After Show Report: Hunt Club Farm Renaissance Faire

November 23, 2015 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

When we were first led to where we would be setting up at this show, I had to laugh. “We should tell people to look for us in the cemetery. This is a first.”

A lot of Hunt Club Farm made me grin. This was their second year holding a Renaissance Faire, but the farm itself has been there quite a while. We started off a tad lost – the farm was easy to find, but where we were setting up wasn’t. I accidentally wandered through the petting zoo, waking up llamas and pigs, before we found someone to lead us to where our spot was.

So, into the Halloween Maze we went, through the old mine shaft and into the graveyard…

20151122_133630 — …wander through the mausoleum to find our shop…

It was certainly an unusual space, but made for a fun one. It might not have had as much traffic as some areas, but it had plenty. Especially Saturday, which was an absolutely gorgeous day. Plus we got to visit again with some of our favorite booth neighbors from shows past.

Sunday… well, was not so nice a day. The rain rolled in over night and we spent Sunday cold and wet. Fortunately, cold and wet does not keep “die-hard” rennies away, even at a weekend faire.

20151122_133555 — Our little corner of the maze. Notice the impressive muddy puddle.

Rain does add some complications to any show. Not all inventory does well with the wet, so some items weren’t on display the second day. Plus we had forgotten one canopy top – oops. So we made an emergency run for a tarp to make inside the tents slightly dry. At least not actively being rained on.

All and all, even with the dreary ending, this was a fun faire that I heartily recommend for the future.

Show Report: Wizard World Richmond Comic Con

August 3, 2015 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

Hello again! It’s a busy time of year for us, and we just got back from our second convention in two weeks. This time, Wyrd Armouries took our wares to Richmond for Wizard World’s Comic Con. This was our first time doing a comic convention together – I have done several as Wyrd and Wired – and it was interesting to see what people were interested in and what they bought.

Overall, I’d put this convention in the “okay” category. Well, once we got past a few car disasters (the first car we packed decided being in gear wasn’t fun anymore) and horrible traffic to get there. We did alright financially, but it was a lot more work to get there and was not quite as fun overall. Getting people to part with money took a lot more work than we are used to at a convention. If I was looking at this convention as an attendee, it seems to be much more about autographs and photo ops than panels and content. Which, if that’s what you like, was fine and there were good guests.

One of the highlights of the convention was watching all of the costumes go by. From an amazing amazon of a Wonder Woman to a tiny Doctor Who teething on his sonic screwdriver, people watching is fun. And seeing many of our favorite fellow vendors! We were diagonal from our old neighbor, Emizart, doing her second show. So many cute little dragons. After doing conventions for a while, each one is a bit like a reunion with old friends.

Here’s some more photographic highlights from our booth:

Poor lonely Green Lantern - you're the only one of my new leather masks that didn't sell! — Poor lonely Green Lantern – you’re the only one of my new leather masks that didn’t sell!

We have the full set now for our favorite amazon. Yes, the rope is tied as an actual lasso.

Hey Spidey! There's a friend here looking for you. — Hey Spidey! There’s a friend here looking for you.

Fun and easy gifts - these steampunk gear, propeller, and old book necklaces are still popular. — Fun and easy gifts – these steampunk gear, propeller, and old book necklaces are still popular.

The full corner table setup. We added the Gleeman's Cloak up high as an attention getter. It worked. — The full corner table setup. We added the Gleeman’s Cloak up high as an attention getter. It worked.

Last minute addition - glowing green axe! — Last minute addition – glowing green axe!

See you again (in this guise) at Wizard World Nashville! But coming up next, Invervention (Internet Convention in DC).

Show Report: Scares That Care Weekend 2

July 28, 2015July 28, 2015 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

20150725_193450 — Wyrd Armouries – all your monster hunter needs!

Wyrd Armouries just got back from our first horror convention, and it will not be our last. Scares That Care Weekend is a small convention as the ones we attend go, but one with an excellent atmosphere, a great staff, and fun people. Plus, they are very serious about the money they make going to charity, which is very important.

We had some minor hiccups as vendors. When we started, our table was kind of tucked back in a corner, and thus people didn’t really approach. It was made worse when one table next to us didn’t show, so people would swing wide and barely look. But the staff was nice and fine with us moving a bit on Saturday, which helped not just us but the other occupied table next to us.

There was also the fact that is was our first time at this convention, and our first time at a horror convention at all. As a result, we tried out several new products, in as a mix with the ones we usually bring. It was very easy by the end to see what sold and what people had no interest in, so we know better what to bring next year.

And yes, this convention is on our “will do again” list. We already have ideas! But until then, visit us next weekend at Richmond Comic Con!

Our booth at Scares That Cares. Tweaking our display and colors all the time - I rather like this look. — Our booth at Scares That Cares. Tweaking our display and colors all the time – I rather like this look.

vampirehunterroll — Vampire Hunter’s Tool Rolls – one of my new products, and one of our hits of the weekend. Must make more!

Inside the monster hunter's backpack. Quick and easy monster repellent, candles, badges. — Inside the monster hunter’s backpack. Quick and easy monster repellent, candles, badges. People had good laughs looking into this set.

