[lace] Fiber Familiarity
Devon wrote: There seems to be a huge divide between the hobby lacemaking world and the artistic world. The hobby world has classes, books, lending libraries, but the artists seem to be going it alone. In fact, it is actually somewhat painful to see artists re-inventing the wheel with a huge amount of effort, and they do not lack in effort, when many of the things they are discovering have already been discovered. I can of course not speak for America, but here in Holland i think the gap between hobby lacemakers and artists is getting smaller. Several hobby lacemakers developed themselves into lace artists. Among my students in lacemaking there are several artists. I try to give them enough techniques to use in their work and give them the lessons they need. A few years ago I gave a workshop at the Art School in Utrecht. There I offered the students the basics such as cloth stitch, whole stitch and half stitch and braids. Furthermore they learned to make corners and roundings in a braid of cloth stitch, a small piece of Schneeberg lace and a small lace from about 1750. They liked it to do and the school was very enthusiastic about the results. However this last year they did not organize this workshop again. Every year they have another theme for the workshop, so I have to wait when I am invited again. Besides that the government is cutting down the money for the schools, so that they can not organize as much as they did and perhaps want to do. So perhaps when this changes they will ask for it again. Gon Homburg, Amsterdam, the Netherlands gon.homb...@planet.nl - 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] Fiber familiarity--bobbin lace descriptors
Bobbin Lace: Contra Dance in Thread From: "dmt11h...@aol.com" To: lace@arachne.com Sent: Tue, August 10, 2010 3:10:30 PM Subject: Re: [lace] Fiber familiarity Bobbin Lace: The Fiber Art for Puzzle solvers Bobbin Lace: Puzzles in thread Bobbin Lace: Fiber Art for the Active Mind. Bobbin Lace: The Fiber Art that tests your ingenuity. You don't know where it will take you. - 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] fiber familiarity
My standard response is similar to Clay's "It's doing the ironing that takes patience. I thoroughly enjoy doing this so it doesn't take patience." The penny seems to drop instantly. I also tell them that for me, making lace can get rid of a tension headache. I'm afraid that the more I demonstrate, the more I have standard responses, and I feel awfully sorry for the other textile artists with whom I share a set of tables, and who can now give my standard responses for me :) There is huge delight when I get a question I haven't heard before!! Sue - Original Message - From: "Clay Blackwell" To: Cc: Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:15 PM Subject: Re: [lace] fiber familiarity "What takes patience, for me, is cleaning the bathroom." I can see immediately then, that they "get it". If it's something you love - regardless of how complicated or involved the process is - then it does not take patience. Clay - 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] fiber familiarity
Clay's right - and surely, like beauty, tedium is in the eye of the beholder. It's not lacemaking or housework which is tedious in itself; it's the mindset of the person who's thinking about doing that activity. And sometimes even cleaning the bathroom is not tedious if I have something interesting to think about . Margery. = margerybu...@o2.co.uk in North Hertfordshire, UK = > -Original Message- > From: owner-l...@arachne.com [mailto:owner-l...@arachne.com] > On Behalf Of Clay Blackwell > Sent: Friday 13 August 2010 02:16 > To: dmt11h...@aol.com > Cc: lace@arachne.com > Subject: Re: [lace] fiber familiarity > > I have been interested in the response people have for the > ever-present > comment, "I don't have the patience...". Rather than argue > with them, I > tell them that for me, this is an activity I can enjoy for hours and > hours. Then I tell them, "What takes patience, for me, is > cleaning the > bathroom." I can see immediately then, that they "get it". If it's > something you love - regardless of how complicated or involved the > process is - then it does not take patience. > > Clay - 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] fiber familiarity
