Addicted to Largess:

Wanting to try to create Largess but…..????

Royals, Peers, Baronial Heads, and many others frequently need Largess. Personally, I love giving tokens and gifts. As a former Landed Baroness, I can attest that largess disappears faster than you can say, “HOLD!” Many times Largess Drives are held and they come in the form of Thrifty Three, Fabulous Fives, Super Sevens, Nifty Nines…you get the picture. The creatively challenged or those who seem overwhelmed by the idea of largess frequently do not know what to make or if their largess is “Good enough.”

Firstly, the idea of making largess can be overwhelming. Completely. However, there are items that can be easily made and do not require a lot of thought or even creativity. The can be done en-mass in an evening or can be easily generated. These small items may not have as much impact as say someone who can metalsmith and creates great torcs; but they are the backbone of largess. The smaller items, rings, Viking bling, necklaces, etc… are actually what drives largess. Small items provide an opportunity for the Peer, Royal etc… to immediately acknowledge someone and in reality, are needed the most. I once gave out over 40 items of largess during at a War as a thank you to a group of volunteers. So, yes, your small contributions are super important.

Secondly, the question of is your Largess good enough is an important and anxiety-ridden question. The responsibility of ensuring your largess is appreciated is in the receiver; however, if it is your first one, let the person you are Largessing know it is your first so they can gift it to someone who appreciates the first. I love firsts. I have a belt I still wear. I don’t know who made it but it is someone’s first, was weaved with several patterns and just happens to be the only belt that actually goes with a Viking dress I made. I wear it with pride because a “first” was entrusted to me. I have given my firsts to people who love that they have the first item made or have the item that they taught me to make. If anxiety over your Largess is an issue, you can always by-pass the Largess Drives and give it directly to the one whom you are designating it to go to.

What to make? What to make depends upon one’s own ability so I’ve sectioned off the Largess making into Easy for the Creatively Challenged, I Need to Think and Focus, and Whew, That Took For EVER!