[lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
In message 7B98BF86F87D47718178D9A56B2808B8@HomePC, Brian Lemin brid...@bigpond.com writes I want to write an article in favour of restoring antique lace bobbins, but I am afraid that I might lose too many lovely friends on Arachne if I put it in writing! I think bobbins are tools to be used, and there is nothing sadder than seeing a display frame of bobbins that will never be used again... so restoring them to use is OK - but a record, both in pictures and writing, should be kept of what they were like before restoration and how they were restored. It goes without saying that any restoration should, as far as possible, replace what was there before like for like. A lot may depend on the value of the individual bobbin - to a worker, one that's head has broken may be worthless, but to a collector a rare bobbin even with a broken head may be priceless, and at the end of the day only the owner can decide whether being able to use a tool is more important than its sale value. -- Jane Partridge - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
This is an interesting thread and for once I thought to read all messages before replying. I agree with 'restoration' if it is done sensitively, but about use I think I will have to say that it depends on the individual. My experience so far has been that I only use my antique wooden bobbins, but some of the spangles on these have broken through use, meaning they will now need 'restoration'. Unfortunately I have no way of using the same type of old wire to redo these spangles. Thankfully they are just old and antique but not special bobbins. If old wood is used in restoration, as in furniture restoration, I'm sure it is acceptable. Alternatively, one can 'conserve' meaning to halt any further deterioration. As for putting bobbins in a frame. Can I ask if anyone out there has any ideas on how to do this effectively. I have quite a collection of antique bone bobbins, and some new ones as well, but am afraid to use them because here in Malta we have mainly hard tile floors and only put down carpets and rugs for the 'winter' months (our winter, not cold winter!). This means that a bone bobbin that falls off the pillow would most likely break.so that's a definite no-no for me and the only way of enjoying these bobbins is putting them in a display frame - better than keeping them in a box in the cupboard. Karen in Mlata - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Thank you for bringing up this thread, Brian! Many years ago, I was fortunate to hear a lecture about old bobbins. The speaker was Holly VanSciver, and I consider her a knowledgeable and sensible resource! Her advice about restoring bobbins (in response to a question from the audience) was that it was fine to do anything to a bobbin to make it possible for you to use it, *as long as what you do can be undone*! Therefore, you may re-wire an old bobbin, put new beads in the spangle, even replace missing wire and tinsel... because all of this things can be undone. So that is the approach I have taken with the antiques I have. I think it is important that this be done for your own use, however. It would be completely wrong to restore a bobbin in this manner and try to pass it off (on ebay, for example) as a pristine example, unless you stated in the description what had been done to restore it. Clay - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Dera Clay and other interested Readers, it was fine to do anything to a bobbin to make it possible for you to use it, *as long as what you do can be undone*! Therefore, you may re-wire an old bobbin, put new beads in the spangle, even replace missing wire and tinsel... because all of this things can be undone. That's my philosophy as well. I just adore using my many antique bobbins - both bone and wood. You see - and don't tell anyone this - but I talk to them all the time. I ask them questions and tell them stories. Sometimes I even find myself congratulating them when pairs come back together after not having sen each other for some weeks. Inevitably I find it is the beads that will come adrift. I have no qualms at all about re-spangling the bobbin and try to put the beads in the same order they were, with a new piece of wire, beading thread or fishing line etc. Then it's straight back to work - I'll even ensure that particular bobbin becomes a worker because of its misdemeanor - LOL David in Ballarat - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
I have rewired several bobbins where the wire has long since gone to wire-heaven. I'm sure (as Jacquie has also mentioned on several occasions) that the spangles we see on old bobbins we buy today are probably not the spangles that were on the bobbin when it was new. Some of those old spangles are s big that I and probably others would not find them comfortable to use. So, I take off the old beads and use them to respangle the bobbin and save the excess to spangle old bobbins which have no beads. A couple of years ago I bought several old bobbins which had originally had pewter inserts, bands, plugs etc. I took them to a local pewter worker that I know and after a very long discussion decided that there was no way that new pewter could be added at an even remotely economical method. Now I have to decide what to do - whatever it is will not be even remotely like it was originally. I'd just like to do something with them so that they can be used again. Malvary in Ottawa where the sun is a-shining to welcome the day and it is only -14c today. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Well, Malvary... here's an idea that just popped into my head! How about you get some colorful FIMO, and work that into the ridges of the bands/plugs, and then let it dry. I think that once it's dry, it's fairly durable. But, if you ever wanted it off, it could be chipped out. If you got two or three nice colors, you could blend them snake- wise, so that when you put them in the grooves, you'd have the distinct colors. It could be rather festive! Let me know if this works! There's also the silver modeling paste used to make jewelry, but it's far more expensive and I've never worked with it. Don't know if heat is required or not. Clay On 1/20/2011 9:34 AM, Malvary J Cole wrote: A couple of years ago I bought several old bobbins which had originally had pewter inserts, bands, plugs etc. I took them to a local pewter worker that I know and after a very long discussion decided that there was no way that new pewter could be added at an even remotely economical method. Now I have to decide what to do - whatever it is will not be even remotely like it was originally. I'd just like to do something with them so that they can be used again. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
