Maker's Space with Maria "Liselle" Carr

 Organized by: Justin "J'ortsa" Thibeault

Makers Space is a View series about interviewing the makers, crafters, and artificers of the Realms and sharing their creations with everyone! I know I take pride in my work so I know you all must as well. That being said, how often do you get to humbly (or not so humbly) brag about your creations, so this is your outlet! Tell me everything!!

1. What is your OOC name?

Maria Carr


2. What is your character's name?

Liselle Silvermaple


3. What crafting mediums do you typically work in?

Fabric (Sewing), Embroidery, Vinyl, Fabric Paint, Yarn

All photos provided by Maria

4. What is your favorite medium to work with? Why is it your favorite?

Fabric by far. I love how there are so many different patterns there are to sew and how fabric can change the look of a pattern. Also, many of my other mediums are just different ways to dress up my fabric.

5. What is the most challenging part of working with this medium for you? How did you overcome it?

The most challenging part is the same reason that I love it, the different kinds of fabric. Some stretch or are smooth and silky, thick or delicate and with that are different methods of how to handle each one from changing tension on my Sewing machine and/or serger and to figuring out which fabrics will work best with iron on vinyl and embroidery. I have overcome this with lots of trial and error and I am still learning new tricks and methods all the time.

6. What is the piece you are most proud of? Why?


The piece I am most proud of is the formal garb I made for Shandar. On the day I received my gold wolf, I presented Shandar with a formal doublet in Invictus colors that had detachable sleeves and a side cape. The unique part about this is that the inside is lined with studded leather. It was an interesting challenge as it was the first time that I had done anything with garment grade leather and studs.

7. What is the piece you have done most recently that you are allowed to share? Tell us about it!


Recently, I was commissioned to make Rhiassa new tabards. Jason wanted a new style of tabard that had a split in both the front and the back as well as ties on the side. The entire tabard is lined in one inch bias tape.

8. What is the earliest piece you made? How long ago did you make it?

It’s hard to recall what I made early on in my garb making career since it spans 27 years. Also, back in the day I took pictures with a camera and 35mm film, so I don’t have many digital pictures of my early works. The earliest piece I can remember making is a dark blue doublet with silver trim that I made for Nate/Aelias in early 2000’s, so roughly 20ish years ago. It’s still around and my brother, Antonio/Mistral, wore it to Black and White last year.

9. What medium do you wish to learn more about or have been interested in?

I am looking into doing more with leather. 

10. What advice do you have for the rest of the community when it comes to crafting and making?

That it takes many years, hours, failed projects and lots of practice to get good at a craft. I once made a dress that I was so excited about, and it didn’t work out as it ended up being too big. I was very frustrated because of this and didn’t sew for about 6 months. What did I learn, and my best advice for anyone who is learning how to sew…make a mockup first so you make sure it fits and then adjust from there.

11. What inspires you to do what you do?

When people see the garb they have requested and put it on, they become so excited and that makes me feel so good. It’s also inspiring to see items I have made, still being worn.




12. Is there anything else you really wanna share with us? Any upcoming projects, etc.?

My goal is to help create a more immersive experience one piece at a time whether it’s a by making a banner, favor or garb for myself or for others.

Many of the things I have made for the game over the years have been tabards and banners, embroidered sashes and favors. I made tabards for Mythguard, back in the day, worked with Diana/Kiira to make the new Invictus tabards and most recently for Rhiassa.

Right now, I am working on a big project that I can’t talk about just yet, but it will be seen at an upcoming event before the end of the season.

Maker's Space with John “Gordon” Rescigno

Organized by: Justin "J'ortsa" Thibeault

Makers Space is a View series about interviewing the makers, crafters, and artificers of the Realms and sharing their creations with everyone! I know I take pride in my work so I know you all must as well. That being said, how often do you get to humbly (or not so humbly) brag about your creations, so this is your outlet! Tell me everything!!

1. What is your OOC name?

John Rescigno

2. What is your character's name?

Gordon

Photo provided by John

3. What crafting mediums do you typically work in?

Leather, sometimes foam.

4. What is your favorite medium to work with? Why is it your favorite?

Leather. Partially because it's therapeutic hitting something over and over, but mostly because of the feel and versatility. Leather can be tough, soft, or in between. You can dye it, tool it, paint it, and cut it into any shape. 

5. What is the most challenging part of working with this medium for you? How did you overcome it?

It's incredibly expensive to get into, and the RSI you can get sucks majorly. Scrap leather is your best friend for starting out. Getting the basics down of form and construction are more important than tooling at the start. As for the RSI, sorry. Take frequent breaks when tooling and pay attention to your body's needs.

