Dana Chathair Saibhin
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Dana Chathair Saibhin
(Prounounced "DAY-nuh" "Kuh-HAIR" "Suh-BEEN")
(more commonly known as "Spritzie")
Service Summary:
Engaged in water bearing since 1993, across multiple baronies, and at the Kingdom level, from direct service to endless teaching and leadership in this essential service. The position of water bearing has changed in the 30 years of service she has provided, and she has always been innovative to assure that this essential service is available, regardless of where she lives, and the new directives put forward by the BOD and Kingdom. Also has extensive service as an event steward, retinue, demo coordinator, baronial officer, archer and when she could no longer shoot due to health reasons, continued to be a support and ambassador for the archery and thrown weapons community, at both the baronial and Kingdom level. She is also currently working on implementing a voluntary newcomer identification system, to help make sure they are fully supported in their entry into the SCA, as well as hosting in person meet and greet/ garb exchanges. Art as service: She has also worked on several embroidery projects that I believe also fall under service as they were works done on behalf of others, or the Kingdom as a whole. She embroidered a black stepping-up tunic for His Grace, Duke Styrkarr Jarlsskald, designed and embroidered two sleeve pieces, in a Norse style, for an An Tir Silent Herald Tabard, and she couched the tree and embroidered the detail on the birds for Finn Grim’s Laurel elevation garb, made an embroidered chatelaine as a gift for then Queen Helene d’Anjou.
Aquaterra:
In Anno Societatis XXVII (1993 Gregorian) I began my adventure in the Society for Creative Anachronism in the then-Shire of Aquaterra. The first household I belonged to was Falconmoors; where my “Mum” and “Da” were Julian and Arianne (who became the founding Baron and Baroness). Later, I joined House Bowslaire and House Burning Bear. None of those are active these days, though many of their members still are. I was the water bearer officer of Aquaterra for six years. I “autocratted” (stewarded) Boars Hunt twice and Honey War once. I did some retinue service during the time of Their Excellencies Rosamund of the Misty Meadows and Wyll Hauk. He was a slippery character and liked to evade his retinue, though he usually fetched up at the archery and/or thrown weapons range. I also did a behind-the-scenes project for Her Excellency, Rosamund, by creating invitations to members of the peerages living within the barony to attend Yules. The 2nd year, I brought in the help of a very talented artist, new to the Barony and she went on to become the Scribe.
Madrone:
During our time living in Madrone we continued to play with Aquaterra, and I put on two school demos at the request of a private school in Seattle.
More Water Bearing:
Water bearing has been my passion. Over the years I’ve been the Water Bearer in charge in Blatha an Oir many times and a few times in in Glymm Mere. I guest hosted as water bearer for JuneFaire two years in a row when Tyrus de Charme of Misty Haven Caravan and Marianna of Mistyhaven adopted a baby. I was the last minute water bearer in charge for July Coronation up in B.C. at the behest of the Kingdom Water Bearer and thereafter I was Deputy Kingdom Water Bearer for two years (under H.L. Aloise de Pont du Fosse). One of the July Coronations stewarded by Mistress Ariel de Corteney, I was Water Bearer in charge at her request. I’ve taught a water bearing class a couple of times officially, and unofficially a million times. Most recently, I was asked to be the water bearer at May Crown in 2023 (my first time since "the Plague"). It's not the personal service of old; it's a hydration station (“Water Point”) where thirsty people come to us to fill their own bottles, or paper cups we provided. (Ironically, it's easier this way, since I'm not the sprightly “Spritzie” I once was!)
Three Mountains:
I was honored to steward the First Court of Sebastiaen (Sable) des Roseaux and Erika the Dragons Mistess (now Erika bint Sitt al-Sada). I did some retinue service for them, as well. I was the instructor recruiter/coordinator for Archery Academy two times. The local OGGS then recruited me to take the Office of Baronial Archer. They wanted an administrator. I did that (and I “held down the fort”) but, the best thing I did in that office was recruit a much more qualified successor! I was on the team that decorated the Merchants’ Hall for 12th Night at the Double Tree in Portland, twice, and helped create scherenitte candle lantern covers for the ballroom. I was the water bearer for July Coronation at Zumstein Farm (Stromgard) and assisted with water bearing the next week at StormGods/Game of Thrones, in 2016. At Their Excellencies request, I tried to steward a new event combining the archery and thrown weapons championships of three Baronies (Tri-BAT) in 2017. (We lost the site 11 days prior to the event and the back-up site was unsuitable.)
Vulcanfeldt:
When we moved to Vulcanfeldt, I decided to try to “save” Archery Fest. Archery is my second passion in the SCA (though bursitis sidelined my ability to shoot years ago). I love archery and my archer friends! I knew they loved the event because of the three period, long distance shoots for which there are Kingdom medallions awarded every year. I felt that if I could just get them to show up, the event could be a success once again. I tried for 3 years to steward the event, but wildfire smoke season (hazardous air quality) and then the “plague” hampered my efforts. Eventually it was combined with Baronial Championships and renamed “Vulcanalia”, but I did steward it. I taught a class in Seam Embellishment Embroidery at Masque and Steel, at which event I won the Arts & Sciences Championship. I became the Baronial Chatelaine and have now gotten a one year extension on my warrant. I started out during the aforementioned “Plague” times, so most of my activity was done via a special chat on Facebook Messenger, focusing on networking the new people to those in the Barony who are involved in the things they were most interested in and answering questions. With the help of our Webminister, I hosted a "Newcomers' Welcome Chat" meeting on-line. I hosted an in-person Newcomers’ Social and Garb Exchange at a local coffee shop, where established members donated garb to the new people. I attend some Fight Practices which are natural social events, especially when they are held in a public park, because that is a great chance to interest new people. There is a Newcomers Identification Program someone else started in Three Mountains, that I’m working to implement; involving items using a registered badge; haversacks and small banners. Participation is strictly voluntary, but it is a great way for new people to mingle.
Arts & Scences
I was taught seam embellishment embroidery, which was my "gateway drug" to decorative embroidery and applique. I won the Intermediate Category of an A&S Contest at Three Mountains Yule, with the Rus (SCA cultural) coat I made for my husband. I was honored to be invited by Viscountess Windemere of Oakwood to embroider a black stepping-up tunic for His Grace, Duke Styrkarr Jarlsskald. Baroness Kateline MacFarlane asked me to design and embroider two sleeve pieces, in a Norse style, for an An Tir Silent Herald Tabard. And I was thrilled to be invited to Finn Grim’s Laurel elevation garb team. His cloak lived on my dining room table for over a month while I couched the tree and embroidered the detail on the birds. I won the Vulcanfeld Arts & Sciences competition with my haversack in 2020. I won a little heraldic embroidery contest sponsored by Her Grace, Duchess Hlutwige with the sewing chatelaine I made to go in the Vulcanfeldt A&S Champion haversack. I was asked to make an embroidered sewing chatelaine as a gift for then Queen Helene d’Anjou. (These are not period at all, but they are very useful and when heraldically decorated, less obviously modern/SCA cultural.)
I do not know what lies ahead for me in the SCA; except that I was recently honored to become Apprentice to Maestra Adrianna the Fierce! She promised to teach me research and documentation. Most of my embroidery is self-taught, so I'm an amateur. It's just something I really enjoy. I have a LOT to learn! I look forward to a long stroll "down the path" with her and my Apprentice sisters!