[lace] Lace Express
Dear Friends I have just received my regular copy of the lace magazine Lace Express and am sorry to find that it is to be the last one. This magazine has been around for some years and has added greatly to my enjoyment of lacemaking. It is has also been a great teaching resource. The professional finish of the magazine made it quite expensive but I think it served well to publicise a contemporary take on our traditional craft. I for one will miss it and send my best wishes to the Karpenko family for a well deserved retirement if that is the reason for the closure, assuming they read Arachne postings. On another topic, I am going to be on holiday in June in Malaga, Spain. Is there anywhere I must visit for some lace? - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Re: Australian Wildflower patterns
Thanks for all the suggestions I have been sent in my search to identify my Australian wildflower pattern. The return on my request has been quite amazing: (I always knew lacemakers were brilliant.) I'll post a picture of the handkerchief when finished - if wedding preparations don't get in the way of normality. Rosemary --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.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. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Italian lace tablecloth
Dear Sue It seems to me that you have got to get a sight of this lace before starting or you risk not matching at all given all the different potential styles of Italian lace. When I was on holdiay this year, we visited the lace museum at Rapallo which contained every style of lace going, and they were all made in Italy. My gut feeling is for a Cantu style, but I don't know how you can be sure! Good luck! Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Newspaper report
Dear Alice What a brilliant report. What's a few technical not quite accuracies when the whole thing is wonderful publicity for the craft. Well done!! We expect to hear of lots of new lacemakers in your area! Rosemary in Sussex, UK - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Four Seasons lace
Dear Andrea I don't know what type of lace you are doing, but there are some beautiful period images of the four seasons in filet lace in Federico Vinciolo's Renaissance patterns for lace, embroidery and needlepoint, the facsimile of his 1587 work. Rosemary (sweltering) in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Holiday lace
Dear Spiders I feel I must post about a lovely lace museum that I found some years ago and revisited this last month in the Italian town of Rapallo (near Genoa). They have the complete archive of the lace manufacturer Mario Zennaro dating from the start of the last century and which includes many samples of the lace they produced; lace dealer's sample books and older samples of lace dating back to the early centuries of lacemaking. The manufactury specialised in a mixture of one-off artist pieces and expert replica laces taken from the old patterns in the collection along with many traditional patterns. Every style was represented, point ground laces and guipure as well as crochet, macrame ( another of the local laces) irish crochet, and netting. I don't think they produced any needle-lace, but there were old samples of some lovely Point de Gaze. They won prizes at International level. There is an enormous lace collage that was commissioned by a cruise company for one of their boats in 1964. The collection has been expertly catalogued, and all the samples can be viewed in display drawers with better pieces shown in individual cases above them. There was a beautiful black Chantilly gown; a number of lace bonnets; some lace fans and a wonderfully frilly gown in layers of cream net and lace. They are also building up a costume collection. There is a catalogue in paper form and on computer disc available to buy with the complete collection and extra information about the Villa, the business, the workers, lace techniques and the town. Unfortunately for me also only in Italian, but packed with lovely images. It is in fact an absolute treasure trove that deserves more recognition by the likes of us. Unfortunately, the custodian spoke no english so our communication was limited to our pigeon italian, but DH managed to let her know that I was a teacher (professore no less!) of lace and I was left to browse to my heart's content while she showed him the lovely view from the park where the museum is situated! The museum is housed in the Villa Tigullio set in the heart of a public park . Opening times were limited, and the first time we went over it was closed even though it was advertised as being open, but determination paid off. And a violent thunderstorm didn't deter either. I can't find a web-site for the museum, but there are a few nice pictures of it on this site: www.liguriapocket.com/tappe.aspx?ID=TAP062 In England now it is really too hot to be making lace much, so I can't get on with my current project which should have been added to the list of long lace that was being discussed last month. Yes, it's yet another garter! In Bucks Point. I also have to get started on an entry for 'Seven' or it will not get done in time. But it's so unusual for us to have a long heat wave that I shouldn't complain. Happy lacing everyone else! Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Nottingham lace