Photo provided by John

6. What is the piece you are most proud of? Why?

My current cuirass was a labor of love. It was the first time I really took a pattern and made it my own instead of following the guidelines. There are secrets hidden in it, and all of the symbols and carving has a lot of personal significance to me. That being said I'm making a new one that I'm going to like more.

Photo provided by John

7. What is the piece you have done most recently that you are allowed to share? Tell us about it!

I was really honored to be asked to make two sets of bracers to be presented at Leviathan for Janna's kids. I was able to make it so that they can grow with them thanks to the pattern I used and using eyelets as opposed to buckles.

8. What is the earliest piece you made? How long ago did you make it?

In 2016, I made a pouch with soft, undyed leather. The rivets clicked together, and I didn't even know you had to hammer them. We all start somewhere.

9. What medium do you wish to learn more about or have been interested in? 

I've dipped my toes into foamwork but I am still really bad at it. I had to try it for a character in another game and made some cool automail, but I want to revisit that garb in leather or maybe better foam at some point. 

10. What advice do you have for the rest of the community when it comes to crafting and making?

Try it. You are going to fail at first. You're going to hate things you make that will blow other people away with how amazing they are. You're your own worst enemy and you need to trust the process. Put love into it. My actual blood is in some pieces. I don't recommend that; it was an accident. 

Photo provided by John

11. What inspires you to do what you do? 

I'm really proud that my efforts into improving my garb and armor have inspired others, which keeps me going. Seeing others up their own game and grow and learn is amazing. 

(Editor’s [Justin T.] note: I am one of these people that have been inspired to up my game and learn because of John. :D)

12. Is there anything else you really wanna share with us? Any upcoming projects, etc.?

I'm making myself some new armor which is going to reflect recent changes to my character.

Photo provided by John

If you have any questions or would like to be interviewed, please send a DM to Justin Thibeault (spartan_a239 on Discord)

Maker's Space with Amber “Tarnisha” Fox

Organized by: Justin "J'ortsa" Thibeault

Makers Space is a View series about interviewing the makers, crafters, and artificers of the Realms and sharing their creations with everyone! I know I take pride in my work so I know you all must as well. That being said, how often do you get to humbly (or not so humbly) brag about your creations, so this is your outlet! Tell me everything!!

1. What is your OOC name?

Amber Fox

2. What is your character's name?

Lady Tarnisha of Darkvale

3. What crafting mediums do you typically work in?

Fabric, trim, floss, beads & pearls // Sewing, quilting, and some jewelry making and embroidery.

Photo provided by Amber

4. What is your favorite medium to work with? Why is it your favorite?

I love Garb-making! What is a character without clothing? Destined to land on an IRL Sex-offender registry, that's what! I love giving myself access to the Clothing befitting my noble station- no way I could afford that IRL and off the shelf. I love helping others elevate their look, Christmas trim snagged 2 Januarys ago makes a huge difference. I love making my cute kid even more adorable with fancy garb or a custom Halloween costume. I love transforming a clearance tablecloth into a beautiful gown with sweeping sleeves. I love the challenge of researching a new historic garment and making it come to life.

Photo provided by Amber

5. What is the most challenging part of working with this medium for you? How did you overcome it?

My first major challenge was understanding how to sew the middle seam of pants-- that is some advanced 3-D geometric manipulation! (Or, it is for me) I needed to look it up and carefully follow instructions on how to arrange the 2 leg-pieces each time --just Trust the instructions. That gave me How. After a while of watching How in action, understanding the Why started to grow. The same was true of how curved pieces come together and how to tweak them in the way that altered the shape the way I wanted. So much seam ripping on many different practice pieces. 

6. What is the piece you are most proud of? Why?

My wedding dress-- a white silk Hoop-skirted dress with green trim. I'd practiced on several similar dresses, or parts of dresses, before and the one for the wedding came out great. The silk was unforgiving of re-stitching. The corded trim couldn't do what my design asked it too, but I overcame the challenges. Everything was Just right for my Special Day.

Photo provided by Amber

7. What is the piece you have done most recently that you are allowed to share? Tell us about it!

I just delivered 15 servant sashes to Lord Aeston at FoLev. Before that I was thrilled to have been allowed to do the repair work upon one of the historic Darkvale tabards. I also used strung pearls to add Darkvale heraldry to the dress I wore to B&W this year.

