In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED] i52>, Annette Meldrum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes >Hi Jeri and all, >I would like to second what Jeri says about reaching out to young lacemakers >and getting them involved on the list. They will be the means of continuing >the skills and traditions of our beloved craft and need to be nurtured and >encouraged.
I don't think that works any more, as the young tend to have far too much put on them (especially school/college work) that by the time they have a boy/girlfriend as well, there is little time for any hobby. My two daughters (now 18 and 21) both learnt the basics as young children, (Hannah was two when I started to learn seriously, and she started having a go then) but apart from the occasional "cool" comment at what I'm doing (if I'm lucky!) neither show any particular interest now. At demonstrations, we occasionally get passing interest from girls in their 20s, and often a child can be persuaded to have a go, but the most interest comes from those who have just reached retirement age - ie in their early 60s, who still have the capacity to learn, have time at home to practice, and the money to set up in equipment. I'm sure I'm not the only teacher who only has two class members younger than herself and I'm not 50 yet! I started to learn when I was 33. As each year brings a new wave of say, 10 year olds, it also brings a new wave of 60 year olds who have "always wanted to do that"! They need to see lace being made when they are younger, but not necessarily learn. To see lace, we need to get rid of this idea that "nobody makes lace any more" - so, if you are travelling (and not driving, or presumably still, flying), take your travel pillow/shuttle/needles and get some lace made in the hour or two on the train, waiting at the station (I got a fair number of comments whilst filling in half an hour at Oxford station a couple of weeks ago) - just remember to be prepared for the ticket inspector who, if you are tatting, always comes round to check your ticket mid ring! You don't have to have an organised event to demonstrate lace to the public! And it doesn't matter if you are new to the craft - most of your fellow travellers won't know as much as you do, and the boost to your confidence from their comments will do your lace good! I just hope the relevant members of the next generation will take over the bobbin turning/lace supply businesses when their parents retire - otherwise we will all be somewhat scuppered! -- Jane Partridge - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
