Het Gaat Lijk Lukken Bakken

I'm a little perplexed on how to go one here, and so I shall tap the Hive Mind.

I have, so far, no takers for my smocking class. The description DOES say to please contact instructor regarding kits, though a few may be available the day of. BUT - I'm not sure how many people read the descriptions at all, at least prior to the event.

I was planning on taking just a couple extras, meaning to have "custom" kits togther for those who asked. How many kits should I bring? (Kit is all pieces of muslin for a finished shirt/chemise, sewn up as necessary for pleating and pre-pleated for work. Assembly instructions included.) The kit can be made up for a high necked version, open necked version, or with a separate, smocked, standing collar. But they do take me a bit of work. 2 of each?

The same applies to the Picture Perfect competition. I plan to forward a registration form to Sarafina and hopefully someone in the host group can arrange to accept entries if they show up before I arrive. But I only know of one planned entry. Thoughts on how many people will show up at the last minute?

Judges Instructions, rough draft:

Welcome to the inaugural "Picture Perfect" Arts and Sciences competition. Each judge will be assigned the entries that he or she is to judge.

Please fill out a judge's form for each entry you evaluate, keeping the following things in mind:

You may split point down to 0.25, but please to go down to tenths. For example, if you'd like to score an entry 3.75 points for workmanship, go right ahead.

The judge's form has some basic guide lines for each category, but there is significant room for interpretation. We do ask that you leave written comments explaining your reasoning for grading the entry as you did. Since this is meant to be fun, keep things as positive and constructive as you can. Use of the "criticism sandwich" method is encouraged: "You did A well, element B could have been improved thusly, while element C was wonderfully conceived." Placing criticism between two positive statements helps the entrant focus on aspects of the entry rather than just someone "tearing up" their baby.

The final category is where most of your wiggle room exists. Remember, this isn't Kingdom Faire. The object of the challenge is to reproduce items from a painting, and higher scores should go to entries that succeed most fully in this aspect. Also, presentation can be rewarded in this category. For example, cinnamon comfits from a still life presented in a silver compote dish that resembles those in the painting would score higher here than those presented in a Tupperware(TM) bowl. Creativity can also be rewarded. A gentle who enters a wooden cabinet from a period painting depicting a foot warmer, and thus installs and electric safety element instead of the period brazier could also achieve extra points in this category. This challenge is open to quite a lot of interpretation, and therefore so is your scoring. Feel free to address THL Femke de Roas or Mistress Sarafina Sinclair if you find something unclear.

This is also an opportunity for artisans to connect with each other. Cards are available for you to leave your contact information for any entrant, whether you judged their entry or not.

Thank you again for your time and participation. We would also welcome feedback on the structure and nature of this activity. You may leave written comments with the Display Coordinator or E-mail THL Femke at your leisure.

tattycat has me contemplating.

The Royal University of the Midrealm is a (hopefull) biannual event. It moves from site to site 'round the Kingdom, based on where the best bid comes from. It consists of classes in Fine Arts and Sciences, Performing Arts, Martial Arts, History, and SCA Administration. Over the years, curriculum quality has varied rather widely. (blah blah blah, volunteer organization)

Our Erstwhile and Hardworking Chancellor has been ruminating on developing system by which you can "progress" through programming and receive recognition for learning. And we've had discussions about trying to increase the number of "intermediate" and "advanced" classes offered at RUM. On the grounds that "beginner" level classes are more commonly to be found locally anyway.

Now, it occurs to me to ask the hive mind for stimulating conversation on the topic of trying to offer a "progression" on specific topics given the changing location, venue, and time between sessions. The Midrealm is large enough that a teacher may be available for one session, but the next too far away to be feasible for them. So how could we set things up so that you could, in fact, take steadily advancing classes in a topic?

Speak to me of brilliant notions.

Still thinking about RUM and what would be a good range of classes.

And while at it, something gwacie said on another E-mail list make me think:

What about a roundtable on writing for publication? Specifically in larger SCA markets. Would it be worth listening to the ins and outs of what makes a good article and how to write it as discussed by people published in TI, CA, Artes Draconis, and other larger outlets?

As a separate question -

What sorts of classes would you like to see at a Royal University? What would induce you to make the trip? What sorts of "advanced" classes do you not find locally?