I've got a stick of heelball from when I did my teacher training many, many years ago. We had it for taking rubbings of tree bark, stone walls and other textured surfaces. Could be useful in getting natural "patterns" as inspiration for designing lace.
As for my pen thickening, I've concluded that it's because I don't have fine feeling in my fingers, or hold it properly so I mash the point. My husband, who was a draughtsman, tried it and just "Well, you've wrecked that!" 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
