[lace] Arthritic hands and Picking Up Bobbins
Hi, Laurie S. I found that very interesting that green tinted glasses help your tremor. I must try that! I have a shocking hand tremor when I go to write - some days I can hardly sign my name, - but I can use a fine needle without a problem for Needlelace, and I don't have too much trouble with bobbin lace. I just use photocopies of prickings covered in coloured contact, so prick as I go - the lazy way!! Not always 100% accurate, though!, -- but at least I can still make reasonable lace!! I have heard of coloured glasses for dyslexia, but not for a hand tremor. Fascinating. Regards from Liz in cold, wintery,Melbourne, Oz. lizl...@bigpond.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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
Re: [lace] Arthritic hands and Picking Up Bobbins
My biggest problem is a gradually worsening tremor--essential tremor, inherited from my father's side of the family. My Dad's tremor is very bad, so I can see where I'm headed and it's scary. I'm already having trouble putting pins in (hitting the hole when your hand is shaking all over the place is a challenge), and there are times when I have trouble keeping my bobbins (Continental) under control. Parallel to the lace problems, I also did a lot of off-loom bead-weaving and now have to wait until I have a particularly calm spell to do that anymore. Embroidery is also getting harder, since I like to do the fine work on linen. At work I have trouble controlling the mouse, and at bad times even typing. There is no effective medication for the condition, only brain surgery (deep-brain stimulation), which I'm sure the insurance won't pay for until it really badly affects my ability to work. I'm not sure there is any immediate solution except reducing stress (deep breathing, meditation, etc.) but I appreciate the opportunity to complain about the problems a little bit. Also, hearing what others go through puts my lesser problems in perspective since at least the tremor isn't physically painful. Thanks, Jean! Nancy Connecticut, USA From: Jean Nathan j...@nathan54.freeserve.co.uk To: Lace lace@arachne.com Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 2:12 PM Subject: [lace] Arthritic hands and Picking Up Bobbins snip I would be interested to hear what other problems people have (not only arthritis) and how they've overcome them so they can make lace, or if they have a problem that they can't seem to find a solution for. We're all different and what works for one person won't work for another with the same problem, for instance (not lace related) I can only use the circular rocker type of ring pull puller, not the fork lever style. Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
Re: [lace] Arthritic hands and Picking Up Bobbins
And by talking about it, others can let you know what worked for them!!! I also have ET. There is a website for the International Essential Tremor Foundation if you want more info. For me, though,*tinting my glasses green made a HUGE difference!!! *I've had it over 15 years and at onje point I had people worried about me having Parkinson's and asking me to go to the Dr. The Dr told me I had ET. Drink wine before dinner to calm your hands enough to eat they said. Then while I was at an art class, someone told me about a book they were reading and it said red lenses increase tremor and green calms it. So I went home and talked to my optometrist. They were happy to do an experiment with me and tinted my glasses. I went from being unable to hit the holes with my needle in cross stitch, to back happily stitching!!! Ten years later I can see my tremor increasing again, but fine tuning the green color has worked wonders. Prepricking a pattern has helped me with getting pins to the right spot when making lace with my tremor. But the green glasses help the most! Please pass this on. Lauren Snyder in Snohomish WA. On 6/1/2012 6:40 AM, Nancy Neff wrote: My biggest problem is a gradually worsening tremor--essential tremor, inherited from my father's side of the family. My Dad's tremor is very bad, so I can see where I'm headed and it's scary. I'm already having trouble putting pins in (hitting the hole when your hand is shaking all over the place is a challenge), and there are times when I have trouble keeping my bobbins (Continental) under control. Parallel to the lace problems, I also did a lot of off-loom bead-weaving and now have to wait until I have a particularly calm spell to do that anymore. Embroidery is also getting harder, since I like to do the fine work on linen. At work I have trouble controlling the mouse, and at bad times even typing. There is no effective medication for the condition, only brain surgery (deep-brain stimulation), which I'm sure the insurance won't pay for until it really badly affects my ability to work. I'm not sure there is any immediate solution except reducing stress (deep breathing, meditation, etc.) but I appreciate the opportunity to complain about the problems a little bit. Also, hearing what others go through puts my lesser problems in perspective since at least the tremor isn't physically painful. Thanks, Jean! Nancy Connecticut, 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. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
[lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins
The problem with the method in the video is that the bobbins are being held up in the hands and her fingers are supple. I couldn't do that because my hands aren't supple and also would become tired within a few minutes. Assuming I could do it at all, I'd have to stop and rest them before I could continue. I'd also think it could be quite a painful method for some. I tried one project with Bruges style bobbins, but gave them away because I couldn't cope with them - I need the spangle to move them. There are over 90 different types of arthritis - osteo which is bone rubbing on bone (usually) from wear and tear on a joint and which most of us get as we get older, and the inflammatory types which affect soft tissue such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, lupus. People with osteo arthritis often can't understand what is so different between what they have and the inflammatory types. In my case it's rheumatoid and there's little evidence of it in my hands because it's controlled well but it doesn't take much to cause one or more finger joints to inflame. That's the reason why I would choose to move bobbins by the spangles. The other reason isn't choice; as I said previously, my fingers don't work properly. It seems to be an interruption to the signal between my brain and my fingers, probably in the same way that the tingling and pain in carpel tunnel syndrome is cause by pressure on the nerve by inflammatory tissue in the wrist, the signal to my finger tips doesn't always get there. I can be doing some sewing and happily thread needles, then suddenly I can't get the thread anywhere near the eye of the needle or into the place I'm aiming at on what I'm sewing, and I start dropping the needle, am unable to pickup the thread or a pin. Grip goes completely. My bobbins stay on the pillow even when I'm doing a plait. I envy those of you who have the dexterity to choose how you work. Fortunately most of us can find a way we can manage. Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
Re: [lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins
Dear Jean and fellow Arachnids, Firstly I have to say how much I admire Jean for finding ways around her problems and still producing beautiful lace. Secondly, with apologies to cat-lovers, there are many ways to skin a cat. There are as many ways of making lace as there are lacemakers. Watch some of the really traditional lacemakers carefully and you will begin to see differences in the way they hold and/or place their bobbins, place their pins, work their patterns, make their sewings etc. Most people find one way easier than another and it is a matter of experiment and choice to find what works best for you. Don't ever give up because of a problem. I have even helped a woman who'd lost both hands in a horrific accident to make lace with her artificial hands. Extra large bobbins with spangles, large berry pins and simple patterns worked although she did need some help with tensioning and very occasionally with pin placement. Bobbin winding was beyond her so I did that. Being able to make lace gave her great pleasure. Happy lacemaking, Joepie, East Sussex, UK From: Jean Nathan Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 8:28 AM To: Lace Subject: [lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins The problem with the method in the video is that the bobbins are being held up in the hands and her fingers are supple. I couldn't do that because my hands aren't supple and also would become tired within a few minutes. -- - I need the spangle to move them. My bobbins stay on the pillow even when I'm doing a plait. I envy those of you who have the dexterity to choose how you work. Fortunately most of us can find a way we can manage. Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK - - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
Re: [lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins
I sure admire you for persevering in the face of your problems. Karen in Malta Let your email find you with BlackBerry® from Vodafone -Original Message- From: Jean Nathan j...@nathan54.freeserve.co.uk Sender: owner-l...@arachne.com Date: Thu, 31 May 2012 08:28:35 To: Lacelace@arachne.com Reply-To: Jean Nathan j...@nathan54.freeserve.co.uk Subject: [lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins The problem with the method in the video is that the bobbins are being held up in the hands and her fingers are supple. I couldn't do that because my hands aren't supple and also would become tired within a few minutes. Assuming I could do it at all, I'd have to stop and rest them before I could continue. I'd also think it could be quite a painful method for some. I tried one project with Bruges style bobbins, but gave them away because I couldn't cope with them - I need the spangle to move them. There are over 90 different types of arthritis - osteo which is bone rubbing on bone (usually) from wear and tear on a joint and which most of us get as we get older, and the inflammatory types which affect soft tissue such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, lupus. People with osteo