Well said. We all have patience for those things we enjoy, no matter how time consuming or complex, no matter how many steps. I suspect, "I don't have the patience," or, "It's too tedious," is really code for, "I can't do that, it's too hard." Lacemaking is not that hard in the beginning. Four bobbins, two movements, a twist and a cross. Go slow, and quite quickly you're making something pretty. Many people stay close to that level, and make pretty, satisfying things for quite a while. Although I don't know of anyone who stays at that level forever. But we don't have to tell newbies that. Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where it's dark, the Newfoundland is snoring, and it's bedtime. -Original Message- >From: Clay Blackwell >Sent: Aug 12, 2010 9:15 PM >To: dmt11h...@aol.com >Cc: lace@arachne.com >Subject: Re: [lace] fiber familiarity > >I have been interested in the response people have for the ever-present >comment, "I don't have the patience...". Rather than argue with them, I >tell them that for me, this is an activity I can enjoy for hours and >hours. Then I tell them, "What takes patience, for me, is cleaning the >bathroom." I can see immediately then, that they "get it". If it's >something you love - regardless of how complicated or involved the >process is - then it does not take patience. > >Clay > >- >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] fiber familiarity
I have been interested in the response people have for the ever-present comment, "I don't have the patience...". Rather than argue with them, I tell them that for me, this is an activity I can enjoy for hours and hours. Then I tell them, "What takes patience, for me, is cleaning the bathroom." I can see immediately then, that they "get it". If it's something you love - regardless of how complicated or involved the process is - then it does not take patience. Clay On 8/12/2010 11:18 AM, dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: This is why I think that dismissing the rest of the population as having short attention spans is the wrong track. People have enormous attention spans for something they want to do. Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] fiber familiarity
Branwyn wrote <> This is why I think that dismissing the rest of the population as having short attention spans is the wrong track. People have enormous attention spans for something they want to do. People learn other languages, learn to play musical instruments, design websites. In fact, our young people are able to configure their phones to do all sorts of things, like have individual ring tones for different callers, which I don't have the patience to do. The issue is how to convey lacemaking, or artistic free form weaving, as I may start to call it, as something they want to do. 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] Fiber familiarity
Bobbin lace will never be as popular as cross stitch. Or as knitting. In America it has NO background, except is small pockets, perhaps, and I've never been there. I need to finish the book on lace in Ipswich MA, to see if there are more lacemakers there than usual. Hell will freeze over before JoAnn Fabrics carries bobbins. Fine. But there are those, such as I, who will come to be passionate about this art form after a minimum of exposure. How about trying to expose our children and grandchildren to the art. My own children presently have no interest, but they have been exposed, and I am always hopeful. My daughter weaves. My son, age 30, studying applied mathematics, started on the children's pattern used in Kantcentrum, using a cork trivet for a pillow, as we were camping in Belgium. After going to the wonderful museum in Kortrijk [sp?] he showed interest, and I made it available to him. Doing your lacemaking in public, on vacation, in groups at the train station, or in the park, or outside the quilt museum, could make a difference. Making lace at home, while the backbone of what we do, does not create more lacemakers. Lyn in Lancaster, thunderstorm, Pennsylvania. -Original Message- >From: robinl...@socal.rr.com >Sent: Aug 12, 2010 1:09 AM >To: dmt11h...@aol.com, lace@arachne.com >Subject: Re: [lace] Fiber familiarity > > dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: >I find it rather discouraging that the children are not interested in bobbin >lace and the adults say it is "too tedious". Is there some way we could >demonstrate bobbin lace that would not provoke the "tedious" response? > >When someone ask if it's tedious, I say, "I do this for fun--by definition, >it's not tedious." WHen they say it must take patience, I say, "I have no >patience. I don't do things that take patience." If they say it's too hard >to see, I tell them about my friend who is blind and makes lovely bobbin lace. > >I like to bring a wide (50 pr) torchon piece to demonstrate. Then when they >say it's too complicated, I show them how, no matter how many pairs on are the >pillow, I only use 2 pairs at a time; I point out the pinholes on the pattern; >the next pinhole that needs working is the one farthest from me; there's a >pair coming from above-left and another pair coming from above-right to meet >at that pinhole; then I show them how simple cross and twist are. > >Whenever I demonstrate bobbin lace, there are always kids who are fascinated. >I try to always have a "try it" pillow and talk them through a basic pattern. >There's almost always at least one who wants to spend the rest of the >afternoon at the try-it pillow. I've also had adults pull up a chair so they >can watch me longer and more carefully. > >So yes, there is a lot of apathy out there, but there's still interest. There >are men (generally engineers) who are quite intrigued but are unwilling to do >"sissy work". There are women that, no matter how hard I cajole, refuse to >try the try-it pillow because "I'll just mess it up". But there are women who >ask for class information, too. And there are kids who get their parents to >start taking them to lace meetings and lace classes. > > >Robin > >Dusting is tedious; making lace is engrossing! > >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 - 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] Fiber familiarity
dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: I find it rather discouraging that the children are not interested in bobbin lace and the adults say it is "too tedious". Is there some way we could demonstrate bobbin lace that would not provoke the "tedious" response? When someone ask if it's tedious, I say, "I do this for fun--by definition, it's not tedious." WHen they say it must take patience, I say, "I have no patience. I don't do things that take patience." If they say it's too hard to see, I tell them about my friend who is blind and makes lovely bobbin lace. I like to bring a wide (50 pr) torchon piece to demonstrate. Then when they say it's too complicated, I show them how, no matter how many pairs on are the pillow, I only use 2 pairs at a time; I point out the pinholes on the pattern; the next pinhole that needs working is the one farthest from me; there's a pair coming from above-left and another pair coming from above-right to meet at that pinhole; then I show them how simple cross and twist are. Whenever I demonstrate bobbin lace, there are always kids who are fascinated. I try to always have a "try it" pillow and talk them through a basic pattern. There's almost always at least one who wants to spend the rest of the afternoon at the try-it pillow. I've also had adults pull up a chair so they can watch me longer and more carefully. So yes, there is a lot of apathy out there, but there's still interest. There are men (generally engineers) who are quite intrigued but are unwilling to do "sissy work". There are women that, no matter how hard I cajole, refuse to try the try-it pillow because "I'll just mess it up". But there are women who ask for class information, too. And there are kids who get their parents to start taking them to lace meetings and lace classes. Robin Dusting is tedious; making lace is engrossing! 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] Fiber familiarity
Hi all-
Years ago, after spending an entire morning retro-lacing a wide Flanders piece
only to discover that I hadn't made a mistake in the first place, I was
surprised to realize that I wasn't upset about all of the wasted time. I
learned more about how to look at the pattern. It occurred to me at that
point that bobbin lace was "Yoga for the Brain" and I've thought of it that
way ever since.
I love the engineering aspect of the traveling of the lace threads and the
weaving process itself (most days). For a recent talk on lace, I worked up a
strip of about 5 different Milanese tapes to demonstrate how you could take
the same 14 threads and produce a variety of effects. ("See, you have the
same dance steps but you change who's dancing with whom and where they twist
and presto! a different pattern.") I love creating something that is so
unlike other fiber arts. The "ingredients" are a draw too--the threads and
bobbins.
I have been thinking about the IOLI's endeavors to attract younger lacers (a
dance organization I work also wants to get more young people involved!--seems
to be a common theme for many groups), but I was struck by how many of the
women I met at the recent IOLI convention had been making lace 10 years or
less--many of them beginning in retirement. I wonder if we shouldn't also be
trying to insert ourselves in the "getting ready for retirement" seminars.
;~)
I agree that we should have photos or examples of modern pieces of lace at
demonstration events to help lure/attract more to lace classes.
And, speaking of the convention, I'll add my congratulations and thanks to the
Portland gang for a great event. It was nice to add a few more faces to names
at the Arachne lunch (including the seemingly tireless Alice Howell) and at a
few of the other events.
