[lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
In message 7B98BF86F87D47718178D9A56B2808B8@HomePC, Brian Lemin brid...@bigpond.com writes I want to write an article in favour of restoring antique lace bobbins, but I am afraid that I might lose too many lovely friends on Arachne if I put it in writing! I think bobbins are tools to be used, and there is nothing sadder than seeing a display frame of bobbins that will never be used again... so restoring them to use is OK - but a record, both in pictures and writing, should be kept of what they were like before restoration and how they were restored. It goes without saying that any restoration should, as far as possible, replace what was there before like for like. A lot may depend on the value of the individual bobbin - to a worker, one that's head has broken may be worthless, but to a collector a rare bobbin even with a broken head may be priceless, and at the end of the day only the owner can decide whether being able to use a tool is more important than its sale value. -- Jane Partridge - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
This is an interesting thread and for once I thought to read all messages before replying. I agree with 'restoration' if it is done sensitively, but about use I think I will have to say that it depends on the individual. My experience so far has been that I only use my antique wooden bobbins, but some of the spangles on these have broken through use, meaning they will now need 'restoration'. Unfortunately I have no way of using the same type of old wire to redo these spangles. Thankfully they are just old and antique but not special bobbins. If old wood is used in restoration, as in furniture restoration, I'm sure it is acceptable. Alternatively, one can 'conserve' meaning to halt any further deterioration. As for putting bobbins in a frame. Can I ask if anyone out there has any ideas on how to do this effectively. I have quite a collection of antique bone bobbins, and some new ones as well, but am afraid to use them because here in Malta we have mainly hard tile floors and only put down carpets and rugs for the 'winter' months (our winter, not cold winter!). This means that a bone bobbin that falls off the pillow would most likely break.so that's a definite no-no for me and the only way of enjoying these bobbins is putting them in a display frame - better than keeping them in a box in the cupboard. Karen in Mlata - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Framing bobbins
On 20 Jan 2011, at 07:31, Karen Zammit Manduca wrote: As for putting bobbins in a frame. Can I ask if anyone out there has any ideas on how to do this effectively. I have a collection of bobbins that I wanted to display, but I also wanted to use them too. Eventually I bought a spoon collector's cabinet at Bombay. See http://tinyurl.com/4byj7qs The slots for the spoons are too wide for my East Midlands bobbins, but I've wound them in pairs, using a very short length of thread. Then I hang them by having the upside down U made by the thread hang over the divider between two slots. (I hope this is understandable. It's easier to do than to write!) I hung the cabinet on the wall and I can open the door and remove any bobbins that I want to use. Margot Walker in Halifax on the east coast of Canada Visit the Seaspray Guild of Lacemakers web site: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/quinbot/seaspray/SeasprayLaceGuild.html - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Restored bobbins
Personally, I put my bobbin collection lying flat in a showcase. I also have a display table that holds a pillow with an eccentric collection of bobbins displayed on it. The question of restoration applies not only to bobbins, but to lace as well. Modern conservation practice dictates that the restoration be clearly distinguishable from the original material, so as to avoid confusion about what is original and what is added. Thus if you take your lace to a conservator the repair will be extremely noticeable, intentionally so. However, many people, especially those planning to use lace, would prefer if the repair was invisible. To some extent, I think the issue is whether the item is an important historical piece worthy of putting in a museum, and thus you may not want to subject it to wear and tear, or whether it is just old but something you want to use, like a piece of antique furniture. Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Thank you for bringing up this thread, Brian! Many years ago, I was fortunate to hear a lecture about old bobbins. The speaker was Holly VanSciver, and I consider her a knowledgeable and sensible resource! Her advice about restoring bobbins (in response to a question from the audience) was that it was fine to do anything to a bobbin to make it possible for you to use it, *as long as what you do can be undone*! Therefore, you may re-wire an old bobbin, put new beads in the spangle, even replace missing wire and tinsel... because all of this things can be undone. So that is the approach I have taken with the antiques I have. I think it is important that this be done for your own use, however. It would be completely wrong to restore a bobbin in this manner and try to pass it off (on ebay, for example) as a pristine example, unless you stated in the description what had been done to restore it. Clay - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Dera Clay and other interested Readers, it was fine to do anything to a bobbin to make it possible for you to use it, *as long as what you do can be undone*! Therefore, you may re-wire an old bobbin, put new beads in the spangle, even replace missing wire and tinsel... because all of this things can be undone. That's my philosophy as well. I just adore using my many antique bobbins - both bone and wood. You see - and don't tell anyone this - but I talk to them all the time. I ask them questions and tell them stories. Sometimes I even find myself congratulating them when pairs come back together after not having sen each other for some weeks. Inevitably I find it is the beads that will come adrift. I have no qualms at all about re-spangling the bobbin and try to put the beads in the same order they were, with a new piece of wire, beading thread or fishing line etc. Then it's straight back to work - I'll even ensure that particular bobbin becomes a worker because of its misdemeanor - LOL David in Ballarat - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Mark's Sweatshirt
