I have been following the thread with regards to losing lace suppliers and wanted to put a suppliers point of view across.
I started designing torchon lace patterns a number of years ago and as I already had an online craft shop I found it very easy to add my patterns to my shop. Attending lace days was similarly easy to arrange as I was already involved in organising a lace fair. Lace fairs are very hard work but they can be a source of delight when you get repeat customers saying such nice things about your patterns. I tend to design small patterns which can be made up quickly by me (I never sell anything unless I have made it myself) but they show how lace can be used in the 21st century. I am very grateful for all the positive feedback that I have received and the regular customers who purchase from me. I try and promote lace wherever I am and yes it may look like I'm trying to sell my patterns but if I don't then I can't continue. I did offer to do an interview with a lace site but I have never heard anything else since which means I don't get coverage, which in turn means I don't get new customers, no new customers then I have no business. Catch 22 situation for everyone. Being a lace supplier will not make you rich in money but the joy I know that people get from making my patterns makes me very rich indeed. I have been concerned about the lack of younger people making lace for a number of years. I tried to address this with my lace group but didn't seem to get anywhere. Without younger people coming up then there will be no lace group which will be a real shame. For some reason the lace group committee have not demonstrated for a number of years which means we are a hidden craft. If lace stops being made then it will be a great shame. We need more people who are prepared to promote lace and not keep it hidden. Lou Woo -- The Craft Corner <http://www.the-craft-corner.co.uk/> - 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