regards,
Lorraine Weiss
Albany, NY
-
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RE: [lace] Fiber Familiarity
Someone wrote: Bobbin Lace: The Fiber Art that Blows your Mind I would prefer to say: Bobbin Lace: The Fiber Art that Expands MY Mind which gives it the personal touch. Pene in Tartu, Estonia who is a little stiff from picking up lots of tree sticks yesterday after the severe storm we experienced on Sunday. - 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] Fiber Familiarity
Dangerously seductive... On , Tatman wrote: It is like the lacer is the conductor, > the bobbins are the instruments, the pins and pricking are the music score > and the lace that abounds out from it the music of a siren(Greek > mythology). - 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] Fiber Familiarity
And cheaper than a psychiatrist. ...Noelene in Cooma nlaffe...@ozemail.com.au > > Bobbin Lace: Tripping out, but legal > Bobbin Lace: Better than Glue Sniffing > Bobbin Lace: The Fiber Art that Blows your Mind > - 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] Fiber familiarity
I think when we demo we should have a pillow with us that has a very small piece on with as little bobbins as we can get away with. Also have a pillow with a larger piece, one that we normally do while doing demos. Maybe let them have a try at the small one and see how really simple it can be. Faye Hegener - 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] Fiber familiarity
I get the same exact reactions and comments. I do the same crafts. I find that kids love the wheel and get the same comments from the adults regarding the bobbinlace. And of course the usual question "Oh is that tatting!" LOL Faye Hegener, Drumore, PA - Original Message - From: "Tatman" To: "Lace list" , bobbinl...@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:06:19 AM Subject: [lace] Fiber familiarity These past two evenings my wife and I do our annual sitting at the Community Building at the county fair watching over the building. While we sit we can¹t be idle. So we bring projects. Sunday afternoon I brought my bobbin lace. I brought my big bolster with a tape lace project that is half done. I am most known for my tatting in my area. So I would get the usual comments of ³Is that tatting??² then I go into my usual dialog explaining what I am doing and how it works. Not too many kids stopped by to ask questions. Mostly adults asking questions. Last night I decided to bring my spinning wheel and work out my ongoing roving. This time the adults just watched me or just passed by with a glance. I concluded they either knew what I was doing and didn¹t ask questions or decided to just pass by. The kids(of all ages) however came right up to me asking me all types of questions about my wheel, they liked to handle the wool. I don¹t know if it is the apparatus that I am working with(ie. Pillow and bobbins, or massive wheel that looks like a machine) or could it be the project that I am working on, or the tedium of the task. Most adults say about my bobbin lace, ³that is too tedious, I could never do that² or ³you have to have good eyesight to do that². Kids don¹t say that. No convictions. But when I am at my wheel, I am just sitting in a relaxed position a good distance from the machine. Less stressful looking??? Less inhibiting?? Not that I am stressed or inhibited by all means when working my bobbin lace. I find both lacemaking and spinning relaxing. Sometimes to the point of almost falling asleep LOL! Spinning I assume is most recognizable in most areas and bobbin lace is not. And the "machine" you work on can also play a role in that. Most adults know what a spinning wheel is, but I find that kids may not if not exposed to that part of life history. Harder is it to find the familiarity in bobbin lace and its tools. I get the same wonder from passer-bys but the clientelle is different. Tonight is our last night for bringing our projects to work on while we sit at the building demonstrating. I plan on bringing my bobbin lace and see if I can finish that project. Doubt it, but I will see what more questions are asked and from whom and what will happen ;) -- - 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] Fiber familiarity
Jean's " I too am a puzzle solver" took me back to the first time I spoke to the lady who was to become my lace tutor for many years, she asked me "do you like jigsaw puzzles?" I said that I did, she said " then you will enjoy lacemaking, sadly now she has Alzheimer's and all the lovely lace she made is a thing long gone from her, sometimes life is just not fair is it? Sue M Harvey Norfolk UK - 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] Fiber familiarity
No, dear Devon, though your sentiments are admirable, your slogan is not. Of the four words in the slogan, "tedious" is by far the most immediately conspicuous, and that is what would be remembered. Try again, and maybe we can all try with you. Aurelia -Original Message- >From: dmt11h...@aol.com >Sent: Aug 10, 2010 12:46 PM >To: lace@arachne.com >Subject: Re: [lace] Fiber familiarity > >I find it rather discouraging that the children are not interested in bobbin >lace and the adults say it is "too tedious". Is there some way we could >demonstrate bobbin lace that would not provoke the "tedious" response? Mind >you, these people are attending a county fair, not a rave, or a convention for >people with short attention spans. >The IOLI has professed a desire to recruit more members, especially youngish >ones. I suggest that we adopt the slogan, "Lace, it's not tedious". >Devon > >- >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] Fiber Familiarity
