This past week we had studio time again at Jill's. Nancy, Jeanne, and myself visited at Jill's and made some lace. I was working on Shelby's blanket. It's getting closer to done now and a bit exciting.
Studio time is great for me. It's chance to share events, patterns, books, the famous UnDo's, news in each of our lives.
We all discussed our great success at the New England Fiber Festival held at the Big E in Springfield, MA two weeks ago. It was a great time. Jill noticed that the festival arranged to have 'four hour workshops' available to those attending the event. She had emailed me on this earlier and said ... 'think about it'.
We discussed it a bit, we could set up a small project, like a pin that could be completed in the time allotment. Those of us that demonstrate often times bring a 'try-me' pillow so that event attendees can actually handle the bobbins and make some lace. I bring along my snake pattern pillow - it's multi-colored and kids really enjoy making lace.
Thanks to Jill for Studio time. I'm considering taking a lesson or two on some really interesting point ground laces. (yes I know - not till next year !)
Showing posts with label Demonstrating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Demonstrating. Show all posts
Friday, November 19, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Fiber Festival at the BIG E
It was a wow Festival! Great job to the folks at the Big E in Springfield, Massachusettes.
NELG was invited to have a gratis booth at the two-day show. Thanks to our members and Jill's coordination with them, we staffed it with demonstrators. Extra thanks to Jill for the creating and printing of the new NELG banner. (I need a better camera and remember to take pictures!)
I was there for the Sunday show. Since I did not change my clocks the night before, I was there an hour early! I did appreicate the extra hour of sleep today.
There were lots of vendors with all sorts of roving and yarns and assorted items. What was different here, is that the farms brought their critters so we had lots of sheep, alpacas, bunnies and goats in the north side of the building. Once I figure out how to do sound here, I'll do a the alpaca humming I learned or maybe not.
Our booth was busy - lots of folks stopping by and wondering about what we were doing. There was only a few exclaimations of "oh that's tatting". I had a simple Bruge lace pattern on my pillow and a try-me snake pillow. Bryce had her beautiful Swedish pattern, Barbara K. brought ancient lace on her pillows and our newer member, Linda showed folks about tatting!
We handed out our brochure, talked about the advantages of membership in the group. I must say - without really any coordination among us, we were working great together with enough variety to show visitors what lace is about. About half way through, we noticed that none of us had any English on a pillow and missed out showing spangled bobbins.
I'm looking forward to next year already - so mark your calendar - 1st weekend in November!
NELG was invited to have a gratis booth at the two-day show. Thanks to our members and Jill's coordination with them, we staffed it with demonstrators. Extra thanks to Jill for the creating and printing of the new NELG banner. (I need a better camera and remember to take pictures!)
I was there for the Sunday show. Since I did not change my clocks the night before, I was there an hour early! I did appreicate the extra hour of sleep today.
There were lots of vendors with all sorts of roving and yarns and assorted items. What was different here, is that the farms brought their critters so we had lots of sheep, alpacas, bunnies and goats in the north side of the building. Once I figure out how to do sound here, I'll do a the alpaca humming I learned or maybe not.
Our booth was busy - lots of folks stopping by and wondering about what we were doing. There was only a few exclaimations of "oh that's tatting". I had a simple Bruge lace pattern on my pillow and a try-me snake pillow. Bryce had her beautiful Swedish pattern, Barbara K. brought ancient lace on her pillows and our newer member, Linda showed folks about tatting!
We handed out our brochure, talked about the advantages of membership in the group. I must say - without really any coordination among us, we were working great together with enough variety to show visitors what lace is about. About half way through, we noticed that none of us had any English on a pillow and missed out showing spangled bobbins.
I'm looking forward to next year already - so mark your calendar - 1st weekend in November!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Festival of Trees & Traditions
Coming up on Thursday, Dec 2, 2010 will be the kick off of the Festival of Trees & Traditions. Mark you calendar if you wish to bid on the NELG's Tree.
This is long time event of the Wadsworth Atheneum. Many organizations decorate and donate a tree to the festival to be auctioned off.
NELG was asked if we would donate a tree. We had done a tree for another organization the year before. This year, with the request from the Atheneum, we decided that we will produce a tree for their event.
