A fun-filled day of education and enjoyment of the arts & sciences
TENTATIVE DATE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025, 8:30am – 6:00pm
***Thank you for making Artisans’ Day 2024 such a success! We hope you had a wonderful time and will join us again for Artisans’ Day 2025. We will begin posting updates in June – please check back then for the latest info! ***
Lake Villa Township Community Center
37850 N. IL. Route 59
Lake Villa, IL 60046
Less than a quarter-mile south of IL Rt 132
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Navigation app users: Type in the actual address rather than looking for it by name or you may be misdirected.
Brewing/vintning classes will be at the adjacent Church of the Holy Family, 25291 W Lehman Blvd, Lake Villa, IL 60046.
Both sites are mobility-accessible (ramps, paved parking, elementary-school-type restrooms).
Registration (includes lunch)
| Adult (16+) | $25 | Adult with Member Discount | $15 |
| Youth (6-15) | $8 | 5 and under | $0 |
| Family (2 adult members + 2 or more youth) | $46 | Merchant (1 8×8 space w/table & 2 chairs) | $15 |
Alcohol is permitted ONLY in the brewing/vintning classes – the rest of the site is BONE DRY. IDs will be checked at the Gate for B&V activities and wristbands for persons age 21+ will ONLY be issued there.
NO SMOKING IS PERMITTED AT EITHER SITE.
Please note: Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events. By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.
THE SCA PROHIBITS HARASSMENT AND BULLYING OF ALL INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS.
Participants engaging in this behavior are subject to appropriate sanctions. If you are subjected to harassment, bullying, or retaliation, or if you become aware of anyone being harassed or bullied, contact a seneschal, President of the SCA, or your Kingdom’s Board Ombudsman.
NO SMOKING IS PERMITTED AT EITHER SITE. THE MAIN CLASS/SALON BUILDING (COMMUNITY CENTER) IS BONE DRY. NO EXCEPTIONS.
2025 Staff
Event Stewards: the Honorable Metylda of Ravenslake (she/her) metylda@gmail.com and the Honorable Margrett Norwoode of Bristol (she/her) kerriellen@gmail.com or 847-525-1997 evenings
Class/Salon Coordinator: Mistress Maggie of Cnoc Cait (she/her) cnoccait@gmail.com or 815-403-1965 evenings
Lunch: the Honorable Seathan MacDhabhidh (he/him) stoltzej@gmail.com or 847-321-5600
Longshoreman: Master Alexander de Seton (he/him) alexdeset@aol.com or 815-403-1964 before 9pm
Merchants: the Honorable Seathan MacDhabhidh (he/him) stoltzej@gmail.com or 847-321-5600
Gate: the Noble Eilaswintha Buchwald (she/her) China062015@outlook.com
2025 Lunch:
Lodging:
No motel blocks have been arranged for the event. Several motels in varying price ranges are available in Gurnee (I-94 at Grand Avenue/Rt 132), approximately 30 minutes from the event site.
2024 General Schedule:
| Merchant Setup Begins | 8:00AM |
| Gate and Info Point Opens | 8:30AM |
| Populace Space Opens | 8:30AM |
| Classes and Morning Salons Begin | 9:00AM |
| Morning Salons End | Noon |
| Lunch Service Begins | 11:30AM |
| Afternoon Salons Begin | 12:30PM |
| Lunch Service Ends | 1:00PM |
| Classes End | 3:00PM |
| Afternoon Salons End | 3:30PM |
| Gym is Reset for Court | 3:30PM |
| Court | 4:00PM or at Her Majesty’s Pleasure |
| Site Closes to Populace | 6:00PM |
2024 Classes
| CLASS/ACTIVITY NAME | TIME | INSTRUCTOR | CLASS DESCRIPTION | LOCATION | CLASS SIZE LIMIT | MATERIALS COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fermented Soft Drinks | 10:00AM – 11:00AM | the Honorable Seathan MacDhabhidh (he/him) | The basic equipment, technique, and recipes for using fermentation to make carbonated soft drinks from juice or flavored water. I.e. using fresh ginger to make a ginger soda or turning apple juice into a carbonated soft cider. There will be tastings of premade batches of both. Class will be held in the church – look for signage in the building. | Church Fellowship Hall | ||
| Feast Gear Then and Now | 10:00AM – 11:00AM | the Honorable Elaine Ladd (she/her) | Classroom 2 | |||
| Writing Scroll Texts | 10:00AM – 11:00AM | HE Baroness Hillary of Langeforde (she/her) | Classroom 3 | |||
| Back to the Beginning: “Beginner’s Mind” and the Bardic Arts | 11:00AM – Noon in the Salon area | the Honorable Hilla Stormbringer (she/her) | Have you ever gotten in a rut? Have you felt stuck, like you’re going nowhere? Have all your techniques felt dull and stale? Maybe it’s time to get back to basics, or even the beginning! Please join us for a discussion of Beginner’s Mind, what it is, how one can get there, and how it can help you become a better bard. Appropriate for all levels (novice to expert) and ages. | Salon Space 1 | ||
