Selling at Bjørgvin Marknad 2024
This is the first really big event I was selling tablet woven bands at. Even though I did not have a proper stand, only a blanket and two thrifted baskets filled with belts and bands, everything went better than expected.
I have some silver wire
At the arrival to Hordamuseet, the open-air museum in Fana, I was amongst first who set up their shops. I was lucky to get great neighbours - Anne and Are-Martin who were selling glass beads and nicely decorated wooden dishes and boxes.
They borrowed me a handforged tent peg. I used it for my backstrap setup thorought the whole market. And of course, a barter trade was made on the day 2. We exchanged some knowledge and a piece of tablet woven band with Vestrum pattern for a necklace.
Some treasures I got at the market - handcarved spindle made of ash and bone based on a whorl from Birka, glass and bone bead necklace inspired by finds from Ireland and a piece of silver wire.
''What is the narrowest band you have?'' asked a man holding a knife sheath. I found a piece of silk Oseberg band. ''I need some 20 cm,'' he said and showed me the loop on the knife handle it should fit trough. After securing it in place with a tiny staple of silver wire he brought along I handed the knife over. My jaw dropped when he told me I can keep the rest of the wire.
It turned out to be a good barter because when I decided to buy this handcarved spindle I ended up owing the craftsman Peter 10NOK. To our mutual satisfaction, I had this silver wire he could cut a piece of.
Surviving in the camp
- Food: sausages and ice cream were unusually cheap but still good
- Drinking water access: OK, only the tap lived its own life
- Camping: nearby and OK
- Toilets: surprisingly clean all the time
- Afterparty: friendly atmosphere and no violent drinking or something
The weather was much sunnier than forecast predicted. I had no roof over my head most of the day so the red Dublin cap I made a few weeks ago was a life saver. Moreover, now I can confirm from my experience that woolen dress protects against blazing sun! Don't forget to use sunscreen anyway. I forgot to put it on backs of my hands the last day and I regret it.
What I really appreciated was free coffee for those who brought own cups. My favourite part of the day was comon breakfast. It was served for free in a 19th century barn in the museum.
Breakfast: Håkon who took the picture, Peter and me.
Activities for visitors
There was storytelling, music and historical martial arts exhibition. I did not have the opportunity to listen to the storytelling, only to the bagpipe player from Spain. To my disappointment, I could not leave my shop when it was my HEMA group's performance. So I did not swing the sword as I promised :(
Photo: Stian Ask. HEMA Bergen members Håkon and Peter fighting, Thorkell and Kyrill watchig.
-lan