28-gauge, dead soft wire in enameled copper and sterling silver. I used the same mandrel, and wove identical chains of six-loop, double-weave knit. I began with the copper chain.

From the moment I began to weave with the silver, I could feel a difference. Though it was the same gauge as the copper, it felt more substantial in my fingers. More stable, perhaps. It was certainly less prone to kinking as I worked with it. It was somehow smoother, too. It made me think of satin. I was somewhat confounded as I continued to work. How could something be sturdier and softer, at the same time?

Unlike with the enameled copper, I didn't have to worry about friction with the silver as I wove. With the copper, there's a risk that the scraping will damage the enamel finish, causing the color to flake off.

Containing the loose ends of each piece of wire seemed easier with the silver as well. In running my hands along the woven chain, there are noticeably fewer “poky bits” protruding from the silver than from the copper (You are welcome to try that on these pieces, but please slide your fingers lightly and slowly! I wouldn't want you to injure yourself).

For this display, I left the chains incomplete (when finished, they will be necklaces). I drew them through a wooden drawplate for about half of their length, so that I would have examples of the chains both drawn and undrawn.

The finished pieces are all enameled copper, displayed to show the variety of weaves and designs possible with Viking Wire Weave.

I look forward to working more in silver (as finances allow) in the future – it was a true pleasure to work with!

A&S 50 Challenge

This year is A.S. L, also known as the fiftieth year of the Society for Creative Anachronism. In celebration of this momentous occasion, a challenge was put forth to artisans across the Knowne Worlde. An artisan could choose to make one item from each of fifty different crafts, or to make fifty items of one single craft. This feat was to be accomplished before the fifty-year celebration, which will be held in June 2016.

I opted for the latter challenge: fifty items of one craft. The craft I chose was Viking Wire Weave. It has taken me a year and a half to complete this challenge. Herein are my fifty items. All are woven of 26-gauge enameled copper wire, unless otherwise specified.

Item #1: A copper, six-loop, single-weave necklace, which I entered in a winner-takes-all competition at Lochmere's Battle on the Bay event in September 2014.

Item #2: A silver, six-loop, double-weave necklace, which I entered in a competition at Lochmere's Battle on the Bay event in September 2014. I won this competition.

Item #3: A silver, seven-loop, single-weave necklace, which I made as a token of my favor for my fiance, Luke.

#4, in progress

Item #4: A double-stranded necklace of blue and green, six-loop, single-weave, which I made for my protege-sister Isolde.

Item #5: A chain of alternating blocks of green, silver, and blue, to be worn suspended between the brooches of my Viking apron dress.

#7 & #8

Item #6: A double-stranded chain of blue and silver, to be worn suspended between the brooches of my Viking apron dress.

Item #7: A silver circlet. This chain was actually a mess-up that I drew too tightly, causing the weave to become deformed. It also featured my first hand-made hook clasp, however, and I was darn proud of how that came out.

Item #8: A green, six-loop, double-weave necklace to be worn by me.

Item #9: A silver, six-loop, single-weave necklace for my Opal medallion.

Item #10: A blue, six-loop, double-weave necklace given to the Barony of Lochmere as largesse.

Item #11: A chain of alternating blocks of single-strand, double-weave silver and double-strand, single-weave gold-and-blue. Experimental. Added to stockpile of largesse.

#12 - #20: Avacal Largess

Items #12 - #20: An assortment of red, gold, and silver chains, made to contribute to the Principality of Oertha's largesse basket for the new Kingdom of Avacal.

#21

Item #21: A new technique: six-loop, single-weave green over six-loop, double-weave silver. Intended to be a bracelet, but a bit too long. I wear it as an anklet instead.

Item #22: Six-loop, single-weave red over six-loop, double-weave gold. Necklace. I'm not actually sure where this one ended up!

Item #23: Six-loop, single-weave blue over six-loop, double-weave silver. Added to stockpile of largesse.

Item #24: Six-loop, double-weave red necklace. Added to stockpile of largesse.

Item #25: Six-loop, triple weave gold necklace with blue glass pendant. Christmas gift for my aunt.

Item #27: Six-loop, double-weave blue necklace. Auctioned at the fundraiser for Lochmere's new coronets.

Item #28: Six-loop, triple-weave green necklace. Entered in an A&S competition at Lochmere's Feast of St. Brigit, with item 29. Won the competition.

Item #29: Six-loop, double-weave copper necklace. Entered in an A&S competition at Lochmere's Feast of St. Brigit, with item 28. Won the competition. Later given as prize for A&S competition at Lochmere's Battle on the Bay 2015.

#28 and #29. Photo (c) Lady Cassair Warwick

Item #30: Six-loop, double-weave blue and silver necklace. Site token for the Queen of Atlantia at Lochmere's Feast of St. Brigit.

Item #31: Six-loop, double-weave blue and silver necklace. Site token for the King of Atlantia at Lochmere's Feast of St. Brigit.

