Posted on July 3, 2022
Wild, strong and full of character – that’s how I see the new bobbins from Jan de Maertelaere’s bobbin turning workshop.
Fine Bobbins in amazakoue wood are replacing the original Fine Bobbins in rosewood that are now sold out. Initially, the bobbins were made from Jan’s remaining stock of rosewood at time when tight restrictions were placed on international trade in rosewood due to its endangered status. The embargo is still in place, and the last Fine Bobbins from the original rosewood batch were sold out in Wire Lace Supplies Christmas Sale in 2021.
Looking for replacement, I asked Jan to suggest an alternate dark wood for the Fine Bobbins.
From the provided samples I selected the Amazakoue wood. Also known as Ovangkol, Mozambique or Shedua, Amazakoue is a superior hardwood lumber from Central West Africa. It has a deep yellow ochre/brown colour with contrasting dark streaks running throughout the wood grain. Zebra-like pattern shows well even in the small size of Fine Bobbin. The smooth wood, enhanced by a superb finish which Jan’s bobbins are famous for, has a wonderful touch. This is an important feature for a fine lacemaking tool, and especially for the bobbin that is recommended for palms-up working style. Holding these bobbins is a pleasure and twisting them in palms is an easy task – they move smoothly, swiftly and without a hitch.
And, as a bonus to connoisseur lacemakers, the Amazakoue, as a tone wood, promises a fine music on the lacemaking pillow!
The new Amazakoue Fine Bobbin for Wire Lace is available exclusively in my WireLaceSupplies shop on Etsy.
European lacemakers can purchase the bobbins directly from Jan De Maertelaere in Belgium.
Why Are the Dark Wood Fine Bobbins better for Silver Lace Work?
Pure silver is wonderful to work with and the Fine Bobbins are the perfect tool for a very delicate lace work.
When one project is finished and there are wire leftovers on the bobbins, it is easier to leave them for the next project instead of rewinding them back to a spool. Each manipulation, including the gentle winding and re-winding, affects the wire structure and as a result, its malleability. In the delicate lace work these changes are perceptible: with each handling the silver hardens, becomes a bit more brittle, and therefore slightly more difficult to tension. Leaving wires on the bobbins is a practical solution, but it poses a challenge:
Silver naturally tarnishes over time, especially in humid environment of maritime regions. My studio in Metro Vancouver is close to the seashore and fully exposed to moderate oceanic climate elements. Despite all preventive measures the silver wires tarnishes really quickly in this environment. Tarnish is actually a deposit of silver sulphide on the metal surface, which accumulates over time and eventually creates a black layer. When the tarnish develops on the wire wound on bobbins, the dark sulphide deposit can stain the wood. And it very obviously shows on Fine Bobbins made from light woods, like maple. For the perfectionist kind of a lacemaker (aren’t we all?) the dirty bobbins can be a bit of an eyesore.
The dark wood, such as Amazakoue, is forgiving, and makes it possible to store the silver wire on the bobbins until the next project. When the bobbins are emptied, they can be wiped clean with soft cloth.
The finished lace is easy to clean as well, and because the tarnish does not harm the silver beneath, its original lustre can be fully restored.
There is so much potential in lacemaking with precious metals, and I hope that the Fine Bobbins in amazakoue wood will find their way to serve many creative lacemakers/jewellers!
Category: Blog Tagged: bobbin lace in wire, Lenka's fine bobbins, silver
Posted on March 8, 2018
New TesseLace Pendants Collection is a unique creation in the world of lace as well as the world of jewellery. It has been designed with using a groundbreaking TesseLace program by Veronika Irvine, and made by hand in a traditional bobbin lace technique. The TesseLace TSL1 Pendant is based on a TesseLace grid 6x6_3 and explores the pattern interpretation in two colours.
A hybrid between traditional and contemporary, fibre and metal, lace and jewellery, TesseLace Pendants create category of their own and bring an excitement back into wearable lace art.
The TesseLace Pendant Collection as a tiny window into the magical world of lace. The square frame defines an area of focus, which is filled with intriguing pattern. The lace weave, created with very fine threads, exhibits lightness and delicacy unequalled in jewellery design. Its transparency works well with various background colours, an therefore offers many styling combinations.
