Diana.Pickford writes: >Betty Ann in Roanoke Virginia said, "Many years ago I demonstrated lace at a >"Craft Fair" in my hometown - only >'cause it *was* my hometown. One of the comments that has stayed with me came >from a teenager who stood >and watched me do bobbin lace for awhile then said, "Gollllly! I'd bet you'd >get five dollar a yard fer that stuff!" >That was my last "Craft Show" >demonstration." ~~~~~~~~~~ Liz in London writes: >It's all part of the fun!!! of demonstrating. Personally, there were two >things I liked doing at a reenactment - cooking or making lace - and making >lace >meant that I got pieces finished that I wouldn't have found the time to do >else where because when else do you get two whole days to make lace and people >bring you food whilst you do it!! ~~~~~~~~~~
I surely wasn't negating demonstrating lacemaking *anywhere* when I made my comment about doing so at "Craft Fairs." I love being able to sit and make lace all day, have all the attention focused on my art, and enjoy conversations with the passer-bys. Lunch is usually included and sometimes I get a stipend for my travel expenses. With all the other facets of my life, volunteerism, UDC work, charting family cemeteries, genealogy, study of the American Civil War, and travel, I pick and choose my own pleasure. I have only so many days I can devote to demonstrating, so I choose historic homes and historic venues over the craft fairs. I don't actively recruit anyone as a student of bobbin lace; if they are interested, I give them a card and they can contact me. I also give them a ball park figure of the cost of pursuing this art. The Blue Ridge Lace Guild has two "beginner pillow starter sets" with everything included and each is lent for 2 months; instruction included. They have to put a deposit on the equipment. During that time, I used to help the student make (or made it alone) a pillow, lending them bobbins, thread, pins, pricker, card, etc. Then I decided that I wanted to spend more time making lace and less making pillows, I began telling the prospective students up front what they'd be expected to order from the vendors during the time they were using the loaner kit, and I guided them in the selection of pillows, thread, bobbins, etc. from the vendors catalogues. Works for me! Betty Ann in Roanoke, Virginia 24019 Just my $2 worth; I don't come cheap - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
