On Saturday and Sunday six of the Land of Lincoln Lacemakers in Illinois did a demonstration on behalf of the Illinois Arts Council. We had a great time, made even more pleasant in that we were paid to demonstrate, plus our meals, travel and hotel were paid for by the Arts Council. Everything was so well organised even down to the large cooler containing bottled water by our canopy which was greatly appreciated as we worked in the sun and heat. With six present, we were able to enjoy seeing the delights of Bishop Hill, a village that was originally a Swedish communal settlement, along with viewing the other exhibitors work and listening to the many folk singers that performed in the main stage area. The lacemakers were required to speak on the Narrative stage and demonstrate on another stage whilst answering questions, plus we also had pillows set up for our time slot in the childrens area. The talks were for a lot longer than we thought but our members put on a good show. Saturday was glorious weather but Sunday started with a thunderstorm. Most of the other exhibitors set up their displays in various indoor venues but as soon as the rain had passed we set up our lace exhibits and sales table back in the park. As there was little to see in the park we became the main attraction and a magnet for the many tv cameras that came by. The Illinois Arts Council was making a documentary movie and Arachne, Sylvie Nyguen became our spokesperson and did a great job for the interview. We were all hard pressed to keep quiet whilst she answered the very intelligent questions of the camerman. He then came to each of us in turn and asked about our lace. We were making a variety of laces on different types of pillows. Arachne Diane Williams was working Ipswich lace on a bolster pillow. I was doing a Jean Leader circular Beds rose design from her new booklet using lots of bobbins. Others were doing Russian, Torchon, yardage or tape laces We overheard a tv group from WTTW, the Chicago public broadcasting station, ask for use of his footage so we might see ourselves on their programming at some time in the future. After I got home I had a call from Diane to say that she had seen me featured on the CBS Channel 4 station from the Quad Cities. I am out of that area so did not see it. It seems they opened with a close up shot of a Beds design of mine which filled the tv screen and then showed Brenda Glenn and I working at our pillows. If you want to see that design you will have to come to the IOLI convention in 2008! I think Brenda and I were the only ones manning the table when the Channel 4 camerwoman came by. I showed her my prize winning table ribbon, Ribbon du Vin, but she had packed her camera up by then. The ribbon was closely filmed by the Arts Council guy but I am not sure if and when that footage will be seen. We are all hoping that we are asked back again when the folk festival is being held in Illinois in 3 years time. We exposed hundreds of people to lacemaking and never once had a visit from the tatting lady. Maybe everyone should ask their state arts councils if they need demonstrators, it might be a good opportunity to further the cause of lace. Janice
Janice Blair Crystal Lake, 50 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois, USA http://www.lacemakersofillinois.org/ - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