arthritis often can't understand what is so different between what they have and the inflammatory types. In my case it's rheumatoid and there's little evidence of it in my hands because it's controlled well but it doesn't take much to cause one or more finger joints to inflame. That's the reason why I would choose to move bobbins by the spangles. The other reason isn't choice; as I said previously, my fingers don't work properly. It seems to be an interruption to the signal between my brain and my fingers, probably in the same way that the tingling and pain in carpel tunnel syndrome is cause by pressure on the nerve by inflammatory tissue in the wrist, the signal to my finger tips doesn't always get there. I can be doing some sewing and happily thread needles, then suddenly I can't get the thread anywhere near the eye of the needle or into the place I'm aiming at on what I'm sewing, and I start dropping the needle, am unable to pickup the thread or a pin. Grip goes completely. My bobbins stay on the pillow even when I'm doing a plait. I envy those of you who have the dexterity to choose how you work. Fortunately most of us can find a way we can manage. Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
Re: [lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins
You must have made her very happy. How wonderfully thoughtful. Karen in Malta Let your email find you with BlackBerry® from Vodafone -Original Message- From: J D Hammett jdhamm...@msn.com Sender: owner-l...@arachne.com Date: Thu, 31 May 2012 10:17:55 To: Jean Nathanj...@nathan54.freeserve.co.uk; Lacelace@arachne.com Reply-To: J D Hammett jdhamm...@msn.com Subject: Re: [lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins Dear Jean and fellow Arachnids, Firstly I have to say how much I admire Jean for finding ways around her problems and still producing beautiful lace. Secondly, with apologies to cat-lovers, there are many ways to skin a cat. There are as many ways of making lace as there are lacemakers. Watch some of the really traditional lacemakers carefully and you will begin to see differences in the way they hold and/or place their bobbins, place their pins, work their patterns, make their sewings etc. Most people find one way easier than another and it is a matter of experiment and choice to find what works best for you. Don't ever give up because of a problem. I have even helped a woman who'd lost both hands in a horrific accident to make lace with her artificial hands. Extra large bobbins with spangles, large berry pins and simple patterns worked although she did need some help with tensioning and very occasionally with pin placement. Bobbin winding was beyond her so I did that. Being able to make lace gave her great pleasure. Happy lacemaking, Joepie, East Sussex, UK From: Jean Nathan Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 8:28 AM To: Lace Subject: [lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins The problem with the method in the video is that the bobbins are being held up in the hands and her fingers are supple. I couldn't do that because my hands aren't supple and also would become tired within a few minutes. -- - I need the spangle to move them. My bobbins stay on the pillow even when I'm doing a plait. I envy those of you who have the dexterity to choose how you work. Fortunately most of us can find a way we can manage. Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK - - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
Re: [lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins
Dear Jean et al, What can I say, Jean, except that sounds like a particularly frustrating situation. As one with no cartilage in one joint of both thumbs per x-rays, I look for other methods so I'm ready when the time comes. Sometimes my thumbs hurt, and then, pardon for the graphic nature, I just pull my thumb out, so the bits don't rub, and I'm fine. It's amazing, but it beats surgery and immobility for 6 weeks. It might help some. This discussion arose some time ago, and I mentioned then seeing the owner of the lace shop in Linkoping stand up and work palms down on a Swedish pillow, which is a cookie/roller pillow, using Swedish bobbins, which have a big bulb at the end, and are fairly short. But her thumbs were not involved. That might not help everyone, but it might help some. There are at least 2 videos on youtube which show Swedish lacemaking. The first one is fairly clear, and the woman clearly uses her thumbs sometimes, but frequently she doesn't, and this method could be adapted for a totally thumbs free method. The second video is longer, silent, follows the first, and it does show some Swedish lacemakers, after some pictures of Vadstena, and some of them do not seem to use their thumbs ever, although it is not nearly as close up as the first video. But when it's a choice of a new method, or no lacemaking, this might provide a solution, or at least ideas, for some. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreenv=xDTwiX9r_rwNR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSkTeGH1Ap8feature=autoplaylist=PL10B637A36966DA60playnext=2 Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, where it is going to be a lovely day, and we've been married 43 years today. Jean wrote The problem with the method in the video [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreenv=xDTwiX9r_rwNR=1 ]is that the bobbins are being held up in the hands and her fingers are supple. I couldn't do that because my hands aren't supple and also would become tired within a few minutes. Assuming I could do it at all, I'd have to stop and rest them before I could continue. I'd also think it could be quite a painful method for some. I tried one project with Bruges style bobbins, but gave them away because I couldn't cope with them - I need the spangle to move them. My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails. - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
