FOE 2023 Classes

There will be four classes and a few other A&S activities

## Traveling Seeds: The Origins of Our Foods with Birla of Black Guard

In this class we will explore the origins of modern foods and discuss historical trade routes to better understand when foods would have become available in medieval Eire. We will examine spices that were common in the medieval world and their botanical origins. Participants can make a small sample of their own spice mix to take away. Please bring a small bowl, a spoon, and a cup that can hold hot liquids for spiced snacks.

## Instant Yarn: Just Add Twist! (a beginner drop-spinning class) with Fish

Once upon a time, there was a sheep, and humans saw that it was good. They took its fluff and spun it into yarn, and used that yarn to make hats, which are also good. That was long, long ago, but rejoice: sheep still exist, and you can still turn their fluff into yarn! Join Fish for a beginner class to discuss what spinning fundamentally is and various applications of it, and get a hands-on tutorial of how to spin your own yarn with straightforward, user-friendly tools. We will primarily be using top-whorl drop spindles, but there will be a few other styles to look at and try out. Various beginner-friendly fibers will be provided. If you already have a spindle or fiber, bring it along!

Class fee is $5 if you want to borrow a spindle, $10 if you want to take it home with you, and you keep whatever yarn you make in any case! All experience levels welcome. Check the event schedule onsite to find out about the fiber petting zoo event!

## Death Practices and Principles with Silk

Boromir floating down the Anduin. Hector burning on his pyre. Phaethon carried by nymphs to his tomb. If you’ve ever read or watched a funeral scene that made you say, “Now THAT’S how I want to be put to rest!” this discussion is for you. We will explore the one thing every one of us has in common: We each will die.

While death is inevitable, the way we deal with it doesn’t have to be!

Come learn about some of the ways humans have dealt with death and burial through history, myth, and fantasy. Learn what death positivity means, and what you can do to plan the funeral of your dreams, especially if your idea of eternal rest doesn’t quite fit the modern tradition of funeral homes and vacuum sealed caskets.

## Simple Cordage Workshop with Lüt of Blackguard

String! It comes in handy! You can tie your shoes with it, or attach things to other things, or at least three other uses. Best of all though, you can make it for yourself -- Join Lüt for a hands-on workshop to make cordage out of raffia and talk through basic cordage, string, twine, and rope construction with natural materials you can find basically anywhere. Impress your friends! Bring honor to your family! And be able to attach things to other things without having to engage in capitalism first!

## Infodump Corner

Have you been doing some cool research on a historical or fantasy topic? Is there a Wikipedia page you go back to time and time again, that you’d like to share with others?

Do you absolutely need to share information about how phalanxes worked, the earliest evidence of dog domestication, the specific nuances of Dwarf culture in Discworld, or the specific nuances of Dwarven culture in Tolkien?

This is an opportunity to do that, and to hear from others about their Thing. Everyone will have five minutes each to expound on their area of focus, and then there will be time for questions and conversation on the topics that arise. Infodump corner is open to all, so please make the topics appropriate for all ages.

## Crafting Salons

Come craft! Bring your projects and hang out in a low-key crafting circle. This isn’t a class, just a dedicated space and time on the schedule for folks to gather and create. It’s a great place to meet new people, ask experienced crafters for assistance with thorny issues of technique or material sourcing, or just chill with other makers.