Lenka's Way of LaceWinter Solstice 2023
Posted on December 21, 2023
Dec 21, 2023
Long winter nights are conducive to retrospection, and this year I have a lot to reflect upon. In recent months I moved my lace studio to a smaller space, and in the process of downsizing I went through all things accumulated over the last thirty years. Shelves and drawers and boxes full of sketches, drawings, prickings, samples, notes… and so many wonderful memories!
A photo of a small sculpture called “Skating Free” propelled me back in time, to the end of the previous century (and millennium). It was such exciting time! Borders and boundaries fell, and many people in Europe experienced freedom for the first time in their lives. The historical change released huge amount of positive energy, and people were eager to share it. As internet made connections easier and communication faster, it seemed that the western world became one big creative lab.
In the lace world, after the centuries of closely guarded secrets amid fierce competition and trade wars, lacemakers who started to freely share their knowledge realized how much we all have in common – our passion for the craft, appreciation of its history, our enthusiasm to learn and to preserve the traditions for future generations. Inspiring each other we envisioned a brilliant future that our fine craft could play in modern textile arts. This spirit of unity sustained many international lace events which were attended by lacemakers from all over the world. The unique opening created space for new ideas, and lacemaking with wire was one of them. Not everybody was enthusiastic about it, and some traditionalist were strictly against such sacrilege, but the number of interested adventurous lacemakers was enough to allow the young seedling to take root and grow.
“Skating Free” was one of the small works I designed to explore wire lace possibilities. And also to revel in the freedom and natural beauty of my new country, Canada. I created several figure skaters, each with a different dress, all of them with long free-flowing hair. As the women/fairies skated away, one of them found home in the lace collection of Lia Baumeister-Jonker, a Dutch lacemaker, designer, researcher and educator extraordinaire. I met with Lia at various events and I admired her work, her teaching style and her outstanding accomplishments in the lace field. Lia’s support has meant a lot for me and encouraged me to continue with wire lacework.
Looking back, I think that “Skating Free” truly represents the spirit of one era, perhaps short-lived, but important for the modern lace art. It showed the potential of fine lacemaking techniques which can and will meet the needs of artisans and artists in the future.
Watching the world getting faster, and its evolution cycles shorter, the next impetus to live, love and create freely might not be that far away…
Cheers to the Solstice and happy creating to everyone!
Old Wise Trees in Australia and Germany
Posted on December 2, 2023
December 2, 2023
It’s always exciting when a new Old Wise Tree reaches my email inbox, and this month it was not one but four beautiful lace creations! They were perfectly timed, arriving in November, when the real trees in Vancouver present a spectacular display of colours before revealing delicate lacework of their bare branches.
The new lace trees added even more beauty to the season.
Christie Wareham-Norfolk from Tasmania, Australia, made her Old Wise Tree in wire. With gauge 32 copper in three shades, she achieved a subtle colouring and depth in the Torchon ground. Tightly braided branches and trunk render perfect contrast to the airy crown and intricate roots. Set against the dark variegated background Christie’s Old Wise Tree looks light, ethereal. It seems to be rising up, towards the celestial realm, carrying a message about earthly beauty.
In a well chosen custom frame this work stands out as a unique lace art.
Congratulations, Christie, and thank you for sharing your Old Wise Tree!
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Three following Old Wise Trees are completely different: strong, uninhibited and brimming with life.
These Old Wise Trees have grown in Germany, a land of enchanted forests which used to be populated by nature spirits – elves, goblins, nymphs – and perhaps still are, and Erika Quinque knows something about it. She is the author of a very original triptych of bold, vivid and mysterious trees.
Erika substituted the recommended thread with a thicker material – Garn von Woll Butt, Diana, size 10. Selection of colours produced striking effects. The shades and values’ dynamic interaction resulted in very interesting patterns, different in each crown. Upon observing the threads in geometrical Torchon ground one realizes how close can bobbin lace be to a woven fabric. In the tree centres the colours seem to change, and show more contrast between light and dark. The sheer volume of the material produces mighty branches, trunks and vigorous root balls that are able to stand firm and hold the ground. Adding to the spontaneity of the works is the openness of hand-painted backgrounds. Erika mentioned that she did not have any previous experience with watercolour painting, and just tried to give her trees original back drop. It worked very well for each tree, and the triptych overall. What an attestation to fearless creativity and animate spirits of the trees!
Well done, Erika! Thank you for contributing your set of Old Wise Trees to the Gallery.
It gives me a great pleasure to witness creativity of contemporary lacemakers. In the past, the craft was often confined to traditional patterns which were repeated with limited variations. I always believed that handmade bobbin lace is exceptionally well suited for creative expression, and this simple pattern is a proof beyond doubt. Every lacemaker interpreted the theme in a unique way, and created a very original lace picture.
And they all look amazing side by side in the Old Wise Tree Gallery!
Free Old Wise Tree Pattern and Tutorial was published on this website on January 16th, 2021.
As of November 30, 2023
- the page has been viewed 11041 times
- 2148 visitors downloaded the pricking
- 29 artworks from 6 countries on 3 continents have been submitted to the Old Wise Tree Gallery
A big THANK YOU to all participating lacemakers!
All lacemakers who create their original Old Wise Trees based on the free pattern are welcome to submit their lace art to the Old Wise Tree GALLERY!
Please consider reaching out by sending a photo of your tree with following information to following email:
Your Name + City / Country + Materials used + Pricking size (if different than the original 100%)
+ Optional: Notes (any specific information you would like to add)
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Disclaimer: By submitting the photo/s and requested information you agree that your work will be displayed in the Old Wise Tree Gallery hosted on this website.
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Happy lacemaking and old wise tree growing,
Lenka
Lenka's Way of Lace 