The Lacis Museum Newsletter

January 14th, 2010
Dear Friends of LMLT,

This Week

2010 seems well under way with our Annual Board Meeting and National Trade Show already in the past and a donation by Margaret Shimmons of one of her extraordinary knitted laces. Time seems to accelerate as if would soon run out. I hear of an earthquake in Haiti and I think they must know.

Our Annual Board Meeting became an amazing evening as talent, ideas, and enthusiasm merged to become an amazing flame of energy. It seems a time to reflect on our first five years, feel pride in our accomplishments and recognize all that support our mission. The meeting revolved around those who submitted applications to become new Board Members. We learned who they were, their passions and their reservations. We spoke of the potential of such talent in sharing it with LMLT and we spoke of committees and events and how to take those first steps. I suspect the evening zapped much energy in some and energized others as sidewalk interacting continued well after the meeting. I understand that to have such an intimate relationship with LMLT must be balanced by the rewards LMLT can offer those participating in such a role, energy flowing both ways. After much was said the applicants were asked to reconsider their involvement and respond before our next meting on March 2 when the new Board will be elected and shared with you.

The TNNA, wholesale needlework market, was held in Long Beach where 70 degree weather and blue skies beckoned attendees. The other end of the weather spectrum together with a new fear of flying did have its effect, with low attendance reflecting the economy. Lace making, still absent from the Market, and enthusiasm for new ideas lacking. 


Recent Acquisitions

In support of her sharing her passion for knitted lace, Marguerite Shimmons donated this beautiful framed lace center to the museum. 26” in diameter, from a pattern by Christine Duchrow it was made using #100 DMC thread and 0000 lace needles with fingers that never stop. Several weeks ago Marguerite was complaining that her fingers weren’t working any more and wondering what the next stage of creation might be. And when the doctor told her to ignore the pain and keep knitting to acknowledge that she was in charge, she listened. And now she relates that her fingers are again fine.
 
Events

The Bobbin Lace exhibit, in its final weeks, is drawing new visitors, who found it too easy to put off a visit and now more determined then ever to find the time. And today a bit of magic as I related my tale. One visitor was a dear friend of Kaethe who now learned new insight into lace and the other, a beautiful lady from Scotland, who I was sure was a lace maker. Every detail was understood as she intently listened and became absorbed in my tale of lace and lace makers and a pride that she obviously shared. As I was leaving, a friend who was accompanying her met me at the door and told me of this lady’s own magic. Did I know Jean Redpath? he asked. He knew her from the Opera and her contribution to song and related that it was said about this lady that “to call her a Scottish folk singer would be like calling Michelangelo an Italian interior decorator. “  And these will become memories and reason to be.

For a personal perspective of bobbin lace and the hands that create the magic, come with me on the daily tour I give each day between 2:30 and 3:00. Offering a long 5 minute minimum tour, it has gripped most visitors who take this trip through the looking glass and find that, for this moment, time stops.

The gallery will soon be dark, as the laces return to the safety of conservation focused storage and the birth of the next exhibit takes form, “NIGHT AND DAY - THE WORLD OF THE TWENTIES,” which will open April 3rd. Erin, working with two precious interns is filling the veins of these remnants of the past, bringing forth the memories of not just a time but the souls of a lost age. A visit on any Saturday will let you witness progress in this transformation.
 
Classes

January 15
Jackie Palacios will host the first class of the New Year, in her COCKTAIL HAT CLASS, this Friday evening, January 15, from 5:30 to 9:00. This promises to be a fabulous Friday Night Cocktail Hat Event as you create your own spectacular topper. The class fee of $55.00 will include the basic buckram frame and use of sewing machines.

January 23
BOBBIN LACE with Maria Jose Munoz. Open to all levels, beginners will learn and be inspired while advanced lacers will be challenged. This is a 2 session class on the consecutive Saturdays January 23 and 30th, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Class fee is $80.00 for both sessions

February 5
Carol Wood’s amazing corset making techniques will again be shared in VICTORIAN CORSETRY in new 3 session format, each session a week apart. It will be designed so that, at the end of the last session (if you do your homework), you will have a finished corset. Classes will be held on Friday evenings from 5:30 to 9:00 on February 5th, 12th and 19th. Class fee is $100.00

February 6
Carol Wood will be hosting on Saturday February 6, a one day class FINISH THAT CORSET from 10:00 AM to 5:00, focusing on the projects we fear to complete, Carol writes of her class “ Oh, those corset projects… Get in and get it done with an expert at your side!  Intended for those who have already begun construction on a corset of any era, during this one-day workshop you will make headway on a corset project you’ve already begun, plus pick up construction and embellishment tips through instructor demos.” Class fee is $40.00

July 14
CLONES IRISH CROCHET with Maire Treanor, direct from Ireland. This will be a 4 day workshop plus an evening lecture where the spirit and techniques of this magical lace, which saved a Nation, will be brought to life. The workshop will cover the popular floral motifs and the unique ground of Clones lace as well as the development of patterns. An evening lecture by Maire covering her own collection and studies will compliment the occasion. Class fee is $250.00



Details on all classes are available on our web site at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.
 
Lace Groups at LMLT

Participation is free and if attending, do bring some of your accomplishments, complete or incomplete, and find a find a community of friends.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP
This steadily growing group meets on the third Saturday of each month from 1 - 3. Hosted by Maria Jose Munoz and Beth Lysten, all are welcome to learn, share and encourage.  If curiosity persists, we would encourage participation in the more formal bobbin lace classes by Maria.  The group will meet  this coming Saturday, January 16. from 1 - 3.

KNITTING GROUP
Welcoming knitters of all persuasions to gather, learn, share and explore all the facets of this 1-thread-2-needle textile technique, this group will meet at the Museum on the second Saturday of each month from 1:00-3:00 PM. The first meeting on Saturday January 9th. hosted by Amy Keefer, of our staff, welcomed 4 enthusiastic knitters. All are invited, to knit or just meet Amy.   Amy, a creative knitter and natural instructor, can make any garment fit and find a way to restore the intended glory of discards. She helped put an all men’s knitting club in the spotlight in lower Manhattan while instructing children, adults, seniors and celebrities how to tame yarn with a pair of pointed sticks.


 
Details on all groups are available on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.

New in the Shop

NEEDLE TOOL (MO12). Designed specifically for sewing machine needles, this amazing tool will automatically align and hold needle in correct position for insertion into a sewing machine and will permit threading the needle by touch alone, without even looking for the eye. Works equally well with hand sewing needles. THREADS magazine shares this wonder tool with their readers, in editorial form, in the current March Issue

Closing Thoughts

It seems this New Year is well under way as days become filled with activities and plans for new activities are being made. As an exciting array of class programs is being developed, distractions are inevitable.  Remaining focused on the real challenge...that of keeping track of where we must go and not of where we are going will be the test of our passions.

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles
2982 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA  94703

http://lacismuseum.org/

at Ashby & Adeline St., adjacent to the "Ashby" BART Station
Hours: Monday thru Saturday 12:00 - 6:00 pm
tel: 510-843-7290