Civic Engagement

I recently had the opportunity to attend youth-organized protests in both Flint and Holly, Michigan. Since I live close by, it was really easy to scoot over to the designated places. I wore a mask, held a sign, and marveled at young people who want their voice to be heard. They weren't my students but I was proud to see them engage publicly.

As I type these words we are making history. Every blog post I write captures a moment in time. When I look back at these pictures after the event, I see hope in the eyes of young people. It was truly a thought-provoking experience to participate, and I plan to do so again in the future. The stories I listened to inspired me to be a better ally, a better person.

*I wore a mask the entire time, even outside, and did my best to socially distance. While I am not happy about the idea of large groups assembling, I make a big exception for this. These protesters are not shopping at a mall or going to a concert. They are trying to shape the future of this country. Still, they handed out hand sanitizer and made more of an effort to distance than pushy people I've encountered at the grocery store.

As I said in an earlier post, I am thinking and reflecting about how I can improve myself, as well as the things I can control. Attending these protests was one of the steps in that process, and I am glad that I have done it. Other than a sunburn (LOL), these were all powerfully effective experiences.

~Kristen

A Window of Opportunity

Is it possible that more has happened since my last post? The world feels like it sped up and slowed down simultaneously. While I can't really see anyone or attend an event, I'm ever so connected to the world. Thank you world wide web for making this all so possible.

What I see happening to people of color makes me sick. I can't say that it didn't before, but it was a difficult topic to discuss. I'd read books or articles. Most of the time it was in private conversations with people who aren't confrontational with me. Or with my students, pointing out civil rights movements and working through the writing process with them. Some tell very terrible, tragic stories about how their lives are touched, and I offer my support. I even decorated my classroom with posters to let my students know that people of color (and LGBTQ+) are safe and welcome within those four walls. But even as I type this, I know it's not enough.

I've written about such issues in the reenacting community before, once about the cancelling of the battle of Seccessionville, the other about the racist comments from the Confederate flag debate. Back in February of this year I even wrote about how our lack of inclusion and respect might just lead to the end of Civil War reenacting as we know it. I definitely had some hate mail from people (and some good conversations. Those were nice). My words from that post echo in my mind today, a foreshadowing.

Silence is compliance. 

I didn't always stand up when I heard something racist at an event (personal notes to avoid such people, but not confrontations). I'd not respond to comments online, or try to do what I thought of as a "neutral" response to situations that involved racism. Even though I did not actively participate, my inability to stand up implied that I supported such viewpoints, or at least that they would be tolerated in my presence.

I should have been more aware, should have used my voice for more good. It's easy to ignore a problem when it's not happening to you. And while I have experienced negativity for my Latina heritage, I'm white-passing with a Polish last name, so it hasn't had a terrible impact. Though I've witnessed family members suffer, I myself have not, and it's easier to forget. And just because it's easy, doesn't make it right.

I will be spending the next few weeks meeting, restructuring, and reflecting. I want to do more research about how I can be a better ally. I plan to publish a post that shows how we as reenactors/people with privilege can be more supportive in our community, and they will take some time. As the organizer of a conference/educator of children, I need to get this right. But I am working, and will have more available soon.

Stay safe. Black lives matter.

~Kristen

Punch Paper: The Art of Sentimentality

The token of sentimentality is meant to be one of friendship, love. But that doesn't mean we have to be limited by certain language or just make a bookmark!

The cool thing about antique perforated paper projects is that there is so much of the stuff to look at. I'd like to see people do more of these at events, or at least see them as gifts. Here's some pieces I found online (many with links broken from ebay) that may inspire you to try punch paper. At the very least, they're pretty :)

~Kristen

Current Mood

Quarantine has been a funny time in this household. The days seem to mesh together in one long, uninterrupted Saturday. I am currently teaching online, and even that will end soon with the start of "summer vacation." There's long stretches of work with longer stretches of...nothing.

Typically at this time of year I'm sprinting to prepare for Greenfield Village. My students would be working on final exams, and we'd be planning our summer travel schedule. Everything has come to a full stop and it's bewildering to say the least.

