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The Story of Pixie the Harp
The Story of Pixie the Harp
I wanted to learn how to play not just a regular small harp but also a double strung harp. As they are rather expensive, I looked into building a kit. The only kit out there was ugly and did not allow for the installation of sharping levers. It was a kit that had a cardboard soundbox. There was another harpmaker who designed a cardboard harp kit but his was only single strung. But it did allow for lever placement. I sent an email about making a double strung version but his response was a negative. I let it percolate in his mind for a few months and then called him on the phone this time to discuss If he would take on the project. I told him That if he bolted 2 neck/pillar assemblies together, it should work. The string rib would need to be widened but other than that there were no more modifications that should be needed. It was interesting to learn that he collaborated on the ugly cardboard kit but the gentleman he was working with did not want to go back to concept over the (ugly) part and no levers. So he created his own design which is lovely!
I wanted to learn how to play not just a regular small harp but also a double strung harp. As they are rather expensive, I looked into building a kit. The only kit out there was ugly and did not allow for the installation of sharping levers. It was a kit that had a cardboard soundbox. There was another harpmaker who designed a cardboard harp kit but his was only single strung. But it did allow for lever placement. I sent an email about making a double strung version but his response was a negative. I let it percolate in his mind for a few months and then called him on the phone this time to discuss If he would take on the project. I told him That if he bolted 2 neck/pillar assemblies together, it should work. The string rib would need to be widened but other than that there were no more modifications that should be needed. It was interesting to learn that he collaborated on the ugly cardboard kit but the gentleman he was working with did not want to go back to concept over the (ugly) part and no levers. So he created his own design which is lovely!
He said yes at this time to constructing a double strung version of his harp kit and soon my kit arrived. I saved myself about $2000 doing a cardboard kit! He has several kit options. I asked him to paint the cardboard for me to limit more damaged to my already damaged lungs. This is also why I prefer kits to plans. The neck/pillar assembly was cut out and bolted together, the string rib was separate, and the cardboard was separate. The holes for the bridge and tuning pins were pre-drilled. I had to do a lot of sanding, glued the cardboard soundbox together, I stained the wood and applied the finishing polish. Then installed the hardware and strings and started tuning it up!
He said yes at this time to constructing a double strung version of his harp kit and soon my kit arrived. I saved myself about $2000 doing a cardboard kit! He has several kit options. I asked him to paint the cardboard for me to limit more damaged to my already damaged lungs. This is also why I prefer kits to plans. The neck/pillar assembly was cut out and bolted together, the string rib was separate, and the cardboard was separate. The holes for the bridge and tuning pins were pre-drilled. I had to do a lot of sanding, glued the cardboard soundbox together, I stained the wood and applied the finishing polish. Then installed the hardware and strings and started tuning it up!
Instrumental Pieces
Instrumental Pieces
I finished stringing it in November in time to learn parts for Heather Downie’s Christmas Harp Collaborative 2021. I am shown at time stamp 4:54-5:12 upper right playing Pixie. I put fairy lights on her for the Holidays.
I also began some video Course lessons by Christy-Lyn Marais. I learned Sailing on a Lake from her free sheet music and After the Rain from her beginner video course. Then I learned Mahogany Moon on my wire strung harp (I don’t currently have levers on my harps so I have to retune to play music in other keys. Having 2 harps cuts down on the amount I need to tune while learning songs which is nice).
I finished stringing it in November in time to learn parts for Heather Downie’s Christmas Harp Collaborative 2021. I am shown at time stamp 4:54-5:12 upper right playing Pixie. I put fairy lights on her for the Holidays.
I also began some video Course lessons by Christy-Lyn Marais. I learned Sailing on a Lake from her free sheet music and After the Rain from her beginner video course. Then I learned Mahogany Moon on my wire strung harp (I don’t currently have levers on my harps so I have to retune to play music in other keys. Having 2 harps cuts down on the amount I need to tune while learning songs which is nice).
I also learned her late beginner version of Scarborough Fair through her video course. My New Year January Harp Challenge is to learn the song Evenstar from The Lord of the Rings -The Two Towers. I have begun learning it on my larger 26 string wire harp. But it does not sound right on Pixie because I have to move the bass line up to overlap the melody and it does not work as well there. I have begun re-writing Evenstar to be played on my double strung harp as part of my January Challenge. I will try to record and post my progress on this prior to the event on my YouTube Channel playlist Harping Around where I am recording my harp progress. Don’t forget to have a good laugh- Watch my flub clips!
I also learned her late beginner version of Scarborough Fair through her video course. My New Year January Harp Challenge is to learn the song Evenstar from The Lord of the Rings -The Two Towers. I have begun learning it on my larger 26 string wire harp. But it does not sound right on Pixie because I have to move the bass line up to overlap the melody and it does not work as well there. I have begun re-writing Evenstar to be played on my double strung harp as part of my January Challenge. I will try to record and post my progress on this prior to the event on my YouTube Channel playlist Harping Around where I am recording my harp progress. Don’t forget to have a good laugh- Watch my flub clips!
