Favor anyone?

[Kit]

Anyone want a favor? :wink:

Well, if you do first you have to tell me how to make/give one! The whole favor concept is a bit new to me. I know that you make a pin of some sort and give it to someone to remember you by... but thats about it...any one care to tell me more? Also, if any one can give me some examples of favors they've given/ recieved in the past I'm sure that will be a great help!

Thanks!

[Lady Sarah]

Anyone want a favor? :wink:

Well, if you do first you have to tell me how to make/give one! The whole favor concept is a bit new to me. I know that you make a pin of some sort and give it to someone to remember you by... but thats about it...any one care to tell me more? Also, if any one can give me some examples of favors they've given/ recieved in the past I'm sure that will be a great help!

Thanks!

I use Fimo or Sculpey clay and a stamp, some paint for accent.

I've got on my favor hanger... a wooden button with a red rose bud, another wooden disk with a bumblebee on it, a sheep, a little felt square with an inspirational charm on it... a cat-bat, a braided bit of ribbon with a glass fruit charm, etc.

Favors are something that's unique to you. they don't have to be expensive at all. I've seen looped pieces of ribbon with a bead on them, little pieces of stamped leather...

Here's El's Favors, http://latebloomer.home.att.net/ , go there for some ideas... she also makes them for you for a small price. I've got three of her pins and I love them.

[Keeley135]

I'm the honey wench at GSLRF (I actually run the honey booth) and this year I found some little wooden bees at Michael's. I glued pins on the back and gave them out. They are sooo cute!! (if i say so myself!! LOL) I've gotten several that are small beads on thread tied to a pin.

[Bronya]

I make my own wine, so my favors usually revolve around that, one year they were tiny femo grape clusters, another year burgundy and green ribbons with tiny gold grape leaves. For my Priate garb I have little tiny glass bottle, filed with coriander seeds. This year I found some bracelets at MIchaels that had places for tiny pictures so I took some pictures of me and a friend and put them in the frames (about1"x!.5") added a ribbon and gave each person one. For all the Toad Mistresses, I make little green femo frogs. Its fun, let your imagination run. Good luck

[Rhia]

Mine last year were small painted wooden disks that I decoupaged color copies of images (faces mostly) off of my current tarot deck, then highlighted with gold embossing powder.

Gave them to friends at my home faire, as well as when I went to visit other faires to all the wenches I met.

[Giselle]

When I give out my favors it's for those special to me in the faire and when people do me special, well, favors. Such as when I'm in my mermaid tail. We can't talk...for two hours! So we have guards and other people who just help out by getting us food (since it takes 30 minutes to get dressed and undressed) and bring us water and whatnot. Also, there is this WONDERFUL face painter from New York I believe...she does all the mermaids for free and we send people to her booth.

Now of course we don't leave it only to those who do something nice to help you out. (they usually just get the best of the trinkets)...you can also give them to those who aren't afraid to play along in any game you have...or maybe a scene...just someone who is a good sport.

Now, I've used fake flowers with a pearl bead and ribbon hanging from it..scented with vanilla as favors (I was a lady at the time) I also have used dragon tears for mermaid favors, sea shells is a big one, little bubble bottles, you can take a some bobby pins and thread ribbon through them so people can clip them on garb and or put it in their hair...try to make something that is distict...something that represents you. When someone sees this they can say, "Hey I bet that person is in the favor of that wench"....but believe me...it doesn't have to be costly at all. Keep in mind, Walmart fabric section, other fabric stores, Micheal's, HobbyLobby...and never underestimate the power of the Thrift Store...even for boots and shoes...

Hope you get some good ideas.

[Tapestry MacGillicuddly]

I also have used dragon tears for mermaid favors, sea shells is a big one, little bubble bottles, you can take a some bobby pins and thread ribbon through them so people can clip them on garb and or put it in their hair...try to make something that is distict...something that represents you. When someone sees this they can say, "Hey I bet that person is in the favor of that wench"....but believe me...it doesn't have to be costly at all. Keep in mind, Walmart fabric section, other fabric stores, Micheal's, HobbyLobby...and never underestimate the power of the Thrift Store...even for boots and shoes...

Hope you get some good ideas.

"Dragon Tears"? I wanna know about dragon tears... I love anything with dragons... I'm thinking of something... now I just have to figure out how to make it.

Tap ;~D

[Giselle]

Dragon tears are those little glass stones often used as decoration in a vase or at the bottome of a fish tank. They come in all colors...some frosted some clear. They have bags of them at Walmart in the Fabric and crafts department. That's the easiest place to find them. Also found at HobbyLobby and Micheal's.

