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Martha

@rayofwhimsy

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✨ Curator of fantasy, medieval, and bookish experiences. Infusing everyday life with whimsy ✨

🏰 Wisconsin
🚫AI
Inquiries: [email protected]

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If you needed a sign to start your Valkyrie training, this is it! ⚔️

I recently took my first medieval combat class at @wismcc and absolutely LOVED it. I attended a femme-only class, but ANYONE is welcome to join the gym! Visit the link in their bio for details.

@mythicfae organized a femme only class the 4th Wednesday of each month for any of us interested in giving the sport a try. She and our other trainer, Monique, did a great job making the session approachable for beginners like myself.

Follow @milwaukeeironmaidens for more details on femme-only classes at @wismcc (Wisconsin Medieval Combat Center).

Drop any questions in the comments!

#buhurt #armoredcombat #medievalcombat #valkyrie #trainingarc by @rayofwhimsy

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17 days ago

⚔️ Meet the Milwaukee Iron Maidens! ⚔️

We’re incredibly excited to make our first official post as the Milwaukee Iron Maidens femme armored combat team!

This Wednesday, we hosted our very first all-femme practice, and the response was beyond what we could have hoped for. Seeing so many new faces step into soft kit, pick up weapons, and give armored combat a try was an incredible experience.

To everyone who came out: thank you for taking that first step with us. While not all these fierce people are officially Iron Maidens just yet, we hope to see you back at practice, growing stronger, learning the sport, and maybe joining the team as recruits down the road. 👀

This practice was also a first for Volivia - her first time running a class as an instructor! It was a huge learning experience, and she’s excited to keep improving and becoming a better instructor with every practice. A massive thank you to our co-instructor Monique for helping make it happen!

Here’s to building a community of strong, supportive, and badass femme fighters. We all have a warrior heart inside us. ⚔️

Come find yours. taken in Wisconsin Medieval Combat Center by @rayofwhimsy

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21 days ago

I’ve had a pirate themed photoshoot on my summer bucket list and FINALLY was able to cross it off! I was so excited about this theme that I ended up shooting two different outfits.

Look 1: Captain Red Dread
Look 2: Siren Sailor

I’m torn between which one I like more, so instead I want to hear from YOU. Please tell me which is your favorite!

These photos were all shot by @elizabeth_m.photography and edited by me!

#pirate #siren #mermaid #fantasy #piratesofthecarribean by @rayofwhimsy

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a month ago

✨The Red Dread✨

The infamous Captain Red Dread… a pirate who has made the sea her playground. She stops for nothing, except perhaps a bottle of rum.

Sharing a few more photos from the shoot I did with @elizabeth_m.photography. Editing done by me!

Again, I’m amazed by the vision @elizabeth_m.photography has for setting the scene to capture the most beautiful photos. She’s excellent at directing models into different poses that look stunning on camera. Make sure you follow along on her fantasy account @between_the_realms93 for more of her work!

#pirate #fantasyphotography #piratequeen #piratesofthecarribean by @rayofwhimsy

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a month ago

✨The Siren Sailor✨

Calista… The siren who traded her fins to walk on land. Whose heart will always belong to the sea. 🌊

What do you think of my OC? She might make an appearance at @benevolentball later this year but of course will wear her finest gown for the occasion.

These photos were shot by the INCREDIBLE @elizabeth_m.photography. She is always a joy to work with and has a passion for fantasy photography. If you’re ever looking for someone to do a mini shoot with, I would highly recommend her.

She was kind enough to let me take a shot at editing these photos. How did I do?? If you’d like to see examples of her edits, check out her page or @between_the_realms93. We’ll be posting more of this shoot and show you a side by side of our unique edits in the coming weeks. 💖

Can you believe this was shot in Lake Michigan?! So thankful to have such a stunning freshwater sea that I can use for fantasy photo shoots.

#pirate #siren #fantasyphotoshoot #mermaid #seaside by @rayofwhimsy

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a month ago

The magic of editing ✨

Love love LOVE that I got to collaborate again with @rayofwhimsy so soon for this Pirate/Siren shoot. We got so many amazing images that we are still going through. But this image was my first edit and I’m enamored 🤩

This time around, we are both editing the RAW images! I can’t wait for you to see how we edit this session!!