Scarborough Fair Iphone6 121621.mp4Scarborough Fair
Scarborough Fair
Xmas Harp Collab 2.MOVXmas Harp Collab 2
Xmas Harp Collab 2
Sailing on a Lake 112721.MOVSailing on a Lake
Sailing on a Lake
May it Be 112221.MOVMay it Be
May it Be
Silk Banners
Silk Banners
I made 2 large banners as largesse for my Barony this fall. I enjoy silk painting and it adds so much ambiance to events! These are part of a series of banner I have designed over the years for my barony. These 2 banners were displayed at our December Yule event a couple weeks ago.
I made 2 large banners as largesse for my Barony this fall. I enjoy silk painting and it adds so much ambiance to events! These are part of a series of banner I have designed over the years for my barony. These 2 banners were displayed at our December Yule event a couple weeks ago.
We have an active archery group and I designed a banner this fall with 16 of our active archer’s devices displayed on it. It took me 20-30 hours to complete, and I am very pleased with how it turned out. It is painted on an 8mm weight silk scarf that is approximately 22” x 90”. The devices are all about 6.5” wide by about 7.5”. Our baronial device has flames on it, so I decided to make flaming arrowheads.
We have an active archery group and I designed a banner this fall with 16 of our active archer’s devices displayed on it. It took me 20-30 hours to complete, and I am very pleased with how it turned out. It is painted on an 8mm weight silk scarf that is approximately 22” x 90”. The devices are all about 6.5” wide by about 7.5”. Our baronial device has flames on it, so I decided to make flaming arrowheads.
The second banner was to honor those who have served our Barony as Baron and Baroness. This is a huge job and it takes very special people to do it. This banner has the symbol of our Barons and Baroness’s at the top with Blue Cheques which are part of our baronial device. Below that are all the Barons and Baroness’ devices in order of their service to our group. Some overlap and some ruled independently of their initial partner. While I did not list them singly after their term with their partner, above each device are their names and the length of their full term of service as our Baron or Baroness. This is also on an 8mm weight 22”x90” scarf but the bottom is all white and has room for continued service by our future Barons and Baroness’. About 3-4 more reigns will fit after our heirs step up in April.
The second banner was to honor those who have served our Barony as Baron and Baroness. This is a huge job and it takes very special people to do it. This banner has the symbol of our Barons and Baroness’s at the top with Blue Cheques which are part of our baronial device. Below that are all the Barons and Baroness’ devices in order of their service to our group. Some overlap and some ruled independently of their initial partner. While I did not list them singly after their term with their partner, above each device are their names and the length of their full term of service as our Baron or Baroness. This is also on an 8mm weight 22”x90” scarf but the bottom is all white and has room for continued service by our future Barons and Baroness’. About 3-4 more reigns will fit after our heirs step up in April.
I have plans to do another 6 similar banners for our fighters, artisans, rapier, thrown weapons, siege weapons and a Memorial banner for those we have lost (we lost 2 people just this year). Then I will be doing another Largesse banner for Kingdom. I hope to have these done by mid-April for our Anniversary event but I also have 4 large personal banners to do for people by April as well. I need to get working on all of this! I took a silk break for harp time through the holidays. I do have the design work done which take 8-10 hours usually.
I have plans to do another 6 similar banners for our fighters, artisans, rapier, thrown weapons, siege weapons and a Memorial banner for those we have lost (we lost 2 people just this year). Then I will be doing another Largesse banner for Kingdom. I hope to have these done by mid-April for our Anniversary event but I also have 4 large personal banners to do for people by April as well. I need to get working on all of this! I took a silk break for harp time through the holidays. I do have the design work done which take 8-10 hours usually.
Beaded Tiara
Beaded Tiara
During our first year of Covid shutdown I participated in the first SMASH (SCA Magnificently Awesome Scavenger Hunt) in July 2020 and had a great time. My team was international with in the US and Europe. We smashed the competition by a landslide. We missed the second SMASH but this summer participated in SMASH 3 and took back the title! We again had an international team.
During our first year of Covid shutdown I participated in the first SMASH (SCA Magnificently Awesome Scavenger Hunt) in July 2020 and had a great time. My team was international with in the US and Europe. We smashed the competition by a landslide. We missed the second SMASH but this summer participated in SMASH 3 and took back the title! We again had an international team.
For SMASH, they create a list of 90 items. But you can’t just search your stash of stuff for them. You create them within the competition week. My team did all 90 items both times. It is not easy!
For SMASH, they create a list of 90 items. But you can’t just search your stash of stuff for them. You create them within the competition week. My team did all 90 items both times. It is not easy!
