[Artemisia] T&C Iron-Artisan

[BENGTA1 at aol.com]

We are one  week out from Talon Crescent 2014! And that means it is time to 
announce the  materials in the baskets for the Iron Artisan Competition.... 
honey,  beeswax, parchment, linen thread, leather, pigments and quills. 
There will also  be one more SECRET INGREDIENT announced Saturday morning 
before teams select  their baskets.

And if you are interested in competing, please read on or  check out the 
website: _www.taloncrescentwars.org_ (http://www.taloncrescentwars.org/) 

INTERKINGDOM IRON-ARTISAN COMPETITION!
A Celebration of  Collaboration and Artistry
Artisans from both kingdoms will register and be  matched up to work 
together to demonstrate their skill and creativity. This  year's theme: HONEY FOR 
MY SWEET.

Team members may each bring their own  kits and tools, not to exceed a 
standard file box (15"x12"x10"). Consider what  things you may need to help your 
item be displayed as pleasingly as possible.  Participants may choose to 
supply extra of any of the materials on the list, but  they may not substitute 
their own materials in lieu of materials in the basket.  The "secret 
ingredient" MUST be incorporated into the final  product/piece.

No open fires allowed, but contained picnic stoves,  grills, or braziers 
are permitted. No glass containers permitted. Electricity  will NOT be 
provided on-site.

Teams will be set up from 9:00 am to 9:30  am Saturday, February 15th. 
Rules for the competition will be read aloud and  copies given to each team. 
Basket selection will be by drawing lots, no later  than 9:30 am. Once the 
competition begins, teams may not solicit any outside  help or add additional 
materials or tools.
Once your team is formed, play off  each other's strong areas. Determine 
which projects can be successfully  completed, because an overly-ambitious but 
incomplete project will not compete  well with a more modest but 
fully-finished project. Be sure to allow extra time  for Murphy's Law. Consider 
possible "plan B" projects. Additional materials may  be available if things go 
catastrophically wrong, so don't be afraid to ask the  coordinators if you run 
into trouble.

Share a spirit of cooperation; work  diligently; obey the rules of the 
competition with integrity. This competition  is a novel exploration of 
inter-kingdom cooperation. Failure to abide by the  rules will result in a reduction 
in points, or disqualification at the  discretion of the judges. Judges may 
observe the work in progress. Please be  gracious and answer questions as 
they may come up.
Teams may submit one or  more items, but multiple items will be judged as a 
group – there should be a  logic to how the pieces "go together" and fit 
with the theme. Choose a  representative from your group to present your entry 
in a favorable and  enthusiastic light. The presenter may use notes. Detail 
each person's  contribution. Discuss period exemplars as appropriate. 
Include a little  information about the team's interpretation of the theme, and 
an explanation of  the finished item(s). Keep the descriptions to ten minutes 
or less. Judges may  ask questions for clarification during the 
presentation.

Each team must  have their items and displays finished and ready to present 
at 2pm, Sunday,  February 16th. This is a hard time limit! Teams are 
allowed to submit their  final work early, but once submitted, no changes will be 
allowed (no "oh wait I  forgot one last thing"). Judging will be between 
2pm-3pm by four judges, two  from each Kingdom. Each judge will award each team 
up to twenty points:
Up to  five points for presentation and overall impression
Up to five points for the  incorporation of the "secret ingredient" and 
portrayal of it in the final  item(s)
Up to ten points for time management, craftsmanship and technical  skill.

Judges will fill out written score cards and may also include  comments. 
The winning team will be the one with the highest total number of  points. 
Items must be picked up before closing court on Sunday. The written  score 
cards will be given to each team after the winner has been announced at  closing 
 court.