Dear Arachnids,
I have discovered a novel approach to exposing at least part of the
public to lace making. I am sure it could be used in other venues as well.
We just finished a weeklong cruise in the Caribbean. Nothing that
special, Royal Caribbean, on sale. Left from New Orleans, so there were a
lot of Southerners on board. I brought my travel pillow, with 20 pairs, a
Bucks edging from Alex Stillwell's book on Geometric Bucks. I only have the
pillow, as I am making yardage. No extra pins, no tools, a streamlined
operation. I like to make lace in the early morning with my coffee, so the
first morning, when we were at sea, I took my pillow to the cafeteria place
in the rear on the 11th deck. After eating, I started making lace. About a
dozen women, not all at once, husbands in tow, stopped to inquire what I was
doing. When one woman came over, a few others would join. Some were more
interested than others, as you would expect. I think a couple may look into
it more thoroughly once they get home. But many had never seen lace being
made. And I got enjoyment because the women who were interested in lace
were also interesting to talk to. The second day I did the same thing, but
this time in the coffee shop. Now, I must admit, this was a strategically
excellent locale, as everyone picks up coffee in the morning. Again, quite
a response. I want to emphasize that all I had was a pillow about the size
of a laptop. No other equipment. If I were to go to a mall and do this,
I'd need my small stand and a folding stool or chair if there were not one
there. This is minimalist equipment, but then, you're not taking a class,
where who knows what you'll need, bring it all. Just the travel pillow, or
small cookie pillow, with the pins that are in the lace. Not even a pin
cushion. I was making yardage, so the pins from the back come to the front.
I made lace almost every morning, depending on plans.
This did several nice things. I could make lace in the morning with my
coffee, which I enjoy doing at home; I met a number of people I wouldn't
have otherwise; and I exposed some of the general public to bobbin lace. If
the talk had gotten to be too much, retreating to a more private place would
probably have done the job. I didn't have my jacket with the lace hankie
hanging out of the chest pocket because it was too warm. But I am planning
a T-shirt with a Flanders panel that says, "This is bobbin lace."
It seems to me that with such a simple operation, streamlined equipment,
no signs, no extra pillow, not much space being taken, something like this
could be done by one person in the mall, at least our mall in Lancaster, PA,
where there is a seating area in the middle, and at various places along the
promenades. I look so distressingly respectable that I might not even ask
security. If there were a few of us, however, I think I would, but I expect
they would say yes. As long as we didn't impede shopping or the flow of
traffic, I doubt there would be a problem. And if you don't ask, you'll
never find out the answer. Then there are parks in cities in the nice
weather, where people pass, especially during lunch. Maybe your minimalist
stand will not be allowed, but you won't know until you try it. Vacations
are a good time for this, as other people on vacation have time to stop and
chat. They are primed to look around, and if you are there, making lace,
maybe that's what they will look at.
Lyn from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, presently in New Orleans, Louisiana,
USA, where the weather is very comfortable, and we are going to see a Mardi
Gras parade this evening. Wonder what it will be like. Doubt there will be
lace. Beads, maybe.
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