[lace] Life before BL

[jeanette]

Was there a life before BL??  I have been making lace for more than 30 years
so it has really ruled my life. The first purpose was for stress relief from a
professional life, so when I retired a few years ago, I could really enjoy
lacemaking more and attend courses whenever they were available.  When I
started,  I was fortunate to have a teacher as there were no books available
in South Africa.  Then there were sanctions against us so we only got books in
the late 1980's.  People who travelled to Europe would bring back books and
they were avidly passed on between lacemakers (btw which were photocopied and
when sanctions were lifted, we all went and bought our own copies because
nobody likes having photocopies on their shelves).  We did have lots of
prickings but no examples of the finished lace.  That did not put us off in
any way and somehow it was more exciting to figure out a pricking.  Was that
not how lacemaking in the different areas evolved originally?

Jeanette Fischer, Western Cape, South Africa where there is a wintery chill in
the air.

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Re: [lace] Life before BL

[Agnes Boddington]

Before lace, I knitted for the children and myself. I made all their and 
my own clothes. Now the sewing machine
lurks in a cupboard and comes out occasionally to do some repairs or 
other little job, such as a cover cloth
for my lace pillow. I did a lot of cross stitch and lots of stuff such 
as paper craft, french knitting etc with the children.
I crochetted and did beading on a loom, but generally had little time 
with a busy teaching schedule.
I learned lace making at a 10-week adult education class (there were 
only 2 lace makers, the rest were doing tatting, embroidery etc.)
about 11-12 years ago. The class folded for lack of interest and I 
muddled on by myself, then forgot about

lace altogether for bout 8 years.
2 years ago I was made redundant from my main teaching job, as the UK 
government does not believe in
teaching foreign languages anymore (I am a duch national, with an 
teaching degree in english language and taught/teach

english, dutch and german and the odd bit of french).
Having more time now, I got my lace stuff out and set out to re-teach 
myself and struggling. My husband started making bobbins
for me, and I started to sell them on ebay and now via our own website. 
Sue bought some on ebay and came to collect hers.
She likes my coffee, so keeps coming back for more coffee and lace 
bobbins and nattering and making a fuss of my dog and making lace around the

dining table or we go to class and lace meetings together.
I have graduated from Torchon to Beds and am now learning Bucks point 
(just finished my first little project, a small mat

to fit in a coaster).
Weekend after next I am going on a 2-day course with Christine 
Springett, who now classes me as an advanced learner, not sure about that
but I will enjoy the weekend. Went twice before and she is a wonderful, 
very patient teacher. My husband will be doing some more
turning with Christine's husband David and with Stuart Johnson. The 
course is in Shakespeare's county and a great, relaxing weekend.
This week I'll be winding my bobbins for this, but right now I am going 
to hang the washing, seeing as the sun is shining on us for once.

Perhaps Spring is finally on its way!

Agnes Boddington - Ellougthon, East Yorkshire, UK
www.sixpennybobbins.co.uk

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