Creative lace ideas are just like cherry blossoms – they wait and hide until all conditions are perfect, and then they burst out and cover everything with delicate petals… That’s why so many blossom motifs find their way into lace designs, as the lacemakers try to save those precious moments in their work. And there is hardly any better technique for this purpose than fine lace.

In the March workshop, we witnessed what a group of gentle lacemakers can achieve when they focus on creating beauty – while the last winter storm was raging outside, it felt just like spring our creative space. Lacemaking, without a doubt, has a calming effect on us and our surroundings… and that’s one of the reasons I believe that we need more lacemakers in this world!

To spread the word about classes and workshops, the New School of Lace is reaching out to network with other textile groups and individual artists and artisans. Locally, the lecture at North Shore Needle Arts Guild about past, present and future metal lace showed just how close lace craft is to other forms of fine needlework. At FibresWest 2016, our workshop for beginners  introduced wire lace to three brand new lacemakers. On Saturday, we benefited from presence of Vancouver Lace Club members, who demonstrated various fibre lace techniques, and a costume historian Ivan Sayers’s gorgeous antique lace display.

We have seen lot of interest in our ‘lace corner’ and our submission to the Artist Gallery, a transparent lace sculpture “Offering to the Tree of Life” received the most votes in the People’s Choice Award competition. Thank you all for your support!

This news was very well received on our FaceBook page, and reached lacemakers around the world – and we now have more than 500 followers! If you do FaceBook, follow us, too 🙂

New School of Lace was mentioned also in printed news: In Lace Guild Magazine, UK – in March and April issues – in an article by Ann Allison about wire lace, and upcoming Australian Lace Magazine – winter issue, in an article by Lindy de Wijn.

In April and May we plan more activities locally and some online, and we would be happy to see you joining in and participating in our small, but growing lace community.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FOR COMPLETE BEGINNERS:

One Day Workshop: “Seedlings” –  April 10, 2016 – Ocean Park, Surrey

One Day Workshop:  “May Flowers” – May 8, 2016 – Ocean Park, Surrey, BC

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FOR LACEMAKERS:

Talk and Workshop: “Introducing TesseLace“, April 5-6, 2016 – Lace Getaway, Courtenay, BC

One Day Workshop: “Chicken Egg Stand”–  April 10, 2016 – Ocean Park, Surrey

One Day Workshop:  “May Flowers” – May 8, 2016 – Ocean Park, Surrey, BC

ONGOING CLASSES IN FIBER LACE:

Torchon  lace – class full
Bucks Point lace – class full

New School of Lace also offers customized instruction for groups and individuals, in all techniques (wire and fibre) and design. Feel free to contact us to discuss your ideas and we will be happy to accommodate your requirements by setting up a class or workshop just for your needs.

If you have any questions about the workshops, and/or to register, please contact us by e-mail at laceaway  @  gmail  dot com or by phone at 778 . 288 . 0720

Happy spring and happy lacemaking!

New work featured in the Gallery :