Dear friends, just had to tell you this. Because we're having a relatively mild summer - floods and all that - I found myself today wearing the sweatshirt which I bought from our own Mark. The slogan across the front says Tatting is not a lost art. Well, a woman who knows me spotted this and said: How could you possibly say that? I dutifully explained that Tatting is far from lost. Suddenly she burst into fits of laughter. She'd misread the slogan and thought it said: Tatting is not a loss Tart!!! Thanks Mark David in Ballarat - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
I have rewired several bobbins where the wire has long since gone to wire-heaven. I'm sure (as Jacquie has also mentioned on several occasions) that the spangles we see on old bobbins we buy today are probably not the spangles that were on the bobbin when it was new. Some of those old spangles are s big that I and probably others would not find them comfortable to use. So, I take off the old beads and use them to respangle the bobbin and save the excess to spangle old bobbins which have no beads. A couple of years ago I bought several old bobbins which had originally had pewter inserts, bands, plugs etc. I took them to a local pewter worker that I know and after a very long discussion decided that there was no way that new pewter could be added at an even remotely economical method. Now I have to decide what to do - whatever it is will not be even remotely like it was originally. I'd just like to do something with them so that they can be used again. Malvary in Ottawa where the sun is a-shining to welcome the day and it is only -14c today. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Well, Malvary... here's an idea that just popped into my head! How about you get some colorful FIMO, and work that into the ridges of the bands/plugs, and then let it dry. I think that once it's dry, it's fairly durable. But, if you ever wanted it off, it could be chipped out. If you got two or three nice colors, you could blend them snake- wise, so that when you put them in the grooves, you'd have the distinct colors. It could be rather festive! Let me know if this works! There's also the silver modeling paste used to make jewelry, but it's far more expensive and I've never worked with it. Don't know if heat is required or not. Clay On 1/20/2011 9:34 AM, Malvary J Cole wrote: A couple of years ago I bought several old bobbins which had originally had pewter inserts, bands, plugs etc. I took them to a local pewter worker that I know and after a very long discussion decided that there was no way that new pewter could be added at an even remotely economical method. Now I have to decide what to do - whatever it is will not be even remotely like it was originally. I'd just like to do something with them so that they can be used again. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
A LOT of heat is required to use the silver clay. I went to a workshop in it once, and then discovered you would need a min-kiln at least to cook it. Sue - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Well, scratch *that* idea! But the FIMO drys at room temperature, so that could work. Clay On 1/20/2011 10:12 AM, Sue Babbs wrote: A LOT of heat is required to use the silver clay. I went to a workshop in it once, and then discovered you would need a min-kiln at least to cook it. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Re: Mark's Sweatshirt
LOL!!! Nice to see my logo getting a reaction from the public(misread or not). That is too funny. Thanks :) -- Mark, aka Tatman website: http://www.tat-man.net blog: http://tat-man.net/blog Magic Thread Shop: http://www.tat-man.net/tatterville/tatshop/tatshop.html email: tat...@tat-man.net Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tatmantats On 1/20/11 8:05 AM, David C COLLYER dccoll...@ncable.net.au wrote: Dear friends, just had to tell you this. Because we're having a relatively mild summer - floods and all that - I found myself today wearing the sweatshirt which I bought from our own Mark. The slogan across the front says Tatting is not a lost art. Well, a woman who knows me spotted this and said: How could you possibly say that? I dutifully explained that Tatting is far from lost. Suddenly she burst into fits of laughter. She'd misread the slogan and thought it said: Tatting is not a loss Tart!!! Thanks Mark David in Ballarat - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] Re: Mark's Sweatshirt
;- I am not sure who got the bigger kick out of thisDavid, Mark or those of us on the sidelines. Falls into the small world catergory. I just love this group! Keep it going guys! Smiles around. BarbE Texas On Thu, Jan 20, 2011 at 11:05 AM, Tatman tat...@tat-man.net wrote: LOL!!! Nice to see my logo getting a reaction from the public(misread or not). That is too funny. Thanks :) -- Mark, aka Tatman website: http://www.tat-man.net blog: http://tat-man.net/blog Magic Thread Shop: http://www.tat-man.net/tatterville/tatshop/tatshop.html email: tat...@tat-man.net Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tatmantats On 1/20/11 8:05 AM, David C COLLYER dccoll...@ncable.net.au wrote: Dear friends, just had to tell you this. Because we're having a relatively mild summer - floods and all that - I found myself today wearing the sweatshirt which I bought from our own Mark. The slogan across the front says Tatting is not a lost art. Well, a woman who knows me spotted this and said: How could you possibly say that? I dutifully explained that Tatting is far from lost. Suddenly she burst into fits of laughter. She'd misread the slogan and thought it said: Tatting is not a loss Tart!!! Thanks Mark David in Ballarat - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Bobbins for Brian?
