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The cost of being a rennie

Started by Lord Argyl of Lochdubh, May 27, 2018, 11:45:06 PM

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Lord Argyl of Lochdubh

I've been thinking about all the garb, chain mail , swords etc etc some have and how much of a small fortune must have been spent . With ticket prices , garb, hotel or camping , food and all, this is not exactly a cheap endeavor . I guess some save up and have quite a collection.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are---
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Lady Renee Buchanan

We have been involved with Faires since 1981, so yes, we have a lot of stuff.  The very basics, I have made, or friends have sewn for me, every so often, I buy stuff.   I go into just about every Goodwill I can.  I've bought mugs, baskets, hats, blouses, and even boots.  Our collection didn't happen all at once, but gradually through the years.    It is something my husband and I both enjoy and spend our spare time doing.  We don't go to the movies, don't go bowling, out dancing, or a lot of other things.  We prefer to spend our time and money doing what we love.
A real Surf Diva
Landshark who loves water
Chieftesse Surf'n Penny of Clan O'Siodhachain,
Irish Penny Brigade
Giver of Big Hugs 
Member since the beginning of RF
All will be well. St. Julian of Norwich

Hausfrau Monica

Every hobby seems to have a cost associated with it.  You either go full tilt into something or you play at the level that you can afford.  I know one couple that have over $1200 of garb on each of them (at least) anytime that they go to faire.... and I know others that have made or thrifted everything that they have.  Either way, it comes down to enjoying your faire experience.  If you can only afford one piece of your ensemble each season, so be it.  No one is going to stand there and point and laugh or say that you can't come in and enjoy faire.

I'm with Lady Renee.... we don't go out to the movies, etc.... this is how we choose to have our fun and we save for our season.  Hubby has containers that he keeps his loose change in and cashes it in each year just before faire starts.... that's his beer money and our entrances.  That's just how we do it.

Lord Argyl of Lochdubh

I wasn't born into money but if I had been, I sure could spend a staggering amount on garb and swords alone. I try to help out the merchants when I can otherwise I attempt to sew my own garb. I draw the line at chain mail, that would be for the professionals to do.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are---
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

CalledBirdy

I've been contemplating the funds that I have wrapped up in my "Ren Gear" lately, myself. My garb stash has been on my mind and I was feeling pretty guilty over it the other day. I'm actually weeding it out and selling a ton of it so I've been elbow deep in skirts and bodices the past few weeks and I felt bad about the excess, the extravagance of having all this "extra" clothing that's just for a hobby. But I felt better after spending the day with my non-Ren friends. They're all skiers, mountain bikers, and rock climbers and have fortunes wrapped up in the gear for their multiple hobbies. I realized that I feel comfortable with my chosen hobby and what I put into it. I make a lot of my garb (usually from repurposed fabrics) and what I don't make I thrift and what I don't thrift I proudly buy from small, independent artists and help them make a living. Attending fair is a way of supporting these artists, by funding the venue in which they sell their arts. So I've come to terms with the cost of my hobby but also realize that I want to keep it under control and not go totally hog wild. (Even though it can be so tempting sometimes. Ha!) But, yeah, there can be quite a bit of money and/or time wrapped up in this pastime... but I think it's true for LOTS of hobbies out there.

Lord Argyl of Lochdubh

just about any hobby can get expensive. My other hobby is metal detecting and I have been so hoping I could strike it rich with a rare find , at least one hobby could potentially pay for it's self.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are---
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

CalledBirdy

Quote from: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 05, 2018, 12:43:07 AM
My other hobby is metal detecting and I have been so hoping I could strike it rich with a rare find , at least one hobby could potentially pay for it's self.

BRILLIANT! :D

CalledBirdy

Quote from: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 05, 2018, 12:43:07 AM
My other hobby is metal detecting and I have been so hoping I could strike it rich with a rare find , at least one hobby could potentially pay for it's self.

BRILLIANT idea! I hope that works out for you!  ;D

Lord Argyl of Lochdubh

so far I've not struck it rich or found precious metals but I keep my fingers crossed.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are---
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

scarletnyx

Husband and I are lucky in that our garb usually doesn't break the bank as bad as others. My haiks are just strips of fabric from Joanns in whatever color I need, and he can get lots of his stuff from GarbTheWorld for under 50 bucks. We do spend a lot looking for our jewerly though.

Once you factor in tickets, camping supplies, and food though, it starts to get up there. But I still feel that what I get out of faire has absolutely no price tag on it.
2013 RenNado Survivor
Phoenix Risen

Lord Argyl of Lochdubh

I believe the whole renfaire experience from early planning to the last day of faire is priceless. I'm just thankful to the visionaries and investors who made renfaires possible at all. Where would we all be if there were no renfaires ??
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are---
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Laird Fraser of Lovatt

#11
I've spent around a grand(or so) on my kilts and shirts...and the damn boots were another $200.  Most of it I can mix and match, which gives multiple options as far as looks go.(other than being generally ugly :o ;)

Now, I've got it in my head to come up with a whole new set on garb...something not so much of a pain in the *weedpuller* when you have a hangover... ;D

With travel costs...camp costs...food...booze...it can get a little steep. 
Cha togar m' fhearg gun dìoladh
Alba gu brath
Laird of Dunans Castle
Warrior Poet/Loki God

Lord Argyl of Lochdubh

Yeah I have heard that kilts can get real expensive. I've seen some garb out there that is a fortune. I haven't spent a grand on garb yet but I can see how it can be easily done.  They say history repeats itself so hang on to your garb as it could become the next fashion trend and you will be set and have a reason to dress up everyday.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are---
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

BubbleWright

I started with a couple pair of pants that I already owned but were suitable for peasant garb. I even had shirts and some vests that would pass for period use. All I needed to get was a belt and a hat. What did add to the cost of being a rennie was the Renaissance Bubble Machine (RBM) that I built. The materials were not that much but the Amish built wood cart set me back a couple hundred bucks. After that, I was pretty much set, only adding an occasional new hat. Alas, after a number of years and 3 RBMs, I set aside my bubble making. Now I go as a Dane most of the time. 
"It is only with the heart that one sees rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye."
   Antoine de St. Exupery

Lord Argyl of Lochdubh

I liked the rbm it was really neat . I would have expected the cart to be a bit pricey.  I have only made my garb myself. I never went with the expensive fabric so I considered what I made to be a bargain. I would love to buy some kilts but that gets expensive too. I try not to skimp on the footware cause that will cost your feet in the long run.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are---
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Lady Renee Buchanan

Quote from: BubbleWright on July 17, 2018, 04:02:48 PM
I started with a couple pair of pants that I already owned but were suitable for peasant garb. I even had shirts and some vests that would pass for period use. All I needed to get was a belt and a hat. What did add to the cost of being a rennie was the Renaissance Bubble Machine (RBM) that I built. The materials were not that much but the Amish built wood cart set me back a couple hundred bucks. After that, I was pretty much set, only adding an occasional new hat. Alas, after a number of years and 3 RBMs, I set aside my bubble making. Now I go as a Dane most of the time. 

And we are so very lucky to have inherited  the Renaissance Bubble Machine!
A real Surf Diva
Landshark who loves water
Chieftesse Surf'n Penny of Clan O'Siodhachain,
Irish Penny Brigade
Giver of Big Hugs 
Member since the beginning of RF
All will be well. St. Julian of Norwich