In a message dated 8/14/2011 9:47:43 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, s...@duckles.me.uk writes:
In my opinion there is no history of lace on the island.... at least, I saw no evidence of it and our tour guide had never heard of it or seen lace bobbins (I had miniatures with me as earrings and a pendant, and a piece of lace.... which I lost....) The one piece of intriguing information that I can offer on this point, is that many years ago, I knew a woman at the Metro Chapter of the IOLI who had lived in Cuba while her husband was working there with Chase Manhattan Bank. She and her husband were taken out of Cuba just before the revolution by the bank. She said she had learned bobbin lace making in Cuba, and that it was considered to be a good craft for Cuba. This was because it is hot in Cuba, and perspiration is likely to discolor an embroidery, but in bobbin lace making your hands touch only the bobbins. I do not know whether she learned bobbin lace making from a Cuban, or whether from another expatriate. However, there is at least one other case of bobbin lace learned in Cuba. I found this on the internet at _http://www.flheritage.com/preservation/folklife/awards/awardDetails.cfm?id=1 3_ (http://www.flheritage.com/preservation/folklife/awards/awardDetails.cfm?id=1 3) "Ana Blanco (Orange Park) learned the art of bolillo, or bobbin lace, while growing up in Cuba. She emigrated from Cuba in 1962. Among the many styles of lace making, bobbin lace is considered one of the most intricate. Blanco uses many patternsâthe Fan, the Spider, and the Honeycombâ characteristic of Cubaâs lace tradition. In particular the types of tools she employs-â lace-making pillow, cylinder, and bobbinsâare typical of those utilized in Cuba. Although she often uses traditional lace patterns, her artistry is most evident in her original designs. Bobbin lace making is undergoing a revival in popularity, but few lace makers have the skill and expertise to develop original designs. As a highly accomplished lace maker, Blanco has taught the handwork to novices throughout Florida. She published Brussels Lace Making, a manual describing an advanced form of free lace. She had been active in teaching lace making in the Jacksonville area." Of course, both these incidents of bobbin lace making occurred back in the 1960s and there may be no vestiges left. If I were looking for lace in Cuba, I might look in the churches. Devon - 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