The direct quote from the back flap of the book says:  
 
Alysn Midgelow-Marsden is a successful textile artist, freelance tutor and  
author with a depth of understanding of mixed media techniques.  Unusually  
for an 'embroiderer', she uses metals, creating new surfaces using these  
reflective, malleable materials and developing them with stitch to produce  
patterns, textures and pictures, stitching both by hand and with a sewing  
machine.  She delivers expert workshops and courses in technique, design  and 
concept development and mentors those wishing for more individual  attention.
 
This is her fourth book to date.  She established the Beetroot  Tree 
Gallery for Contemporary Arts in the UK.  Alysn is now based in New  Zealand 
with 
her family.
 
Jeri's comments:  Four published books indicates a sound foundation  of 
followers are interested in Alysn's work.  When a person has  an unusual name, 
it can be very memorable, as Jane indicated.  It is  probable that more of 
her books will be ordered for the library here, since this  appears to be a 
trend.  Nice to compare to books from the hippie era of 50  years ago. 
 
Be mindful of safety when straying from strictly linen, cotton, silk  
laces.  This work should be done while wearing safety eye glasses  because 
sewing 
machine needles can snap and fly.  If metal cloth is  used, you might be 
using a gas camping stove, plumber's torch, soldering iron,  kitchen torch or 
strong heat gun!  To your normal list of lace  supplies, you may need to add 
a portable fire extinguisher and a nose/mouth mask  for when using 
chemicals!!  In these cases, away from children and  family pets.
 
Traditional conservation practices are thrown to the wind, when  
incompatible materials are used in one piece.  With metals, you encounter  
abrasiveness that can, over time, wear against fragile threads.  Both  will  
contract 
and expand in response to changing temperatures and  humidity.  (Remember the 
problems of weighted silk in the 19th  Century?)  Storage to deter 
tarnishing and metal stains could be  necessary at home and in museums.  
Cleaning 
such pieces could be a  nightmare.  Not sure how these combinations will look 
in 50 years.   My unconventional jewelry from that time can still be worn, 
and elicits  compliments because of careful storage and care.  However, none 
are glued  and none are made with what a textile conservator would call 
incompatible  materials.
 
Jeri Ames in Maine USA
Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
----------------------------------------------------------
In a message dated 5/26/2014, [email protected] writes:

I'm not  speculating on making a bracelet, I merely commented to show 
that the  hassle of sewing the velvet into a tube might not be necessary! 
My  bracelets are slim, use only three pairs of metallic thread and 
beads. I  leave working with wire, and wearing horrendously wide 
bangles/bracelets,  to others!

Alysn Midgelow-Marsden - that name rings a bell from a craft  centre in 
Draycott, Derbyshire called The Beetroot Tree - maybe she's  moved... 
There are some very innovative exhibitions held at the 
centre, and it is well worth  a visit.   Jane  Partridge

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