I too am guilty of enjoying the list, but not responding to messages. I always enjoy Jeri's historical messages, and have learned from them. I enjoyed the discussion about lace tells, but have not yet looked up my own notes to see if I can add anything to it.
Many years ago, when I was learning Bucks Point lace from Marjory Carter, who English lacemakers will remember and respect, she told me that experienced Bucks lacemakers worked areas of ground without placing pins. Their tension was good enough to be able to do this, and it speeded the work up considerably. Whether or not the ground was pricked, I do not know. It could have been pricked but the pin holes not used. I have never seen an old Bucks pricking with the ground not pricked. I don't think I have any rosewood bobbins, but I know I have two ivory bobbins. They were carved from a very old piece of ivory that the maker had had for many years - certainly before the current restrictions (which I endorse completely) came into force. I only go to Belgium to make lace nowadays, and there I use Binche bobbins, so any controversial bobbins stay at home. I enjoy reading the list every day, and would miss it very much if it disappeared. I will try in future to respond to messages which have interested me. The rants and insults upset me, but I will not let them affect my attachment to the list. Kathleen In a wet and windy Berkshire, UK. Sent from my iPad - 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/
