----- Original Message ---- On a related note, is anyone out there demonstrating lace at historic sites? If so, what kind of pillows/bobbins are you using, and what kind of lace are you making? Do you try to replicate a specific time period or do you just demonstrate the art? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, members of my guild demo at local historic sites even though lace was not a normal activity of the early settlers. I live in the far west of the USA and modern history only started in the 1840's in this country. It was settled by people who walked across the USA and carried all their possessions in a wagon. Some of the diaries of the settlers mentioned that a woman might carry a crochet hook or a tatting shuttle in her pocket clear across the country because nothing frivolous was allowed in the wagon. Bobbin lace equipment would not have been included, even if the lady knew how to do it. The modern ladies in charge of these historic sites just like to see us making lace, so we are invited back. I'm of mixed opinion if we really should be doing it when they are featuring the arts and skills used by the settlers. However, since we are trying to be more visible to people who have never seen bobbin lace, we go when invited. Since there is no specific history of lacemaking to refer to, we demo with whatever type of laces we happen to have on our pillows at the time. Our display boards show a variety of styles. Usually, when there are 3 or 4 people making lace, there's a variety of pillows, bobbins, and lace styles for people to look at. I prefer to demo at the fairs, quilt shows, churches and festivals instead of historic sites. It seems more appropriate. Alice in Oregon.. where the weather has cooled at bit and it's actually nice outside. - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
