Katarzyna Gwozdz

Photo
Photo by Marguerite Ingen Lachlainn
Information
Resides: Quintavia
Status: Active
Awards: Order of Precedence
Heraldry
Gules, on a bend sinister between two crosses fourchy, between the tines of each fork a roundel, argent three glazier's nails palewise sable.
(Fieldless) A bear rampant per bend sinister gules and argent.
Award & Office Badges

Introduction

Varju was introduced to the SCA in the winter of AS33 (1999), making her first appearance at Birka. She knocked around the society for many years trying to be useful, digging ditches and washing a lot of dishes.
When His Grace Edward Grey of Lochleven and Her Excellency Marguerite Ingen Lachlainn rose to the Crown her involvement increased for a time as she often traveled with the retinue. Through that reign, she met many wonderful people from all over the East Kingdom and beyond. She can still be found about, usually trying to figure out if the chairs need to be put away.

Persona

(Pronounciation: ka-tar-zin-uh, g(a)-voosh, var-you)

Katarzyna Gwozdz, called Varju, was born in the early 1500's in the south of Poland. Her grandmother noted that Katarzyna often came home from long walks in the woods, her apron full of colorful mushrooms and shiny stones, earning her nickname "Varju". She's very much influenced by the flourishing industry of the area, and has many diverse interests. These include but are not limited to agriculture, metal, glass, and wood working. She is quite fond of crows and bears.

She served the Court at the pleasure of Edward and Marguerite. It was under this reign that she took up arms, and participated in the lists until AS49. She continued her service at the whim of Edward II and Thrya. While she is no longer Jongleur Herald, she often supports Royalty by donating custom shield tree placards to the travel auctions. (She is happy to share how to create them with anyone who asks!) She also uses her skill with pencil and paint to help with wayfinding projects for Pennsic War.

Affiliations

In the past Varju has associated with various households such as Oaken Glen, Pembridge Manor, Clan O'Choda, Lochleven, and Darostur
She can probably be found via Technical Services, Pennsic Staff. (Painting something, somewhere.)

Preferred Pronouns

she/her/hers

Offices & Positions

Jongleur Herald of the East (Maintainer of the Crown List Trees) Spring of 2010 through Spring 2014

Motto

Nadzieja Umiera Ostatnia (Hope Dies Last)

In Case of Court

* Use a summon or writ where appropriate.

Please contact Mistress Marion del Okes and Sir Estgar aet Hrofeceastre
Minor good surprises are ok, but in general Varju appreciates a head's up.

Notables

William Blackfox Award Nomination, Pikestaff Cover Art August 2010
Pikestaff Cover Art December 2011
Queen's Guard to Queen Thyra Eiriksdottir
Former Shire of Quintavia "Keeper of the Torsem" (Award for Heavy List Combat)
Part of Countess Marguerite's winning A&S team at the Tournament of the Roses, May 2023
Represented the East Kingdom at the Pennsic 50 A&S competition

Projects

Documentation submitted for the Pennsic 50 A&S Competition can be found at this link: [1]
Leaded Glass Windows in the Dutch Style, c.1500+, as seen installed in situ in Ghent, NY (2020-2022)
Leaded Glass Window panel, Slug Glass/Crown Glass, project presented at The Tournament of Roses, May of 2023
Leaded Glass Fan Light in the Georgian Style, c.1790 (Out of period, 2022)
Copper Foil* Agnus Dei Panel patterned off panels found in the Duomo cathedral, Florence Italy, under construction from 1296 to 1436 (2018)

(*The copper foil method of construction is not a period practice.)

The progress of a Dutch kruiskozijn window panel
Reproduction Dutch kruiskozijn window
One half of a reproduction Dutch bolkozijn window
A reproduction Dutch bolkozijn window, as seen from the interior
Presentation of a leaded crown glass panel at The Tournament of the Roses, 5/2023
Presentation of a leaded glass panels at Pennsic 50, 8/2023
A Georgian style fan window, not yet installed (out of period)
Reproduction of an Agnus Dei panel