In a message dated 12/07/2005 19:33:39 GMT Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
So, no I don't think there is what most non-lacemakers would regard as relatively affordable hand-made lace. Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK When I did reenactment I used to take my lace pillow with me to work in in the Living History Camp. Time and again I was asked by other reenactors if I would make them some lace to use at reenactments or to put on a special outfit for Banquets. And time and again I would tell them they would be looking at a couple of hundred pounds - minimum. The reaction was always the same - but you're making it while sitting there watching the battle, why do you want to charge so much. It was as though they thought that my time to make it as it was obviously only a hobby, was not worth anything. I threw this one back at one person who was at the time sitting there sewing a shirt that she intended to sell and said I'd give her a couple of quid for it and she just flounced off. Where I think that people get the wrong idea is that they think it is all made from just a spool of thread where as clothing obviously had fabric in it that costs money. In the end, the only lace that was used in reenactment was that which I swapped with a friend for a coat. She had to sew on over 200 buttons onto the coat and felt that 10 yards of lace was a fair swap - time for time. I think we both got a good deal. Antique lace will always be more affordable because the person making it is not in the equation - the only profit is what the seller is trying to make over what they paid for it and we all know that if you are careful you can still find antique pieces very reasonably because people don't know what they are worth or they need mending. I bought a beautiful piece of silk beds mourning lace for £10 because it needed resoration and the seller couldn't do it so she sold it as damaged. Mind you, 10 years on I haven't finished restoring it because I'm enjoying doing it so much. Regards Liz in London I'm back _blogging_ (http://journals.aol.com/thelacebee/thelacebee) my latest lace piece - have a look by clicking on the link or going to _http://journals.aol.com/thelacebee/thelacebee_ (http://journals.aol.com/thelacebee/thelacebee) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