Perhaps someone to contact http://travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/2011/01/lacey-update.html Jo - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
FIMO, SCULPY and other 'art clays' do need heat to cure or they will stay 'soft'. However, it is not very much, about 325-350*F I think (the package or booklet will tell you). This may or may not damage the bobbin as the time is not very great. There are some clay products (aimed at children's use) that do dry/cure by just air in a room. The problem with these products would be 'shrinkage' of the piece inserted, which would leave it loose. I would use the bobbins 'as is' unless they are just to rough and catch on threads. Just my humble opinion. Lorri F Well, Malvary... here's an idea that just popped into my head! How about you get some colorful FIMO, and work that into the ridges of the bands/plugs, and then let it dry. I think that once it's dry, it's fairly durable. But, if you ever wanted it off, it could be chipped out. If you got two or three nice colors, you could blend them snake- wise, so that when you put them in the grooves, you'd have the distinct colors. It could be rather festive! Let me know if this works! There's also the silver modeling paste used to make jewelry, but it's far more expensive and I've never worked with it. Don't know if heat is required or not. Clay On 1/20/2011 9:34 AM, Malvary J Cole wrote: A couple of years ago I bought several old bobbins which had originally had pewter inserts, bands, plugs etc. I took them to a local pewter worker that I know and after a very long discussion decided that there was no way that new pewter could be added at an even remotely economical method. Now I have to decide what to do - whatever it is will not be even remotely like it was originally. I'd just like to do something with them so that they can be used again. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
I might try one of the products. For the rings it doesn't matter is they are a little loose - weren't some of pewter rings were loose weren't they called 'jingles' or similar. Some of the bobbins have a spiral and general are too rough to use as they are at the moment. I've been pondering this for quite a while, so I can ponder a bit longer - must finish my curtain before I do anything else! Malvary in Ottawa - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Boy - I should have proof this message before I sent it. I'll try again so it makes sense! I might try one of the products. For the rings, it doesn't matter if they are a little loose - weren't some of pewter rings loose and called 'jingles' or similar. Some of the bobbins have a spiral and generally are too rough to use as they are at the moment. I've been pondering this for quite a while, so I can ponder a bit longer - must finish my curtain before I do anything else! Malvary in Ottawa - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
There's an interesting new substance called Sugru: http://sugru.com/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugru . Might do the trick ... Margery. margerybu...@o2.co.uk in North Hertfordshire, UK -Original Message- From: owner-l...@arachne.com [mailto:owner-l...@arachne.com] On Behalf Of Clay Blackwell Sent: Thursday 20 January 2011 14:59 To: Malvary J Cole; ARACHNE Subject: Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins? Well, Malvary... here's an idea that just popped into my head! How about you get some colorful FIMO, and work that into the ridges of the bands/plugs, and then let it dry. I think that once it's dry, it's fairly durable. But, if you ever wanted it off, it could be chipped out. If you got two or three nice colors, you could blend them snake- wise, so that when you put them in the grooves, you'd have the distinct colors. It could be rather festive! Let me know if this works! There's also the silver modeling paste used to make jewelry, but it's far more expensive and I've never worked with it. Don't know if heat is required or not. Clay - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Restoring Bobbins
Hi Fellow Spiders, I am enjoying this thread about the bobbins.I am very much in favor of fixing bobbins of any age so that they might be used to make lace again! Yes, if they are antiques they should be restored properly and it should always be noted when and who did the work. I've repaired several bobbins that had fairly minor problems. Mostly they were ones I broke while trying to turn them myself! I also have several broken bobbins that I would love to have restored to working condition but are beyond my expertise in woodworking. They aren't antique ones but their original maker, Peter McLeavey of New Zealand no longer makes bobbins. Reality is that it probably isn't affordable to have it done unless they ARE antique bobbins. The alternative to not fixing bobbins is that the bobbins are thrown away by those who follow us. This would be a sad loss to lace collectors (except perhaps for the sorry looking but useful to me bobbins that I've made!) Trish in gloomy West Virginia USA - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] Restored bobbins
Personally, I put my bobbin collection lying flat in a showcase That was my original idea Devon...to have display tables. But I don't have much floor space. Karen in Malta - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
For the pewter spots/plugs - totally different but perhaps costume gems could be inserted instead? Bands could be replicated by fine coloured wire winding around to fill the space. Inserts - do you know a turner who would turn fine lengths of contrast coloured wood/bone to insert? I am in two minds about sanding the bobbin and re-vanishing - think it would depend on the individual bobbin. Jenny Brandis Kununurra, Western Australia - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Bobbins for Brian
That is a good find. I will subscribe and try put some influence on her for detailed photos of a couple of them. Of course they are East Devon (Honiton if you must) bobbins. Two of them are of special interest. You may know that I am currently looking closely at East Devon Bobbins and another researcher is looking even more close than I am at them. I am doing the broad sweep sort of thing but she is doing such fine detail and bringing really different insights into these very prettily decorated bobbins (as opposed to the beautifully turned bobbins of East Midlands) So, OK I am off to see what I can scrounge. What's new! Thank you Jo. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] online resource of vintage publications
Hello All! Am I the last person on earth to find this site? picasaweb.google.com/collectionofmotifs I was looking around for some spot motifs ended up scrolling all the way to the end of the list. About 6 rows from the bottom, there are booklets on filet guipure needlelace/reticella. At least one has pattern pages. Perhaps these are also posted on digitalarchives--I don't know don't have time to cross reference. The large number of Russian (?) titles adds to the mystery because each one must be opened to find a prize. Of course there are the usual Sajou suspects for fans of counted work. It looks like it will be worth investing in a new flash drive the hours it will take to download all the goodies. Have fun, sorry if this is a rerun. Sincerely, Susan Hottle, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 81* sunny today - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Restoration... My personal cunudrum.
