The challenge with Project Runway is that you are given guidelines, pre-existing goods, and a pressured timeline to make a garment. I haven't followed it closely, as it frustrated me from the workmanship to varying lack of design aptitude, IMO.
When you add in an element of making the actual textiles and embellishments from scratch, it becomes overwhelming for the designer in the projects intensity, and frankly would make for a boring show for many to watch. I come from that purist perspective, but you burn out over the decades and one needs to make a living...people aren't typically willing to invest the extra money nor wait for pieces. It appears to me that people are chosen not only for design potential, but also personalities that will make the show interesting. Of note, many are criticized for repeating techniques or styles in their design, so if every item had lace, that could be considered too much repetition. I think the best way to get the word out, is for someone to focus on hosting a show. That can be someone versed in their own techniques, and/or adding in others with specialities. Venues like PBS or HGTV would be places to start. Time wise, again it becomes a crunch, as it is typically ideal to show an item being started, and featured in various stages, so you would be making a minimum of 3 pieces, one of which would be finished. That is a lot of work for the average lacemaker. Then you begin to look at how many resources you have to tap, and flying in people from other countries, and is there a point where you would tap out features within a year or two? I don't want to be negative, but it has to be viewed from the lacing side, to the consumer and what the market will bear, and getting all past a producer and director, who may not see lace as an appealing venue, meaning there is a limited market. Sometimes it is not what you are selling, but how you do it and getting it to the market place. Many lace suppliers rely upon tapping pre-existing interest or via retro fairs, but it truly needs to be shared with those who don't know it exists, or are interested and don't know where to find instruction and supplies. This is the same conundrum that many artists have suffered from; where one needs an representative that markets and sells product or gets the word out, but then what it the take, as it is so labor intensive? The simple analogy would be to think of Elizabeth Zimmerman, who began a series of PBS shows on knitting, I believe in the 60-70's. I never saw them, and who woulda thunk that it would have subsidized an increase in knitting interest, followed by a marketplace where fabrics became scarce, but yarn was widely available. Threads are there, whether you like them or not, as people are doing forms of needlework, from cross stitch to hardanger and embroidery, etc. In my area, she is making as much money as ever, so the "thread" market is there in whatever way or to whatever degree. That is my idea for the day, that could make a difference. Erica Wilson created a needlepoint empire, and Laurel Burch and Mary Englebreit come to mind, though not within needlework per se, but Laurel Burch did foray into fabric. You have to be or find someone who looks passable on TV with a decent voice and warmth, who can interview people, and those will probably need a 3 month heads up to work their feature, and then you ask how they can be covered as they won't make money, other than a token payment to visit, unless someone wants to sell theirs. Most people fight to get on TV so they can sell their goods, supplies, books or public speaking/teaching. It is the same thing that natural health struggles with in this economy. You can potentially heal something with a $3-10 bottle of herbs, and how do you educate and let people know when pharmaceuticals charge ten to a hundred times the original cost, so have funds to advertise...people often don't know that they can "heal themselves" without going to a doctor, the same as some can teach themselves and order supplies via the internet, etc. Perhaps someone with more focus upon history, can educate and interview, vs. having to make it themselves. Then how many have the energy to do a show that can easily take 80 hours a week, and end up not doing much of the thing they love the most, lace? As some of the perhaps more mature lacers who may have the most knowledge, really up for such an energy investment? Maybe Jeri is interested? :) 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