In a message dated 8/10/2010 4:04:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, lhal...@bytemeusa.com writes: As for me, not only is it the puzzle solving aspect, but I find the actual working has an effect on my emotions. It is soothing and satisfying in a way that is hard to describe. The movements are hypnotic. So, we are really finding altered consciousness when we do this. Like zen, or using mind altering substances. Bobbin Lace: Tripping out, but legal Bobbin Lace: Better than Glue Sniffing Bobbin Lace: The Fiber Art that Blows your Mind - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Fiber familiarity
Yoga with thread is a good description. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Fiber Familiarity
I think Devon and Jean Nathan both have it right. Bobbin lace IS for puzzle solvers. But also showing that edgings and doileys aren't the only possible end results may be important. Personally I don't mind doileys, but I frame them in clear plastic photo frames. (protects them from the cats with fish hooks on their feet, and allows the transparency to be evident.) So perhaps the thing to do would be to put something on the demonstration pillow that uses bright colors, modern in design. Perhaps have a small display containing neck laces (jewelry), shirts with bobbin lace pocket decorations, small objects framed in acrylic photo frames,an edging with corner used as a photo frame. When somebody says it looks tedious: the response-- HOUSEWORK IS TEDIOUS (said with feeling) but bobbin lace is FUN. And tell the viewers that bobbin lace is puzzle solving of a very complex kind. Not only do all the pieces have to be placed in the right position, but you have to place them in position in a certain sequence time-wise or it won't work. So it is a kind of 3 dimensional puzzle even though the product has only 2 dimensions. As for me, not only is it the puzzle solving aspect, but I find the actual working has an effect on my emotions. It is soothing and satisfying in a way that is hard to describe. The movements are hypnotic. Lorelei - 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] Fiber familiarity
Bobbin Lace: The Fiber Art for Puzzle solvers Bobbin Lace: Puzzles in thread Bobbin Lace: Fiber Art for the Active Mind. Bobbin Lace: The Fiber Art that tests your ingenuity. You don't know where it will take you. In a message dated 8/10/2010 2:45:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, j...@nathan54.freeserve.co.uk writes: I like the process rather than the finished items. I too am a puzzle solver. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Fiber familiarity
I find people think we just make edgings and doilies and they aren't interested in them - they're old fashioned. I point out that I've only made an edging a couple of times and the same for doilies (mats). They then say, well what do you make then? I answer with examples such as Christmas decorations, wedding garters, hand fans, pictures, photo frames, 3D fantasy flowers, earrings and pendants, cake frills. That usually gets a raised eyebrow and "Really? I didn't realise that. But it looks so complicated with all those bobbins." "Doesn't matter how many bobbins you have on the pillow, you usually only work with 4 at a time, weaving one pair through the next pair, through the next pair, and so on." But it still doesn't often make them want to spend hours actually doing it. I like the process rather than the finished items. I too am a puzzle solver. Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK - 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] Fiber familiarity
I find it rather discouraging that the children are not interested in bobbin lace and the adults say it is "too tedious". Is there some way we could demonstrate bobbin lace that would not provoke the "tedious" response? Mind you, these people are attending a county fair, not a rave, or a convention for people with short attention spans. The IOLI has professed a desire to recruit more members, especially youngish ones. I suggest that we adopt the slogan, "Lace, it's not tedious". Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Fw: Re: [lace] Fiber familiarity
-Forwarded Message- >From: lynrbai...@desupernet.net >Sent: Aug 10, 2010 11:33 AM >To: Tatman >Subject: Re: [lace] Fiber familiarity > >Mark, what a discerning observation. I looked you up on facebook, and you're >in Illinois? Doesn't matter what you're known for, if Americans see bobbin >lace, they think it's tatting, but they don't necessarily know what tatting >is, just that Grandma, or Great Aunt Gracie did it. I love the Chesapeake >Region Lace Guild, who have a tatter demonstrating the difference between what >she's doing, and what everyone else is doing when they demonstrate at the >Smithsonian. > Good for you for getting out there and exposing the American public to > fiberarts of all sorts, especially bobbin lace. I got into making bobbin > lace from one demonstration at a craft fair, and never looked back. Who > knows whom you will inspire. I believe I saw it as a child in Brussels when > we were vacationing, but I have no recollection of it, although I remember my > mother buying lace doilies in Brussels for the living room. I think most > Americans have come across spinning, we learned about it with the lifestyle > of the Pilgrims and all that, so kids might be more attuned to that craft. > Not sure why the dichotomy between onlookers and questioners, but it's a > fascinating observation. > >Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where we're expecting a high of 95F, 31C? >Anyway, really hot. > > >-Original Message----- >>From: Tatman >>Sent: Aug 10, 2010 10:06 AM >>To: Lace list , "bobbinl...