Dear Sue and Nancy and all of the other beginners out there (whether you're a lurker or not!) -
I began making lace in 1998. Considering some of the contributors on this list, I'm still a "newbie". In fact, considering some of my lace, I'm still a newbie!! But... shortly after catching the lacemaking "bug" (and having the good fortune to have a guild close by where I could meet on a weekly basis for help...), I had a health crisis which necessitated my staying at home with nothing but time on my hands. Actually, I considered this a gift from heaven!!! I spent long hours every day working out what little instructions I had. I was unable to even go to guild meetings, and no one from guild was free to come to me (everyone worked!). So... I did what I knew how to do... I searched the web for bobbin lace. I don't even think "Google" was around to help me then (or if it were - I didn't know about it!!) But... one of the first "hits" I got was the Arachne group. I immediately joined (mind you - I'd been making lace for six weeks...) and within hours, I had found a generous friend who actually lives about an hour away! She mailed me two books - totally trusting that anyone desperate for instruction in bobbin lace must be an hon est person. Tamara Duvall remains one of my dearest friends! She inspired me and taught me, and helped me "meet" some of the more accomplished lacemakers on the list. Not long after that, I met another "old-timer" (in lacemaking years only!) - Betty Ann Rice - who lives 45 minutes south of me!! If I had not joined Arachne, I never would have met these two remarkable ladies!! They urged me to join IOLI, and my guild urged me to join North Carolina Regional Lacers. The following year, based on excitement generated on this list, I signed up for my first IOLI convention, and there I met so many more lacemakers!! But I attribute the early networking and excitement to the contacts I made on this list. And had I not piped up and said what I needed, I'd still be working my gauze bandages!! All of this is by way of encouraging you to tell us what you need! It helps if you give us your city and state (but no more address information should be posted). Let us know what you're doing and what you need help with, and I expect that you'll get as much information as you can stand in reply!! ; ) We ARE a talkative group!! And, who knows... you may end up with some of the best friends you've never met!! Many thanks to all of my Arachne friends who have helped me over the years! I'm at the point now where I have a crisis if, for some reason, I'm unable to get on the internet for my daily contact. I don't always post, but I don't think anyone will ever accuse me of lurking either! ; ) Welcome to this list! Let us hear more from you! Clay -- Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA USA -------------- Original message -------------- From: Sue Duckles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> > Hello fellow Arachneans > > Nancy, please don't give up posting. You never know when your > contribution will make a difference. I too have only been making lace > for 15 months, and do find it hard going at times. However I refuse > to give up! They do say ' never say die...' Just because the > majority are knowledgeable doesn't mean that we all are.... > > Anyway, looking forward to hearing more from Nancy!! > > Sue in East Yorkshire - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
