I’m Skye Makaris, a public historian & interpreter in Northwestern Vermont. The name of my site, Seed to Spool, derives from my work with the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, the only museum in New England to process flax from early spring seed-sowing to autumn thread-spinning.
At EAHM, I work as Lead Educator, designing and implementing public history programming. I also serve as Head of Distaff for Warner’s Recreated Regiment (aka the Green Mountain Boys), interpreting the camp follower experience during the American War for Independence.
My research, both abstract and experimental, focuses on the daily lives and material culture of women in the late 18th century (and sometimes earlier). On the hobbyist side, I interpret early modern England as a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism under the name Eseld an Goarnic. More about my SCA path (and eventual Laureate) on the East Kingdom wiki.
I think of myself as a “method” reenactor: I try to embed myself, in as many dimensions as possible, in the times and places I interpret. I was a professional copy editor at the age of 15, which should tell you everything you need to know about my relationship to detail. It’s where the devil lives, after all — and by “devil”, I mean the ineffable truth of our forebears’ lives, which I am always striving to understand better. Mostly I’m very nosy.
I’m into rhythm and ritual. My historical interests are those which repeat seasonally or mark something momentous: harvest, holidays, periods, childbirth. I want to bear witness from seed to spool. Join me!
Living History from Seed to Spool 