Another reason for the relative "senior" status of new lacemakers is that unless a young woman is fortunate enough to marry someone who can support her "domestic goddess" status, she is required to work to contribute to the family income. Adding children to the mix creates someone whose time is divided between full-time mom, full-time employee, and full-time house-drone (the term goddess having long-since been given up!).
My own DD is a perfect example of this. When she was young, I tried to teach her to sew, but she wanted none of it. Once she was off to college, however, she taught herself to sew because a) dorm curtains were cheaper this way and b) she could make money making them for others. She is first and foremost an artist (but earns her salary as a teacher). I have tried to encourage her to learn to make lace, but she isn't interested. Her life is entirely too busy, and their home is defined by their sons... There is no "safe haven" for lacemaking supplies and equipment, nor does she have the hours of quiet solitude which contribute so well to absorbing the skills. I have told my DD that she will inherit my lacemaking things but I don't want her to sell them until her children have homes of their own. By then, she will probably be at an ideal stage to appreciate the art, and will have everything she needs to try it. If she doesn't "take" to it, she can then sell the things and do what pleases her with the money she gets. She has indicated that she would like to have them, since they have meant so much to me, but is still skeptical. Still... there's hope. Clay Clay Blackwell [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
