Author: Greet Gijsberts

Greet Gijsberts is a persona created to play in the Society for Creative Anachronism. She authors this blog in order to document her projects and adventures, and share them with a wider audience.
ResearchLeave a comment

The Arab Conquests

Greet Gijsberts

I'm having fits with TypePad – they're doing upgrades, and I never seem to find a good time to upload pictures.  While I struggle with that, check out In Our Time's current podcast download: The Arab Conquests. Melvyn Bragg discusses the mighty Arab conquests of the 7th century with his guests Hugh Kennedy, Professor of Arabic at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; Amira Bennison, Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge; and Robert Hoyland, Professor in Arabic and Middle East Studies at the University of St Andrews. Continue reading The Arab Conquests

Research1 Comment

Still alive – here’s the Black Death.

Greet Gijsberts

Hi all – sorry for the hiatus in posts.  I’ve put myself on a new schedule, am tremendously productive…but haven’t been taking the time to blog.  However, I’m presently on vacay visiting family, so… Here’s a bit of Black Death to entertain you while I figure out what to do with myself.  Get thyself to In Our Time, and download the audio sometime this week, because when the new one’s up, the last one’s gone. Hopefully it’ll still be there when I get home to my laptop. Continue reading Still alive – here’s the Black Death.

EventsLeave a comment

Painting advice

Greet Gijsberts

words of encourgagement from Robert Genn:   Feel and relish the environment.Get into a "be here now" state of mind.Start your work anywhere.Look cleanly and with an uncluttered mind.Be joyous and unencumbered in your stroke.Work everywhere at once when you can.Try to leave your strokes alone.Do not labour or think too much.Don’t sweat the small stuff. Let the painting tell you what it needs.Though it may be small, make your picture big.Without being a wimp, serve your subject.Don’t verbalize your sight–sense the being.Surrender to earth’s beauty and wisdom.If you make errors, fix them in good humour. Be suspicious of what … Continue reading Painting advice

Research2 Comments

Name and device passed

Greet Gijsberts

Accepts from Meridies Margareta Gijsberts. Name and device. Vert, on a chief wavy argent two beessable. Hurrah, it’s done! – As Melbrigda, our Herald, and ‘name representative’ (aka Lambent Herald) for the Kingdom to the College of Heralds, said: "Start slapping bees on stuff." Heh.  A note to the picky precise – bees have two sets of wings.  This is actually part of a conversation I had with some heralds at RUM last year who were concerned that perhaps bees sable might not be distinguishable as bees, and not flies, or dragonflies, or some other insect.  We brainstormed and decided … Continue reading Name and device passed

Events4 Comments

Formal Potager – Layout, Spring 2008

Greet Gijsberts

Rather an exciting weekend at Greet’s cottage.  I attacked the front garden Saturday morning with some stakes and string and this is what it looks like now, in early morning before the bake of the sun sets in: I can’t believe we did this in a total of about 12 hours.  I put in 8 on Saturday, 3 of which was me fussing with string, tape measure and stakes, and the remaining 5 we worked together at moving all of the cinder blocks necessary, a lot of dirt, and a bit of sod.  Yesterday we did a bit more dirt … Continue reading Formal Potager – Layout, Spring 2008

Clothing and Equipment1 Comment

Versatile gown, other images and self-criticism

Greet Gijsberts

I’ve updated my 14th c European page with the latest pics from Gulf Wars, but here’s some others showing my teal linen fitted kirtle. Here’s what I looked like at Saltare: I know, it’s dark and I’m standing funny. UPDATE: Well, I hope this is better.  I need more modeling practice, clearly.   Composite parts:  White cotton t-tunic shift.  Blue linen versatile gown based on patterning from Cotte Simple, cut 6" long in back to ‘puddle’.   Machine sewing on long internal seams; handsewn eyelets (with fabric’s thread); handsewn silk facing, dyed to match, with fabric’s thread; linen hem facing handsewn … Continue reading Versatile gown, other images and self-criticism

EventsLeave a comment

Casting Stuff

Greet Gijsberts

No, I’m not picking up another hobby.  (My categories are disappointing me though, perhaps I need a GGG one now?) One of my talents seems to be picking up interesting people at events.  One such is a musician named Constanta Innocenti, whom I found at Saltare, and generously gifted me with one of her cast pilgrim’s badges, a dancing porkchop inspired by the cantatas of Alfonso the Wise (X, I think).  Well, in pointing out that Musicians Need Garb, Too, she’s sent me a picture of her other goodies.  Here they are: Which puts me in mind, Constanta – as … Continue reading Casting Stuff