This category includes the conversion of raw or natural materials into media for use in the arts and sciences. Examples: the making of ink, paint, paper, parchment, glue, varnish, glaze, metal alloys, glass, leather tanning, leather dying, wood preparation for panel painting. Entrant MUST specify intended use of product (shoemaking, painting, etc.). Entry must be in uncrafted state (i.e., enter a jar of ink, with pens so Judges can test it, rather than entering a finished scroll). Although fiber preparation fits this definition, separate criteria exist for Spinning and Dyeing. Tools (which are finished products) should be judged under such criteria as Instruments-Nonscientific, Miscellaneous Crafts, Metalwork, etc., as appropriate.
NOTE: The use of potentially lethal period processes without modern safeguards will disqualify an entry. Entrants who use equivalent methods with appropriate safeguards, and who note the reasons for substitution, will not lose Authenticity points.

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) At least a 3x5 card, more is acceptable. Give one point for each of the following present:

• Identification/description of entry.
• Approximate date and place in history.
• Lists use(s) of the entry.
• Cites at least one reference, either illustrative (pictures) or descriptive, relating to: A) period use of such item OR B) period method of constructing such item OR C) both A & B.

• Entry is appropriate to time/place stated in documentation.
• Materials used are period OR give period effect.
• Methods/Procedures used are period OR give period effect.
• Materials, procedures and finished product are consistent with one another and give period effect.

• Complexity of the medium(s) being worked in (difficulty of materials used).
• Difficulty of tools used in process.
• Difficulty of techniques attempted.
• Variety of techniques attempted.
• Amount of time involved, including research.
• Overall scope of the endeavor (size/amount of product, number of steps in process, etc.).

• Ability of entry to serve intended function.
• Accomplishment of form (consistency in resulting product).
• Appropriate application and effective use of materials.
• Mastery of period style and technique.

• 1:Product or process isn't logical in context of period.
• 2:Project fits the context of period, but an adequate understanding of the item being created is missing.
• 3:Entrant used standard, modern process with no alteration or innovation (e.g., combining commercially produced pigment with commercial gum base to make paint).
• 4:Evidence of logical, original work in developing techniques (e.g., deriving process from recipe in period manual like On Divers Arts or Il Libro dell'Arte).
• 5:Creative interpolation in developing techniques; much innovation logical to period OR is an exact reproduction of a period product following an exact method/recipe.
• 6:Original, innovative combination of period materials and techniques to create a product appropriate for a specific period use. Start-to-finish processing. Development of original methods or shortcuts that would have been possible in period and logical to the period craftsman.

NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, and other such items not previously addressed. Keep in mind that this entry is at Novice Level, regardless of the skill of the entrant.

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) Must have at least 1 page; 2-3 pages preferable. More is acceptable. Give one point for each of the following that is present:

• Identification/Description of the entry plus the approximate date and place/nationality in history that the entry is modeled upon.
• Statement or listing of materials used in entry's construction and use(s) of the entry.
• Describes method(s) used to create entry (may include reasons for why a certain process or material was used).
• Cites at least two references, either illustrative (pictures) or descriptive, relating to A) period use of such item OR B) period method of constructing such item OR C) both A & B.

• Entry is appropriate to time/place stated in documentation.
• Materials used are period OR give period effect.
• Methods/Procedures used are period OR give period effect.
• Materials, procedures and finished product are consistent with one another and give period effect.

• Complexity of the medium(s) being worked in (difficulties of materials used).
• Difficulty in tools used in process.
• Difficulty of techniques attempted.
• Variety of techniques attempted.
• Amount of time involved, including research.
• Overall scope of the endeavor (size/amount of product, number of steps in process, etc.).

• Ability of entry to serve intended function.
• Accomplishment of form (consistency in resulting product).
• Appropriate application and effective use of materials.
• Mastery of period style and technique.

• 0:Entrant used standard, modern process with no alteration or innovation (e.g., combining commercially produced pigment with commercial gum base to make paint) OR product or process isn't logical in context of period.
• 1:Project fits the context of period, but an adequate understanding of the item being created is missing.
• 2:Evidence of logical, original work in developing techniques (e.g., deriving process from recipe in period manual like On Divers Arts or Il Libro dell'Arte).
• 3:Creative interpolation in developing techniques; much innovation logical to period OR is an exact reproduction of a period product following and reproducing an exact method/recipe.
• 4:Original, innovative combination of period materials and techniques to create a product appropriate for a specific period use. Start-to-finish processing. Development of original methods or shortcuts that would have been possible in period and logical to the period craftsman.

NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, and other such items not previously addressed. Keep in mind that this entry is at Intermediate Level, regardless of the skill of the entrant.

• 0:No documentation or very inaccurate documentation.
• 1:Minimum information (time, place, medium, intended use).
• 2:#1 plus at least one citation of a period example, but little or no discussion of period practice, OR some discussion of techniques but no period examples cited.
• 3:#1 plus primary source citations of period examples (visual references if available) and discussion of period practice as related to techniques used in entry.
• 4:#3 with very complete examples and discussion, including rationale for techniques and materials used in entry, and appropriateness of product to intended use. Explains original research or experiment. Explains any deviations or variations from period norm.

• 0:Blatantly modern, (e.g., in materials, colors, appearance of product).
• 1:Generally period, with some obviously modern elements present (e.g., modern process producing results equivalent to period process) OR obvious mixture of elements from different cultures or periods (e.g., late-period dyes from Far Eastern sources used in an early-period leather project).
• 2:Overall period product and process, with minor inconsistencies.
• 3:Period product and process with no inconsistencies.
• 4:Special effort to achieve a completely period product by use of period raw materials, tools, etc. Completely period process without modern shortcuts.

• Difficulty of medium, materials, tools used.
• Difficulty of techniques attempted.
• Variety of techniques attempted.
• Scope of endeavor (size of work, steps required in processing, etc.).

• Mastery of period techniques.
• Form: did entrant achieve desired result? (in color, consistency, etc.).
• Function: is product appropriate for intended use?

• 0:Entrant used standard, modern process with no alteration or innovation (e.g., combining commercially produced pigment with commercial gum base to make paint); OR product or process isn't logical in context of period.
• 1:Project fits the context of period, but an adequate understanding of the item being created is missing.
• 2:Evidence of logical, original work in developing techniques (e.g., deriving process from recipe in period manual like On Divers Arts or Il Libro dell'Arte).
• 3:Creative interpolation in developing techniques; much innovation logical to period OR is an exact reproduction of a period product following and reproducing an exact method/recipe.
• 4:Original, innovative combination of period materials and techniques to create a product appropriate for a specific period use. Start-to-finish processing. Development of original methods or shortcuts that would have been possible in period and logical to the period craftsman.

NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, intuitive response, and other such items not previously addressed.