A few of the things to complete: Make a scroll for your kingdom backlog; write a paper on an in period disaster; make a piece of modern clothing into garb; make a pottage and share the recipe; create a catapult of siege weapon out of stuff found in your bathroom; stick horse/pool noodle Jousting; weave 1 m of cord or trim in a period style. Create a treasure hunt complete with treasure chest and map, and have some children find the treasure! Make a sun dial for your location. Bonus points for a time lapse of it working. Read a story to kids at the park (respecting social distancing and any mask requirements) in garb.
A few of the things to complete: Make a scroll for your kingdom backlog; write a paper on an in period disaster; make a piece of modern clothing into garb; make a pottage and share the recipe; create a catapult of siege weapon out of stuff found in your bathroom; stick horse/pool noodle Jousting; weave 1 m of cord or trim in a period style. Create a treasure hunt complete with treasure chest and map, and have some children find the treasure! Make a sun dial for your location. Bonus points for a time lapse of it working. Read a story to kids at the park (respecting social distancing and any mask requirements) in garb.
Using a watermelon, or a pumpkin, or some other large fruit, demonstrate how the most basic SCA combat blows would damage a person if done with live steel. Don’t forget to wipe the juice off your blade. Robin Hood is said to have tied notes to arrows and then shot them at his friends. Sometimes through open windows. Which seems…. Irresponsible. VERY SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY, have a conversation with a friend, COVID-friendly, via notes tied to combat arrows. In armour. With a marshal. No open windows!! Be safe!
Using a watermelon, or a pumpkin, or some other large fruit, demonstrate how the most basic SCA combat blows would damage a person if done with live steel. Don’t forget to wipe the juice off your blade. Robin Hood is said to have tied notes to arrows and then shot them at his friends. Sometimes through open windows. Which seems…. Irresponsible. VERY SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY, have a conversation with a friend, COVID-friendly, via notes tied to combat arrows. In armour. With a marshal. No open windows!! Be safe!
I decided as one of my entries to do number 10, item description below:
I decided as one of my entries to do number 10, item description below:
The current Crowns of most kingdoms have sat their thrones longer than any, in the history of the SCA. Don’t you think it’s your turn? Make a crown for yourself, using materials currently in your home. Bonus points if it looks like your kingdom’s actual crown!’
The current Crowns of most kingdoms have sat their thrones longer than any, in the history of the SCA. Don’t you think it’s your turn? Make a crown for yourself, using materials currently in your home. Bonus points if it looks like your kingdom’s actual crown!’
I have always wanted to make a bead woven Tiara for Tiara Tuesdays. Plus, my personal heraldry colors are the same as our kingdom colors! I didn’t have time to order beads specifically for this, so I had to deconstruct stuff first. Then rebuild it into my tiara. It took me about 15 hours, and it has a wire braided backing to support it. 6mm glass pearl beads in white and blue and firepolish antique gold beads to create the circular motifs. Them I embellished them with Swarovski crystal bicones. Connected all the motifs and added the wire to stabilize it. For Caid (my Kingdom) I added a silver Moon at the top which was detachable so that it would relate to our kingdom crowns. I really enjoyed getting back to some bead-weaving after a few years away. I’ve always enjoyed designing jewelry. I just don’t usually wear it much! I used a variant of Right-Angle Weave. When you use different sized beads right angle it creates circles. These are domed circles. I really need to add some combs to the bottom, so it stays where I want it better.
I have always wanted to make a bead woven Tiara for Tiara Tuesdays. Plus, my personal heraldry colors are the same as our kingdom colors! I didn’t have time to order beads specifically for this, so I had to deconstruct stuff first. Then rebuild it into my tiara. It took me about 15 hours, and it has a wire braided backing to support it. 6mm glass pearl beads in white and blue and firepolish antique gold beads to create the circular motifs. Them I embellished them with Swarovski crystal bicones. Connected all the motifs and added the wire to stabilize it. For Caid (my Kingdom) I added a silver Moon at the top which was detachable so that it would relate to our kingdom crowns. I really enjoyed getting back to some bead-weaving after a few years away. I’ve always enjoyed designing jewelry. I just don’t usually wear it much! I used a variant of Right-Angle Weave. When you use different sized beads right angle it creates circles. These are domed circles. I really need to add some combs to the bottom, so it stays where I want it better.
This will remain a special event for me as one of our members was ill but so excited to participate. We didn’t know how ill. She died of cancer two months later. SMASH also helped distract me while my mom was hospitalized, and I couldn’t see her in July 2020. She also died a few days after the first SMASH event. Thankfully the hospital released her for in home hospice so I could be with her when she died.
This will remain a special event for me as one of our members was ill but so excited to participate. We didn’t know how ill. She died of cancer two months later. SMASH also helped distract me while my mom was hospitalized, and I couldn’t see her in July 2020. She also died a few days after the first SMASH event. Thankfully the hospital released her for in home hospice so I could be with her when she died.
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