Lucy the Tudor

What do you do in the last days before Tewkesbury? ( one of our biggest and best shows of the year) Well, this year, just for fun, about six weeks ago, our electrics started to play games.
Upstairs we have lights, but no sockets working, downstairs we have sockets in the kitchen, but no lights anywhere. Tim got an electrician to have a look, the next day, and the poor fellow saw our house on the day after we got back from a show, plus all the usual mess, plus the storage of all my fibres, specialist bits and bobs, woodchips and sawdust everywhere.
We have recently had to clear out my parent's home, Dad still has a lot more in the nursing home, but a lot of their stuff is still needing somewhere to be.
The poor electrician chap couldn't find the issue immediately, he was "very busy" when contacted again, to see when he would be "coming back with his friend to lift floorboards etc". I don't think he could face it.
The house was rewired only seven years ago, so hopefully it won't be anything major, but we need to pretend to be only slightly odd, in order to get trades to deal with our homestead. I do understand.
In the last six weeks we have been ruthless with books, random stuff, clothing, pictures, a ton of things. Many trips have been taken to the tip, the charity shops, and I have found lots of things I didn't remember I owned.
Tim has arranged for another electrician to come tomorrow morning.
But
Blimey
There is a lot.
Reenactors always have a lot of stuff, but this is ridiculous, our enormous green shed of wonder is nearly full, but is going to have to take a lot more, at least temporarily. More to be hidden in stray bits of the workshop.

But to all friends, family, and kind people, please never give us anything else at all, ever, that can't be eaten, or consumed in some other way... there is enough stuff here to last us several lifetimes- apart from raw materials for the business of course.
And it is really true, more storage is not the answer, we have a LOT of storage space, just a lot more stuff.
Please send thoughts and prayers.

I was fortunate to be visited by Queen Elizabeth the first of that name, at Prescot Elizabethan fair, yesterday. When I got over my shock and fear, I showed her majesty my best candles, which she graciously examined. I expect the call to London at any minute, of course, but meanwhile, having accidentally brushed the Royal hand with mine own, I am now surely cured of any ills, and will live healthy and happy all my days.

Buying tools because you are overexcited when buying materials, on one of your favourite websites, and you are too brain fizzed by last week's show, looking forward to next week's show, that's still work isn't it? Asking for a friend. ( they are a brand of tool I use a lot, and will help me do certain things more easily/better, so it's essential really... )

Well now Wonderwool Wales, that was flipping lovely, and exhausting! My head is swollen with all the fascinating ideas and conversations, my heart is full from all the kind compliments about my work, and my bank account says THANK YOU too. The organisation was so smooth, the customers enthusiastic and happy, the wonderful ladies of the Braid Society gave me comfort breaks, as did Alison and Hugh, my trader friends from my other world. It has taken me all yesterday to get my head back together. Cracking show, everyone, see you next year.

Trying out my new (to me) phone camera. Three of these have just set off for the Mary Rose shop, the fellow at the front is staying here to hopefully find a new home at a show this season, with someone who likes to make lots of noise and smoke.

Cracking TORM, I had worked so hard to get lots of stock on the table, but the packing to return was again really easy, as all but the odds were sold, everything left, apart from candles, fitted into a small sandwich box. Thank you all you lovely people, for such a brilliant weekend. Staff as always, efficient and friendly, customers and fellow traders make this business a happy and exciting way of life. THANK YOU everyone. See you all in a field soon. x

TORM, Tomorrow... and all weekend. I am in the main hall, but further in this time, so please come and find us, for points, pins, pine boxes, tables, all kinds of loveliness. I will, as usual be an over excited, and tired old Tudor, because... TORM!!!! Looking forward to seeing everyone. x

Making some simple post looms to bring to York, they will be around £25 each in hardwood, depending on their size( this one is oak) and I may get chance to do some pine ones too.

Really looking forward to seeing all the Viking family, at the first trading outing of the year. The bone needles are nearly ready, and one or two new things to bring this time...

Now anyone sensible would be having a rest, all week, but we have been offered another chance to have historical fun- and those of you who have always found the Coca Cola Santa a little... modern, might like to see how my beloved's twin brother, the "real" Santa dresses. Come and Join us at England's Medieval Christmas Fayre at Michelham Priory, East Sussex on 25 & 26 November 2023' https://englandsmedievalchristmasfayre.com/ ) I will be making candles, so if you fancy a great start to the festive season, with things to do, stuff to buy, in a beautiful place, and you are anywhere near East Sussex, come and see us.

England’s Medieval Christmas Fayre A magical medieval festive family Christmas fayre and market at Michelham Priory, Hailsham, East Sussex. Santa storytelling, music, crafts, activities, and food

That was a fantastic TORM you lovely lot, thank you. x It just beat our previous best ever take, by about £150, so I am very pleased with that. So many kind compliments about our stuff, and good friends to see and hug. I am a very grateful Tudor. If a very tired one. Thank you.

Ok lovely people, I haven't posted much for a while, there have been things, and stuff.
I am on the last day of prep. before TORM which is just the most exciting show for us. Those of you who know me well will not be surprised for me to remind you all that I get over excited when around all those people, and this manifests in my concentrating very hard on trying to appear normal and rational. I will be making things on the stand, as usual, because it calms me, I will be over sharing and forgetting how to stop talking, because that is just...me. I may also need you to tell me your name, first, for you to collect your order, even if I have known you for years, because my curly brain doesn't process well when I'm on full alert. You'd think all of this would mean I'm not happy to be there. I am inordinately happy to be there, my head doesn't always just tell my face that.
I have lots of points, and pins, bits and bobs, and some looms available to sell, we have been working hard here at Tudor Towers.
Come and see us, TORM is amazing.

Not long now...

This is the next big re enactment market in the UK. As usual we will be there trading with our huge range of footwear and will be available to discuss and take orders for your bespoke leatherwork projects.

For those of you who may still not be too sure of the detail as to why Henry did not write Greensleeves... A piece by the amazing Tamsin or Passamezzo .

Greensleeves With its haunting melody, and the romantic myth that it was written by Henry VIII as a love song for Anne Boleyn, Greensleeves has remained popular over the ...

Nice to see one of the linstocks I made being used to show their purpose. Even better when he is so close to the originals he was based on. The Mary Rose is a very special ship indeed.

💥 Ready! Set! Fire! Hear those cannons roar!

This week, discover fascinating facts about the wicked array of weapons found on board The Mary Rose. From bronze guns, iron guns and muskets, to bows and arrows, pikes and hailshot - the array of Tudor weaponry found is mind blowing.

Join the Mary Rose team for family fun with live gun drills led by our costumed crew members, Tudor games and dressing up.

Activities running at various times throughout each day, check at reception on day of visit to confirm.

https://bit.ly/3K86zxA

This weekend I get to go and play in Wonderful mid Wales, at Wonderwool Wales, where I will have a selection of braiding and weaving equipment, ( some of the loudest brightest yew ever, made into lucets- red, brown, ginger, pink and white all in the same small piece of wood- get in quick, the bright ones always go fast ) . I really need the break from reality that a show full of beautifully colourful stands, and creative traders, selling to equally colourful and creative customers. If you are anywhere near, or could be, pop on over, it is a magical place to be. https://www.facebook.com/WonderwoolWales

Wonderwool Wales Ltd Wonderwool Wales is the largest Wool & Natural Fibre Festival in Wales and one of the largest in the

Two types of garter, the tie on in wool, for the lower status, and the silk patterned, with buckles, lined in calfskin, for the higher. Made to order.