end of an era

I must apologise for my tardy blogging of late, it seems I am caught up in a rapid whirlywind - this year is racing by so quick leaving very little time for anything and omg, before you know it, we're already in July!!  I believe the time has come for me to reassess all this busyness...so big decisions are being made and changes are taking place.

In all the flurry of happenings, I recently facilitated a Medieval Pottery workshop at the Kids Medieval Fun Day and have been working under the pump and around the clock preparing my wares for The Abbey Medieval Festival, held last weekend in the grounds of Abbeystowe (behind the Abbey Museum, Caboolture), and to the most glorious Winter weather I might add!

2014 marked the 25th Anniversary of the Abbey Medieval Festival and saw my 20th year of trading, and sadly my last year of trading. Yes, this is certainly one of my biggest decisions I have ever made in a long while - currently the event receives crowds of over 40,000 peeps coming through the gates, the most part of 6 mths of my year is devoted to preparing for the event - working on both, the medieval festival and exhibiting for my art practice is incredibly demanding of my time and something has to give, I know, now is the right time for me to hang up my medieval boots and move forward with my arts practice.

From humble beginnings, way back in 1994...

 

 To the present day of 2014...

I would really like to thank everyone, who, over the cause of the weekend supported my decision and purchased the last of my stock, two full tables of pottery dwindled down to a couple of mugs, my third table of leather products was reduced considerably, props and all the bits and bobs were sold out.  I am feeling a sense of overwhelming gratitude for all the support and warm gestures I received too, it was really mind blowing, I had no idea how much my stall was appreciated. Heart felt moments... especially when a lady from one of the re-enactment groups told me her story... each and every year her kids loved and would buy my lucky dips and now they were all grown up (between 25-30yrs old) and still treasure them, omg, how precious! And, I will certainly miss the fun, and the sense of community that is shared behind the scenes - a credit to all the Staff & volunteers at the Abbey Museum - fond memories I will cherish forever! ♥♥♥

week of medieval fun!

Its that time of year again when I dust off my medieval boot scooting boots and enjoy the medieval festivities!  A week long full of activities hosted by the Abbey Museum.  For me, kicking off tomorrow I'll be facilitating my medieval 'Coil Pots' Pottery Workshop with the little tackers at the Kids' Medieval Fun Day....  I'll be in tent number 8 having just as much fun as the kids!!!

...and then, on the weekend (6 Sat & 7 Sun, July) out come my wares for the 2013 Abbey Medieval Festival - the adults time for fun!  Abbeystowe comes alive full medieval glory and goes back in time to Medieval Europe from 600AD to 1600AD... 

Here's a photograph of me (before my days of owning a digital camera) and my stall when I used to be a one man band, dating back over 13 years ago!  Its amazing how all those years ago it took one vision, a humble little event and has now turned into a major tourist attraction which had over 30,000 people through the gates last year...

Post Festival

Well I can certainly say that this year had to be the biggest Medieval Festival on record! We had a few odd showers of rain, not enough to dampen the mood of the crowds, if anything it added an ambience to the day.

I didn't really have chance to get away from my stall for long to take alot of photographs however I managed to get in a few around me in the market place....

Hand carved wooden Chess Set in the Viking encampment.

Me and my medieval pottery stall.

Fair ladies stop by,

Furs and more furs, Jack the Medieval Furrier's stall.

Ladies Felting demonstrations.

Flaming Gargoyle Pottery by Alexander de Vos.

The Hurdy Gurdy girls delight us with their tunes.

Paul Dolphin (aca Rowan) and Lesley Porter (aca Fern), the Wandering Welsh Weavers of the 12th Century stop by for a chat.

And lookie here, a familar face in the crowd, good buddy Jo Murray stops for a chin wag and photo.  A must see more awesome medieval photographs taken by Jo on her blog

And fellow friend Vicki calls in to say hi.

As always, its a trill to be involved in such an exciting, action packed, successful event - the Abbey Musuem's Medieval Festival is going from strength to strength each and every year!

Abbey Medieval Festival

Record crowds gathered for the Medieval Tournament to enjoy the medieval experience, some photos from over the weekend...

Glen & I

Girls from Packers Leather

Me & my good mate Graham

Abbey Medieval Festival 2010

Well only one more sleep to go to enjoy some good ole' medieval mayhem!!!