If you love lace, then you'll love our tree. It's about 4ft and decorated with hand made lace edged fans. We have recieved great applause for this work and it is amazing! I've submitted two pieces of lace to date. I'm in the middle of making another piece.
If you are a lace maker - get your lace completed and to Mary. Check NELG website for additional information.
Hope to see you at the Festival!
This is long time event of the Wadsworth Atheneum. Many organizations decorate and donate a tree to the festival to be auctioned off.
NELG was asked if we would donate a tree. We had done a tree for another organization the year before. This year, with the request from the Atheneum, we decided that we will produce a tree for their event.
If you love lace, then you'll love our tree. It's about 4ft and decorated with hand made lace edged fans. We have recieved great applause for this work and it is amazing! I've submitted two pieces of lace to date. I'm in the middle of making another piece.
If you are a lace maker - get your lace completed and to Mary. Check NELG website for additional information.
Hope to see you at the Festival!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
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!
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!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
NELG Meeting
Last weekend was the first gathering of the New England Lace Group since the summer vacation and the first meeting of the new year. We met at the Joshua Hyde Public Library in Sturbridge.
Business meeting was first. We reviewed the past year's financials and the current year's budget, brillantly done by our treasurer, Winann. Our vice president, Carolyn W, outlined the programs to be held during the next couple of months and a few surprises for next year. We congratulated the Big E winners and noted the upcoming themes for 2011 and 2012. Our president, Jill, indicated that the nominations committee should get underway for next year's canidates as president and member-at-large will be open positions. We discussed opportunities to demonstrate at a new venue this coming fall at the Eastern States Exposition - the Fiber Festival along with other events. All said - we closed the meeting to get on to our program.
Carolyn W prepared a great presentation on the needle lace Alençon. When we were at Rhode Island School of Design, we were able to see Napoleon's bed spread. This was truly a treat and we were all impressed with the small bees that were decorated the spread. She gave us a bit of history of Napoleon and the creation of the bed set. Look for a future article in the publication Piecework Magazine.
We all began with a sampler. This will be my first attempt at needle lace - errrrrrr. For beginners, it is made with a pattern that is stiched to a cloth backing to give it some strength. Then the outlines are made with several strands of the thread you will be using and will be 'couched' down on the pattern. There is a method to it all, like using a different colored thread to do the couching! Then the real work begins, you begin to make the stitches. We are using a small darning needle and plain old sewing thread. I'll put up pictures once I get a bit done.
Over all, we had a great time. Next month we will be demonstrating at Webs Yarn in Northhampton, MA from 11am to 2pm - Join us on October 16th!
Business meeting was first. We reviewed the past year's financials and the current year's budget, brillantly done by our treasurer, Winann. Our vice president, Carolyn W, outlined the programs to be held during the next couple of months and a few surprises for next year. We congratulated the Big E winners and noted the upcoming themes for 2011 and 2012. Our president, Jill, indicated that the nominations committee should get underway for next year's canidates as president and member-at-large will be open positions. We discussed opportunities to demonstrate at a new venue this coming fall at the Eastern States Exposition - the Fiber Festival along with other events. All said - we closed the meeting to get on to our program.
Carolyn W prepared a great presentation on the needle lace Alençon. When we were at Rhode Island School of Design, we were able to see Napoleon's bed spread. This was truly a treat and we were all impressed with the small bees that were decorated the spread. She gave us a bit of history of Napoleon and the creation of the bed set. Look for a future article in the publication Piecework Magazine.
We all began with a sampler. This will be my first attempt at needle lace - errrrrrr. For beginners, it is made with a pattern that is stiched to a cloth backing to give it some strength. Then the outlines are made with several strands of the thread you will be using and will be 'couched' down on the pattern. There is a method to it all, like using a different colored thread to do the couching! Then the real work begins, you begin to make the stitches. We are using a small darning needle and plain old sewing thread. I'll put up pictures once I get a bit done.
Over all, we had a great time. Next month we will be demonstrating at Webs Yarn in Northhampton, MA from 11am to 2pm - Join us on October 16th!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Demo at the Big E
It was Connecticut Day at the Big E and according the staff, one of the largest attendance days. Go CT!
