In an email dated Wed, 10 Sep 2003 4:12:46 pm GMT, "Aurelia L. Loveman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> quoted: >"... Binche...never fully evolved in design...but now being >revived as esoteric studies for accomplished amateur >lacemakers." > ><snipped>Aurelia > Aurelia,
I'm more insulted by the term 'amateur lacemakers' - if they mean that I don't get paid then that is only true if we mean in money and I don't charge because no one could afford to pay me. When I did reenactment (don't worry, I'm better now) I was often asked to make a reproduction 17th Century collar by various men or by their wives. I always carried postcards of examples of the lace or photocopies of pieces that I have been lucky enough to see first hand, and would say, 'do you mean like this?' and they would say 'yes' (usually milanese). So I would go through the 'price ritual'. I'd scratch my head, look pensive and say 'well, about er ... yes, that much thread - yes, call the thread �30'. They'd be getting their wallets out at this point to rip my arm out of it's socket. Then I'd say, without any emotion, 'of course it would take approximately 500 plus hours so at �15 an hour that would make it just over �7,500 for labour - heck, I'll throw the thread in for free'. This is where the 'client' would be doing a goldfish impersonation - you know, the mouth opening and closing but nothing happening. The 'client' would then splutter 'but I can by one from (insert name of any general store you like) for only 15 quid!!!! (indignation, indignation.' 'Hey', I would reply, 'if that's all you want then fine'. At this point, other half would walk past in his handmade, blackwork embroidered shirt and ask how I was doing with his lace for his cuffs - I'd always say, 'no problem love, you'll get it shortly' and he'd say 'brilliant - it'll look so good and authentic'. Yes, I'm horrid. Yes, I enjoyed it. Yes, they are ALL cheapskates. I earnt �15 an hour doing my day job and my lacemaking was far better than my work I did there. So wasn't I worth the same amount if not more? When you then tell them that lace was one sold by placing soverigns along the length you wanted to buy they go off in a huff. - Regards Liz Beecher I'm <A HREF="http://journals.aol.com/thelacebee/thelacebee";>blogging</A> now - see what it's all about - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