| Mead-Making 101 | 11:00AM – Noon | the Honorable Seathan MacDhabhidh (he/him) | The basics for starting a batch of mead at home. Class will be held in the church – look for signage in the building. All attendees must be 21+ years of age and have wristband | Church Fellowship Hall | ||
| Viking Age Jewelry for Beginners | 11:00AM – Noon | Captain Hjalmr Njalsson (he/him) | Classroom 2 | |||
| Marozzo’s Unaccompanied Dagger | 11:00AM – Noon in the Salon area | HE Baron AElfred of Chester (he/him) | how to fight single dagger vs single dagger; bring mask, gloves, & dagger | Salon Space 4 | ||
| Quick and Easy Ancient Greek Garb | Noon – 1:00PM | the Noble Astra Korinthia (she/her) | Classroom 1 | |||
| Basic Target Arrow Assembly | Noon – 1:00PM | the Honorable Forester Reimar Erikson (he/him) | The class will cover methods of putting together arrows for target archery in the SCA | Classroom 2 | ||
| Origami: History and Hands-On | Noon – 1:00PM | the Noble Eilaswintha Buchwald (she/her) | Classroom 3 | materials available for up to 20 | ||
| Persian Garb Crash Course | 1:00PM – 2:00PM | HE Umm Iskandar Mihri (she/her) | This class will cover the various layers that make up a Safavid era Persian outfit including tips on patterning, construction, and fabric selection. | Classroom 2 | ||
| Singing Rounds | 1:00PM – 2:00PM | the Honorable Margrett Norwoode of Bristol (she/her) | Classroom 3 | |||
| Learning From – and Enjoying! – Comparative Tastings | 2:00PM – 3:00PM | Dame Marie la Fauconniere (she/her) | Don’t be intimidated by formal food or beverage tastings! Learn how to prepare, compare, and have fun exploring with all your senses. No alcohol will be tasted in this class. | Classroom 3 | 8 (extra handouts available) | FREE |
2024 Salons
What’s a salon? In pre-Revolutionary France, intellectuals and artists (and those who aspired to be known as such) were hosted by the social and cultural elite at gatherings known as salons. People of ideas and ability used these gatherings to network, exchange knowledge, and read from, perform, or otherwise show off their latest creations.
Artisans’ Day will offer a variety of 3-hour-long themed salons: time and space to gather with others who share your interest, to work on your own projects and share your knowledge, research, and resources. These are not structured, nor are they workshops – there’s no defined outcome or goal, other than the camaraderie of shared time and space working with others who have a common interest.
| THEME | SESSION | HOST | LOCATION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silk Banner Painting | 10:00AM – Noon | Her Royal Majesty Jalida al-Hasannah (she/her) | Classroom 1 (new wing) | |
| All Things Manuscripts | 9:00AM – Noon | the Noble Balthazar the Painter (he/him) | Salon Space 2 | scribal arts, reading and researching manuscripts, historical illuminations and images, etc. |
| Fiber Arts I | 9:00AM – Noon | the Noble Clara Van den Broucke (she/her) | Salon Space 3 | |
| Fiber Arts II | 12:30PM – 3:30PM | Maitresse Audette la Tricoteuse de Saint Denis (she/her) | Salon Space 3 | focus: setting up a loom |
| Storytelling | 12:30PM – 3:30PM | Master Cerian Cantwr (he/him) | Salon Space 1 | |
| Leatherworking | 12:30PM – 3:30PM | the Noble Magnus Eriksson Whitehair (he/him) | Salon Space 2 | |
| Metalworking | 12:30PM – 3:30PM | Captain Hjalmr Njalsson (he/him) | Salon Space 4 |
Also Occurring
| ACTIVITY | HOST OR CONTACT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Activities | the Noble Susanna Merrybegot (she/her) | Classroom 5 |
| Scribes’ Room | Classroom 4 | |
| Heraldic Consultation Table | HE Damian Nihthauk (he/him) | Main Hallway |
| Display: Construction and Decoration of Rapier Bucklers | HE Damian Nihthauk (he/him) | Main Hallway |
| Vigil: Hilla Stormbringer (Laurel) | Filidh Siobhan an Einigh (they/them) | Salon Space 1 |
2024 Youth Activities
Please remember that youth under 12 years of age are expected to be accompanied by their parent or guardian when participating in classes or activities.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:30AM – 11:00AM | Storytime with Hilla |
| 11:00 – NOON | Hobby Horse Races |
| NOON – 1:00PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:00PM – 1:30PM | Cakewalk |
| 1:30PM – 3:00PM | Arts & Crafts: Pictures for the Queen |
| 3:00PM – 3:30PM | Piñata – beat the Dragon |
Combat
There are no combat activities planned for the day. However, if weather permits and you bring your own marshal, there is plenty of space on the lawns for pickup fighting.
Merchants
A few spaces are available at $15 for an 8’x8′ space with 1 table and 2 chairs. Please contact the Merchant Coordinator listed above to reserve a space. Weather permitting, merchants may also set up outdoors at no additional charge.