In a message dated 29/09/2003 12:29:34 GMT Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> My name is Julia, I am 21 years old, and have been making lace for the past > > 11 years. I am also a final year marketing degree student at South Bank > University in London. > > As part of my degree I have to write a 12,000 word dissertation, related to > marketing, on a subject of my choice. It was recommended that this subject > be something I am particularly interested in, so, the obvious choice was > lace-making!! Spiders, I have replied privately to Julia but then thought perhaps you might want to argue against my thoughts on this. I am seriously worrid that lacemaking is either declining or at best staying at the same levels in the UK - what is the situation in the US, Oz, Canada and the rest of the world? Liz --------------------------- As to figures - I would suggest that you contact the Lace Guild for information know when they were formed (about 25 years ago) and where they have associated groups. However, lace is not growing, it is in serious decline and the average age of lacemakers is rising with the number of new lacemakers declining. I'm 37 and the youngest member of the 2 lace groups that attend - infact, most of the lacemakers in those groups are twice my age. I thought that this was due to my geographical placement but in the UK it is a common problem. Most lace makers over here are retired or semi retired. It is a little different in Oz and US and Canada but have lost lacemaking on the curriculum due to the National Literacy and Numeracy Hours. This has resulted in a serious decline in lace makers in the Beds area where traditionally younger children were being taught as a norm. The number of suppliers has seriously dwindled and we have gone from having 7 or 8 major lace fairs each year to only 4 (NEC, Harrogate, Fountains, Tim Parker). In fact, the Fountain Lace fair (which used to be Springetts) has gone from over 75 suppliers over two days as Springetts to around 35 suppliers for only one day. It is easy to see that you are passionate about lace, however, if you want to show how marketing techniques can be applied to a hobby this is not necessarily the best choice - most lace makers buy from the same suppliers that they have used over 10 - 15 years either because that supplier is the only person who produces that particular item or because they have always bought from them. For example, SMP and Biggins for pillows and Biggins for patterns and thread. Tim Parker for unusual bits and bobs and threads. When I attended the Fountains Fair and the NEC, last year, for the first time in 10 years, I was shocked to see that the average age of many of the suppliers and I whilst I know that they all have a love of lace making and its promotion, I do understand that many of them are looking towards retirement. I know that some of them have family support and are able to pass on supplying to younger family members but in the past few years we have lost through retirment, family needs and death some of the major names in lacemaking. I, personally, am seriously worried about the future of lacemaking and one of the reasons that I am on the Arachne list is to ensure that we promot the best suppliers, world-wide, and ensure the continued success of the lacemaking. On a more positive note, you could look at how commercial lacemaking rose and fell due to the marketing of machine lace and the movement of younger lacemakers from lacemaking to straw braiding. Thomas Wrights 'Romance of the Lace Pillow' is an excellent start. Or, how the rise of department store promoting of people like Hobby's has seriously affected local small scale craft shops and its affect then on lacemakers and embroiderers. Regards Liz Beecher I'm <A HREF="http://journals.aol.com/thelacebee/thelacebee";>blogging</A> now - see what it's all about 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]
