Realm Collections Blog

If you’re new to the whole renaissance faire business then you might be stumped on what to wear. If this is your situation do not fret, help is on the way. There is no right or wrong way to dress for a renaissance faire. You will see kings and queens, knight and pirates, witches and wizards. The themes you should shoot for when deciding on what to wear at a renaissance faire are history or fantasy. What I mean by history is more so middle-ages/renaissance. Fantasy also should somewhat relate back to these time eras (e.g. wizards, witches, fairies, and even centaurs).

Once you know what your characterizing make sure you stay in that category. Don’t try to pull off a half-witch/half-princess outfit. For women the simplest outfit would be a dress with a historical touch. You can find a ton of dresses that are actually based on historic replicas and the price is extremely reasonable. Other outfit ideas that are popular for women include: a shirt, bodice, and long skirt combo or a classic chemise.

Common outfits for guys revolve around the imitation of warriors and knights.

Pirates are also very common at Renaissance Faires. These costumes can go from simple (white shirt, black pants, and a tricorn hat) to very creative (eye-patches, weaponry, sashes, etc.). All you need to make your pirate costume or any other Renaissance Faire outfit for that matter can be found at Realm Collections. Now that you know the countless possibilities, you will never wonder what to wear at a Renaissance Faire. If your not into all that dressing up, going in everyday clothes is also fine!

Looking for a social group where you can discuss anything and everything revolving around the Celtic realm? Well so was I and after some exploring I have stumbling upon this small but growing Celtic social network, The Celtic Friends Network.

The Celtic Friends Network is a place to make friends and discuss or purchase Celtic jewelry, art, music, crafts, and more. I have connected with many new faces: artists, writers, store owners, and just those who want to learn more about the Celtic ideas.

This Celtic social network lets you fully customize you page with pictures, videos, text, and a variety of page designs. You can join groups, start or participate in discussions, write blogs, and much much more. So if you’re looking for a Celtic social world, the The Celtic Friends Network is my strong recommendation.

The Celtic Friends Network is an international social network that allows people with Celtic interests to make friends and discuss Celtic subjects. We are designed for the exchange of information, pictures, videos, and ideas about Celtic topics. This site is similar to other popular social networks like MySpace, yet provides a focused topic, which is anything Celtic.
-http://www.celticfriendsnetwork.com/

Out of ideas for a Valentine’s Day Gift? Don’t fret just yet, there is some time! If your lover (or maybe just a friend) has any interest in history or fantasy then these gifts may ease your hindrance.

Celtic Jewelry
Celtic Jewelry is a foolproof Valentine’s Gift. Not only is it jewelry which every woman loves (right?), but if she has any interest in the Celtic art your gift will be both beautiful and thoughtful. So if this sounds like the Valentine’s Day gift you have been looking for check out this collection of Celtic Jewelry from Realm Collections..

For the Fantasy Fans
If your significant other is a fantasy or video game fanatic a gift corresponding with his/her favorite movie/book/game would be perfect. Some options include Lord of the Rings Memorabilia, Assassin’s Creed Replicas, and Pirates of the Caribbean gear. for more options check out www.realmcollections.com.

These are just some ideas I thought go well with the holiday. If you are seeking some other historical gifts for Valentines Day (clothing, decor, swords, armor, etc.) you can find it all at Realm Collections.

If your an antique collector or just looking to buy/sell antiques you will be very pleased with this online auction site. It’s called SeeAuctions.com and is very much an ebay for antiques and vintage collectibles. I have tried the site myself from the seller perspective and have found it extremely user-friendly, and best of all, free! There is no fee for creating auctions and you can list as many items as you want. There are antiques of all sorts ranging from furniture to swords. So if your looking for a free, user-friendly antique auctions site with a great community be sure to visit www.SeeAuctions.com!

SeeAuctions.com specializes in exceptional authentic antiques and highly collectible items, providing a secure venue for live online auction hosting. Most auctioneers on the website have a passion for quality antiques and an acquired taste for exceptional deals. With over 50 years experience in the antiques and collectibles industry, SeeAuctions.com is committed to ensuring extraordinary value and opportunities to acquire “non-reproduction” items which meet their members’ demands. As a full service, integrity-oriented auction hosting company, SeeAuctions.com continually strives to provide the services and tools necessary to ensure every buyer and seller receives the best possible service and auctioning experience available. (http://www.aboutus.org/SeeAuctions.com)

Those of you who are going like ‘What in the world is Assassin’s Creed?’  probably aren’t much into the gaming world. Assassin’s Creed is a video game for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 consoles, and more recently, the PC. For more info on the game(storyline, characters, game play, etc. click Here). The success of this video game has lead to the creation of replicas and collections. This deluxe set of Assassin’s Creed collectibles consists of impressive clothing and weaponry. Here is just a taste of what lies within:

You can find the full set at RealmCollections.

What would keep the ren folk entertained if not for the Renaissance and Medieval Entertainment Groups? These groups come in all shapes and sizes performing historical music concerts, comedy show, re-enactments, skits, and more. Here are a couple that seemed really sensational.

The ScallyWags
The ScallyWags is a Pirate Comedy Show located in central Kansas that has been performing their acts at Renaissance Faires, private functions, Pirate festivals, weddings and more for over a decade. They are one of the longest running Pirate Acts in the U.S.. The Group does stage acts, sword fighting, improve comedy and more. They have been featured in magazines, books, radio, documentaries, television and they are regulars on the “Heavy Pork T.V. show. To learn more about the group go to PIRATECOMEDY.COM or join The ScallyWags Homeport at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thescallywagshomeport. Want to become a pirate, well better gear up!

