Re: [lace] Describe bobbin lace
dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: A question I have come to contemplate, though, is whether making bobbin lace sound simple actually attracts the right people into the class. Are you more likely to get people who are thinking it will be like a class at a craft store, where at the end, they take home a splashy big flower arrangement, rather than a tiny inch of border, or possibly, a small fish? - WHenever I go demonstrating, the hardest part is convincing adult women to try the try-it pillow. They are so convinced they can't do it that they refuse to try. That is why I emphasize how easy it is to get started. And given the number of pre-schoolers and young kids (under 10) that have successfully learned the stitches, I do believe it's easy to learn the basics. Granted, there's room to grow, but you can make some pretty, delicate lace designs with just a few hours' instruction. Robin P. Los Angeles, California, USA robinl...@socal.rr.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Describe bobbin lace
It is interesting to note that two of the class descriptions emphasize the simplicity of making bobbin lace. Lace making is two easy stitches, combined in different ways, to create beautiful and inspiring pieces. Come learn how simple and fun the basics can be and discover the joy in creativity, and the bliss in making a timeless treasure! With a few twists and crosses of specially wound bobbins you can create beautiful lace that you can proudly hand down through the ages. Learn the basics of this deceptively easy thread craft in just a few minutes. I completely understand the necessity for quelling the fear that most people feel when they contemplate learning bobbin lace, since overcoming this rather formidable obstacle is necessary if you are going to have a class at all. Personally, I have talked a lot of people into trying it with such soothing words. I have also been in classes where people arrive absolutely convinced that once they learn the equivalent of a knit and a purl, or a single and double crochet, they will be off on their way to making table cloths such as those that adorned their grandmothers' homes. When reality hits home, it can be rather ugly. I am thinking of two people in particular. But after the initial realization that it was not yards of lace, but rather inches that they would be making, they did stay on. A question I have come to contemplate, though, is whether making bobbin lace sound simple actually attracts the right people into the class. Are you more likely to get people who are thinking it will be like a class at a craft store, where at the end, they take home a splashy big flower arrangement, rather than a tiny inch of border, or possibly, a small fish? On the other hand, if you told someone that it would take a year, or possibly years to become anything like proficient, would anyone take the class at all? Is it better to tease them in, and hope that they will get hooked? For some people, the complexity would be a turn on, and they might like it better, long term. For instance, a blurb might read If you like puzzles, you'll love bobbin lace. Have other textile techniques ceased to thrill? Is needlepoint boring? Like Sudoko in thread, bobbin lace is a challenge. Working with four threads simultaneously, you will find out why the laces of the previous centuries exceeded any other textile in beauty and complexity. Bring your thinking cap! Thoughts, anyone, about whether it is better to make it sound simple, and get a class of people who are looking for simplicity, or make it sound challenging? After all, in some walks of life, people are attracted to things that only the few, the brave can do, like elite schools and specialized military units. In some ways, I guess it depends on whether you are addressing your blurb to an audience of low self confidence, or one of high self confidence. Alice is teaching at an Art Museum. Maybe there are people there, who fall into the category of many I have met, who sign up for a class with the comment, I'm a fast learner. Of course, many of us, self included, are in an age group such that, by the time we can pursue bobbin lace, we are saying, I used to be a fast learner. :-( Devon **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220439616x1201372437/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Describe bobbin lace
