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Study of Sages: a Legacy of Women's Ideas in SCA Period
Study of Sages: a Legacy of Women's Ideas in SCA Period
This was a collaborative study of philosophical viewpoints, scholarly pursuits & intuitive discoveries attributed to women before 1700 CE — conducted through the eSCA, in A.S. LIX. Through the "jigsaw learning strategy," participants studied one scholar. Participants then gathered virtually throughout several sessions in winter of 2025 to give a 15-minute presentation about that scholar of choice.
This project was meant to help Scadians develop a cursory knowledge of notable thoughts & ideas advanced by ancient and medieval women. While there are many women in history worth studying, this project focuses on those whose thoughts & ideas have survived in some form to be studied today. Future iterations may expand this survey study to include in-depth discussions. Associated content will be maintained through the foreseeable future to serve as a resource for the broader SCA community. See the archived 2025 Study of Sages webpage to learn more.
Left: Illumination of Christine de Pizan lecturing a group of men. Commissioned in 1413, produced by Christine de Pizan's scriptorium in Paris, France.
Ottoman Calligraphic Design — a Royal Tughra
Ottoman Calligraphic Design — a Royal Tughra
I spent approximately 40 hours designing the tughra, creating more than 150 versions in the process. While a tughrai would’ve used a seasoned reed with an angled nib on burnished paper, I used a modern calligraphy pen and drawing paper for ease. The final design maintains fidelity to the essential elements of the tughra, including beyze, tugh, hançer and sere elements. Rather than using the Sultan’s name only (or his name and his father’s name), I decided to integrate the Sultana’s name as well. This nod to western modernity is echoed in my decision to omit religious or honorific phrases at the tughra’s base. I would like to use more period-appropriate materials in the future, but my focus for this project was not material excellence and authenticity, but to design a beautifully-formed tughra evocative of the Ottoman Empire. Click here to learn more about this project.
Inks, Dyes, Pigments & Paints
Inks, Dyes, Pigments & Paints
See below for a sampling of my projects related to pigments, painting, inks and dyes. More to be added!
Pigment-making: hibr, or tannin-based ink using gathered oak galls & black walnuts. Recipe from Zinat al-Kataba, a 10th c. Persian treatise for scribes, 2022
Pigment-making: I rigged a contraption to make midad, or "lamp-black," a carbon-based ink/liquid paint, 2022
I stamped, painted, decorated, and baked 500 clay site tokens for Holiday Faire, 2016
Fabric-dyeing: Using indigo to dye linen; indigo was often ferried across the Sahara from the Sahel region, 2019
Assorted Epigraphic Adventures
Assorted Epigraphic Adventures
I am fascinated by anything epigraphic, and will continue to explore projects related to this niche. A few examples:
Gifts for Madrasa Guild members & other key Scadians: block-printed tiraz bands on yellow silk, 2016
To acclimate Scadians to Arabic, I offered free calligraphic henna in 2016. Henna was used in period, though I haven't found evidence of this style
Arabic scroll awards; handmade reed/ink, Storvik Novice (Atlantia) 2017
Gift for my new Laurel at apprenticeship ceremony: a khamriyya, or "wine poem" written in Maghribi style of calligraphy, 2017
Arabic calligraphy practice, but with a homemade, slanted reed as would be appropriate for North African scribes, 2018
Free-painted Arabic calligraphic border on a sleeve, gift for a friend, 2017
Banners for the northern & southern regions of the Madrasa Guild, paint on ripstop nylon, 2016
A&S Themes for Dietrich and Una’s ReignStyle guide for the Ottoman reign of King Dietrich & Queen Una; meant to help Atlantia's scribes and populace engage effectively with the reign's theme, 2018
Madrasa Guild Library & Lounge Displays
Madrasa Guild Library & Lounge Displays
As Deputy President of the Atlantian Madrasa Guild, I periodically host a "Madrasa Guild Library and Lounge" at events; the goal of which is to give event attendees a look at our regions of focus, to answer academic questions, and to give A&S-minded folks a place to relax and chat during events. These displays sometimes follow the theme of the event at which it is held.
If you'd like a Madrasa Guild Library & Lounge (solar) at your event in Atlantia or the East, please contact Tala in advance with your request.
A&S Amidst Martial Pursuits
A&S Amidst Martial Pursuits
When I first joined the SCA, I immersed myself in archery. I quickly became a marshal, designed targets, and helped train new archers in the barony by leading archery practice near College Park, MD. I designed 2 shoots and made all the targets for Storvik Novice, and I became Storvik's baronial archery champion soon thereafter. While I started shooting with a traditional recurve bow, I've since moved to a "horsebow" style, which is more accurate for North African archers. This is shot with a thumb-ring, and the bows have no shelf like some recurves and longbows do.
Leather-working: I made & tooled a North African-inspired quiver, 2015
Archery shoot creation: I created a shoot for Storvik Novice in which archers learned about the adventures & raids of Vikings, 2015
StorvikNoviceTargetDescriptions.2016.docxArchery shoot-creation: I created a shoot for Storvik Novice in which archers learned about the daily life of Vikings, 2016
Viking-inspired bulletin board for the Barony of Storvik's archery shoots, 2016
Translation Work
Translation Work
I am periodically asked to do Arabic translations for other people's A&S projects, scrolls, and more. Though I speak a modern dialect of Arabic, each translation is based on period Arabic, tailored to each persona's region and time of focus. These fascinating and time-consuming projects help me learn nuanced, local Arabic vernacular, and they help other Scadians enhance their personas with period-appropriate epigraphic details. With adequate notice, I still take translation requests depending on my availability (email Tala to request a translation). See below for a few samples of my translation projects.
ScrollTranslation.Khalidah.120718.pdfOrder of the Rose Leaf, Kingdom of the West
Translation for East Scroll.pdfOrder of the Chivalry,
East Kingdom
ScrollTranslation.Failenn.111218 (2).pdfOrder of the Silver Leaf,
Kingdom of Atlantia
Arabic Language Name Consult (1).pdfArabic & Farsi phrase translation & interpretation
Arabic Name Consultation_ Lisa Curran.pdfArabic full name consultation, Kingdom of Atlantia
Arabic Language Name Consult (1).pdfPhrase translation, Arabic & Farsi, Kingdom of Atlantia
Arabic Name Consultation_ Lisa Curran.pdfFull name translation with pronunciation assistance, Kingdom of Atlantia
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