George Washington's Mount Vernon Peach Brandy and my horse, Nelson

     

     In September, I was shown a giclee of a painting by Pamela Patrick White.  It was a special project that she had worked on with George Washington's Mount Vernon.  The painting was to be auctioned off, but it was to also be the new label for their peach brandy.  I purchased that giclee which was the first one printed, and it is now framed and on my wall in my home. 

     The special part of this is that it is the fifth painting that Pam has painted of my horse, Nelson.  Nelson is a retired Colonial Williamsburg horse that I adopted in November of 2014.  This year, next month, will be our 10th anniversary together.

     Now millions of people who purchase the brandy will see my Nelson on it.  I will definitely be purchasing a bottle of the brandy.

     Here is a photo of Nelson today.

HIGHLIGHT - Societe Des Dames, 5 October 2024

 

 

     On October 5th, the "Societe des dames" was held at the Manoir Mauvide-Genest in Quebec. The Societe d’histoire In Memoriam (SHIM) invited and brought together 15 people from the historical re-enactment community to participate in this unique project that aims to highlight artistic, scientific, intellectual and women's activities, considering that the majority of historical activities and animations in Quebec are generally military-themed and camp-based. 

     Their event was an opportunity to discover a new part of life in Nouvelle-France in the 1750s, a slightly worldly one where people entertained themselves with wit and discussed the latest news; while occupying themselves with some arts and elegant work. One of the activities was a pharaoh lottery where several magnificent prizes came from my shop!  

 

     I am told that the participants were dazzled by the beauty and quality of the prizes; which greatly contributed to the excitement and charm of the lottery! 

     SHIM is focused on discovering and experimenting with new aspects of history; especially from Quebec, in order to learn more about life in the past and then put it all into practice in the context of historical re-enactments.  SHIM has specialized in high-level historical re-enactments since 2001. With its unique and innovative approach, it is constantly renewing itself in order to reconstruct aspects of the past that are often neglected. Boldly, it shakes up the way things are done to make history more accessible while advocating a rigorous application of sources. Revamped in 2022 after a break, SHIM now shares the results of research on social media, through open activities by invitation, and also in collaboration with various institutions or organizations.

Their contact information can be found at -
Manoir Mauvide-Genest : www.manoirmauvidegenest.com
SHIM : Société d'histoire In Memoriam - YouTube (also on Facebook!)

Published in Muzzleloader Magazine, September/October 2024

      In April of this year, I was at the Fort Frederick Market Fair in Big Pool, Maryland.  Set up across from my tent/shop was Muzzleloader, The Publication for Traditional Black Powder Shooters.  Jason Gatliff, the publisher, is a friend and he approached me to write articles within the magazine.  I was honored to be asked, and it gives me an outlet to publish my research as well as provide information for the readers.  Many know that I started out reenacting as a hearth cook, and evolved into starting - from scratch - a jewelry business to care for my rescue horses.  

      My first article for Muzzleloader was recently published in the September/October 2024 issue!  I share a few images of it below, but please go and either purchase the magazine to read the article, or subscribe!  The magazine has more information within it than hunting and muskets - but that is there too of course!

Part II coming out soon!

 

George Washington's Mount Vernon Market and Fair 2024

Photo of me on day one by Elizabeth Bersche

     I was blessed to be able to sell my jewelry again at George Washington's Mount Vernon's Market and Fair.  It is a really lovely event with many other vendors (sutlers), and huge crowd of people coming in to tour the site and shop from us.  What many do not know is that we make a lot of what the gift shops sell when it comes to historically accurate or inspired "stuff."

It is a tradition to eat in the Inn on Saturday evening for this evening.  This year we were joined by Bill Buser (left to right, Elizabeth, Bill, Kim, and Krista)

 

      Both Saturday and Sunday I was extremely busy, and was very happy for it.  The ladies and I were able to get a nice cross breeze in the shop while selling, and we had a steady flow of customers and visitors!

 

Kerry and I talking with clients on day two, photo by Jennifer McKay Treichel

      I had a really great show, great weather, and wonderful company where we focus on hard work - but also having fun.

 

Me, Krista, and Kerry, Photo by Jennifer McKay Treichel

     To all who came by to visit and supported the shop, thank you so very much!  Alway appreciated and grateful for your support to me and my horses.

      The photos below were all taken by Elizabeth Bersche -

 

The 4th of July at the Paca House and Gardens, Historic Annapolis

      Spent my 4th of July at the Paca House and Gardens in Historic Annapolis with the Annapolis Living Historians.  It was 1776 again!

     Mr. Paca is just back from Philadelphia after the delegates agreed that they would sign a declaration to King George III to separate from Great Britian.  In July 1776, Mr. Paca did not return to Annapolis on the 4th; however, for our interpretation, we have him in his home.  Here are some photos from the event!

In the Hall with Karen Theimer Brown, President & CEO of Historic Annapolis, and Mr. Paca

Mrs. Lloyd (wearing the new reproduction earrings soon to be in the shop!)

