Hello everyone, For those of you who don't know me, I'm a lurker, who has been lurking since the beginning of Arachne, mainly due to lack of time in following threads and answering. Once in a while, I pop up out of the blue and let everyone know I'm still here, and still quiet.
I've been following the threads on befriending and on lace clubs with interest. I also had an unpleasant experience years ago at a Lace Day, where I was told that the only "real" lace were the English laces, and the only "real" bobbins were Midlands. Well, I like tape laces, Bruges lace and Torchon. I hate Midlands, but love Binche bobbins. I'm a loner. I mean that. I actually LIKE being alone. I learned bobbin lace, tatting and needlelace from books, and loved every minute. I don't belong to a group, although there are actually not one, but two groups in my area. Although I conceptually understand the idea of befriending newcomers, I would suggest that you be just a tad careful, because there are other people, like me, who prefer to be left alone. This is one of the reasons why for the last fifteen or so years, I have stayed away from the lace guilds. I don't have the best social skills, I do lace to relax and as a source for creativity, social events (even meetings) are stressful for me, and I did not want to be "smothered" (that's how it feels to me). So yes, take the time to talk to new people, but follow cues of "leave me alone". I must admit that I was invited to participate in courses through one of the groups here last year, and after much internal debate (and I mean LOTS of seesawing back and forth) I did talk myself into going. It was a pleasant experience. My hectic schedule has not made it possible for me to go back, nor would I want to go every time, but I have not discounted the possibility. What was nice, was that no one stuck by me, or expected more of me than a presence. They chatted, I listened, pretty much the same as on Arachne. I know I'm not the only one out there. We may be a bit difficult to hook, but give us time, we are worth it. Lise-Aurore In beautiful Ottawa, Canada. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