A LOT of heat is required to use the silver clay. I went to a workshop in it once, and then discovered you would need a min-kiln at least to cook it. Sue - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Well, scratch *that* idea! But the FIMO drys at room temperature, so that could work. Clay On 1/20/2011 10:12 AM, Sue Babbs wrote: A LOT of heat is required to use the silver clay. I went to a workshop in it once, and then discovered you would need a min-kiln at least to cook it. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
FIMO, SCULPY and other 'art clays' do need heat to cure or they will stay 'soft'. However, it is not very much, about 325-350*F I think (the package or booklet will tell you). This may or may not damage the bobbin as the time is not very great. There are some clay products (aimed at children's use) that do dry/cure by just air in a room. The problem with these products would be 'shrinkage' of the piece inserted, which would leave it loose. I would use the bobbins 'as is' unless they are just to rough and catch on threads. Just my humble opinion. Lorri F Well, Malvary... here's an idea that just popped into my head! How about you get some colorful FIMO, and work that into the ridges of the bands/plugs, and then let it dry. I think that once it's dry, it's fairly durable. But, if you ever wanted it off, it could be chipped out. If you got two or three nice colors, you could blend them snake- wise, so that when you put them in the grooves, you'd have the distinct colors. It could be rather festive! Let me know if this works! There's also the silver modeling paste used to make jewelry, but it's far more expensive and I've never worked with it. Don't know if heat is required or not. Clay On 1/20/2011 9:34 AM, Malvary J Cole wrote: A couple of years ago I bought several old bobbins which had originally had pewter inserts, bands, plugs etc. I took them to a local pewter worker that I know and after a very long discussion decided that there was no way that new pewter could be added at an even remotely economical method. Now I have to decide what to do - whatever it is will not be even remotely like it was originally. I'd just like to do something with them so that they can be used again. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
I might try one of the products. For the rings it doesn't matter is they are a little loose - weren't some of pewter rings were loose weren't they called 'jingles' or similar. Some of the bobbins have a spiral and general are too rough to use as they are at the moment. I've been pondering this for quite a while, so I can ponder a bit longer - must finish my curtain before I do anything else! Malvary in Ottawa - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
Boy - I should have proof this message before I sent it. I'll try again so it makes sense! I might try one of the products. For the rings, it doesn't matter if they are a little loose - weren't some of pewter rings loose and called 'jingles' or similar. Some of the bobbins have a spiral and generally are too rough to use as they are at the moment. I've been pondering this for quite a while, so I can ponder a bit longer - must finish my curtain before I do anything else! Malvary in Ottawa - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
There's an interesting new substance called Sugru: http://sugru.com/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugru . Might do the trick ... 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: Thursday 20 January 2011 14:59 To: Malvary J Cole; ARACHNE Subject: Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins? Well, Malvary... here's an idea that just popped into my head! How about you get some colorful FIMO, and work that into the ridges of the bands/plugs, and then let it dry. I think that once it's dry, it's fairly durable. But, if you ever wanted it off, it could be chipped out. If you got two or three nice colors, you could blend them snake- wise, so that when you put them in the grooves, you'd have the distinct colors. It could be rather festive! Let me know if this works! There's also the silver modeling paste used to make jewelry, but it's far more expensive and I've never worked with it. Don't know if heat is required or not. Clay - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
For the pewter spots/plugs - totally different but perhaps costume gems could be inserted instead? Bands could be replicated by fine coloured wire winding around to fill the space. Inserts - do you know a turner who would turn fine lengths of contrast coloured wood/bone to insert? I am in two minds about sanding the bobbin and re-vanishing - think it would depend on the individual bobbin. Jenny Brandis Kununurra, Western Australia - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
I want to write an article in favour of restoring antique lace bobbins, but I am afraid that I might lose too many lovely friends on Arachne if I put it in writing! It was seeing a poorly restored bobbin that got me going! It would have to be done properly and as far as possible historically Now is your opportunity to shoot me down in flames! :) I know about free speech and all that... never-the-less let me know what *you* think. Thanks - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
Re: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins?
I'd like to put in my thoughts about that Brian, not as a bobbin maker but as a house restorer. I see a lot of old houses bought up cheap and extensively renovated to make them into something they are not: the boards stripped with orbital sanders, the kitchens tripled in size and the bathrooms full of glass bricks and steel. If it's your house, by all means do what you like with it, but I call that renovation, not restoration. If however, you want to fix an architrave where a piece has been gouged out of it, you find a matching piece of timber and carefully line it up so it blends into the original, that to me is restoration. If you are careful to keep the patina of age, while at the same time rendering a house or to return to the point, a bobbin, usable and able to be enjoyed for what it is, I think you should be commended. Trouble is, to keep that patina where the surfacing coating is a bit worn or whatever, and to allow the bobbin to look gracefully old once restored would be a very fine line. I too would be interested in the responses to this discussion, and stand beside you in the firing line. --- Rochelle Sutherland Lachlan (12 yrs), Duncan (11 yrs) and Iain (10 yrs) www.houseofhadrian.com.au From: Brian Lemin brid...@bigpond.com To: lace@arachne.com Sent: Thu, 20 January, 2011 4:31:01 PM Subject: [lace] How do you feel about Restored Bobbins? I want to write an article in favour of restoring antique lace bobbins, but I am afraid that I might lose too many lovely friends on Arachne if I put it in writing! It was seeing a poorly restored bobbin that got me going! It would have to be done properly and as far as possible historically Now is your opportunity to shoot me down in flames! :) I know about free speech and all that... never-the-less let me know what *you* think. Thanks - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