Willys Wily Wenches
Willy’s Wily Wenches (formerly Willy’s Wenches) is a Shakespearean comedy troupe that proves to be a high energy, high comedy act with something for everyone. Anita Mann, Buxey Blaze, Ima Teese, and William Shakespeare Thadeus Beauregarde Chicken III ( or just Boo Boo Chicken for short) have a bunch of upcoming performances, so stay tuned to discover where you can next see this renaissance entertainment group! If you like their out fits you can find something similar or even identical HERE.

Three Quarter Ale
Three Quarter Ale is a Ren-rock band based in Atlanta, GA. Comprised of players Ariana Pellayle, Rosemary Quench , and Wicked Pete Speakeasy, Three Quarter Ale combines the lilting charm of 17th-century madrigals and traditional favorites with the high-energy impact of modern folk-rock for a truly arresting sound. The toast of the Georgia Renaissance Festival pub crowd, Three Quarter Ale’s tempting blend of lively harp, flute, guitar, and ethnic percussion with delicious three-part vocal harmonies in turn uplifts, enchants, and makes listeners want to dance in their seats.

You can start your own renaissance or medieval entertainment group too! Just pick a genre(comedy, battle reenactments, music, etc.) and don’t forget to gear up!

From the Showtime® original series, The Tudors, comes a full line of replicas consisting for clothing, jewelry, weaponry, accessories, and other collectibles. For those who do not know, The Tudors is a historical fiction television series created and entirely written by British screenwriter Michael Hirst. The series is loosely based upon the early reign of English monarch Henry VIII, and is named after his dynasty, the Tudor dynasty.

Here are some items that are available in the Tudors Replica Collection:
The elegant doublet worn by King Henry truly resembled how handsome he was. The court doublet is padded and accented with a gold brocade. The several features such as the contrast stripes, the collar and the arm sleeves also serve as the means for attention and beauty of King Henry’s attire.

Let our Queen Katherine gown her history of loyalty and humbleness in its beautiful fashion. The gown is decorated in a very rich manner with several details although its structure seems quite simple. A deep, rich blue is the color for this gown covering almost every one of its aspects. Queen Katherine’s gown is accented with the gold-hand stitching and the two dozen artificial white pearls in a very elegant manner. The cuffs of the sleeves are trimmed in a faux fur while the inner sleeves are made of a delicate sheer blue netting.

Handsomeness and courage shall rest within King Henry as he carries this unique ceremonial sword. The King Henry sword is a beautiful cut and thrust weapons with many vast details. The pommel of the sword is highly detailed and gold plated while the leather and twisted wire follow on the grip. The similar scabbard comes with a sword to be sharpened for an additional charge.

You will find these items and more in the Tudors Replica Collection!

Fantasy art is a genre of art that depicts magical or other supernatural themes, ideas, creatures, or settings. Artists rely heavily on their imagination and creativity in order to create and depict an image of fantasy. Once such fantasy artist that I would like to point out is Alan Welch.

Alan Welch is an award-winning photographer and designer, and creator of the fantasy world of ReverieScapes. “ReverieScapes represent a new art form combining multiple digital photographs into a fantasy image via Adobe Photoshop. Each ReverieScape consist of a minimum of four and as many as a dozen different images skillfully and seamlessly combined into a completely new creation.” -www.reverierealm.com/theexplanation.aspx.

Here are just two examples of his many works of art:

For more information about Alan Welch and his work, along with the opportunity to purchase his are, visit his website www.reverierealm.com.

Are you a history or fantasy fanatic looking for groups and individuals with similar interests? Well I am, or should I say was since I found the perfect place. You have probably heard of myspace, but have you heard of renspace? Renspace claims to be a Renaissance social network but you will find groups dealing with all sorts of historic and fantasy topics. Join discussion about books, movies, and even video games.

Signing up is easy and free. Minimal personal information is required and you can be all set up and ready to go in a couple of minutes. You can personalize your profile with pictures and personal text like an ‘about me’ type of thing. You can post blog entries and message back and forth with your friends. Renspace is simple yet extremely dynamic. There is always new discussions going on, new groups being created, and new friends to be made. So if someone is looking for a historical/fantasy social network, Renspace.com would be me recommendation.

Reenactments of many events from all historic eras have been brought about in one way or another. Whether in theaters, films, and even social events(Like Renaissance Faires). Many groups and clubs exist with a sole purpose which is to reenact and keep history alive. Medieval Reenacting is considerably popular world-wide. These reenactments show and teach the audience the lives of historic folk. Wars, knightly games, and ceremonies are often reenacted, some scripted and some with actual competitive purposes.

The Das TeufelsAlpdrücken Fähnlein, or the Devil’s Nightmare Regiment
This Medieval Reenacting Group are an award-winning historical reenactment unit based in Crownsville, MD. The members of the Devil’s Nightmare Regiment portray the Landsknecht mercenaries and campfollowers of 16th century Europe. The Devil’s Nightmare Regiment has performed at military reenactments and renaissance festivals throughout Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. We are available for historical reenactments and showcases, school programs, civic events, and renaissance festivals. Go to http://www.landsknechts.org/ for more information on this Medieval Reenacting group.

The Ritterhellas
The Ritterhellas are a historical-revival association, which was created on the basis of participation and organization of cultural events reffering to the most important moments of the medieval history from the Crusades to the era of the Knights of Renaissance Europe. The Medieval Reenactment group deals with the resurgences of time period from 1204 until 1530, period where in Greece existed knightly battalions. To find out more about the Ritterhellas visit www.ritter.gr.

Medieval Reenacting can teach us a great deal of history and entertain us at the same time. Going to a Renaissance Faire or a Reenactment Groups next event can be a life changing experience. You never know, you just might decide to join a Medieval Reenactment group yourself!