[MR] A&S Judging Question

[Marsaili Johnston]

Greetings!
   
  This is a serious question, I'm really not trying to 'stir the pot,' though I suspect it will.
   
  When I write documentation for an A&S display or competition and include all the pertinent information -- like the source of the item, why I used particular materials, how it was used, did they use/have this in period, etc -- does it ever actually get read?
   
  I was asked this by a friend who had proof-read some documentation for me -- after you've been looking at it yourself, after awhile you miss mistakes! -- and she was reading judging sheets I've gotten back.  She looked at them and said, "But you answered that in the documentation.  Why are they asking that question?"
   
  Since I've wondered the same thing on occasion, I thought I would put it out to the list.  
   
  Some examples have been:  I did some embroidered pieces in interlace patterns and specifically said that they had come from the Book of Kells (circa 800 AD).  I was asked, "Where did you find these patterns, they look very modern."  Not modern at all!  On the same things, my color choices were also questioned, even though I explained those as well, with the dyes that would have been used to get them in that time period.  And that yes, those particular color combinations would have been used.
   
  Canvas-work chair cushions -- 'Did they make chair cushions like this in period?'  The question was answered in the documentation, along with pictures.  Also explained pattern, color choices and why I was using a yarn that can easily cleaned!  (Visions of sweaty, grubby guy on a hot day plopping in the chair!)
   
  "This basket was obviously made from a kit."  Nope, I got a bundle of reeds, a bucket to soak them in, a tape measure and knife to cut them and instructions for how to do it -- apparently, in that judge's opinion, it was 'too good' to have not been made from a kit.  In a way, I'm flattered, but not!  However, all of the info was in the (unread) documentation.
   
  There were photos included for some jewelry, showing portraits with a couple that were as close to identical as could be done from a photo of a painting (pearls alternating with gold beads and amethysts with silver links) and the question was "Did they use links like this in jewelry?"  The only difference between what was in the picture and what I had was mine were silver, the ones in the portrait are gold.  Did anyone look at it?
   
  There was also some very sharp criticism of the two pieces that were not absolutely identical to the portrait, though they were described as 'inspired by.'  They were both pearls with colored glass beads -- I'd love to have used rubies or emeralds, like the original, but until I win the lottery, that's not likely to happen.  Apparently, in the opinion of that judge, that wasn't good enough.  
   
  This is the Society for Creative Anachronism, not the Society of the Compulsively Authentic!  
   
  This is just in my own experience, I'm sure that other people have similar things happen.  However, it is making me wonder why I bother to document things, instead of just leaving it on the table, if it's not being read!
   
  I'm curious to know about other experiences and why this happens.
   
  Lady Marsali Johnston

       
---------------------------------
Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story.
 Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games.