On the one hand, I have this wonderful time to work and grow. I've taken online classes, interacted electronically, and read more books than I have in years. I participated in Costume On, and online conference, and have seen people fall in love with punch paper just as I have over the past few years. There's no price tag on this type of peace. My fiance and I are very lucky we're still paid for our jobs, so there is no financial impact on us. The pets are REALLY happy with quarantine.

On the other hand, going to the grocery store makes me nervous. My fiance's job makes me nervous. The thought of returning to school in fall makes me nervous, especially if our pay is cut. I hate that I can't see my family or just walk around a craft store. I've had to completely reconfigure my everyday routine. Extroverts like me need our social interactions!

There are days when I am productive beyond belief. The whole apartment is clean, schoolwork done, book read, meals cooked, and a crafting project diligently worked on my lap. These days do happen, and it makes me feel like I've got this down. I feel like I can quarantine forever when I'm in this mode.

Then there are days when I don't change from pajamas. Answering emails is a struggle. I just want to fiddle with a game on my phone and be left alone. Sometimes I'll catch wind of a higher death count from one day to the next and wonder if my fiance will live through this pandemic. People working in hospitals are getting sick, with at least a few young ones dying already. Those days are the absolute worst. I am impossibly angry at people who put others' lives in danger.

Based on what I've read of other people, this has been normal for some. There's nothing to look forward to, no gatherings or festivals on the horizon, no meetings of friends in front of the reenacting cook fire. Our entire way of life has been turned upside down, like it or not. The switch in emotions, the fear. The anxiety. Juggling different needs just to move from one day to the next.

My life is the feather

Frank Leslie's Monthly 1860

I want this to be over, but I want everyone to be safe. I look forward to the day I can go hug my Mom or bother Glenna Jo and Bill for an hour. My reenacting family. All of it. I've no idea what this world will look like when it's all said and done. Different, to be sure. Quarantine has certainly been an interesting time. 

Stay Safe, Friends!

~Kristen

Punch Paper: A Monthly Challenge

The first meeting of the great punch paper minds was a success! We discussed originals, reproductions, and the like. I enjoyed the company, as well as the ideas. If you're interested in joining my new punch paper group, click on the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1787155344930777/

Here's a wonderful thing that's risen from the meeting: A monthly project! Just something small, practically a trifle. The requirements will be loose because I want everyone to jump in feet first without limitations. You can do reproductions of originals, modern interpretations, or do something wacky, so long as you use the medium of punch paper.

It's a crazy time out there right now. I've been feeling isolated and distant from my favorite history people. I know others feel the same, so I like that we have the opportunity to give each other a gift. To show one another that we care with a bookmark or stamp case. There's a thousand ways to make someone smile with this stuff. I'm pumped! I have a few originals in my collection that I'm excited to replicate.

Take care everyone, and I look forward to seeing what you create!

~Kristen

Costume On Weekend #1

Whew! What a rush! This past weekend was my first opportunity to participate in an online conference. Let me just say, it was awesome! Chantal is an excellent organizer, and that's coming from me. A fellow organizer. Her backup plans to her backup plans had backup plans. I was quite impressed by how the whole thing went.

I taught classes on both 19th century jewelry, as well as punch paper. While I do love my jewelry (and have a ton of research to share), it's a large topic with a ton of information. Sometimes I feel like there's more than I can ever talk about! When I talk about punch paper, you practically hear me gush! I had the chance to show off my originals, my finished projects, and my ideas for the future. It was amazing to share my love of this craft with other, equally enthralled people.

It was so wonderful to share the classes with so many people. There is actually a second weekend coming up, so if you missed it the first time around, here's your chance! They're offering more classes too! Click here to register. I will be teaching this class again, along with a shorter seminar about how to navigate online resources. There will be a lounge area for hanging out too! I've already set aside my whole weekend just for this.