Variations A, B, C, D and E are made from fibre, metal and crystal materials, which give the design very unique look and feel: black enamelled copper wire produces a body; stainless steel provides strength to the open lace weave; black pure silk contributes depth and softness; gold plated copper enriches with a precious detail; crystal beads and/or gold plated beads add highlights. All materials working together create a balanced sacred geometry pattern.
The TesseLace pendants connect the past and the future, and remind us to live in the present with awareness and appreciation.
I love to create these pendants. They represent the essence of lace design: a simple pattern can be worked in many variations by changing stitches and thread colours. As a result, each pendant is the same but different. This creative process is very interesting and rewarding for the designer, and it shows in the finished pieces. They carry the sense of wonder, and bring delight to discerning viewers and wearable art lovers.
These unique pendants appeal to connoisseurs of fine work and delicate ornament, as well as to the lovers of one-of-a-kind wearable art and understated luxury.
DETAILS:
Size: height 5.5 cm, width – 5.4 cm (approx. 2 1/8 inch)
Removable silk necklace
Available in Lenka’s Way of Lace shop on Etsy
Copyright©2018 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Category: Blog, tesselace, Wearable Art Tagged: amulet pendant, copper, needle lace, ocean collection, silver, stainless steel
Posted on November 18, 2014
Intensive Workshop for Beginners
This workshop introduces needle lace with silver wire, and covers working with fine wire, creating simple stitches, adding beads and finishing. Students also learn about different grades of silver wire; how to choose beads and semi-precious stones compatible with silver; how to clean and care for delicate silver lace pieces.
Class project: Needle lace pendant in silver with seed beads and clear quartz crystal pendulum.
One intensive session – 7 hrs of instruction.
Pre-requisite: Needle lace workshop in copper or stainless steel is recommended, or previous experience working with silver wire, such as knitting, crochet, wire wrapping or jewellery making.
Location: SOUTH SURREY ARTS CENTRE
14601 20 Ave, Surrey, BC
Sunday, Nov 30, 2014, 9:30 am – 4:30pm
Workshop fee: $105.00
Material cost: $30.00 (silver wire, frame, findings, seed beads, quartz crystal bead, printed instructions)
Tools: Bring if you have following, but everything will be available in the classroom:
Registration: By phone at 778 288 o72o or by e-mail at laceaway at gmail dot com
Please send a request and I will e-mail registration form to you.
Payment method: Cash, cheque, VISA, MasterCard and AMEX
Copyright©2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Category: Blog, School, Workshops Tagged: beginners, courses, jewellery, jewelry, lace instruction, lacemaking, needle lace, pendants, silver, wire
Posted on July 29, 2014
New needle lace Ocean Collection of amulet pendants is inspired by ever changing appearance of the Ocean Park Beach.
Every morning is different as sky and water blend in mix of colours and shades and give the beach unique mood and purpose for each day.
I feel tremendous awe contemplating the endless variations that had graced this shore for millions of years and I am deeply grateful for each moment that I can be present to witness this natural wonder.
Ocean Collection is tiny offering to immensely huge Pacific Ocean and calm, receptive shores of the Turtle Island.
Ocean Collection Amulet Pendants are made in various materials – silver, enamelled copper, stainless steel and gold plated copper, with semiprecious stones.
Needle Lace Amulet Pendants are miniature pictures that capture a moment in time. They happen spontaneously, without planning or drafting, imagination triggered by a feeling rather than an idea. Needle lace technique supports instinctive flow of work beautifully, allowing free movement of threads in the frame-defined space. Lace is made from very fine wire – copper, silver, gold or stainless steel – and is built slowly, one stitch at the time.
Copyright©2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Category: Needle Lace Tagged: amulet pendant, copper, needle lace, ocean collection, silver, stainless steel
Posted on March 29, 2014
Traditional Chantilly lace designs are the embodiment of delicacy, refinement and beauty. Their floral compositions offer an endless inspiration. I love Chantilly, it is my favourite lace. It always invites me to create. Projected into the three-dimensional space, the flowers and bouquets become alive in pendants, rings and necklaces. A difficult technique to master in metal, Chantilly also constantly challenges my skills and my patience. Each piece is a long journey, and at the end there is no better reward than to see how Chantilly lace jewellery accentuates the beauty of women who wear it.