Dear all I can remember being told by an interested visitor when I was demonstrating, that her mother had made Nottingham Lace. She was quite insistent. Since I was making bobbin lace I had to accept that she meant the same process (of course she might have meant tatting!.) I concluded that either she worked in a lace factory, or that, coming from Nottingham and making hand-made lace, she simply called it that. Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Aficot
Dear Liz My aficot is three and a half inches long (9 cm) and the bulbous end is one inch ( 2.5cm) wide. So it fits neatly into the palm of the hand. Hope this helps! Rosemary (in Sussex, UK) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Winter break in Budapest
Dear friends A last minute plan to spend a weekend in Budapest before Christmas - where do I go for some lace? Have a great holiday all Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Latest Lace magazine
Dear friends I just have to write with a little boast that my lace has been chosen for the front cover of this quarter's Lace. I am also flattered by a double colour page in the magazine as well. The work was produced for my City and Guild Part I, which I completed last year and was submitted, without any encouragement by me, by the tutor, Ann Day. I didn't ever expect it to gain such world wide publicity! By the way, what are people looking for in the newest Anna magazine? When I was at the Knitting and Stitching show recently I looked through the latest copy and at the publicity for the next one and couldn't spot any lace-related items at all. The infrequency of lace in this magazine has put me off subscribing, although I have quite a few usable patterns from the past. By the way, the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace was a wonderful day out and there were even two (!!) genuine lace suppliers there. Also the usual display by the Lace Circle with their dedicated supporters and an excellent stand by the Lace Guild with some lace from the collection on show and several panels of labels produced for the Lacemakers Census. We were told that there were so many entries for this that there are still many to be mounted, so those of us who didn't send in until the last minute will have to wait for our offerings to be displayed. The best thing I picked up at the Knitting and Stitching Show was a new student for one of my classes. Funny how we can spot the right people; we got chatting on the tube on the way to the show!! Happy lacing Rosemary (in Sussex) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Burano
I was in Burano last year. Most of the lace on sale does indeed look like foreign importation, but the museum in the old Lace School is well worth the visit. I think if you apply in advance they might let you look in their additional presses. There were lacemakers demonstrating there too. Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Cotton net
I have bought cotton net for Carrickmacross lace from Tim Parker. I'm sure he'd help. Or for something finer, what about the Honiton Lace Shop? Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Lace, Girlguiding Lenka
Dear Arachnes I think I should add my name to the Guiding list here. I have been involved for most of my life and am still helping to run a Brownie pack, having done the Commissioner bit too in the past. I have never tried to teach any of the girls to make lace, although I did run a young person's group at home for some years, some of whom were also Brownies and later Guides. I have however been asked to run a workshop at a Trefoil Guild training/activity day in September. (Trefoil Guild for those not into guiding are the 'old guides'.) Since it is my field, I have offered bobbin-lace, but have to assume that it will be for total novices. So here's a nice one. Has anyone got any good suggestions to fill one and a quarter hours for total beginners and them to produce something at the end of it? Usually I reckon a first session is taken up entirely with bobbin-winding and pattern-preparation. At present I do have a plan to produce a strip of torchon ground attached to a safety pin, a sort of lacy badge tab, and am expecting to prepare all prickings and wind all bobbins in advance. Also I have to collect/beg/borrow a supply of pillows! This could be very time-consuming for me, but I see no alternative if the groups (of ten at a time) are to achieve a satisfying result. I have always found that torchon ground is quick to pick up and learn. It will finish with a knotted fringe at whatever length they have managed to produce at the end of the session! An hour and a quarter is really not very long at all, is it. Any alternative suggestions would be appreciated and considered! I am also about to go visiting to Vancouver and was very disappointed to learn of Lenka's change of direction. Last year I failed to find her there, and had hoped to at least buy some of her bobbins this time. Is there anyone supplying these in UK do we know? I now feel very privileged to have attended one of her workshops a couple of years ago when she was here. Rosemary in Sussex and 'Badger' to 2nd Kingston Buci Brownies - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Cautionary tale on garters
