I am posting for two week for Focusing on life. Last week Sally's prompt was pattern. I knew immediately what I would photograph. I have a small collection of vintage lace that I am proud of. I don't know of anything that shows pattern better than lace. To think that someone sat for hours everyday for week or even months or even years to produce something so beautiful just amazed me. I just finished reading "Lace The Elegant Web" by Janine Montupet and Thislaine Schoeller. Did you know that there were laws in England against wearing lace from France or Belgium? England was loosing so much money to other countries for the purchase of lace that laws were made to protect the economy. It could take up to 152,000 movements to produce a 6" pattern of lace and a good lacemaker could make 77 movements a minute. Much of the lace was produced in poor lighting conditions and the lacemakers were often blind by the time they were thirty.I was away from home and did not have internet last weekend so I am posting this now.
Routine was the prompt for this week's Focusing on life. I had to think about this for a while. I am a free spirited person so I don't cling to many routines. However there is one consistent in my life. My beadwork. Hardly a day passed without me beading so I decided that beading would be my routine thing. I have a couple of beading boards that sit on my 3 drawer cart that I use daily to bead on. My boards can be sat across the arms of my lazyboy recliner as I work and I can swap them out if I get stuck on something and need to let the project sit until the idea on how to finish it comes to me. I am enjoying participating in the photo challenge and I hope you are enjoying it too.I appreciate everyone's comments and I am enjoying connecting weekly with other beaders. You can see way the other participants posted at this link
http://thestudiosublime.com/
I so agree with the routine we have developed of sharing our lives with each other. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanx Marlene. I am sure I will have a great week this week. I am having the family picnic at my hose on Wednesday. It is the first time in 20 years that all of my siblings have been here.
DeleteLace is so very pretty and I think under-appreciated these days.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect routine - I wish I had more time for beading.
I agree that most people don't appreciate lace. It took me many years to get to where I can bead every day. I make it a priority in my life right now and that works for me.
DeleteHi Becky, I love seeing others' bead set ups. Thanks for sharing yours! I also have a couple projects going at once - I chalk it up to beader's ADD! And thanks for the additional information about lace. Your photo reminds me of my grandmother who made beautiful lace tablecloths.
ReplyDeleteHi Paula. I like my bead setup. I can set my board across the arms of my lazyboy and bead in comfort. I can also set it on the three drawer roller cart and do small wirework tasks. It rolls out of the way when I need it to. I do have 1 handmade lace tablecloth. I am glad that I could bring up a pleasant memory for you.
DeleteI love vintage lace as well and have a small collection of it. Lovely textures.
ReplyDeleteThanx Alice. Lace mesmerizes me with it's intricate patterns and textures.
DeleteGorgeous patterns in those laces. I wish I got to bead every day. I'd be a happier camper! : )
ReplyDeleteThanx Janet. It is only recently that I got to start beading everyday and I do appreciate it.
DeleteI have a friend who has been taking lacemaking lessons for several years now, from a Flemish lady; she makes absolutely beautiful needle lace. It is indeed a labour of love!
ReplyDeleteI envy your ability to dedicate some time to beadmaking every day! Soon, I keep telling myself, soon I will retire....in reality I will likely be at least 70 until I can. Hope my eyes and fingers still work! :-)
I watched a lady make bobbin lace and I was fascinated. Back in the 1700's people ransomed whole estates to pay for lace. Engagements were long to have time to make the lace for the wedding gown. The book I just read said that each lacemaker had her own style. It talks about a young girl finishing a lace project that her Grandmother started 15 years prior. Even bad breath from a lacemaker would affect the color of the finished product.
ReplyDeleteWow those are beautiful examples I can't imagine sitting for YEARS! and making something! Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanx Patty, I can't imagine working on the same piece for years either. Part of what I like about beadwork is that something beautiful can be made in a short time.
ReplyDeleteYour lace pieces are exquisite - I love collecting it and have been a lace maker for many years - sadly it's a bit of a strain on old eyes now! I shall be looking out for the book as it sounds fascinating - thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteThanx Diane, One of the women at my bead group was cleaning house getting ready to move and she gave the book away. It was a fascinating read.
ReplyDeleteI love vintage lace, too, but am hopeless with design. I once saw a huge shadow box done with pieces of lace randomly sewn together to make a solid panel, like a quilt, and it was amazing, how the person got the patterns to flow.
ReplyDeleteOh Lori, You are a great designer, just look at your jewelry. Not everyone designs with the same material. I seldom use my lace. It is too precious to me. I do take it out and admire it often.I guess beads aren't the only thing I hoard LOL.A new thrift store opened in my town a short time ago. They had a bust covered in old lace as a jewelry display that was really well done. I admired it for quite a while. There was a pair of lace pieces on it that I wished I could own.
Deletethere's nothing more delicate that vintage lace! and I love to see your crafting desk - you should join us on WOYWW sometime :)
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by already and leaving a lovely comment :)
have a great week!
Thanx Claire, I have read posts on WWOYWW several times and I enjoy them.
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