Pennsic War 47 Classes I Took

One of my goals each Pennsic season is to take as many classes as I can during Peace Week as War Week is peppered with baronial and kingdom obligations. What I've noticed in documenting my interests is that I tend to lean in one general direction with my studies, this year being pro scientia atque sapientia. Without further ado...

1. Jewelry Demonstration: Etching Copper Alloys - The class was primarily a lecture with examples of the teachers work. She went through the different materials used, focusing on different printer friendly resists for transferring your image to the metals. Teacher was knowledgeable in her art and inspirational to give it a go for our own medals and awards.
2. History of Fabric Embellishments with Examples - The class was taught by the owner of the infamous adult ball (silk sari) pile and she used thought provoking examples throughout the class. I would recommend this overview for anyone interested in costuming. I think the most A HA moment was the connection between early period embellishment, using what you have available to you (your hand) and how when balled looks like... a paisley! Insert mind blown graphic here.
3. Hand Sewing 101 - I attended this class to see if I could learn any tips or tricks of the trade, but was shortly called out for being a ringer. (Oops.) The women teaching the class were subbing in for a friend who was unable to attend. Overall, educational for the novice hand sewer. The tip I took from it was to stop actually knotting my thread and using a different method to secure the ends. Will I do it? Probably when I remember I should be better.
4. The Rule - I've taken a few classes with this instructor and they're always incredibly educational, but not for the average student looking for a lighthearted class. This is definitely more like a college lecture. I was furiously taking notes, then realized I should probably just listen and enjoy it because there wasn't a test. Old habits die hard. The focus was on St. Benedict's rules regarding human weaknesses and strengths and how they've carried forward into society after 1500 years. Go out of your way to take these classes. They're enlightening.
5. Roman Round Table - The Roman round table was full of passionate and inspirational people. I can hardly wait to fall into this exceptional rabbit hole of awesome... (Certainly food for thought on another post somewhere down the line.)
6. Are You Wearing A Tablecloth? - I have taken this class before, but I wanted to confirm my theories about construction. I've waxed poetic about this before, but the more complex a pattern, the easier it is for me to work on. When things are relatively straightforward and simple, my brain cannot process and therefore I overthink things. If you haven't taken any of these before, I highly recommend them. :) It helped to cement many of the opening ceremonies garb choices for Cleftlands. There is also a make-and-take class she hosts, but I figured it would be cheating to finish up my hems when I'd already done the side seams at home on a machine.
7. Gildas, Cranky Old Romans, and No British Dark Age - A whimsical lecture (in which I did take notes) regarding Roman society still thriving in Britain during in and around 550 AD. It was enlightening in the realization that the societal influences were basically everywhere and is such a broad time period, that you can really play with the idea of being a Roman in the wilds of the isles, or Africa, or... pretty much anywhere. #inspiring
8. Roses, Part 1: Then and Now - A more standard lecture regarding different types of roses bred and grown in the SCA time period with examples, pictures, and roses. The teacher is a rose aficionado out of North Carolina who participates in horticulture. Good class, but I missed Roses, Part 2.
   
   In which our heroine discovers she has had this in her Drafts folder for over a year, so just stops reviewing the classes and posts their class descriptions.
   
   
9. Norse and Rus Women's Head Coverings - Explore possible hair knots, braids, wraps and coverings derived from extant images of Scandinavian Norse (Viking) and Rus/Slavic tribal women. Bring a scarf or a long piece of material to learn how to wrap your hair. (This class will not cover the British Isles caps or Western Scandinavia.)
10. Norse, Varangian & Rus: What is the difference? - There is a huge interest in Norse, Rus, Varangian and Slavic culture right now and I would like to show the differences between these distinct cultures and the occupation that was "Varangian". We will discuss the differences specifically in clothing and accessories for men and women of these different cultures and time periods. Lecture and demonstration class.
11. Keep Thee from the Nunnery (or Worse!) - Learn the traits to cultivate to make yourself the epitome of marriageable Italian womanhood. There is only so much dowry money to go around, and, if you've got sisters, you are likely to end up as Sister Mary on the Shelf. Culled from various sources of advice, learn about the ideal bride and the options if Lord Charming never comes.
12. The Byzantine Army -  Tactics and organization of the Byzantine army, with an emphasis on the tenth century. The Byzantine army was one of the best armies of its time.
13. Getting Down to Byz-ness: Byzantine Persona - Interested in building a Byzantine persona but don't know where to start? Let Anna fill your head with bad ideas for an hour, and see what you can come up with. Discussing Byzantine as a culture, rather than a time period, is the key focus of this class. There will be history, garb, names, titles, and yes, even Varangians. 
14. Closing your Clothes - Survey of period clothing closures and how to use them. Covers antiquity to 1600, and all the cultures that I have time for. Includes information on where to purchase these items. I will pass around actual closures and demonstrate their use.