Alice wrote: <As others have said, there are plain bobbins and decorated bobbins. The plain, basic bobbin of inexpensive wood can be fairly low priced in quantities of 100. My favorite continental bobbin costs me about 65-70 cents (USA) each when I buy 100 of them on special. (I watch for them to come up on the weekly special when I want more.) If I get them in rosewood, then the price is about double. Fancy woods carry a higher price. Any decoration - fancy turnings, paint, wire, decals, engraving, spliced woods -- adds more to the price. You can be economical or extravagant with your bobbins, but the lace will look the same no matter what kind of bobbin you use.>
Alice, Where are you finding weekly specials for bobbins? I don't think I have ever seen a sale of bobbins anywhere! Most of the less expensive bobbins quoted are Midlands. We prefer to use square continental bobbins for our beginners. The prices on Langendorf are less expensive than in the US, if buying 100 or more, but you have to place an order to find out the shipping costs. Also I am not sure if the Langendorf site includes VAT (sales tax) which I think should not be applicable to overseas orders. Do they reduce the price in that respect? They do not have the square continentals but do have the International squares which I prefer these days. I am trying to add to my square International bobbins as I need 50 pairs for convention this summer and only have 80 bobbins so far. I have lots and lots of Midlands which have been acquired over the years. I may have some Michael Hester ones but as I have not seen his style of bobbins I would appreciate anyone sending a link where some can be seen. I like Jenny's idea of a site showing present day bobbin makers styles and when she is ready I can send some scans of my favorite bobbins. My latest purchases have been from Richard Pikul and the pair I like the best have my fairy logo on them and were a surprise gift from my DD on the occasion of her wedding last September. She hacked my email files to find his details! Janice Janice Blair Crystal Lake, 50 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois, USA www.jblace.com http://www.lacemakersofillinois.org - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
