This is me, Hi.
I'm known in the SCA* as Rouva (Lady) Rikissa Ravattulalainen. Yep, you can say it, promise. I'm sure even with the research and investigation I've done I'm pronouncing the Finnish incorrectly, but the best I've got at the moment to help with pronunciation is:
Rick-e-sah Rha-vah-too-lah-lie-nin.
Rick-e-sah Rha-vah-too-lah-lie-nin.
I delve in to many, many, many, many, did I say many? things, but Finnish Iron age is my main focus. I mean, gorgeous tablet weaving with special techniques, bronze coil decorations ("Heavy metal embroidery" as a friend calls it. /nods to Duchess Siobhan), beauty in the simplicity of textiles... there is more. lots more. And Ravattula and the Ristimäki church archeology have captured my heart.
Ravattula is a village about 4 km from Turku, which was an important medieval trading city in Finland and it remains important today; better yet, Ravattula existed as a village during the Iron/Viking age of Finland. Adding "lainen" to the village name adds the meaning, essentially, of "from the village of". And there is a legend? tale? that historically the land was known as Nenland because of the "nen" on the end of the multitude of surnames; and that Nenland eventually evolved in to Finland.
So, now we know a bit about my name. But what is this SCA I speak of? That's a world wide group of medieval history fans I've participated with basically my whole life; no matter where I've lived, I've had a community. Many of these people are willing to teach others all sorts of skills... seriously, it's incredible. And this education is usually the cost of admission to an event! Awesome, right?
*SCA stands for the Society for Creative Anachronism, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. "The SCA is devoted to the research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills" Check it out HERE on the SCA.org website. I am in no way a representative, and only a participant member; any and all representations or opinions on this site are mine unless otherwise cited.
But... But... Rikissa!!! We want to know about YOU. Ooooooh ok.
Professional mom, wife, and procrastinator, all while being an artistic perfectionist that is interested in many, many topics. I have boxes of UFP's (Unfinished projects) and yet can be hyper-focused. Scattered? Yes, sometimes. Often. I have ADHD and kids... it's like hyper squirrels in my head.
But you'll never be bored if you follow along!
Like I've said I've played in the SCA my whole life. I am second generation and I'm raising 3rd generation kids. I've played mainly in Caid, Atlantia, and AnTir. All are the same and yet different LOL And now I've brought my husband into the game!; Lord Domnall Lochard.
In the last 9-ish years I've fallen in love with Iron Age Finland (12th-13th C), which is the Medieval ages for the rest of Europe. I do "string magic" as my husband says... I can take wool from fleece to yarn, tablet weaving, inkle weaving, weaving weaving LOL, crochet, I'm learning Nålebinding (yet again, it hasn't stayed in my brain 3x's so far!), my Laurel Maesra Lidia de Ragusa will eventually teach me to knit... I do leather work and cordwaining (that's a fancy way to say I can make shoes)... I've recently gotten into calligraphy and illumination and began making scrolls... And I pattern and sew, and tailor. I started sewing clothes at age 9, and have been drafting my own patterns since I was 14 or so (most of these historical)... I've researched and am familiar with lots of different styles from many time periods and cultures. And there is always more to learn! But, I definitely have a focus... Besides sewing garb, much of this art has developed in the last 15-18 ish years, with much of the fiber arts in the last 10-12 years. The first 20 years of my SCA experience was much focused on being a child and then once college aged I did service with a side of arts. I've been retinue for more than one set of Kings and Queens, and enjoyed sitting at the gate and seeing people come in to enjoy this hobby. Now that there are 2 crazy, lovely, amazing, rambunctious, active children that take my time, doing service like I used to has taken a back seat. Though I was recently surprised and humbled (Dec 2022) with recognition of the things I am able to do, like teach, or host A+S, or hold a Canton office. I'm blessed to have amazing support from my friends and family ... THANK YOU to you all, Much Love. |