Dear friendly arachnes I have a little cautionary tale with regard to the making of wedding garters. I recently made one for an old friend, who received it with absolute delight. Following advice aired on this list, I had searched out underwear type elastic which was stitched behind the ribboned section, and I used measurements sent me by the bride to be. We do not live close by, and I was not party to any fittings or present when she got dressed. Imagine my horror when, while the photos were being taken I espied the garter - round her shoe!! Brides these days wear tights perhaps which are slippy, or maybe she had not tried it on before the day and had certainly not readjusted it although I had overlapped the elastic with that need in mind. I don't think I could have done anything else to prevent this unfortunate slip, but the moral seems to me to be, be there for a fitting!! Fortunately, my friend seemed quite unphased by the whole thing. It was a wonderful wedding!! I have had my web-site up-dated, so you can see the garter in question and other work on http://homepages.tesco.net/~rjbrown Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] OFSTED inspection
Dear Christine I have been teaching a basic lace class for the Adult Education department of a local college for seven years and this year had an ALI inspection which ran in conjunction with an OFSTED inspection for the college as a whole. Although it is advertised as a beginners class, in fact I have quite a cross section of beginners and experienced people, who just want to come once a week and make lace in company. This was the first time I had ever had anyone inspect my teaching. I also have a very limited teaching qualification - a three month English as a Foreign Language one. I don't know whether the one they offer is any better than that. Like yours, the college made a lot of the preparation for inspection. I supplied a sample work scheme (ie what a beginner might be expected to achieve in a term) and made a point of recording work in progress and completed by photographs. I also had out all the work sheets that I have prepared for use in class and I keep a running record week by week which assists in 'lesson planning' for the next week. I had produced a very simple lesson plan for the day - most of which said 'individual work'. We were advised to put out a display of completed work on the day. The inspection itself was not as bad an experience as it had threatened to be; the lady inspector who was an expert in a Craft field but not Bobbin lace, sat at the side of the class and observed the class and made a point of talking to most of the students to get their feedback on the course - how it fulfilled their requirements I think - but more on what they thought of the college itself. She then reported to me verbally - in fact telling me she was perfectly happy with what I was doing because the ladies in the class were enjoying it and appreciated my committment to them. She seemed to me to judge the class with knowledge of the type of student and nature of a hand craft. I hope that this was typical of any future inspections for me. I too have been expected to give the students more and more forms to fill in - but they really don't like being treated like this and generally don't fill the forms in very seriously. They'd sooner tell me their aims than put them down on paper. I am just pleased that here at least the colleges are still prepared to fund the lace classes, unlike other places. I hope these comments help you. Best wishes Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] lace makers sought in Texas
Dear all I have just received a letter from a student of mine who has returned home to Texas, having been introduced to bobbin lace here in UK. She was very keen and would like to find a class in her area, and also I thought contact with a guild would be nice for her. Can anyone help? She lives in Cedar Park, Texas 78613. I don't have an email for her, so I would pass on anything useful to her by snail mail. Thanks! Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Advent Calendar
Dear Jean Thank you very much for the lovely Advent calendar and its original competition. It was greatly enjoyed by me and I'm sure everyone else who played with the jigsaw. Please don't joke about forgetting it next year!! It's an essential part of a lacemaker's Christmas. A very happy new year to you and everyone on the list. Rosemary (in Sussex) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Cattern Cakes recipe
Dear Maureen How can your cakes rise in the tin without any raising agent? Should there be yeast in the recipe? I'd like to try this recipe for my lace classes next week! Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Myth and Mystery
Dear all and especially the prize winners I am enjoying the correspondence about the MM competition; congratulations to the lucky and talented prize winners. I am looking forward to seeing the winning pieces, and all the rest, later in the summer when we make the pilgrimage up to Coventry from the South Coast. I know this isn't a long way to most Arachnes - but for me it is the other side of my country. My class of lacemakers from Horsham produced an entry and they were very thrilled when it was finished. I understand from the fact we've had a letter inviting us to apply for exhibitors bobbins, that it will be in the exhibition. I hope that assumption is correct. Like the other group submissions that people have been describing, some bits were ideal for the novices and the main section (our local dragon) was completed by the more proficient. So the whole was a form of collage. As tutor/designer, I made up the mount (and completed some of the missing bits..) The class had never taken part in any such event before so it has done wonders for class morale. When I can work out how to do it, I will send a photo to add to the Arachne display. Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Visit to a lace dealer
