Blog & News

I hope everyone is staying safe.  While our retreat in May has been cancelled, I am wondering what everyone is doing.  For myself, I am working on the carp-dragon piece I started in 2012.  I suspect that I will finish it this time. What I love about this piece, aside from the design, is that it takes a lot of problem solving.  The order of the bobbins is fairly complicated, so it takes some concentration.

So what are you doing to cope with this social distancing that is fiber related?  Are you working on an interesting (to you) piece of lace?  Are you sewing something?  We would love to hear what you are doing that is fiber related now.

Long-time NELG member Carloyn Samonds, passed away on Friday, March 6. You can find her obituary and also sign the guest register on the Douglass Funeral Services website: https://douglassfuneral.com/wp-content/plugins/funeralworks_obituary_plugin/ajax-obituary2.php?Counter=1975&mn=25#guestbook

Jill

I have looked at a lot of tatting blogs over the years.  They all have their interest, but many of them seem to fade over time.  I found Lilas's blog yesterday.  She does write tatting books and sells patterns.  But even if you aren't interested in the commercial part, the blog is well worth looking at.  (Okay, so I admire anyone who decides to tat with sewing thread.)  You can find her blog at http://lilas-lace.fr/ .  It is both in English and French.

Interesting article about NeSpoon - a street artist who spray paints lace designs onto various structures to beautify areas and preserve and celebrate lace patterns popular in particular places.

You can see more of her work on her portfolio page at https://www.behance.net/NeSpoon.

Jill

Some of the lace collection in the Smithsonian American History Museum is now online and more will be coming. Click on individual pieces to learn more.

Enjoy!

Jill

If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning how to make bobbin lace, there will be a beginner class at the NELG retreat in May in North Andover, MA. This class is subsidized 50% by NELG, so is a really good deal.

For more information, please visit the Calendar page.

There was an interesting discussion today on the dearth of lace information in Wikipedia. I noticed this when I was trying to learn the history and styles as well.

Maybe there's an edit-a-thon that could be organized somehow. Add some great photos. This would be a way to introduce new people to the hobby and connect them with the organizations.

Twitter thread [no pun intended] starts here:

https://twitter.com/GretchenAMcC/status/1227060591350566912

Every so often, you end up down a Wikipedia rabbit hole that reminds you how Wikipedia's editorship being 85-90% male creates huge content gaps for certain topics, especially those more typically associated with women Today's example: Battenberg lace

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battenberg_lace

There will be a memorial service this Saturday, February 8 for the husband of founding member, Doris Schick. The service will be at 10:30am at South Glastonbury Congregational Church, Glastonbury, CT with refreshments to follow.

Bill Schick passed away in early December. Here is the link to his obiturary: https://www.courant.com/obituaries/hc-obituary-charles-william-schick-20191212-story.html

Unfortunately, I am unable to attend, but it would be great if someone from NELG is able to get there to meet the family and get some news of Doris and to let her know that we miss here at NELG.

Jill

Wini Blacklow put me onto this wonderful artist in needlelace/mixed media. Take a look: truly inspirational use of traditional materials! You don't have to do needlelace to enjoy them.

It's that time of year again, the beginning of the New Year.  The crazy shopping, decorating, and entertaining has finally calmed down.  Your holiday guests have likely returned to their normal lives at home.  Hopefully you now have a little time to breath.

I'm not really a big fan of New Years resolutions.  Most of them fall by the wayside by the end of the month if I believe the smaller crowds at the gym then.  However, I do regard finishing the obligations of the holidays a good time to look at what I am doing and plan ahead.

One thing I am determined is to finish at least one lingering bobbin lace project on a pillow.  There are so many to choose from, which is a shame.  I would like to get the carp-dragon piece finished.  It was started in the last Year of the Dragon.  I would like to finish it before the next.

So, I encourage everyone to do the same.  Is there something that you can finish?  If not, is there a project that you would love to start?  After all, challenging yourself is good for you!  And if you do get something done, remember that you can enter it in the Big E.  We would love to have a great display of lace for everyone to see.