8. What is the earliest piece you made? How long ago did you make it?

My first no-sew garb was in late HS. A satin pillowcase wrapped and folded around a Legal sized Manilla folder rolled into a cone, *stapled* together with a polyester scarf coming out of the top to make a "princess hat" (a Hollywood style Hennin). There was a matching bedsheet I tied with a rope and secured with safety pins into a empire waisted skirt, over leggings and a Cami, then with a lacy topped, sheer-skirted overdress I found at a flea market. I was ready for the Renn faire! My first Guided project was my red-lined green cloak in Nov of '97. I went to W.Mass for Thxgiving break with an older Realmsies and we worked on it over the weekend. My first solo-ish project was a set of 4 side-lacing dresses due for the summer of '00. My favorite of the batch (Half blue, half a warm color-shifting medium brown) was turned into a sideless surcoat and donated to the Peacock table for re-homing 2 years ago.

Photo provided by Amber

9. What medium do you wish to learn more about or have been interested in? 

I want to do small metal working. Chasing and Repousse' (metal engraving from both sides) making belt findings, maybe Pewter casting. Really kick my custom jewelry-making up a notch.

10. What advice do you have for the rest of the community when it comes to crafting and making?

Dive right in! Give it a try. Don't be afraid of using free or cheap materials. If you can't get access to a Sewing Machine, a plain needle and thread has worked for millennium. 

Photo provided by Amber

11. What inspires you to do what you do? 

The results, The intellectual challenge. Or Love for the community, via yards and yards of seams.

12. Is there anything else you really wanna share with us? Any upcoming projects, etc.?

I have so many would-be sewing projects in my stash, it's hard to find the time to bring them to life. But I think the one that will win the next slot is a 14th century open hood. However, those beaded place mats have been begging to go upon a fancy hoop skirt for a while. --- I have tried dozens of different crafts - furniture making, narrow weaving, chain maille knitting, Japanese cord making. I dabbled in leatherworking and basket weaving. Each gives me options for overcoming future challenges, even if I can't see how right now. Even if I didn't love that craft forever, it was still worth learning.

If you have any questions or would like to be inter

viewed, please send a DM to Justin Thibeault (spartan_a239 on Discord)

Maker's Space with Kyle “Killian” Yazinka

Organized by: Justin "J'ortsa" Thibeault

Makers Space is a View series about interviewing the makers, crafters, and artificers of the Realms and sharing their creations with everyone! I know I take pride in my work so I know you all must as well. That being said, how often do you get to humbly (or not so humbly) brag about your creations, so this is your outlet! Tell me everything!!

1. What is your OOC name?

Kyle Yazinka

2. What is your character's name?

Killian

Photo courtesy of Steve Nelson via Facebook

3. What crafting mediums do you typically work in?

Any weapon cores. Bamboo, PVC, fiberglass

4. What is your favorite medium to work with? Why is it your favorite?

Bamboo weapons: easiest, cheapest, and lightest weapon material we use.

5. What is the most challenging part of working with this medium for you? How did you overcome it?

I tend to go for the lightest piece for competitive fighting and the bamboo tends to break faster. I’ve just been sacrificing a bit of weight for stronger bamboo.

6. What is the piece you are most proud of? Why?

My first win for QoH weapons smith. Tourney was for a 1 path combo. Made a single short, dagger combo with a lightning bolt motif. I used glow in the dark tape.

Photo courtesy of View Staff

7. What is the piece you have done most recently that you are allowed to share? Tell us about it!

I’m in the process of remaking an old magic weapon prop. Breaking it down to the old fiberglass core and making more modern and lighter.

8. What is the earliest piece you made? How long ago did you make it?

I’ve made my own weapons since I started in 2003. Using heavy wall PVC and spiral taping the foam on. We’ve come a long way in weapons.

9. What medium do you wish to learn more about or have been interested in? 

Leather working 

10. What advice do you have for the rest of the community when it comes to crafting and making?

Take your time. If you plan on making something, carve out a huge chunk of your day just to work on it. And if it’s not close to finished by the end of the time don’t rush through it to finish it.

11. What inspires you to do what you do? 

I’m very specific about the weapons I like to fight with. In this competitive combat system, any leg up on your opponent helps. So, I make weapons to the specifics the person wants to help them in the game.

12. Is there anything else you really wanna share with us? Any upcoming projects, etc.?

The plastidip weapons look really cool and more realistic but in a high combat game, they hurt more than pipe foam with socks. So, I tend to stay away from making those weapons. 

Photo courtesy of Bri Meisser via Facebook

If you have any questions or would like to be interviewed, please send a DM to Justin Thibeault (spartan_a239 on Discord)

Maker's Space with Sawyer “Jericho Axelthorne” Judkins

Organized by: Justin "J'ortsa" Thibeault

Makers Space is a new View series about interviewing the makers, crafters, and artificers of the Realms and sharing their creations with everyone! I know I take pride in my work so I know you all must as well. That being said, how often do you get to humbly (or not so humbly) brag about your creations, so this is your outlet! Tell me everything!!

