On Saturday I went to an event (a SCA gathering), called Queens Prize Tournament. The entire theme of the event is the Arts & Sciences. There is not heavy fighting, not rapier, no thrown weapon or archery – just A&S. It is an event designed to encourage people into the field of A&S, a judged competition where you are competing against no one. Sound strange? It’s delightful.

To enter, you must be only at a certain level of status with-in the society. It is for ‘lower ranking’ members, those who haven’t got a high level of recognition in the field of A&S…yet. Not having recognition -yet- however does not mean, in any way, shape, or form, not having skill. That truth was more than proved Saturday, as one wandered about looking at the projects entered.

Yes, that is a bed – hand made without power tools.

This event is what I was making the repousse viking tongue brooches for. I had wanted to enter, and when it turned out my lady would need pins for her borrowed garb, for our one weekend being vikings instead of 16th century Venetians, I used that excuse.

The brooches were well received. I got lots of little tokens from those people handing them out, to show their appreciation and favour for a project. I also got praise from my three judges. More importantly, I got support and encouragement to continue working in repousse. Most important of all – I got great advice and tips on how to do it better.

That’s what the event is about. Having people come and share their stories, lessons learned, and experiences in the field with you. To talk with others who have more knowledge and gain from them a deeper understanding of how to approach the craft. The hope is you will leave the event inspired, encouraged, and wanting to do more – and maybe try your hand at other crafts as well.

For me, in all these ways, this event was a roaring success. It made me want to keep working and to push my boundaries. In fact, it inspired me so much that for the next pure A&S event, I am going to try and enter the pentathlon – five different items. Not just five different rings, or five different pieces of jewelry, but five totally different crafts. Like jewelry, embroidery, bone carving ….

Yeah – I’m going to be learning new skills just to enter the higher level of the next A&S competition. Why?Because the competition is not against others – it is against yourself.