I completely agree with many points on here. I started lessons thinking that if I had the first 4 all day classes which was actually the equivalent of 10 weeks at 2 hours per week, I expected to understand how to prepare the pillow and the bobbins and do the stitches to get started and then I could go back to the book I didn't understand very well, g It was soon clear I needed more than that. By the end of my first 4 lessons I had two tiny bits of unpresentable trial pieces and a pattern to try (tape bells). I did one, beginning on one lesson working at home and taking it back to the last lesson for help with part of it. I did manage a presentable bell (expected it to look terrible looking now but its OK:-) I was hooked and changed to a different teacher and class which was 2 hour per week for 10 week term and did about 4 years until she retired. The two hour lessons suited me much better I could learn a bit, go home and practise and get back the following week for a recheck, and the next bit. I managed to work many pieces during the course of my time with her. If someone had told me it was Very challenging I might never have gone. If someone had told me I would need many more lessons than the first four, I might not have gone. I am so pleased that I did. I dont consider myself a quick learner, I need the basics well and a good understanding of that. I can read instructions time and time again, sometimes understanding and sometimes not. When I first learned I used to spend many hours looking through the books I had looking and it like a road map, learning which stitch was done first and where next. I would photocopy bits of pattern very big and spend time putting lines in where I thought the pattern went from piece to piece.It has helped me work out things without others being around to advise me. Sue T It is interesting to note that two of the class descriptions emphasize the simplicity of making bobbin lace. I completely understand the necessity for quelling the fear that most people feel when they contemplate learning bobbin lace, since overcoming this rather formidable obstacle is necessary if you are going to have a class at all. Personally, I have talked a lot of people into trying it with such soothing words. I have also been in classes where people arrive absolutely convinced that once they learn the equivalent of a knit and a purl, or a single and double crochet, they will be off on their way to making table cloths such as those that adorned their grandmothers' homes. When reality hits home, it can be rather ugly. I am thinking of two people in particular. But after the initial realization that it was not yards of lace, but rather inches that they would be making, they did stay on. Of course, many of us, self included, are in an age group such that, by the time we can pursue bobbin lace, we are saying, I used to be a fast learner. :-( Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Describe bobbin lace
I love your description of learning to make lace, Devon. If you like puzzles, you'll love bobbin lace. Have other textile techniques ceased to thrill? Is needlepoint boring? Like Sudoko in thread, bobbin lace is a challenge. Working with four threads simultaneously, you will find out why the laces of the previous centuries exceeded any other textile in beauty and complexity. Bring your thinking cap! For me it describes exactly the pleasure I get from working a new pattern. Maybe the invitation should be a combination of the simplicity of the basic stitches and the complexity of what you can do with those 2 stitches. Lace making is two easy stitches, combined in different ways, to create beautiful and inspiring pieces. Come learn how simple and fun the basics can be and discover the joy in creativity, and the bliss in making a timeless treasure! With a few twists and crosses of specially wound bobbins you can create beautiful lace that you can proudly hand down through the ages. Learn the basics of this deceptively easy thread craft in just a few minutes. Devon Best wishes to Alice in enticing a few more people to become dedicated lacemakers. from Janis in Honeydew, South Africa **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220439616x1201372437/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Describe bobbin lace
I used this approach in a blurb for a textile festival and I think the 'puzzle' part was off-putting. There were no takers except 1 person who had already tried bobbin lace and wanted to attend a class of any kind of BL. I thought the target group would be attracted to puzzle-solving. Then looking at the other classes offered, I was wrong about the target group, they were wanting an experience and to have something in hand when finished. 'Instant bobbin lace' ??? If you like puzzles, you'll love bobbin lace. Have other textile techniques ceased to thrill? Is needlepoint boring? Like Sudoko in thread, bobbin lace is a challenge. Working with four threads simultaneously, you will find out why the laces of the previous centuries exceeded any other textile in beauty and complexity. Bring your thinking cap! Note, we don't work with 4 threads simultaneously. When you examine the movements, they are one thread over another (or one thread under another g); often with one in each hand (so - working with two threads at a time is true - but that doesn't need to be mentioned until the class). Another note re previous messages in this topic: cross twist and stitch mean differently to the non-lacemaker! we should avoid using craft jargon in an introductory blurb. I suggest not a good idea to complicate the blurb with outside references - Sudoko is not related to bobbin lace, and someone who likes Sudoko puzzles might dislike bobbin lace (I for one dislike