And what a grand ole' time I reckon will be had, seeing my set up is directly opposite the Stagg Inn and infront of the Village Green.

Refreshments and Entertainment to see me through the weekend, who could ask for more!

History of the Masterpiece...

Words by The Abbey Museum on the history of the Masterpiece for the Medieval Masterpiece Exhibition 2010...

"In the Middle Ages, a group of artisans engaged in the same occupation - cobblers, stonemasons, carpenters, etc. - would associate theselves for the protection and mutual aid. No one within a town could practise a craft without belonging to the appropriate guild association.

Members of the craft guild were divided into Master, Journeyman, and Apprentice. The master was a very accomplished craftsman who took on apprentices. Usually, these were boys in the teens who were provided food, clothing, shelter, and an education by the master, in return for unpaid work as an apprectice, often for a fixed term of service from about two to nine years.

My entry SECTION 7 - Aquamanile FIRST PRIZE - Master Artisan

After this, an apprentice became a journeyman, who was allowed to work for one or another master and was paid wages for his labour. Once a journeyman could provide proof of his technical and artistic skills, by showing his 'masterpiece', he might rise in the guild and become a master.

My entry SECTION 7 - Zoomorphic Jug SECOND PRIZE - Journeyman

From the second half of the thirteenth century onward, we hear, first in isolated instances and then with greater frequency toward the end of the Middle Ages, of a more clearly specified challenge: in order to demonstrate his skill, the candidate must excute a work for official examination, the materpiece.

From the present vantage point, a most striking feature of this Medieval institution of masterpiece-making was its wholly artisan purview. Masterpieces were excuted by goldsmiths and tapestry weavers, to whose handwork we would readily ascribe an 'artistic' quality or intention. But they were also expected of apothecaries, carpenters, rope makers, and other professions".

The Exhibition is being showcased at Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, Sunderland Dve, Bribie Island from 30th June to 9th July, 2010.

Medieval Masterpiece Exhibit opening

Last night saw the Official Opening of the Medieval Masterpiece Exhibition (30 - 9th July) at Bribie Island Community Arts Centre. The competition is in it's third year running and has gathered some of the finest Artisans and Craftsmanship in the Medieval Arts. Director of the Abbey Museum Michael Strong opened the occassion with a speech including his future vision of collecting some the finest winning pieces each year and showcasing them in a prestigeous International Touring Exhibit.

To his success, Michael has been the driving force behind The Abbey Medieval Festival. Some 21 years ago, an idea was conceived to host a Medieval Tournament to entertain the locals and a small band of folk gathered to put on a show. Today we see the Festival is listed in the top 10 Medieval Festivals worldwide, quiet an achievement! The event has grown stronger with each year and I have no doubt that once the word spreads of his unique Medieval Masterpiece Exhibition that Michael and his dedicated colleagues of The Abbey Museum will see his vision of a Medieval Masterpiece 'International Touring' Exhibition will become a reality.

Medieval mayhem...

The Abbey Medieval Festival is just around the corner, and my preparations are well underway. My kiln has been firing overtime to get my wares ready.

It all starts getting exciting as the date draws near...I start to pack and check over the last minute details; enough stocks, props of flags, furs etc.... My costume comes out of the wardrobe to air, this year I may add another jewel or two or maybe an extra bit of braid!

Medieval Masterpiece Exhibition 2010

I started working on a few pieces earlier in the year to enter into the Medieval Masterpiece Exhibition for the Abbey Museum. The exhibition this year is being exhibited at Bribie Island Community Art Centre - BICAS from 29th June - 9th July, 2010.

The photograph below is a puzzle jug I made and entered into the first competition. It took out first prize in the pottery section.

'Puzzle Jug' First Prize Medieval Masterpiece Exhibition 2008

This year I have made several pieces, among them; a Zoomorphic Jug, Puzzle Mug, some 'Tudor Green' Wares and an Aquamanile.

'Zoomorphic Jug' Kingston type ware Mid-13th Century

'Aquamanile' 13th Century

It's an interesting process when researching and discovering new forms, to decipher their techniques. Loads of experiementation with glazing, trying to reproduce the piece as close to original, is something I really enjoy...it's like stepping back in time and into the shoes of the maker.