"... four old lace bobbins (ivory. bone)...grooves inexpertly repainted with thick blue and red paint...should I remove this paint or might it be original?"
If you want to wear it down a bit and not harm the bobbin itself, you could consider a nail buffer. They come is grades of grit and the finest just gives nails a shine. In the US, Sally Hansen (and perhaps others) makes one that folds up and the width should be narrower than the neck of the bobbin. I have used the buffers to refine cable joins, buff burrs, re-shape tips, or smooth the rare gluing of ebony needles. Of course "chemical" removal would be difficult as the petroleum based products could/would stain the bobbin. I would show caution at changing the bobbins though, as if you have mixed feelings that either means to let it lay, or to wait until the pathway is made clear. Perhaps in the interim, the paint will begin to fall off. :-) Best, Susan Reishus - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
