Saturday 30 August 2008

Lace

I had one of those 'duh' moments today. I want some handmade or vintage lace for my collage work so I was looking on the net. Then suddenly I remembered I used to make lace about 20 years ago so I went up in the loft and dug out my enormous lace bag which was covered in dust. I couldn't believe what I found inside.......


















This is a travel lace 'pillow' which I could fold up and carry. Sadly this won't get finished because I can't remember how to do it!





This is a round pillow - with lace which will also never be completed. How sad!
(No I'm not going to learn again.)
I have around 120 bobbins which cost me £3 - £4 each. I put most of the beads on myself.
Wonder if I could sell them?
I'll keep this one though - its an antique Leopard Spot bobbin with the original beads.

And finally.....here's all the lace I made........
Dare I cut it up and stick it onto ATCs and collages........?
YES!!!! (Because I don't like lace edged mats!)

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Linda
Such beautiful lace - I too have a travel pillow covered with a WIP now some 7 years untouched. THere is a group here who only meet once a year to make lace - the rest of the year they do other textile art - so it's not something that you can forget how to do - like riding a bike. You can sell your bobbins if you really want to - lace makers are always on the look out for beautiful bobbins (me included) and the lace would also sell try ETSY for both. But of course use the lace in your current work - it needs to be used and loved!!

Chriss Rollins said...

What a find!! You are sooooo clever a real artist in all areas...is there nothing you cannot do?
please save some lace but yessss yes yessss use it on your art I long to see what you do with it.
Does this mean you are going to do some vintage :)) I hope so...browns and ecru and oh am I getting excited.
If you decide to sell your bobbins be careful that you get what they are worth.
have a great Sunday Linda.
love Chriss x

Jacky said...

What a talent you are Linda... beautiful, beautiful lace. It will be hard to cut into the first piece!!! I just went down to the "Opportunity Shop" to buy old bits of lace and doylies for my art. They are quite cheap and often have a hole here or there so are not worth someone keeping, but definately worth using in our art!
Your bobbin collection is beautiful. Years ago I contemplated learning to make lace, but really I just wanted some of those beautiful bobbins they used!
What a treasure you found. Cant wait to see what you do with your find!

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda - aren't you glad you went into the loft !!!!! The bobbins are so beautiful and Chriss is right - be careful - me I would be thinking heirlooms. As for the lace - I don't know - I would be thinking family heiloom christening and wedding gowns. But that's just me.
There's always a surprise when I visit your blog and today is no exception ...You certainly are one very talented lady ....

Shashi Nayagam said...

Oh my what a wonderful find. These look priceless and if you can use them in anyway I think it would be lovely. At least that way they will be preserved and not rot away. My Linda you do some exquisite work. It is very hard to find handmade lace now a days. I went to several antique shops looking for lace but couldn't find any. Well whatever you do with them I know it will be gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Wowsers is there anything you cant do ,you are so Talented Linda .I think you should make something to preserve them they are so Beautiful.
Love from sesga xx

Judy S. said...

Sometimes it pays to be a packrat, doesn't it? You surely made some beautiful pieces, Linda, and well maybe there's a trip to Brussels in your future to refresh your technique? I had no idea that the bobbins were so lovely....

Jackie said...

wow. You are a woman of many talents what beautiful lace.
I wrote my last comment after a glass of wine and really didn't mean to mention my Greek Pieces. What I wrote sounded so awful..sorry.I am delighted that you have a possibility of publicity via the Symi Visitor.

Barbara said...

I am just in awe of what you have done with making the lace. I just can't image ever doing this. And those bobbins are so beautiful. I think they should be put in a frame on a wall when not in used. they are just beautiful also.

Dot said...

Linda - you are such a talented lady. I am not surprised that you used to make lace. You seem to be able to turn your creative mind to anything. Jacky and I were chatting about you on Saturday and saying how versatile and how clever you are (and we will be first cab off the rank when you start selling your dolls on Etsy).

And yes, I think you could sell those bobbins..they are lovely (and so is the lace).

Thanks for sharing your treasures with us.

Anonymous said...

OMG OMG OMG faint faint, what WUNderful work! I so envy anyone who can do this. SURELY you can't bring yourself to sell those bobbins and lace? It would be BIG SIN!

XXXXXXXX

Rosie said...

Is there no end to your versatility?? What beautiful work! Why don't you make a collage in a box frame of some of the lace and your favourite bobbins - that would be an heirloom wouldn't it, and a lovely way to remember something you enjoyed?

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