Dear all I promised that I would report back after my visit to a local lace dealer's. The visit was truly a treat, and all because one of our number (I don't remember who) had advertised the web address to us all. Thank you! The Mendes are professional Lace Dealers, semi-retired, in that they no longer have a commercial shop, but trade via fairs and their web-site. I invited my friends from the Forest lace class to join me in the visit. We were welcomed into the Mendes' home to find a wonderful array of lace that we were able to dip into, handle and examine to our hearts' content. No gloves! First was a box full of 19th century laces. A beautiful and unusually fine example of Teneriffe lace came out first, followed by examples of Brussels Duchesse and some Honiton. Could we tell the difference? I think we learned to! Carrickmacross and Limerick lace teased the mind, and some tamboured laces too, but the selection included examples of most of the laces that interested us. A fine Bedfordshire cap with dangling lappets, a piece of Maltese with interesting plaited hangings at the ends and a lovely collar in Point de Gaze needlelace. Some of the lace was labelled from the collection of the Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, and it was interesting to see this as a sure provenance for the pieces and their dates. There was little in the way of English laces, beyond a few Honiton collars, the Bedfordshire cap and a couple of Bucks edgings, the majority being Brussels and other types of Flemish lace. The quality of every piece was impeccable. A box of earlier date - 18th century mostly - contained Mechlin, which bears great similarity to Bucks Point, and Flemish tape laces, looking very much like the Milanese laces. We discussed the differences between these two laces and established that the Flemish workers tended to pass the spare pairs from the grounds across the back of the prior worked tape lace, when the Milanese workers didn't. There was a Renaissance style tape lace in there too which was useful for comparison, but must also have been contemporary. There were very large lengths of uncut lace, possibly intended for church use, or even never used, in Brussels lace and also Carrickmacross. As enthusiasts as much as dealers, they assured us that they never sold their best pieces unless really pressed to, and then only on to people who knew and cared about what they were buying - other dealers or collectors. They certainly never cut up the lace to sell on as bits. The more we looked at the lace and made intelligent comments, Joachim (Mr Mendes) produced further interesting pieces, including a netted bonnet, a piece of early Flemish Chrysanthemum lace dated 1620, Hollie Point on a baby cap which was quite immaculate, and finally producing some very fine 18th century lappets when time was running out! We ran out of time two and a half hours after arriving after a total feast of lace and chat. For further reference, their website address is: www.mendes.co.uk - it's well worth a visit! - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Lace dealer's web-site
Just a quicky to thank whoever it was that a week ago recommended a web-site, www.mendes.co.uk. I took a look and found a beautiful array of highly valuable pieces offered for sale, from a firm trading in Brighton. I live just outside Brighton and had never heard of them. A quick email to them and I have permission to take a group of students to view their stock. ( I don't think any of us will be rich enough to buy anything there..) Am I looking forward to this! I'll keep you posted when it happens! Best wishes and New Year greetings, Rosemary in Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Is lace declining?
Dear all I will emerge from lurkdom briefly to report that at my two classes this term I have four completely new beginners and two returners, and this I should say is about average for the start of a new year. I usually tell people that Lacemaking is increasingly popular; modern media is certainly spreading it more widely. Regardless of the average age of lacemakers (respect all round) we are still contributing to a spread of the knowledge; most new lacemakers in my classes are at least 10 years younger than those already in the class!! Whilst I am currently studying for my City and Guilds certificate, I have been teaching for about six years without that piece of paper. If you're prepared to share your skill, do so, especially if there's no-one else around prepared to do it. I am the first to acknowledge my limitations, and recommend other teachers if a student wants to progress further. Unfortunately, most people I know are not prepared to travel far beyond their locality, and my classes are the only ones I know of in my area. By the way, my dd has updated my web-site, so if you would like to view some of my work, and that of my classes please try http://homepages.tesco.net/~rjbrown Don't worry, keep lacing! Rosemary Brown West Sussex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