If a fantasy session sounds like something you would be interested in. Don’t hesitate to reach out! 🩵

P.S. don’t worry, there will be an episode two of “what my kids said” again for this session lol by @rayofwhimsy

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a month ago

⚔️ CALLING ALL VALKYRIES ⚔️

***UPDATE: a second date is now available on 10/28. See links in my bio to register. 9/23 class is full. 💖

I have an exciting announcement I’ve been dying to share!

On Wednesday, September 23, @wismcc is hosting a femme-only, beginner friendly medieval combat class.

Join us at 7:00pm in Milwaukee, WI! Come train like Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie.

The sign up link is in my bio and on the @wismcc page. Space is limited.

Let me know if we’ll see you there. 💛💙

@milwaukee.ironstags

#buhurt #medievalcombat #valkyrie #fmc #bookishbootcamp by @rayofwhimsy

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a month ago

Have you ever heard of Buhurt?

It’s full-contact sport where fighters wear heavy armor and fight with various weapons. There are teams all over the country and you might be surprised to learn there are some near you!

The event we attended was called the Cream City Clash IV held in Milwaukee, WI hosted by the @milwaukee.ironstags. Teams showed up from all over the Midwest to compete.

We were returning attendees this year and the event never disappoints!

If you’re one of the other teams or fighters that competed in the event, feel free to tag yourselves for some recognition! Help people find you so they can come cheer at your events!

Everyone did an awesome job. Can’t wait for next year!

FEATURED TEAMS:
@milwaukee.ironstags (WI)
@twincitieswyverns (MN)
@chicagolandhydras (IL)
@detroitfightclub (MI)
@theneworder (IA)

@wismcc

#buhurt #medivalcombat #armoredfighting #medivalknights taken in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by @rayofwhimsy

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2 months ago

TAKE ME BACK TO PRYTHIAN!!!

Mother Maas announced BIG news today and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to finally post my Feyre cosplay.

I’m so curious (and slightly terrified) to see what the next 2 books have in store. Any theories??

Personally, I hope we learn so much more about Elain 🌷

Series by @sarahjmaas

#nightcourt #starfall #feyrearcheroncosplay #acourtofforgottenmelody #acourtofsplinteredharmony by @rayofwhimsy

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2 months ago

My hair was OVERDUE for a refresh.

It’s been years since I’ve gotten a proper haircut. I decided to bring back an oldie but a goodie… the bangs are back!!!

I’ve been chewing on this idea for months. Even mentioned it in several of my Instagram stories over the last few months. Finally decided to pull the trigger. After all, it’s just hair!

What do we think of the fringe??

#bangs #fringe #redhead #practicalmagichair #reveal by @rayofwhimsy

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2 months ago

We recently got to stay at @dellshireresort. The newest medieval fantasy themed hotel in the Wisconsin Dells. It was SO. FUN.

I’m already planning another trip back. This destination is incredibly family friendly, but it’s also perfect for fantasy-loving adults! I’m thinking my D&D group would have a blast spending the weekend here… The large table in our suite was screaming for a dungeons and dragons session.

Tell me in the comments if you’d stay at a medieval themed hotel. 🏰

#medievalhotel #wisconsindells #fantasylover #vacationdestination #waterpark taken in Dellshire Resort by @rayofwhimsy

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2 months ago

Let this be your sign to experience @bristolrenaissance on a rainy day!

We visited the faire this past Saturday and it rained ALL. DAY. (and all night) We had the best time!

Which would you pick? Cool temps with rain OR 90+ and sunny. I might opt for the rain… sound off in the comments.

Make sure if you take shelter from the rain in one of the shops, try to buy a keepsake or two to support the vendors and artisans if you can. 💖 We came home with some good loot this weekend and plan to go back for more.

Shops Featured:
@medievalmetal
Land of Kush (someone help me find their Insta so I can tag)
@krakenwhip

Performers Featured:
@barelybalanced
@winrichadam

#bristolrenaissancefaire #renaissancepleasurefaire #renfaire #tudorrenaissance fantasy by @rayofwhimsy

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2 months ago