Demonstrating making Lace

So mark your calendars.  October 16th we will be at Webs in Northhampton MA and on November 6th & 7th we will be at the Fiber Festival at the Big E grounds.

Why demonstrate?  First of all I find it fun.  Most of all, it is showing the public what bobbin lace is, a bit of it's history, and that almost anyone can make the lace.

Each of us (demonstrators) make it different.  Some of us bring exhibits, some bring pillows the public can work, some just bring a current pillow project.  There is not one way to do it. 

I found that by watching the crowd around you then you 'invite' them to come closer and see.  I have also found that having a name tag helps you look a bit more approachable.

There was an experience that came to my attention just recently.  Unfortunately, there wasn't enough information given to the demonstrator about the "set up time".  She had traveled some distance, arrived before the 'open' time, yet it was after the cut-off time for the use of the carts.  Without the carts, it was too difficult for her to move her display.  Unfortunately, the lace maker left without demonstrating.  It was a loss for her and a loss for all the patrons at the event.

Let's work on our information about demonstrating, get it out early, and have really successful days in the public!

Ladies and Gentleman and all those fiber enthusiasts ...  the list is now available -

This year's winners at the Big E for Lace have been selected!  Congratulations to everyone.

Big E opened today - and will run until October 3rd.  Stop by the Creative Arts Building and see our display.  If you are there on Wednesday, I'll be demonstrating.  I feel so inspired.

The link above will take you to the pdf list - here a quick list.  Once again, good job to all. 
Department 4 - Lace
Section A - Bobbin - Original


Class 2 - Non-Instructors
1st Wolf, Bryce M.

Section B - Bobbin - Adaptation

Class 1 - Instructors/Professionals
1st Hawkins, Jill
1st Hawkins, Jill
1st Hawkins, Jill
1st Schick, Doris

Class 2 - Non-Instructors
1st Karwarski, Frances
1st Karwarski, Frances
1st MacLean, Gail A.
1st MacLean, Gail A.
1st Provest, Barbara
1st Sacco, Sharon
1st Wolf, Bryce M.
2nd Bouchard, Nancy
2nd Bouchard, Nancy
2nd Denette, Lynn
2nd Provest, Barbara
2nd Sacco, Sharon
3rd Denette, Lynn
3rd Linden, Mary
3rd Steinmetz, Winann D.
4th Bares, Rosalie P.
4th Morrow, Barbara

Class 3 - Youth
1st Miller, Jacquelyn P.
1st Schyberg, Orion
2nd Figuenoa, Tatyana
2nd Schyberg, Aurora M.
3rd Miller, Jacquelyn P.
3rd Peterson, Gabrielle

Section D - Needle - Adaptation

Class 2 - Non-Instructors
1st Linden, Mary

Section E - Combined - Original

Class 2 - Non-Instructors
3rd Coleman, Jim

Section F - Combined - Adaptation

Class 2 - Non-Instructors
1st Wolf, Bryce M.

Section G - Tatting - Original

Class 2 - Non-Instructors
1st  Perrault, Linda


Special Awards

Class 1 - Best of Division - Adult
1st Schick, Doris

Class 2 - New England Lace Group
 Best Technical Proficiency
1st  Schick, Doris

Class 3 - New England Lace Group
 Best Beginner
1st Schyberg, Orion

Class 4 - New England Lace Group Award
Best Original Design
1st Wolf, Bryce M.

Class 6 - NELG of Connecticut Award
 Best use of color in any lace
1st Linden, Mary
1st Linden, Mary

Class 7 - Lace Bobbins by Chris Parsons Award
Best Continuous Lace
1st MacLean, Gail A.
Class 9 - Lacy Susan Award
Best Use of Color in Any Lace
1st Wolf, Bryce M.

Class 12 - Van Sciver Bobbon Lace
Best Buck Point Lace
1st Hawkins, Jill

Class 13 - Bobbins by Van-Dieren
Best Torchon Lace
1st Sacco, Sharon

Class 14 - Best of Division - Youth
1st Schyberg, Orion

Studio Time at Jill's

Since mid-April, Jill has been hosting studio time at her home.  Studio time is time to work on your lace projects.  Of course you can stay at home and work on your projects, yet it's the comradery of lace makers and the sound of the bobbins clicking that make the cross-twist-cross go quickly.

Studio time is also lesson time, time to look at different patterns, and time to "brag" that you finished another piece.  Jill just completed another small motif that will fit in a beautiful silver coaster.  It is truly beautiful and exquisitely made.  I few weeks ago I was attending and actually started a small project.  More on that later.

We are ending studio time for the summer and will resume in the fall.   The next CT Lace Days will be held over 4th of July weekend at Barbara M's home.

PS the bobbins pictured are made from bone and hand painted - they are beautiful!

NELG Meeting

This past NELG meeting was really fun.  Our business meeting delt with some of the general items we always talk about.  We will be demonstrating during the Allure of Lace exhibit at the Wadsworth Museum in Hartford.  We will be there the day after Christmas!  Stop by and see us - it's a free admission day at the Museum.  We will be hosting an upcoming seminar (mixed Beds & Bucks) late July/early August with Jean Leeder.  While it will be limited seating, it should be a good session to learn lots.

After the business, we turn to painting bobbins, this month's activity.  It was fun and everyone's design was truly as unique as each of us are.  I know it would be nice if I had pictures.  I need to be better about taking my camera with me and taking it out to take a few pictures!

Thanks to the members that sat with me for their survey interview!  Really good thoughts and suggestions were obtained. 

PS if you have the items from the Archive - please bring them to the December meeting and I'll coordinate bringing them back to Doris.

Welcome to You

This blog is set aside for my thoughts and pictures about lace, crochet and those things fiber.

As I organize the information from my original blog, you may come across some duplicate entries and of course other blog keeping chores that will need to be taken care of.

The bobbins pictured here are continental bobbins as they are from the "continent" (Europe). Bobbins are specifically related to where you lived. Since travel was not an option (back in the 1600s and before) each village evolved into their speciality of lace and the tools, like these bobbins.

Stop back again as I get my "english" ready for a picture.

So Welcome to You - I hope you enjoy and learn about these art forms.