Of course I have done some restoration in the past, in fact the only bobbins I used to buy were those I could restore. I will get down and write the proposed article but few comments before I write it. This is only brief communication. 1. Any restoration must be able to be undone. I agree in principal. That is why I steer as clear of changing patina as far as humanly possible. Here is a conundrum I wrestle with...One of the easiest things is to file down protruding degraded pewter spots. But it looks terrible! Shiny spots on a deeply patinated surface. I have not tried to learn how to dull them down. Of course time will do the job. So I change the patina of the bobbin to make it like new and it all fits together. But whilst I have restored the bobbin, I do not like what I have done! In 150 years time I suppose I will like it again! May I say I have never restored anyone's bobbins commercially, only for my own learning... I also doubt I will ever undertake commercial restoration - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Lace from a painting
I have decided to embark on a new adventure in lacemaking! This will actually represent two departures for me, since I don't work in color (I do mostly altar linen and traditional patterns) and I've never tried to design my own pattern beyond the simplest. A friend of mine in the US sent me the catalog from an exhibition of Australian Aboriginal women's paintings called The Painted Song. Many of these paintings have a very textile feel to them and some of them depict the witiji (hair strings) that are given by men to women to mark significant life events. So, from fiber to two dimensions, back to fiber. I want to take a detail from a painting by Pansy Napangardi, which can be seen online at http://tinyurl.com/6j8pcnj. The part I want to interpret in lace is the central feature. The sinuous line in the filling is just crying out to be made in punto mimosa and the dried berry clusters in the carrying baskets (the oval shapes at six and two o'clock) can be done the way flowers are made in Cantu lace. The U shapes (representing the two traveling women) and their digging sticks (the adjacent straight lines) I see as little round tallies between plaits. I still have no idea about the filling through which the mimosa will snake. I'm thinking about something using two or three colors in the passives, and maybe a very loose and airy cloth stitch. Or maybe I'll do some sort of complicated weaving of plaits. Since this is just for my own pleasure and the joy of challenge I don't think there are any copyright issues, are there? Does anyone have any comments, suggestions, caveats? Thanks! Sr. Claire - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Lace from a painting
Claire Those paintings are all so interesting. Thanks for telling us about them. Lorelei - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace-chat] Re: Mexican TV
I remember watching these programs on the Crystal Caves months ago. Just recently there was a follow-up documentary on a new cave just off this one that was featured. Nice to know that one of the scientists is a well known(in IOLI/Arachne circles) lacemaker! Thanks, Janice, for sending the link and introducing Penny to those of us who have not yet met her. -- Mark, aka Tatman website: http://www.tat-man.net blog: http://tat-man.net/blog Magic Thread Shop: http://www.tat-man.net/tatterville/tatshop/tatshop.html email: tat...@tat-man.net Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tatmantats On 1/19/2011 5:04 PM, Janice Blair wrote: I was just on vacation in Mexico and turned on the tv in the hopes of finding an English speaking channel. I came across an old Discovery program and heard the name Penny Boston. Penny is a lacemaker and is an Arachne. I have met her many times at IOLI conventions. She was working in the Crystal Caves in Mexico, so I did a search just now and came across this web site where it seems her activities have made her into a film star. http://www.saudicaves.com/mx/naica/index.html Sounds a trifle more dangerous than cross and twist but is interesting to read and to view the amazing photographs. Janice Janice Blair Crystal Lake, 50 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois, USA www.jblace.com http://www.lacemakersofillinois.org To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com.
