In a message dated 11/17/04 6:41:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> What I am really asking in a round about way is "can you make wire > needlelace". I had a quick try with the copper wire > that dh had lying around, but the wire kept snapping when I tried to pull > the buttonhole stitches in firmly enough. > Firstly, is InterLibrary loan service available in Australia - at local libraries and at universities? I would think so, otherwise scholars would have gr eat difficulties! This is where you can go when you need books not available locally, or even in-country. I wrote a very long paper for Arachne about international InterLibrary loans a few years ago. It may still be on the Lace Fairy's web site. There are people outside the lace hobby community who work with wire - professional jewelers, textile artists and sculptors. One author I can recommend is Arline M. Fisch, who wrote "Textile Techniques in Metal" ISBN 1-57990-256-1, originally $30 U.S., 1996, Lark Books, a division of Sterling Publishing Co., distributed in Australia by Capricorn Link Pty Ltd. and in the U.K. by Guild of Master Craftsman. Do a computer search to find an e-mail address. (A different version of this book was published in 1975 by Van Nostrand Reinhold.) This author has written several books, but this particular one covers weaving, knitting, crochet, braiding, interlinking and its variations - sprang and bobbin lace, basketry, knots and knotting (such as macrame). Now, that does not specifically cover needlelace, but I see no reason why needlelace cannot be made if the appropriate wire is chosen. I would think, too, that it is not necessary to tighten up the needlelace because all the loops will hold it in place, just as macrame, knitting or crochet would. The book has a list of tools and equipment with comparative sizing for U.S. vs. British knitting needles, gauges of wire, etc. There is a large list of suppliers (including Australian), and a huge bibliography for students. A place where you might find more information about wire is in beading stores. They will also have books that may fill in technique gaps. Frish is a jeweler and professor of art, with many accomplishments to her credit throughout the world, and her creations in many top museums (like the V& A). The use of wire in creating jewelry is quite ancient. I wonder if you might find some answers in local art schools that are training jewelers? The front cover photo of the book above shows a braided herringbone necklace in sterling silver strip, by Frish, in the collection of the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Lacemakers, do think outside the box, as someone else has suggested! Perhaps you will become an expert in something that has never been done before. Then, a whole new lace world will open up to you. Jeri Ames in Maine USA (She reads and reads and reads) Lace & Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