[lace] Arthritic hands and Picking Up Bobbins
No Susan, it isn't neuropathy associated with the cervical spine - my rheumatologist has confirmed that it seems to be an interruption to the signal between my brain and fingers and is not uncommon. I don't get pain, just loss of control, unlike when I had carpal tunnel syndrome which was caused by the accumulation of inflammatory tissue around the nerve passing through the wrist and was extremely painful until the offending tissue was cut out. As you would expect of an efficient investigative team, I've had nerve conduction tests as well as X-Rays of my neck and spine. I also have tests on the level of feeling in my finger tips each time I have my regular rheumatology checks among many other examinations. My problems are small compared with some of you, and the solution is simple - moving bobbins by the spangles and patience because I'm slow as a result. I would be interested to hear what other problems people have (not only arthritis) and how they've overcome them so they can make lace, or if they have a problem that they can't seem to find a solution for. We're all different and what works for one person won't work for another with the same problem, for instance (not lace related) I can only use the circular rocker type of ring pull puller, not the fork lever style. Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
RE: [lace] Arthritic hands and Picking Up Bobbins
Jean, I have nerve damage in my left hand...symptom's similar to carpel tunnel but not fixable. I just accept slow is the way it is and continue doing bucks-point and knitted lace, clumsily but carefully. Now complicated with a broken right wrist (radial bone at joint) and nerve damage in my right thumb...not sure yet what happened there but it was bundled with the arm break. You just refuse to let it stop you and keep on lacing!! My doc says to keep on with the needle-work. His nurse practitioner would have me stop all use of my right hand. My doc knows me better than her. I could no sooner stop needlework than I could stop breathing. Cearbhael -Original Message- From: owner-l...@arachne.com [mailto:owner-l...@arachne.com] On Behalf Of Jean Nathan Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 1:12 PM To: Lace Subject: [lace] Arthritic hands and Picking Up Bobbins No Susan, it isn't neuropathy associated with the cervical spine - my rheumatologist has confirmed that it seems to be an interruption to the signal between my brain and fingers and is not uncommon. the solution is simple - moving bobbins by the spangles and patience because I'm slow as a result. I would be interested to hear what other problems people have Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
Re: [lace] Arthritic hands and Picking Up Bobbins
I would be interested to hear what other problems people have (not only arthritis) and how they've overcome them so they can make lace, I have severe osteoarthritis. Not twinges now and then but started having trouble when I was 30, have been in a wheelchair for the last ten years and may have to get an electric chair because my hands hurt too much to push the manual chair. Twenty years ago, I learned bobbin lace when I couldn't hold an embroidery needle any more. I really like square bobbins, they seem easier to hold http://www.vansciverbobbinlace.com/B_LargeSquare_Guatambu.gif Sharon - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
[lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins
A few months ago someone posted that they were having trouble picking up bobbins because their hands were getting arthritic. They were asking about other ways to make lace. I found this on YouTube. It's the way I've seen Spanish and Slovenian laces made. Unfortunately, she doesn't demonstrate slowly for more than a few stitches, but this may help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL5EZqc6peY Peg in Fairview Park OH...finally able to make lace 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. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
[lace] Arthritic hands and picking up bobbins - a better video
Just found a better videoshe demonstrates it a lot slower. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreenv=xDTwiX9r_rwNR=1 If you go to her main page, there are a few more showing the palms up technique...scroll all the way to the bottom to find them. Peg in Fairview Park OH...finally able to make lace 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. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