Material: Silver, swarovski crystals
Photography: Kenji Nagai
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Category: Chantilly Tagged: chantilly, handmade bobbin lace, silver
Posted on February 23, 2014
Genoese Scallop Pendants are inspired by bold and beautiful patterns of the Genoese laces.
Lace made in Genoa was very popular in the Renaissance fashion. Wide scalloped patterns were firmly rooted in a sacred geometry of the early Renaissance, which gave them a mysterious strength and rare beauty. This was lace of choice for the famous standing and falling collars that supported many royal heads of the European courts of the 17th century.
Genoese lace is uniquely suited for original lace jewellery. The patterns, which did not loose any of their magic and still evoke a regal connection, bestow the quality of one-of-a-kind heirloom.
Material: Fine silver, gold plated with 24kt gold, with garnet (left) or fresh water pearls (right).
Material: Enamelled copper with onyx (left) or labradorite (right)
Material: Fine silver with watermelon tourmaline (left) or moonstone (right)
All but one in private collections.
Photography: Kenji Nagai
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Category: Renaissance Tagged: genoese lace, handmade bobbin lace, pendant, silver
Posted on February 22, 2014
Traditional Chantilly lace designs are the embodiment of delicacy, refinement and beauty. Their floral compositions offer an endless inspiration. I love Chantilly, it is my favourite lace. It always invites me to create. Projected into the three-dimensional space, the flowers and bouquets become alive in pendants, rings and necklaces. A difficult technique to master in metal, Chantilly also constantly challenges my skills and my patience. Each piece is a long journey, and at the end there is no better reward than to see how Chantilly lace jewellery accentuates the beauty of women who wear it.
Material: Sterling silver with swarovski crystals
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Category: Chantilly Tagged: chantilly, handmade bobbin lace, silver
Posted on February 22, 2014
Genoese Scallop Collection is inspired by bold and beautiful patterns of the Genoese laces.
Lace made in Genoa was very popular in the Renaissance fashion. Wide scalloped patterns were firmly rooted in a sacred geometry of the early Renaissance, which gave them a mysterious strength and rare beauty. This was lace of choice for the famous standing and falling collars that supported many royal heads of the European courts of the 17th century.
Genoese lace is uniquely suited for original lace jewellery. The patterns, which did not loose any of their magic and still evoke a regal connection, bestow the quality of one-of-a-kind heirloom.
Material: Fine silver with garnet beads
In private lace collection.
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Category: Renaissance Tagged: genoese lace, handmade bobbin lace, necklace, silver
Posted on February 22, 2014
Venetian Plaited Lace is one of the earliest handmade bobbin lace techniques, with origins dating back to the 16th century. Surviving books of patterns document early stages of the craft, and show the ingenuity of the first designers. With just a few pairs of bobbins they were able to create lace edgings of impressive variety and lasting beauty.
“Creative spirit is inherent in lace techniques – in that respect, lace is truly a daughter of the Renaissance.”
Venetian lace is an ideal technique for metal medium. Original patterns can be used as they are, without any adjustment. They are suitable for beginners, but they offer a lot of inspiration to the advanced lacemakers as well. We are lucky to have access to a wonderful book of early Venetian lace patterns, “Le Pompe”, which was originally published in Venice in year 1559 (facsimile with introduction by Santina M. Levey, technical section by Patricia C. Payne, drawings by Bridget M. Cook, 1983). Many patterns for my necklaces come from there.
Venetian Spires Necklace
Material: Fine silver with shell beads, silk ribbon
Venetian Choker
Material: Blue-enamelled copper, glass seed beads, silk ribbon
Photography: Kenji Nagai
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Category: Renaissance Tagged: handmade bobbin lace, silver, venetian
Posted on February 22, 2014
Mask and standing collar
Materials: Mask – silver plated copper; Collar trim – fine silver
Techniques:
Mask – Free-form three-dimensional bobbin lace, whole stitch and half stitch with braids and leaf tallies.
Scalloped collar trim – Handmade bobbin lace based on Genoese patterns from mid-17th century with typical scallops, geometrical design and leaf tallies.
Life size.
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Category: Renaissance Tagged: bobbin lace, genoese lace, mask, scalloped collar, silver