Also, since I had a surge of interest in punch paper, I restarted my facebook group. There's 100+ people in there, and I've started my first giveaway. Click here if you want to join the FB page. I'm excited to share the things that get me all pumped about punch paper. The antiques. The ideas. The projects. The fun of it all! It's so funny that we can all connect when we are so far away.

Stay well, my friends!

~Kristen

Support the History Community during Quarantine!

Quarantine is kind of a bummer. No, it is definitely a bummer. I'm slightly losing my mind as my fiance works long hours and I'm unable to visit my friends or do my outside history stuff. Being an extrovert is not the best during a quarantine!

But I realize just how absolutely lucky I am. My jewelry business, while important to me, is one of three jobs I work. It's more of a side job that lets me do cool things. There are many people who are not in the same boat, and my heart breaks for them. The loss of vending during a reenacting season could mean the end of a small business. The loss of yearly fundraisers could cause a museum to close its doors forever. A bummer for me is a complete game-changer for others.

This is why I decided to put this list together. Whether or not you personally believe the quarantine is necessary, we can all agree that we can all do something small every day to help keep reenacting alive. While donating financially is a huge help, there are other ways to get involved. Every little bit aids in keeping the doors open for so many people when this is over.

Aid Small Businesses

First and most importantly, we should try to support financially. Money in the bank keeps these small businesses opened. But it is completely understandable that you are also in a similar situation. No worries! You power as a consumer actually makes quite a difference.

-Buy items from them! Or gift cards

-Like/share all products that you see on social media

-Leave positive reviews
-Post pictures of yourself using their product

-Send kind words via messenger

Help Cancelled Events

As someone who is personally affected by this, I feel this pain. People spend over a year planning an event, just to cancel for the safety of others. It is very disheartening, and feels like your work was for nothing. In reality, most of us want those events to keep going. Show the organizers that you would like it to continue!

-Donate part of your registration if possible

-Contact the organizers and offer kind words

-Like and follow their page on social media

-Plan for next year and recruit others to go with you
-Offer to help with the next event in some way

Give back to Museums/Historic Sites

-Participate in their online events. In the past, many museums have looked at attendance to support their calls for funding. They say: "we had x number of people in the past year." Those numbers are going to be waaay down. Visit the page. Watch the LIVE video. Give them those numbers electronically. They will eventually use that data in the future.

My reenacting father and I literally mending fences!

-Donate money to museums/site

-Buy from their gift shop

-Like/share any online posts

-Offer any tech help if needed

-Join their volunteer group/plan for it
-Start a fundraiser on FB: Even a small goal helps!

Become a Patron

Patreon is a lovely online community that allows people to financially support artists. My friends Cheyney and Anna have one, and I think it is wonderful that we have an opportunity to support their art. You have the option of donating once, or doing monthly payments. $1-3+ a month is a very inexpensive but effective way to support these individuals! Research is not the most lucrative of jobs, and many of the events will not happen this year. Imagine if everyone dedicated at least $10 a month to an individual who does such work for the community...oh the possibilities!

Here I am, in my Regency Patron of the Arts ensemble

Participate in Online Communities: FB/Blogs/Etc.

Comment, share, like. Show the organizer/mods that this is still a thriving community that must continue. Contribute content if you can. Visit the blog and show them that you are reading. The internet is a big source of entertainment/information for many people right now, so let's keep those sites busy!

Post all the food pics

-Share a picture or project that relates to the group

-Comment/like other people's work

-Participate in any educational video activities

-Invite other like-minded individuals to join

-Join us for this online conference!

So...How Much is Enough?

That is entirely up to you. I try to do something to support someone in the community electronically several times a day. Once a week I try to purchase something small from a history based business. I support Patreons monthly. And I'm already planning on speaking for a local history museum sometime this summer to help them be more proactive with their online presence.

BUT...these are all just suggestions. You may be the friend that helps a business owner with orders, or sends supportive personal messages to the volunteers of a reenacting group. How you help depends on your situation, but your willingness to do so makes all the difference.

So in these times of trouble...be good, folks.

~Kristen