I choose the day as it's in the middle of the week, and I like to see the parade. There are lots of CT related high school bands, the Governor and her Foot Guard, the State Police, fife and drum and lots of others. The end of the parade was the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Hallamore Clydesdales each with a eight-horse hitch. So amazing the size and strength of these gentle giants.
In the morning, traffic was bruttle and took me almost 90 minutes to go 34 miles! Gate 1 is where the one day volunteers, vendors, and performers get to park. It is so nice, it is right next to the back gate making it easy to bring in my lace making gear.
The New England Building / Creative Arts is where we get to set up. Actually we don't really have a space, we set up in the aisle. It would be nice if we had a 'real' space we could set up in (hmm idea for next year). Linda (fellow lacemaker) met me there and we set up our space so the patrons of the fair could learn about lace. I met Linda at the fair last year and helped her rekindle her love for lace making.
Before you know it, the building opens with a raising of the flag, accompanied by a group of fife and drum musicians. It is fun to watch the patrons go by, some are outright curious and come up and declare that I'm tatting (lol) and others are too shy unless you invite them over to see what we are doing. Time goes so quickly, some where around three and a half hours into it, I could feel my voice getting scratchy. We handed out lots of NELG flyers to interested folks and may come up we a few more members!
I must say - it was a successful day. Many for folks learned a little more about bobbin lace.
I choose the day as it's in the middle of the week, and I like to see the parade. There are lots of CT related high school bands, the Governor and her Foot Guard, the State Police, fife and drum and lots of others. The end of the parade was the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Hallamore Clydesdales each with a eight-horse hitch. So amazing the size and strength of these gentle giants.
In the morning, traffic was bruttle and took me almost 90 minutes to go 34 miles! Gate 1 is where the one day volunteers, vendors, and performers get to park. It is so nice, it is right next to the back gate making it easy to bring in my lace making gear.
The New England Building / Creative Arts is where we get to set up. Actually we don't really have a space, we set up in the aisle. It would be nice if we had a 'real' space we could set up in (hmm idea for next year). Linda (fellow lacemaker) met me there and we set up our space so the patrons of the fair could learn about lace. I met Linda at the fair last year and helped her rekindle her love for lace making.
Before you know it, the building opens with a raising of the flag, accompanied by a group of fife and drum musicians. It is fun to watch the patrons go by, some are outright curious and come up and declare that I'm tatting (lol) and others are too shy unless you invite them over to see what we are doing. Time goes so quickly, some where around three and a half hours into it, I could feel my voice getting scratchy. We handed out lots of NELG flyers to interested folks and may come up we a few more members!
I must say - it was a successful day. Many for folks learned a little more about bobbin lace.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
CT Lace Group Meets - We are Artists!
We had a lovely meeting last Saturday at Boo's home. Surprisingly it was Labor Day weekend and we had over 14 of us partake in the name of making lace, conversing and enjoying company.
Boo and her husband and two children were the greatest hosts. As we do, we organize the lunch as a 'bring a dish' as requested by our hostess. This time, I brought a cheese tray.
It's not a regular meeting for NELG, more so it is a chance for us to gather for a few hours of making lace or some other fiber interest. I took the opportunity to get some ideas about a flyer that came across my desk from the Hartford Public Library. It is their call for Artists for the ArtWalk. I spoke with Mary and Marian of HPL about the project. Generally it appears that they only want one artist. With reading the outline, maybe several artists(lace makers) would be within the confines of artists they would be interested in.
I thought it might be a good project if the group thought so. I received good feedback. I'd be looking for already completed works, antique works that inspired current work. Once I get a chance to talk with our President and her thoughts, I'll be back to the Library to find out about if they would accept an exhibit with more than one artist?
Either way, it would be a way to get our work out into a larger space and educate the public about lace making. It would allow us to have an exhibit that could be posted in various libraries and exhibition spaces.
Boo and her husband and two children were the greatest hosts. As we do, we organize the lunch as a 'bring a dish' as requested by our hostess. This time, I brought a cheese tray.