[Lady Sarah]

Dragon tears are those little glass stones often used as decoration in a vase or at the bottome of a fish tank. They come in all colors...some frosted some clear. They have bags of them at Walmart in the Fabric and crafts department. That's the easiest place to find them. Also found at HobbyLobby and Micheal's.

I've seen variations on that with little inspirational sayings printed on paper and glued to the bottom.

[Giselle]

We also took those and have glued ribbons to the bottom side and/or pins.

[Tapestry MacGillicuddly]

Well I'm a collector of all sorts of things... and I have this idea that I have to figure out how to put it all together... The one is for a celtic knot that is sometimes used as a protection symbol, among other things.

The other is for the baby dragon scales I've collected... pretty, light, and in beautiful irredescent colors... I've got to figure out how to either hang them from a ribbon or glue a pin back on them.

Tap ;~D

[Giselle]

I must say though...one of the best things to do is always where one or two of these favors on your person. That way when you are giving it to someone you are taking it directly off of yourself and it makes it that much more special. Then just put on another one. This also connects those wearing the charm to you. Some people just carry them in a pouch but I find doing it like this to give it that extra kick.

[Tapestry MacGillicuddly]

I must say though...one of the best things to do is always where one or two of these favors on your person. That way when you are giving it to someone you are taking it directly off of yourself and it makes it that much more special. Then just put on another one. This also connects those wearing the charm to you. Some people just carry them in a pouch but I find doing it like this to give it that extra kick.

That's a great idea. And the whole idea of doing favors is to make something that is personal to you to give to friends.

[Giselle]

Besides, if you are wenching it up and giving a favor to a Hottie-Walker-Wannabe...you can direct his attention...ahem..wherever...you...um...place the favor...ahem on your person.... [hint, hint, wink, wink] :twisted:

[Kit]

Ooo! I have so many ideas floating up at me, hehe. Um quick question... do you make a bunch of different favors (each one unique) or do you make like one main favor and have them all be the same?

[Lady Sarah]

Ooo! I have so many ideas floating up at me, hehe. Um quick question... do you make a bunch of different favors (each one unique) or do you make like one main favor and have them all be the same?

I myself made two this year - one for the pirate crew and one for my mainstay.

[Giselle]

I personally make many of one kind and a few select "specials" for my closest faire friends, pirates, fellow wenches, guards...etc.. I mean, say you get to mark a rouge, cad...etc...and give them a little something for being a good sport. But give a little something extra to people who you've known for a while but only see at faire (a remember me by trinket) or for those who really do something nice for you such as a favor that helps ease your day.

When I am a mermaid I give my guards, pirates and select few faire friends special trinkets and then the people that take pictures with us, children, etc...a more simple but still nice favor. However, I make sure all favors have similarities like same coloring or same design but some smaller and some slightly larger.

[Ciani]

So I know I was told not to worry about favors but I am anyway. My local chooses wench flavors and I'm the passion fruit wench. So anyway.. I thought hmm passion fruit.. but I can never find the right shape in glass beads. Last night I found the cutest little bead kit with dark rose colored glass beads in a variety of shapes with designs painted on top. I was thinking about doing something with these beads on this weird ribbon yarn/thread I bought, nestled on a larger piece of burgundy ribbon (3/8 inch) maybe with a letter c bead on a pin. Does that sound nice? It's nothing like what I saw when I was glancing around online so I don't really know what I'm doing. Just seemed cute.

[RichardMacHugely]

Usually, you'd make your favors more or less the same. Note necessarily exactly the same, but certainly similar enough so that anyone else seeing the favor would know automatically that it came from you.

Of course, if you had a special person that you wanted to give a unique favor too, that is something you could make truly one of a kind, in which case you should know that I like silver. It goes with my garb.

[Ciani]

Usually, you'd make your favors more or less the same. Note necessarily exactly the same, but certainly similar enough so that anyone else seeing the favor would know automatically that it came from you.

Of course, if you had a special person that you wanted to give a unique favor too, that is something you could make truly one of a kind, in which case you should know that I like silver. It goes with my garb.

Good to know Richard. ;) I like silver too and was thinking about trying to incorporate that into my favor. The beads are very similar but still unique. So I figured you would be able to tell they were from the same person but each would be special. I don't know! I probably won't even have time to make any before Fling, but I couldn't help but buy these beads last night. I thought they were cute. I could just make myself a necklace with them.