Sudoko...) - unless you want your class to be comprised of those who like doing both :) Bobbin lacemaking is unlike any handcraft I have encountered. I had to learn an entirely new approach for my own way of thinking. It wasn't a needle-and-thread craft; a hook craft; a looping craft with shuttle or knitting needles. It is unique in that respect, but it does use thread, and nice tools, and it produces a woven textile. It should not be difficult to learn the basics, from there the choices are endless. Further detail might or might not be necessary, but the newcomer could be interested in the choices, such as the myriad of traditional laces from many countries,contemporary designs, original designing, small items such as ornaments, lace to wear, lace to look at, lace and lace tools to collect, or just to have an understanding of this beautiful craft... units. In some ways, I guess it depends on whether you are addressing your blurb to an audience of low self confidence, or one of high self confidence. This is the catch, so yes, it depends on the target group and probably not just a little bit of luck ;) -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Describe bobbin lace
Bev, Knowing now what you do, how would you have written the blurb to get the target group? Devon In a message dated 3/31/2009 12:39:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, walker.b...@gmail.com writes: I used this approach in a blurb for a textile festival and I think the 'puzzle' part was off-putting. There were no takers except 1 person who had already tried bobbin lace and wanted to attend a class of any kind of BL. I thought the target group would be attracted to puzzle-solving. Then looking at the other classes offered, I was wrong about the target group, they were wanting an experience and to have something in hand when finished. 'Instant bobbin lace' ??? If you like puzzles, you'll love bobbin lace. Have other textile techniques ceased to thrill? Is needlepoint boring? Like Sudoko in thread, bobbin lace is a challenge. Working with four threads simultaneously, you will find out why the laces of the previous centuries exceeded any other textile in beauty and complexity. Bring your thinking cap! Note, we don't work with 4 threads simultaneously. When you examine the movements, they are one thread over another (or one thread under another g); often with one in each hand (so - working with two threads at a time is true - but that doesn't need to be mentioned until the class). Another note re previous messages in this topic: cross twist and stitch mean differently to the non-lacemaker! we should avoid using craft jargon in an introductory blurb. I suggest not a good idea to complicate the blurb with outside references - Sudoko is not related to bobbin lace, and someone who likes Sudoko puzzles might dislike bobbin lace (I for one dislike Sudoko...) - unless you want your class to be comprised of those who like doing both :) Bobbin lacemaking is unlike any handcraft I have encountered. I had to learn an entirely new approach for my own way of thinking. It wasn't a needle-and-thread craft; a hook craft; a looping craft with shuttle or knitting needles. It is unique in that respect, but it does use thread, and nice tools, and it produces a woven textile. It should not be difficult to learn the basics, from there the choices are endless. Further detail might or might not be necessary, but the newcomer could be interested in the choices, such as the myriad of traditional laces from many countries,contemporary designs, original designing, small items such as ornaments, lace to wear, lace to look at, lace and lace tools to collect, or just to have an understanding of this beautiful craft... units. In some ways, I guess it depends on whether you are addressing your blurb to an audience of low self confidence, or one of high self confidence. This is the catch, so yes, it depends on the target group and probably not just a little bit of luck ;) -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220439616x1201372437/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Describe bobbin lace
I took the easy way out, I didn't offer to teach at this festival again. I would prefer candidates who weren't looking for a showy item for their money but who were truly interested in learning. On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 9:45 AM, dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: Bev, Knowing now what you do, how would you have written the blurb to get the target group? Devon -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
RE: [lace] Describe bobbin lace
My mantra usually sounds something like: You can make it as simple and complesx as you want. Not as poetic as the sudoku. Last time I demo'd I did some flanders myself as a (relatively) complex version, and had a 3-pair try-it-your-self fish as a simple version. Teenagers loved the fish. Adults were too shy to try. I gues next time I should use a bead for the eye rather than a picot in the twisted runner. Jo - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