It's not a regular meeting for NELG, more so it is a chance for us to gather for a few hours of making lace or some other fiber interest. I took the opportunity to get some ideas about a flyer that came across my desk from the Hartford Public Library. It is their call for Artists for the ArtWalk. I spoke with Mary and Marian of HPL about the project. Generally it appears that they only want one artist. With reading the outline, maybe several artists(lace makers) would be within the confines of artists they would be interested in.
I thought it might be a good project if the group thought so. I received good feedback. I'd be looking for already completed works, antique works that inspired current work. Once I get a chance to talk with our President and her thoughts, I'll be back to the Library to find out about if they would accept an exhibit with more than one artist?
Either way, it would be a way to get our work out into a larger space and educate the public about lace making. It would allow us to have an exhibit that could be posted in various libraries and exhibition spaces.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Big E - Your Entry
Is you lace entry ready? Contact nelginfo@gmail.com . We have a group from Massachusettes and Connecticut bringing up the entries!
The Big E's judging day is September 13th!! Opening Day is Friday September 17th 8am to 10pm!
NELG's members will be present most days - Find us in the New England Center. Stop by and see Cross / Twist and you too will be making lace!
The Big E's judging day is September 13th!! Opening Day is Friday September 17th 8am to 10pm!
NELG's members will be present most days - Find us in the New England Center. Stop by and see Cross / Twist and you too will be making lace!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Demonstration Time
Just a reminder to NELG members - get your hours in!
Next month will be the BIG E. It will begin on September 17th and go through October 2nd.
There is so much to do and by demonstrating your lace making skills, you will receive 2 tickets for the day and parking at the back gate! We need as many folks as possible. It is a great place to attract new members to our organization and for referrals for students and teachers.
See the current year's brochure for highlights. The following days honor each of the New England States.
Special Days are:
Rhode Island Day - Sept 21
Connecticut Day - Sept 22
Massachusettes Day - Sept 23
Vermont Day - Sept 25
New Hampshire Day - Sept 24
and Maine Day - Oct 2nd
Hope to see you there! It is just a great time for everyone.
Next month will be the BIG E. It will begin on September 17th and go through October 2nd.
There is so much to do and by demonstrating your lace making skills, you will receive 2 tickets for the day and parking at the back gate! We need as many folks as possible. It is a great place to attract new members to our organization and for referrals for students and teachers.
See the current year's brochure for highlights. The following days honor each of the New England States.
Special Days are:
Rhode Island Day - Sept 21
Connecticut Day - Sept 22
Massachusettes Day - Sept 23
Vermont Day - Sept 25
New Hampshire Day - Sept 24
and Maine Day - Oct 2nd
Hope to see you there! It is just a great time for everyone.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Lace Making in Milford
Yesterday was spent demonstrating bobbin lace making at the Milford Historic Society. Barbara, and her daughter Barbara join in for the morning, and Winann and I spent the day there. It was a bit cloudy all day, yet cool, the day was really quite nice. Sitting only a half block off the harbor, it is a good day.
We invited those in to see our wares, (not for sale ) and how to make lace and even sit down and make some lace. Cross, Twist, Cross as we gave instructions to adults and children and we continue to make our snake bookmarks. It is tr
uly wonderful when the visitor looks at the pillows with lots of bobbins on them and finds that it is only two pairs that it begins with. I had a set of twins, a three-some of little brothers, and a group of assorted kids accompanied by with their parents and grandparents.Of course there were the questions of 'how much can you make' and 'how long' , it's the making of the lace, the process, that is the pleasure. Listening to the clinking of the bobbins as they move across the pillow and the lace unfold as each Cross, Twist, Pin is made is a special music to a lace makers' ears.
It was a great day for lace and a great day to teach lace.
If you are out an about - us Lace Makers will be staffing the Craft Building at the Big E. Yours truly will be there for the morning shift on the 23rd of September.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Bobbin Lace Making this weekend!
If you are looking for us lace makers this weekend - check out the Milford Historical Society . Unfortunately this site is not updated for this Saturday's event. From 10 to 4pm, on their grounds at 34 High Street, Milford, CT, they are having their annual event. There will be tours, bake sale, us Lace Makers!, geneology folks, and lots of other things to do. It's a rain or shine event. Stop by and say hello - try your hand at a cross and a twist!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