[Bean]

Since everyone calls me Bean, I took bottle caps, put white beans in and the put clear epoxy over them. I think this year I'm going to find an ulta thin marker and put '05 on one of the beans before I epoxy, then each year can be marked.

[Miracle Wench]

I have not started I guess I better get busy only 9 days.

[Bean]

Yeah, on the list of things to do before Fling.................... right after finishing the garb.....

[Giselle]

You guys are lucky....I don't get another faire in these parts until August... Oh how I count the days...:::sigh:::

[Ciani]

You guys are lucky....I don't get another faire in these parts until August... Oh how I count the days...:::sigh:::

I'm a crazy woman and traveling six hours to go to a faire!! All the same, GLRF starts next month.. I can probably only afford to go once though.

[KissMeKate]

I did very special favors for a couple years, no more than 5 or 6 in a season, and more elaborate ribbons for Wench Walks (for those we can't mark with our lips). Last year I started making favor pins, and it took me a few tries to come up with the best and faster way to make them. This year I'm trying new beads, so we'll see how they turn out.

One hint I'd like to pass along...

If you use glue to attach your favor to a pin or clip, make sure you use a very good craft glue. I've had 9 favors pop off their pins in the last year, and although I've managed to catch most of them to repair, I've lost a couple. :cry:

[Bean]

Yes, I second the good glue thing!! Gorilla Glue is good, or any super epoxy glue from you local craft store. In my case I am putting metal to metal, so I got a special glue for that.

[Ciani]

I have that tacky glue stuff. Should I try something different?

[Ciani]

I found this site that explains favors. It's helpful to me in better understanding what they'll all about so I thought I'd pass it on.

http://www.renaissanceactor.com/favors.html

[Tapestry MacGillicuddly]

I have that tacky glue stuff. Should I try something different?

The tacky glue is good for some things and not for others. I've got something that I think is called 609 or some such. It is meant for wood, plastic, metal, ceramic, clay, etc. However, that can let go too if it is given a good yank is pried at... which I did for a FIMO clay pin I had made. Mom had put the pin on for me and I didn't like the way it was hanging... So I worked at getting the glue to let go, and the pin is clay is fine. Now to just re-glue it.

I'm thinking of using little gold pins with a pretty ribbon bow IF I can figure out how to get a whole thru what I want to make. We're still thinking and working on my idea.

Tap ;~D

[I'Cin]

Most of the time, the "favor" being handed out usually relates in some way to the person handing them out (like Bean was talking about) and they're usually hand-made (but not always). I have a favor made from yellow and orange foam board that look like flames, from a wench who goes/went by Flame. I have one that is a little cat o'nine tails from a wench who is (was?) known at MD for carrying one. One is simply a pin with the wenches name on it. As "Indolent Cin" I keep thinking I need little pillows to give out - but of course I never get them done . . . .

I'Cin

[Ciani]

Yes, I've been trying to work with things that I felt would go with my wench flavor and how I am in general. The colors I chose are pink/wine/purple colors with regular ribbon, this weird thread ribbon stuff I can't explain too well and glass hand-decorated beads. I'll have to try to put a few favors together and see how it works out in reality instead of theory.

[Leigh]

Ciani,
did you ever think about maybe doing little scented pouches( like the potpori pouches you put in a sock drawer but smaller) on pins? I use to work with kids and we would make them for the familys and they werent to expensive to make.And they have all kinds of scents including Passion fruit and other stuff. kinda like a pomander :)

some thing like this but more in the size to wear:
http://www.creativeilluminations.com/item_483.php

you can get unsented beads( http://www.creativeilluminations.com/category_55.php ) and soak them in scents( http://www.creativeilluminations.com/category_28.php )
and make your own
Maybe you could even find someone to do it with you and bring the price down

[Lady Sarah]

Yes, I've been trying to work with things that I felt would go with my wench flavor and how I am in general. The colors I chose are pink/wine/purple colors with regular ribbon, this weird thread ribbon stuff I can't explain too well and glass hand-decorated beads. I'll have to try to put a few favors together and see how it works out in reality instead of theory.

Don't worry if it doesn't come out right right away. ~L~ I went through so many prototypes and trial runs of mine. first design was too complicated, second try I couldn't get the shape right, third attempt the clay was too thin and broke within days. I finally got it hammered down to a piece that I like, as well as a color scheme. It takes time. When the right one speaks to you, you'll know.

which reminds me, I need to make some up for MIRF...

