A thought occurred to me. I remembered that the few times I have run across bobbin lace in decades past, questions were met with some degree of silence, so I wasn't lulled into interest (but was, via books with information). A person may sell book markers for instance, and tell the customer about the technique and it's difficulty, perhaps to justify the price to a novice (in this instance, I am thinking of my mother purchasing several sets for family members as gifts). There are also many stories told here about those who demonstrate and share their enthusiasm, endearing people to trying the technique.
How much of the former is from an older mindset, such as a woman being taught a particular technique and keeping it to herself and perhaps teaching daughters, etc., so the woman could provide for her family. Sharing too much could create competition, and cut into her pocketbook and affect the family's survival. With lace, or knitting (such as Selbuvotter, fisherman sweaters, Orenburg, ad infinitum) many times the market surged because of marketers who saw there was a demand (or one could be created), and promoted it to customers and helped build a base of workers. The stories are rich and varied and overly simplified here, but also related to the overall subject/theme of how to help lacemaking and supplies, not wither from lack of interest, e.g: PR. Some people may unconsciously suppress sharing information for various reasons, like not having their ideas taken, not having enough time to share or take on demands from others, or perhaps this unconsciousness secretiveness, related to lace as an industry for hundreds of years. Others share a lot, and sometimes enthusiasm and comments about simplicity in execution can make people leery, (also because of the way the world tends to be today, with some bad solicitation). I have grown weary over the years, at constant queries of "what are you making" when I purchase supplies for textile projects, and have returned too many times to see shop staff have combined the same exotic fabric or yarn combinations I have chosen (or hardanger thread assortments), and will try to execute the same design idea, if I have shared too much. I have learned to respond that I am not sure what I am making yet (and sometimes I am not, but you have to get the goods while they are there, as they may not be tomorrow). If a have a particular project in mind, I sometimes have to purchase in stages, to not have my selection replicated or see my idea on display at the local fabric or yarn shop, two weeks later. Just as some people share freely on lists and forums, some lurk and don't. There are various reasons that aren't right or wrong..."sharers" range from just wanting to help, to self-promotion, and lurkers range from shy, to not wanting to risk disparaging comments or critiques, to not having their ideas and info stolen. In essence, life has givers and takers, and it is better balanced if a portion of both is employed. This really comes back to the promotion of lace. Sometimes we have to think about what is better for the whole, vs. better for oneself. Sharing enthusiasm and insight about how simple these kinds of things can be and a basic understanding, will help endear the public to this medium. I cannot tell you how many people I have gotten addicted to knitting and hardanger. They simply ask what I am doing, and within a few minutes, they are being shown, and a time set up to learn more (or a source to purchase supplies and "how-to" information for them to proceed on their own). Of course this is a bit more complicated with bobbin lace, but not hugely so with needle lace (as tools and toting can challenge). And sometimes it is the teacher...perhaps it wasn't the subject you didn't like in school, but how the teacher (technique or personality) changed the feeling and tone of that subject for quite awhile. People go to a yarn store and purchase needles and yarn to self initiate learning, so they can online order bobbins and thread, etc. too. Just like loaning books that rarely if ever come back, I have learned over the years to share concepts and show, but I don't loan books anymore. I figure if they are really interested, they will invest in the book themselves. Things handed out too easily, tend not to work as well. People need to invest in things (literally and figuratively)...then they have put something into it, and committed to learning. The same with clients I have. If I give info for free, they will call and call, but if I charge a fee, they listen and value it. Perhaps you notice that if your purchase an item for a child, it means something but less, than the thing they earned and purchased themselves...it is well cared for and loved (there are exceptions, but generally this is true). So, if a person invests in products (or even making them) they may be more committed than handing things to them, and the suppliers stay in business. They may not go out a buy the products today, but after the lull of weeks or even months (years?), it will keep bubbling to the surface, as good things can never be put on the back burner for long. I am bouncing around here a bit, but looking at the essence of why things are the way they are, and why people have better or lesser effects. As stated, some may be unconscious, but sharing with an open heart is always good, and allowing people to let it simmer and self initiate, is good. I took a drive to another state with a friend yesterday, as she found a valued old sewing machine. I was talking about things being too easy for kids these days (push button, take a pill, equals instant results) which segued to a story I shared about playing a musical instrument when I was in school, never being complimented when I played and assuming that all concerts had lots of solos on the instrument I played. There were comments from judges in competitions (when there rules against making them on specific players), which I found curious. My parents didn't go to any concerts, nor tell me how wonderful I was. I just played because I wanted to convey something pure to people and make the hair stand up on their neck and arms. It wasn't until I went to audition in college that I got my first compliment, which was an astounding revelation, to hear such amazing things. This isn't about me and whatever I have done, but rather that we can strive more from our pure passions by not being handed too much. I also question mothers who swoon at every little thing their child does, as the world won't give that to them later in life when they give half-effort, and they will be maladjusted and feel entitled, and the world will let them know how skewed their perspective is (or they will grow up thinking it is everyone else's problem). Long story short, is that lace is to some degree, an arduous task...and much more so not when a medallion worked, but when hundreds were needed, or a foot of lace not much of a accomplishment when one of dozens of yards that were required. We ride the fence in this medium, of sharing enthusiasm, resources, and some knowledge, so people know the medium exists, that they can do it, and that there are resources out there. Next comes them tapping their own passions to follow through. It reminds me of a woman who didn't want children...then when told she couldn't have any, she had 7 surgeries so make sure she could, and produced two within a year. Just food for thought. It is a ginger line we walk. But I know that if I love something, it is easy to sell...otherwise I am not a good salesperson at all. The pure emanation of appreciation for that product, does much in selling it :) Apologies for the length of this, and no, I am not fully caffeinated yet, so be warned if it is not completely lucid. ;) 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
