Interesting Topic;^) Not sure if it's already been mentioned or not but please don't forget the various types of Mediterranean laces - such as Armenian and Turkish -especially the Turkish oya which is still a cottage industry in cities as well as villages where internet access and international guild membership might not be considered a basic necessity. And since the topic of sol laces have been brought up in the form of Nanduti, it's my understanding that Teneriffe lace is still being produced on the Canary Islands.
I saw beautifully photograghed pattern books of both Japanese and Korean needle and bobbin lace patterns while stationed in Korea back in the mid-70's. There were also gorgeous knitted lace, tatting and filet patterns (netted and crochet) and Irish crochet lace. In addition Chinese and Russian language language lace patterns from Taiwan and Russia were also available there by the time of my second tour to Korea four years later. Obviously one can only assume there was a market at least in the large cities if these magazines were available at bookshops and department stores. I realize that was almost 25 years ago but given China, Korea's and Japan's appreciation for the needle arts I would not limit Chinese lacemakers to sweatshop workers. Although no one would have dared made lace during the Cultural Revolution or in the immediate period following, a surviving lacemaker whose fingers hadn't been broken or eyes blinded as punishment might be tempted to return to her art or to train a willing student or two. As already mentioned, lace is made in Thailand and India, and again by many women who may not consider internet access necessary to their day to day living. While it's true for many of us it's an art we can practice at our leisure, for many women around the world I wonder if perhaps we should also be remembering it and other needle art remains an important method of putting bread or rice on the table. I think it's a helpful thought to consider when we wonder how many lacemakers are there so we don't inadvertently discount thousands of anonymous women who still do their talking the old fashioned way;^) Best wishes, renee in Tucson - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
