Hi all! I am peeping out of lurk mode to put in my two cents. Having been a newbie to several different forms of lace at different times in my life I would like to share a little.
About 20 years ago, I took my first lace class in tatting at the community center in the city I was living at the time. It took me years to make progress that I was happy with. I would work at it for about 6 months, get frustrated, take a 6 month break. Then I would start in making some headway before reaching a wall again. I only took an 8 week beginner class. I learned to make a ring, a chain and how to join to a picot. No finishing techniques or two shuttle, nothing fancy. I was encouraged by others who saw the development of my skills. Then a few years later I found this list. Mostly what I read about was Bobbin Lace. I hadn't a clue what that was. It was many years later that I finally took classes and learned how to make bobbin lace. In the mean time, I was teaching myself Richeleau and needle lace because I could find information about that at a craft or book store, plus I had a collection of appropriate thread by that time too, thanks to my tatting. Eventually I learned that there were "threads" on Arachne about tatting and even got up the courage to design tatting. I joined a beginners tatted doily round robin. It wasn't a total success for all of the participants in our group, but I came out with a beautiful doily. I had been afraid of joining the round robin because I still considered myself to be a beginner. It did inspire me to do more designing. I got encouragement and help from other tatters on the lace list. It was wonderful! I had seen many a flame sent and didnt want to be on the receiving end of one. I took a chance and was thrilled in the end. It boosted my confidence in my skills. I would encourage anyone who wants to to participate in the opportunities we have on this list, to expand your horizons and those of others who share our interest in lace. I have some beautiful bookmarks from a bookmark exchange. I received bobbin lace which I finally got to see in person and immediately decided I would have to learn. That was years ago and I am still only a beginner at bobbin lace, but I like to flit from one to the next challenge. I taught myself to crochet lace and a few sweaters. Since June 2005 I taught myself to knit with the goal of learning to knit lace. I have knit several sweaters thus far. I am feeling ready to start into the finer yarns and needles and something beyond stockinette and garter stitch. I apologize for going on forever, but my point is that there are generous people on this list who will give you a pep talk when you are discouraged. There is a wealth of knowledge from folks around the world on this list. I prefer to focus on the generous, kind and helpful people who have helped me over the years and the friends I have made. Please don't be offended by the comments some make because there are far more of us who would be thrilled to receive a piece of lace from someone else in the world who loves lace as much as we do. We will love that lace that you spent precious hours working on. We will proudly show off the wonder you sent us from whatever corner of the world you come from. I consider my fellow spiders to be family and I hope those who are new to the list will learn to think thus of us also. Pollyana signing off, Michele Hitch Salinas, California, USA [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
