[lace] Arachne Dowager
Hello all, I think I'm a Dowager as well. I joined in early 1996, March or February, but I'm pretty sure I was here by April. Yes, I was. I remember the first Anniversary bobbin. I know others don't like the term Dowager but I've told my kids that's what I want my grandkids to call me. Dowie for short. Then my kids can call me The Dowager. As in, "Who was on the phone?" "It was The Dowager wondering when we're going to have kids." Heather In foggy Abbotsford, BC Canada - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Arachne Dowager vs. Youthful Lace Enthusiast
In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED] i52>, Annette Meldrum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes >Hi Jeri and all, >I would like to second what Jeri says about reaching out to young lacemakers >and getting them involved on the list. They will be the means of continuing >the skills and traditions of our beloved craft and need to be nurtured and >encouraged. I don't think that works any more, as the young tend to have far too much put on them (especially school/college work) that by the time they have a boy/girlfriend as well, there is little time for any hobby. My two daughters (now 18 and 21) both learnt the basics as young children, (Hannah was two when I started to learn seriously, and she started having a go then) but apart from the occasional "cool" comment at what I'm doing (if I'm lucky!) neither show any particular interest now. At demonstrations, we occasionally get passing interest from girls in their 20s, and often a child can be persuaded to have a go, but the most interest comes from those who have just reached retirement age - ie in their early 60s, who still have the capacity to learn, have time at home to practice, and the money to set up in equipment. I'm sure I'm not the only teacher who only has two class members younger than herself and I'm not 50 yet! I started to learn when I was 33. As each year brings a new wave of say, 10 year olds, it also brings a new wave of 60 year olds who have "always wanted to do that"! They need to see lace being made when they are younger, but not necessarily learn. To see lace, we need to get rid of this idea that "nobody makes lace any more" - so, if you are travelling (and not driving, or presumably still, flying), take your travel pillow/shuttle/needles and get some lace made in the hour or two on the train, waiting at the station (I got a fair number of comments whilst filling in half an hour at Oxford station a couple of weeks ago) - just remember to be prepared for the ticket inspector who, if you are tatting, always comes round to check your ticket mid ring! You don't have to have an organised event to demonstrate lace to the public! And it doesn't matter if you are new to the craft - most of your fellow travellers won't know as much as you do, and the boost to your confidence from their comments will do your lace good! I just hope the relevant members of the next generation will take over the bobbin turning/lace supply businesses when their parents retire - otherwise we will all be somewhat scuppered! -- Jane Partridge - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Arachne dowager v Youthful lace enthusiast
Hi all I don't often say much on this list but I feel strongly that Jane is very correct when she says "but the most interest comes from those who have just reached retirement age - ie in their early 60s, who still have the capacity to learn, have time at home to practice, and the money to set up in equipment. I'm sure I'm not the only teacher who only has two class members younger than herself and I'm not 50 yet! " I'm very concerned about this trend and I think that it is the same all over the world. Taking up lacemaking in ones 60s is fine if one is learning Torchon but what becomes of the finer laces? No matter how good our eyesight is when we are young, it starts to deteriorate as we age. I started making Honiton when I was 28, I'm now 54 and am just starting to have trouble seeing to make sewings but at least I know what I'm doing how much more difficult is it when people are just learning. I teach Honiton and it is so difficult for students to learn if their eyesight is not 100% It is such a shame to watch people struggling and then give it all up just because its a fine lace. "Macro Honiton" is OK but it is not - strictly speaking - Honiton lace. Honiton takes many years to learn it is a complex lace and there are so many different techniques involved, if no one starts it a a young age and learns all the skills, where does the next generation of teachers come from? Unless we can interest the younger folk what hope is their for Honiton or any other fine complex lace? Annette in Melbourne [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Arachne Dowager vs. Youthful Lace Enthusiast
Dear Lacemakers, My American dictionary gives two definitions for "dowager". The first, you know - "A widow holding property or a title from her deceased husband." The second - "A dignified elderly woman." I, for one, will never admit to being a dowager of any kind. I intend to be a Youthful Lace Enthusiast for another 30+ years, and hope those who believe they qualify as having the vitality or freshness of youth will join me in thinking likewise. Instead of being fixated on advanced age or time on Arachne, I would like to concentrate on reaching out to younger lace enthusiasts. And, I would like to hear more from them on Arachne. This needs to be our focus to ensure the future of lace knowledge and skills. Having stuck my neck out on this subject does not mean no more memos from this little corner of Maine. You will still hear about new research, new books, etc. that come my way. Soon. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [lace] Arachne Dowager vs. Youthful Lace Enthusiast
Hi Jeri and all, I would like to second what Jeri says about reaching out to young lacemakers and getting them involved on the list. They will be the means of continuing the skills and traditions of our beloved craft and need to be nurtured and encouraged. At the same time I think it is good to acknowledge that many of us have been here for the 'long haul' and that says a lot for this lace list. I too have been here since before the first arachne anniversary bobbin and credit most of my lace knowledge to this list. I don't post often, and I am always hundreds of emails behind with my reading, BUT I never think about unsubscribing even when I go on holidays. I wouldn't want to miss anything. I carefully save relevant information to my extensive list of subject folders. I keep this backed up as I could not bear to think about loosing this resource, collected over so many years. Needless to say, it is getting quite large and needs to be condensed but who has time? One day? Thanks everyone for making arachne such a great resource and for the wonderful friendships. Annette Meldrum Wollongong, South Coast of NSW, Australia -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, 24 October 2005 6:55 AM Instead of being fixated on advanced age or time on Arachne, I would like to concentrate on reaching out to younger lace enthusiasts. And, I would like to hear more from them on Arachne. This needs to be our focus to ensure the future of lace knowledge and skills. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]