17th person doing hair work . . . who is living? There must be all sorts who are doing things unacknowledged. . . .
There is a Historical Society museum in Rochester, MN USA (Mayo Clinic typically brings people there), and they used to have quite a few pieces of hair work. As I remember, it ranged from simple curls, to mesh/lace work, to simpler embroidery, to elaborate work one could put into the Brazilian embroidery category (bullion work, etc.). Much of the references seemed to be about betrothing, sentiment, and not much in the mourning category, but my memory may have shifted to some degree over the years. Some I remember as being pre-Victorian and on from there. I think hair work must have evolved of necessity over the years, with thread unavailable or inaccessible, and those with lesser incomes needed something to work with, and perhaps evolved to cottage industries similar to lace work. I agree with the creepy factor. It seems to vacillate between wonder and how elaborate and wonderful the work is, resourcefulness, awe in the range of color, etc. that human hair comes. Then one thinks of hair as being something dead (which it is whether attached to someone living or not), and linking the mourning factor (which never was my first reference, nor was it at the museum), ups the ante to discomfort. The tragedy in so many forms of needlework, is so many knew how to do a great many things, yet did not have the money for supplies, nor time to leave their legacy. Often it was postponed to old age and when there, the realization that vision no longer subsidized them, and pensions weren't abundant enough to fund projects, is tragic. I remember a friend who was 89 yo. when passing a couple of years ago, wanted to leave crocheted lace tablecloths to her three daughters. She worked for years on them, and was finishing when I saw them. She had purchased balls of string, as bedspread cotton was beyond her budget. I was stupefied, and more so, as the daughter I knew best, threw it in a hot washer with bleach, and that was essentially the end of it. At least two of the daughters had the money to purchase the thread for her. I could just cry at the thought of it, but I guess the pleasure it gave her was at the heart of it all. No matter what I leave (of which decades worth, I have no evidence here for myself!), that my children, siblings, and friends at least know how to care for it, or to let it be until someone (finds it at a thrift store . . .eek!) and savors the time and love put into it and cares for it well! I have rescued a few myself over the years, and say a prayer of thanks to the wonderful person who put forth much effort, long ago! The nice thing about needlework is, you have evidence for your time, vs. cooking, cleaning and laundry, which is undone too soon thereafter, and then asking to be done again! Best,Susan Reishus - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