1. What is your OOC name?

Sawyer Judkins

2. What is your character's name?

Jericho Axelthorne

3. What crafting mediums do you typically work in?

Leather and some light foamsmithing

4. What is your favorite medium to work with? Why is it your favorite?

Leather is my favorite. Something about the work I put into the projects, and step by step seeing it all come together is quite nice.

(Photo courtesy of Sawyer)

5. What is the most challenging part of working with this medium for you? How did you overcome it?

The most challenging part for me tends to be getting all the punched out holes to line up just right. I have started to be a little more precise with the marking of where to punch, and drawing the whole circle instead of just putting a dot. And next step would be to get an actual punch instead of the hand one I use.

6. What is the piece you are most proud of? Why?

The piece I am most proud of at this moment is the helmet I made for my daughter. Seeing her face light up as I handed it to her made the time put into it worth it.

7. What is the piece you have done most recently that you are allowed to share? Tell us about it!

The most recent piece is the helmet I just made for my daughter.

8. What is the earliest piece you made? How long ago did you make it?

The first leather project I made was a small headband and belt pouch as part of a Feast of Highbridge. The first thing I made on my own was probably a deck box for one of my MTG decks, which was about maybe four years ago?

(Photo courtesy of Sawyer)

9. What medium do you wish to learn more about or have been interested in? 

Foamsmithing for sure. Between the weapons and the beautiful pieces of armor or garb utility they can bring to the table of the game.

10. What advice do you have for the rest of the community when it comes to crafting and making?

Don't be afraid of making a mess and ask for help!

11. What inspires you to do what you do? 

At the moment, the satisfaction of knowing that I can wear things entirely of my own making. And eventually when I am ready, see other people in my work.

(Photo courtesy of Brookelyn Gingras via Facebook)

12. Is there anything else you really wanna share with us? Any upcoming projects, etc.?

I have been slowly planning out and designing a full armor overhaul for myself. 

Maker's Space with Justin “Grarr” Balanca-Hawkes!

Organized by: Justin "J'ortsa" Thibeault

Maker's Space is a new View series about interviewing the makers, crafters, and artificers of the Realms and sharing their creations with everyone! I know I take pride in my work so I know you all must as well. That being said, how often do you get to humbly (or not so humbly) brag about your creations, so this is your outlet! Tell me everything!!

1. What is your OOC name?

Justin Balanca-Hawkes

2. What is your character's name?*

Grarr Seawoods

3. What crafting mediums do you typically work in?

Leather and various shield mediums

4. What is your favorite medium to work with? Why is it your favorite?

Plywood for shield construction. It has a really classy look to it and takes paints and finishes really nicely.

5. What is the most challenging part of working with this medium for you? How did you overcome it?

Finding a plywood that is strong enough to be effective as a shield while being light enough to not be a burden while fighting. I overcame this by working out how to make a plywood and plastic laminate that has the look and feel of plywood while being reinforced by the plastic.

6. What is the piece you are most proud of? Why?

Currently I am most proud of 2 different shields that I put a good amount of time into. The first one was a commission to make the lightest shield that I could possibly make with custom art on the front. The second one is KFG which I am very honored that I was asked to make that item.

7. What is the piece you have done most recently that you are allowed to share? Tell us about it!

My most recent piece was a set of pauldrons that I made for myself that some people may have seen at this year's Feast of the Leviathan. They're a pair of black and tan stacked leather pauldrons made from veg tan leather sporting dragon scale tooling and dark brown antique.

8. What is the earliest piece you made? How long ago did you make it?

The earliest thing I made in the Realms was coincidentally a sled shield that was probably the single worst shield I've ever made, but it got me through my first event and a good few practices until I was able to make something better.

9. What medium do you wish to learn more about or have been interested in? 

So I already know a good amount about 3D printing as a tool, but I'm very interested in exploring it more in the context of our game for things like armor, props and similar uses.

10. What advice do you have for the rest of the community when it comes to crafting and making?

If you have an idea for something that you want to make just go for it! None of us started out making these awesome projects that you might see us making now. Also, most of us want to help you make your cool ideas too so don't be afraid to come and talk with us and ask us for advice!

11. What inspires you to do what you do? 

A lot of different things inspire me to make things. Most commonly I find myself making things that I see online, at events, or just in my head that I thought might look cool or that I think might be useful at an upcoming event.

12. Is there anything else you really wanna share with us? Any upcoming projects, etc.?

One of my goals for this year is to complete a full set of leather armor for myself so I'm sure there will be lots of small projects happening throughout the year for me that I'm looking forward to.