In a message dated 4/5/05 12:37:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> this museum has invited members of our guild to demonstrate on an annual > basis for many years. They have a particular event once a year in which > period > artisans and craftsmen demonstrate their particular skills/trades. Because > it's a special event, attendance is higher than on a "regular" day, and lots > of people are exposed to what we do. We have usually been "staged" on the > front porch of the American Farmhouse, which protects us and our pillows from > the glare of the sun, and also gives us a valid "story" to tell about why we > are making many different kinds of lace (depends on where we imigrated from, > bringing our traditions with us...) For some reason, I think that this event > conflicts with another demo event we do in Lynchburg, because it has been a > few years since any of us went to this. Dear Clay and Tamara and those with similar conflicts of demo dates, Interesting. Although I moved to Maine eleven years ago, I continue to belong to the Lost Art Lacers of North Jersey. These lace-loving ladies are in great demand throughout the region from which they draw members. They have a person designated just to handle demonstration requests, commitments and arrangements. It is not unusual to have two teams of lacemakers out at the same time. Demonstrators tend to go to whichever event is closer to their home or to the event with which they have a long connection. Many of these events call for them to stay all day, not an hour (as in the Baltimore museum commitment). I found the all-day experiences fun. Once you've gone through all the planning to demonstrate, the dressing in special attire or even a nice dress, the driving, and the setting up - it just makes sense to "stay a while". Many times, these lacemakers plan a picnic in connection with their day at a special location. They have the organization of the picnics down to a science. The Lost Art Lacers are extraordinary. There is a core group of friends who always will volunteer and help each other. There has been wonderful continuity - through the years -- in what they do. The most committed members have kept this group very special for over 25 years. Their present leader (President) is Lee Daly, who is a member of Arachne and Vice President of IOLI. Perhaps reading about their experience will give other lace groups new ideas of how to cover more demonstrating territory. Perhaps others are doing something similar. It would be nice to hear how others handle requests for demonstrators at more than one venue on the same day. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace & Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