@yahoogroups.com" >> >>Subject: [lace] Fiber familiarity >> >>These past two evenings my wife and I do our annual sitting at the Community >>Building at the county fair watching over the building. While we sit we >>can¹t be idle. So we bring projects. Sunday afternoon I brought my bobbin >>lace. I brought my big bolster with a tape lace project that is half done. >> I am most known for my tatting in my area. So I would get the usual >>comments of ³Is that tatting??² then I go into my usual dialog explaining >>what I am doing and how it works. Not too many kids stopped by to ask >>questions. Mostly adults asking questions. >>Last night I decided to bring my spinning wheel and work out my ongoing >>roving. This time the adults just watched me or just passed by with a >>glance. I concluded they either knew what I was doing and didn¹t ask >>questions or decided to just pass by. The kids(of all ages) however came >>right up to me asking me all types of questions about my wheel, they liked >>to handle the wool. >>I don¹t know if it is the apparatus that I am working with(ie. Pillow and >>bobbins, or massive wheel that looks like a machine) or could it be the >>project that I am working on, or the tedium of the task. Most adults say >>about my bobbin lace, ³that is too tedious, I could never do that² or ³you >>have to have good eyesight to do that². Kids don¹t say that. No >>convictions. But when I am at my wheel, I am just sitting in a relaxed >>position a good distance from the machine. Less stressful looking??? Less >>inhibiting?? Not that I am stressed or inhibited by all means when working >>my bobbin lace. I find both lacemaking and spinning relaxing. Sometimes to >>the point of almost falling asleep LOL! >>Spinning I assume is most recognizable in most areas and bobbin lace is not. >>And the "machine" you work on can also play a role in that. Most adults >>know what a spinning wheel is, but I find that kids may not if not exposed >>to that part of life history. Harder is it to find the familiarity in >>bobbin lace and its tools. I get the same wonder from passer-bys but the >>clientelle is different. >> >>Tonight is our last night for bringing our projects to work on while we sit >>at the building demonstrating. I plan on bringing my bobbin lace and see if >>I can finish that project. Doubt it, but I will see what more questions are >>asked and from whom and what will happen ;) >> >>-- >>Mark, aka Tatman >>website: http://www.tat-man.net >>blog: http://tat-man.net/blog >>Magic Thread Shop: http://www.tat-man.net/tatterville/tatshop/tatshop.html >>email: tat...@tat-man.net >>Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tatmantats >> >>- >>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
[lace] Fiber familiarity
These past two evenings my wife and I do our annual sitting at the Community Building at the county fair watching over the building. While we sit we can¹t be idle. So we bring projects. Sunday afternoon I brought my bobbin lace. I brought my big bolster with a tape lace project that is half done. I am most known for my tatting in my area. So I would get the usual comments of ³Is that tatting??² then I go into my usual dialog explaining what I am doing and how it works. Not too many kids stopped by to ask questions. Mostly adults asking questions. Last night I decided to bring my spinning wheel and work out my ongoing roving. This time the adults just watched me or just passed by with a glance. I concluded they either knew what I was doing and didn¹t ask questions or decided to just pass by. The kids(of all ages) however came right up to me asking me all types of questions about my wheel, they liked to handle the wool. I don¹t know if it is the apparatus that I am working with(ie. Pillow and bobbins, or massive wheel that looks like a machine) or could it be the project that I am working on, or the tedium of the task. Most adults say about my bobbin lace, ³that is too tedious, I could never do that² or ³you have to have good eyesight to do that². Kids don¹t say that. No convictions. But when I am at my wheel, I am just sitting in a relaxed position a good distance from the machine. Less stressful looking??? Less inhibiting?? Not that I am stressed or inhibited by all means when working my bobbin lace. I find both lacemaking and spinning relaxing. Sometimes to the point of almost falling asleep LOL! Spinning I assume is most recognizable in most areas and bobbin lace is not. And the "machine" you work on can also play a role in that. Most adults know what a spinning wheel is, but I find that kids may not if not exposed to that part of life history. Harder is it to find the familiarity in bobbin lace and its tools. I get the same wonder from passer-bys but the clientelle is different. Tonight is our last night for bringing our projects to work on while we sit at the building demonstrating. I plan on bringing my bobbin lace and see if I can finish that project. Doubt it, but I will see what more questions are asked and from whom and what will happen ;) -- Mark, aka Tatman website: http://www.tat-man.net blog: http://tat-man.net/blog Magic Thread Shop: http://www.tat-man.net/tatterville/tatshop/tatshop.html email: tat...@tat-man.net Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tatmantats - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