[Ciani]

Yes, I have a basic idea in mind, and I figure that it will change next year as I get a better feel for things. Most people seem to make little things out of clay or metal but mine is really just ribbons and a bead or two.

[Ciani]

Leigh, Thanks for the suggestion about the scented pouches. I'll have to look into that!

[Lady Sarah]

Yes, I have a basic idea in mind, and I figure that it will change next year as I get a better feel for things. Most people seem to make little things out of clay or metal but mine is really just ribbons and a bead or two.

and that's OK! ~L~ one of the cutest favors I have is that piece of glass bead (it looks like a spikey blob, but I think it's supposed to be a raspberry) that's hanging from a loop of braided ribbon. Also from a Fruit Wench. ;) Be unique. So what if everyone else is making them from clay or metal? Yours will stand out!

[Ciani]

and that's OK! ~L~ one of the cutest favors I have is that piece of glass bead (it looks like a spikey blob, but I think it's supposed to be a raspberry) that's hanging from a loop of braided ribbon. Also from a Fruit Wench. ;) Be unique. So what if everyone else is making them from clay or metal? Yours will stand out!

That's what I'm hoping :) I guess if I get stuck in the repair shop all morning tomorrow I can make favors. Boy, won't the mechanics think I'm weird!! heh.

[NYKitten]

somehow i get the feeling that i'll be putting my favors together in the hotel room the night before opening day....there just arent enough hours in a day!

[FunnyLove]

So my polymer clay smiley faces didnt go as planned and I wussed out and resorted to using wood circles and paint. As soon as one is finished I'll post a pic. ::hangs her head in shame::

--Diana

[OneGypsy]

a hussy has no shame! hang your head not wench ;) *grins* I am sure your favors will be treasured no matter what you make them out of.

[Emrld]

As Lady Sarah mentioned she has a favor that is a fabric square with an inspirational charm on it . . . .That would be from me. . . .It was my first atempt at Favors and I am pleased with how they came out. I am not a Garb Natzi and like to wear my favorite colors . . I wanted my favors to represent myself and what I saw in others.
So I bought some neony (it is now a word if it wasn't before) lime green felt and cut it into squares. Then I took little metal charms that said things like "inspire" "love" "live" "laugh" "dream". they had loops on the top so I tied little purple bows and using fingernail glue used the bows to cover the loop. using hot glue I attached the charm to the felt and then the felt to the pin. The purple and green represented me . . . and the saying is something that I felt the others shared of themselves.
The nicest part . . . I wasn't sure how people would react . . . everyone that I gave a favor too had a hug and a smile for me. (I have to say I am a hugger and any reason to get a hug is a good thing in my book)

[KissMeKate]

It took some trial and error, but I have managed to wrap pins with embroidery floss with a charm. The trick is to figure out how to use enough floss to cover without being too bulky, and get the ends tied off without unravelling. Last year mine were rust-colored floss with a small bronze leaf. This year's are leaf green with a yellow glass leaf. I've also made some for my SO - blue floss with a celtic charm.

[Mistress Morigianna]

just a quick thought-

being the purple bodice goddess i had (duh) purple favors. A jeweled button with purple & silver trim . They were wonderful until i realized alot of my friends weren't wearing them.

I found that the costume mistress at that faire had desided that all workers/actors/boothies were not allowed to wear purple in any form even favors. (which was strange because thier queen did not wear purple....oh well).

SO now i have 2 - my purple one that has developed in to 2 buttons and trim (resembling boobs sort of- lol) and a green and burgundy ribbon with a sewing charm on it for ones who can't wear the other.

Sometimes they can't wear metallic or metal things too so i am playing with the idea of wooden thimbles...sigh.

I did find soe were wearing (non approved favors) on the underside of thier collars though- lol.

[Annabella St. Clair]

In my local my flavor is creme brulee, kind of hard to translate. So, I'm thinking about tiny glass viles with the dark sugar you use for the top of the dessert inside. Plus with some ribbons. But then I found ready made wax adhesive circles in the wedding section. Had to get both things. The wax looks sort of like little creme brulees.

I noticed last year I spent alot of time interacting with kids at faire. So this year I bought plastic skulls rings for the boys at Halloween and plastic heart rings for the girls after V'day.
I think the boys will like the skull and it's very pirate and what girl doesn't like hearts. Perfect.

I realized last year that normal favors with pins was a bad idea so I got the rings. Very safe.

Annabella