Item #32: Six-loop, single-weave silver over six-loop, double-weave blue. Necklace. Auctioned at the fundraiser for Lochmere's new coronets.

#33

Item #33: Six-loop, single-weave blue over six-loop, double-weave gold. Necklace. Added to stockpile of largesse.

Item #34: Six-loop, triple-weave gold necklace woven of 28-gauge wire. Displayed in Atlantia's Kingdom Arts and Sciences Festival 2016.

Item #35: Six-loop, single-weave necklace in alternating blocks of green, silver, and blue. Meant to be worn with Viking apron dress, and items 5 and 6.

Item #36: Six-loop, single weave blue necklace. Given to the Barony of Lochmere as largesse.

Item #37: Six-loop, double-weave blue necklace. Added to stockpile of largesse.

Item #38: Six-loop, single-weave blue necklace. Given to the Barony of Lochmere as largesse.

#37

Item #39: New technique. Six alternating loops of silver and copper. Double-weave necklace. Added to stockpile of largesse.

Item #40: Six-loop, double-weave green necklace. Christmas gift for my future sister-in-law, Jamie.

Item #41: Six-loop, double weave silver necklace with a blue-and-white heart pendant. Christmas gift for my future sister-in-law, Juli.

Item #42: Six-loop, double weave blue necklace for a coworker.

Item #43: Six-loop, double-weave silver necklace with a seahorse zipper-pull pendant. Personal, in memory of a friend who passed away in May 2015.

Item #44: Six-loop, single-weave blue over six-loop, double-weave copper bracelet. Added to stockpile of largesse.

Item #45: Six-loop, single-weave silver necklace. Given to the Barony of Lochmere as largesse.

Item #46: Six-loop, double-weave green necklace. Added to stockpile of largesse.

#49

Item #47: Six-loop, double-weave blue necklace. Intended to bestow as largesse to the Shire of Vaca del Mar at the end of February 2016.

Item #48: Six-loop, double-weave red necklace, made for a Secret Santa gift exchange at work.

Item #49: Six-loop, double-weave gold necklace woven of 28-gauge wire. Christmas gift for my mother.

And, for the grand finale, it seemed only fitting that I combine techniques and create a truly masterful chain for the woman who is my inspiration in the Society ...

Item #50: Multi-part chain. Six-loop, single-weave green over six-loop, double-weave gold, joined at each end to short chains of six-loop, double-weave gold. Pelican medallion from Combat Medallions. Christmas gift for my Pelican, Mistress Arianna Morgan.

Largesse for the New Kingdom of Avacal

A friend of mine from my former Barony in Alaska (Barony of Eskalya, West Kingdom) announced that she would be attending the coronation of the first King and Queen of the new Kingdom of Avacal. She had received permission from Their Highnesses of Oertha to make a presentation of largesse on behalf of the principality, and put out a call to aritisans of the Principality to contribute. I asked if she'd like items from *former* members of the principality, and she told me that would be grand.

Double-weave in progress.

I decided to do a handful of Viking knit chains that Their Majesties would be able to use for award medallions. Avacal's colors are red, silver and gold, so I decided to make two chains of each color.

I was nervous about the gold chains, though. After all, a gold chain is a mark of Knighthood. I sought the advice of several artisans from across the Knowne Worlde, and it was suggested that I include a note with the chains, stating that the intended purpose was for displaying award medallions. An *unadorned* gold chain is a mark of Knighthood; once it has a pendant, it's no longer regalia of the Order.

Single-weave silver chain.

I made one chain of each color in a six-loop, single-weave pattern out of 26-gauge enameled copper wire. For a mandrel, I used a Tide-to-Go pen. The cone findings were purchased from Michael's. The connecting ring is constructed of 20-gauge enameled copper wire, following instructions in Ancient Wire: An Illustrated Guide to Making Intricate Jewelry in the Manner of the Vikings and Other Ancient Cultures by Helene Jacobs.

Double-weave chains in red and gold.

For the second set of three chains, I used the same materials and again made one of each color, but this time I used a six-loop, double-weave pattern.

Experiment in progress.

I didn't stop at six chains, though: I experimented with a new single-weave pattern that alternates colors. My theory was that it would create vertical stripes after it was drawn. I think my theory was correct, but the chain needs to be woven around something much thinner than a Tide-to-Go pen. Or maybe it needs to be double-weave. In any case, it still made a pretty chain, so I included it in this lot for largesse.






Because I have a lot of down time at work, I made a couple more chains as well. All-in-all, I had nine of them finished and ready to mail.

Nine chains in assorted weaves and colors.

With a deadline of June 24, I still had some time to round out my contribution to the largesse pool. I decided to do a handful of fingerloop-braid cords, which could also be used for award medallions. Using my favorite pattern--"A Grene Dorge of vj Bowes"--I made six red-and-gold and red-and-silver cords.

Red and gold fingerloop braids.