Virginia Renaissance Faire Wrap Up

June 9, 2015June 9, 2015 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

Well, it has been a crazy five weeks for us, and mostly in the good way. Almost every week had us hurrying back to our respective studios to make inventory to replace what sold and fill special custom orders. We had some great outfitting team-ups, and while we are enjoying a little bit of a rest we’re already thinking towards next year.

Here’s some fun photos from around our tent:

More leatherwork added as the weeks went on. And one week, I had comics on the mind.

Nathaniel's wooden weapons, in all kinds of shapes and sizes, wait for their new homes. — Nathaniel’s wooden weapons, in all kinds of shapes and sizes, wait for their new homes.

Or perhaps an axe is more to your liking?

Visitors line up for the Queen's procession in front of our booth every day. — Visitors line up for the Queen’s procession in front of our booth every day.

Thus, we also get to meet the court... — Thus, we also get to meet the court…

...and the Queen's lovely ladies. — …and the Queen’s lovely ladies.

Virginia Renaissance Faire, Opening Weekend

May 12, 2015May 12, 2015 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

Hello everyone! We’re going a tad nuts at the combined lands of Wyrd and Wired and MalHanch Armouries, and we have been for a couple of weeks. All of it was to get ready for our first bigger show together, all five weekends of the Virginia Renaissance Festival.

First step, the new and improved Red Tent…

I spent the day before opening finishing the sides and getting sunburn while painting our sign and front trim, while Nathaniel made new stands and tables.

End result? Way better tent, and easy to spot in the middle of the fair. Plus, shade - a must for a summer fair! — End result? Way better tent, and easy to spot in the middle of the fair. Plus, shade – a must for a summer fair!

Next, bring in the happy customers…

Our happy first customer of the second day, with his new shiny weapon.

Or just lure colorful characters into the shade as the day gets hot…

Nicely detailed costume! Always a good idea to befriend the Goblin King.

Saturday had their highest opening day attendance yet, and it’s always fun to watch the festival crowds. Now to rinse and repeat for the next four weekends! So, stop on by and look for the pretty red tent.

Show Report: College of Southern Maryland Renaissance Festival

April 29, 2015April 29, 2015 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

This was the third year of the College of Southern Maryland Renaissance Festival, and our second year as vendors. It’s a tiny show, but we love it. This faire is thrown by the theater department of the College of Southern Maryland, on the front lawn of their performing arts building. Each year the faire centers around multiple performances of a period appropriate play – this year, it was Midsummer Night’s Dream.

20150425_150006 — Nathaniel the corsair threatens to stab me with a tiny knife, while wishing he had waited a week to shave his hair off. Cold!

We showed up on a cold Saturday, threatening rain. A boon for my cloak sales, but not all that fun to sit in. Still, people were out and about, having fun. The local chapter of the SCA joined in this year, teaching, giving demos, and otherwise adding to the faire feel with their presence. Everything felt just a little more renaissance and festive this year.

Probably the last show for the patchwork red tent - but we're still sticking with red! And first show for awesome helper Gwen. — Probably the last show for the patchwork red tent – but we’re still sticking with red! And first show for awesome helper Gwen.

Our booth was first in the row, just across from the SCA and in front of the outdoor stage. Which mean we have a great view of the highlights – magic show and Queen Elizabeth are awesome – and lowlights – ouch to blocking with your face, fighting demonstrator – of the faire. And we are right there, bantering with guests and doing our best to the festive air.

This show, tiny as it is and as early as it is, is also a bit of a test market for us. We touch base with friends from the Virginia Renaissance Festival, bring out new items we’ve been making, and encourage people to come to the bigger faires later in the year. It’s free to attend, so next year, take a look for our big red tent and see what’s new!

Post Convention Report: Madicon 2015

March 16, 2015March 16, 2015 ~ Cynthia Abernathy ~ 1 Comment

Hello everyone! Nathaniel and I have returned from Madicon, and have to say we had a blast. It was our first time doing this convention, but it won’t be our last.

Madicon is a small convention on the campus of James Madison University. As a small college convention, it is not one with a lot of attendees and major guests. But the overall friendliness of students, staff, and other vendors alike more than made up for any lack from size.

Our shared booth at Madicon 2015. We had to experiment a bit when we had more space than expected - definitely the direction you want a surprise to go! — Our shared booth at Madicon 2015. We had to experiment a bit when we had more space than expected – definitely the direction you want a surprise to go!

I completed the center piece the night before the convention. Wood, heat, and a lot of patience.

Nathaniel's light up blades were a huge hit at their first event. — Nathaniel’s light up blades were a huge hit at their first event.

...so much so that this one was completed at the convention, and sold the next day! — …so much so that this one was completed at the convention, and sold the next day!

On the way back, we made a brief detour into antique flea markets. I’ve been on the hunt for an old crank screwdriver I can use to replace my plastic one, and we were also keeping an eye out for items we could turn into props. And along the way we got silly, and lost track of time…

Now we’re both madly getting ready for ren faire season to start. Products and booth and costume oh my!