Mr. Brice and Mrs. Carroll (we are the lead for the group)

Mrs. Carroll of Carrollton, Mrs. Carroll the Barrister, Miss Baldwin, Mrs. Lloyd, and Mrs. Ridout awaiting Mr. Paca's arrival

 

Mrs. Carroll of Carrolton, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson

 

Mrs. Carroll of Carrollton

 

The group together on the bridge over the pond in the gardens

 

Mr. Paca and Mr. Brice

 

Mrs. Brice III, Mrs. Lloyd, Mrs. Carroll the Barrister, Miss Baldwin, and Mrs. Carroll of Carrollton

 

Mrs. Ridout

 

On the new floorcloth painted by Jennifer McKay Higgins Artwork

 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson

 

Mr. Paca, me, and Mr. Brice

My Belle shoe buckles on Rose Galante silk shoes and the floor cloth by Jennifer McKay Higgins Artwork

Mrs. Brice III, Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Carroll of Carrollton

 

The American Miracle Movie

      A new movie is coming out in 2025 that I'm very excited for!  It is called, The American Miracle.  I often have costume designers, actors, living historians or reenactors that have purchased my jewelry.  I never know how someone will wear the things they purchase or if my jewelry will ever make it into a shot when a production company purchases. 

 

     In this case, my friend Kelly Shippey, as Martha Washington, is wearing a pair of my early reproduction Martha Washington earrings that she owns.  You can just see them in the screen shot with her real-life husband, Daniel Shippey, who is portraying George Washington.  

 

     You can watch a trailer at this link.  

Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington's Mount Vernon - 4-5 May 2024

      Put together the blog post for Fort Fred, and now we must have a second for Rev War weekend!  This year it was rainy both days, but wasn't that bad.  It is rain, it is wet, it means wet canvas to dry out afterwards - but getting together with friends and participating lends to a camaraderie with those who brave to participate and attend.

      After having been at the Fort Frederick Market Fair the weekend before, we were tired but ready to set up again at Mount Vernon.  I'm one of the original sutlers that sell for this weekend, and possibly the closest to live nearby.

     While it was raining, we mainly had more of drizzle and mist than consistent downpours.  My petticoats and gowns got wet and muddy on the hems, but they can be cleaned and dried (and now are).

     More photos as usual of us at the event.  Thank you to Elizabeth Bersche again for the photos!

  

Krista promoting the shop!

 

Elizabeth Bersche

 

With Michael Halbert - he makes the watch strings in my shop

 

Michael, Gema, Shane, and Krista checking out the sites and camps (yes Michael was two different people on-site during the weekend)

The shop was ready for the rain, and the awning was pinned up and under the roof of the tent to keep it from dripping water inside.  I find clothes pins perfect for this.

Krista playing in the garden in the rain, an excellent capture!  Like a mythical sprite having fun.

No idea what I was laughing at, but needed the respite from the day. I did not get out to the camps nor other sutlers away from the gardens.

 

 

Gema and Shane

 

I absolutely love flowers, and being by the gardens always makes me happy!
 

 

Fort Frederick Market and Fair - 24-28 April 2024

      I'm finally able to write about the market fair after getting settled back in from back to back shows - the first being the Fort Frederick Market and Fair in Big Pool, Maryland and the second Revolutionary War weekend at George Washington's Mount Vernon.  We saw rain for both days at Mount Vernon, and the tent is finally dried and put away.

      I am blessed to be a sutler at both of these events, have great friends that come in to help me, and truly appreciate all of the people who came by to shop, see me and the ladies, and tell me how much they love the memes I post on my Facebook page! LOL

A great view of one side of the shop.  I am working on new displays, and trying to go a bit more vertical.  It is hard to do in a tent in the configuration of how I want it set up!

       The market fair this year had about 92 different sutlers in addition to the campers, and blanket traders.  There used to be so many more, and I am praying that it builds up again to pre-COVID sutler participation.  It is always fun looking at what everyone is selling, and deciding on what you may need or want to purchase.  A great reason to sell at and shop in person is to see the product first hand, and purchase things you didn't know you needed!  Market Fair is a must do for those who participate in 18th century costuming, living history, and reenacting - or if you want to decorate your home with some wonderful handmade items.

Krista, Kerry, and I in front the shop - the awning clearly not ready for the Saturday rain - but does keep the sun off of the cases which can heat up the metal.

     I wanted to share a few photos of the shop, and the ladies with you as usual.  The event went very well, with rain only on Saturday.  I purchased a new add on awning off the front of the shop (as you can see in the above photo) so that rain didn't come inside as it did last year.  I have a waterproof floor cloth inside the shop so that I do not get a lot of moisture from the ground particularly in the morning.  Many thanks to Tent Smiths for coming over and measuring for me last year, and providing a great piece.  

     This is a four day event, so you will see us in a variety of clothing!

  

Above - A style watch chain that I make and offer in the shop - this one customized for me, and with my #3 watch.  I will be working on making watches again this year.  The little teapot charm, coin, keys, and seals are also available in my Etsy shop!

 

Photo taken by Harry Aycock

 Krista promoting Muzzleloader!

Wondering what's for lunch.

Photo of Krista by Harry Aycock

 

With my newly bound book of music by Sullivan Press

The gentlemen visiting the shop.

With Elizabeth, Gema, me, and Kerry

 

Gema looking like a portrait of Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan by Gainsborough

 

 

Showing Patrick Bratton the shoe buckle offering (photo by Gwen Bratton)

     Many thanks for the photos go to Elizabeth Bersche, Harry Aycock, Krista and me.