Laurel Survey for 50 Year

LAUREL SURVEY FOR THE UPCOMING ISSUE OF TOURNAMENTS ILLUMINATED

When were you elevated? In which kingdom?

March 2008, Atenveldt

What was /were your area(s) of specialty at the time of your elevation?

Documentation

Had you been an apprentice? If so, whose?

I was not an apprentice but had a few laurel mentors.

What was the highlight of your elevation ceremony? Was it unusual in any
way?

My husband and I were landed B&B of Tir Ysgithr at the time and we were holding our Great Helm Tournament, which is purportedly one of the oldest tournaments in the SCA.  We held baronial court and then Kingdom court started and I was brought forth with the order.  I had to create a masterpiece for my crown and presented the Viking Chatelaine to HRM Asa and the documentation.  I did receive a buffet which was a dual kiss from the crown.

Did you bring your A&S interest or specialty with you into the SCA, or did
you find it after you joined?

I have been a member since I was in high school and never really did anything arsty until I graduated college. I usually was serving as a water bearer, troll, security etc and I didn't really have time during engineering school to work on any skills. The only skills I did bring to the SCA were my high school job working at a shoe repair so I knew how to dye/repair leather.

Have you acquired any new skill sets or specializations since your
elevation?

My apprentice and I have been working on experimental archaeology with Viking Bead furnaces and with clothing.  I have been striving for years for a more period kit and have been trying to lead by example of how to look.  So I would say I've broadened my skill set versus deepened it.  I can make my own shoes, clothes, jewelry and accessories but my book knowledge has been increased on what is appropriate.  We are approaching well over 1200 books in the reference library.  I am also currently the deputy signet for the crown and I think my scribal skills have 'leveled up' quite a bit since my elevation and I'm a very good combat scribe.

In one sentence: What artistic or scientific development, achievement, or
artifact from Society period do you find the most inspiring, and why?

The Sforza Hours is one of the most beautiful Books of Hours I have ever seen. I was so inspired by it that I did Baroness Arsenda's Laurelling Scroll in that style.  I still marvel at that books beauty every time I see a picture of it.

If you could go back in time and tell your not-yet-Laurelled self one thing,
what would it be?

The rules:

1) Don't look like ass.

2) Don't make the Crown, your kingdom, your barony/household look like ass.

3) Don't be that guy, you know who we are talking about.

4) Be that guy!

Do you find that your membership in the Order has a bearing on your modern
life?

I teach documentation in the SCA at every collegium and war I attend.  This directly bleeds over to my modern job as an engineer and I make sure that