This week I have been busy successfully squishing my lace-making equipment into a space half the size it was originally in! I also made a new bobbin roll for my bobbins as the old one was on it's last legs - I found a lovely William Morris off-cut for it in my stash so also made a little space in my fabric box - woohoo - double space-saving success this week!
Many years ago I used to paint bobbins and sell them - it was quite a success and I had lots of lovely ladies who collected them. The designs had to be easy to replicate and not too detailed as I could easily be painting 50 of the same design at any one time! During my sorting I came across my collection of Honiton bobbins that I painted for myself and thought I'd share a few of them with you - I don't make Honiton lace anymore as it's very fine and my 'old' eyes struggle with it, but I've held on to the bobbins 'just in case'!
If you wondered why these don't have beads (spangles) on the ends, Honiton bobbins don't as the lace is a lot finer than other laces so they would be too heavy and also there can be a fair amount of threading the bobbins through loops which would be much more difficult with spangles on the end.
I'm linking up with Julia over at WOYWW this week.
WOW!! those bobbins are just stunning! I have no idea how you can paint something so intricate. Have a great week - happy lacemaking!! Helen #2
ReplyDeleteMorning Diana. Double space saving! I am impressed!! Those bobbins in their roll look great - and a William Morris fabric somehow seems so appropriate. Loving the ones you painted for your Honiton lace.
ReplyDeleteTake care. Stay safe. God bless.
Margaret #3
Those bobbins are amazing Diana, no wonder they used to sell so well. Glad you managed to double space save too lol. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #8.
ReplyDeleteDiana, those bobbin are so beautiful, and you painted them all! Wow!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Chris #10
No wonder you had avid followers waiting to buy those bobbins, they are exquisite! And so tiny...I don't know how you had the patience to do them. I love the double sided roll you made for the spangly bobbins, such a great idea and a win win with the stash clearing/sorting - woohoo!
ReplyDeleteHugs LLJ 4 xxx
The boobins are lovely and I can see why people wanted them, They are lovely, Glad you manage to get all the things in the smaller place,
ReplyDeleteLilian B #15
Oh my word, Diana - your painted bobbins are utterly exquisite. Spangles would be gilding the lily in their case. What wonderful intricate flowers and stems, and I love that some of them also have the shady undergrowth at the foot. Lovely to see your double-space-saving new William Morris bobbin roll. It's the perfect pattern, so soft and pretty. And hurrah for getting everything sorted into half the space!
ReplyDeleteAlison x
How fascinating Diana, I didn’t know that about Honiton bobbins. Although of course, if I’d even thought to follow through about the difference in the laces, I *might* have worked it out! The painted bobbins are a delight..I would be finding a cut glass vessel to display those in somewhere. Love that by making space you’re er, making space, my word the knock on effect of these things..!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful these are! I know nothing about lace making other than it looks complicated! I had no idea that decorated bobbins was a thing but I can sure see why. Well done on the space saving - we all love that! Happy WOYWW, stay safe, stay well, hugs Cindyxx #12
ReplyDeleteOh my!!!! They are so awesome those bobbins, wow. Making laces are something I haven't tried, but I have admired those who make the so much!! I love how you painted them.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing!
Happy WOYWW
Mariane #26
http://art.cordes.re
Wow Diana! Brilliant work on those handmade Honiton lace bobbins, and doubly brilliant on fitting it all in . You MUST be happy
ReplyDelete.
Half hour ago I commented on last week.
Cos dopey was using last weeks Julia page.
So you've double!
Mmm. That's wonderful re Walter Morris find, great work. I've a bag made with Walter Morris fabric that I bought in Nth Wales in 2012. He had wonderful designs.
Happy WOYWW 😊
Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X #21
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Adoring the hand painted bobbins and the case you made to keep them all in too. Actually hate going away, don't travel well, beds always uncomfortable (I must be a princess), find eating outside of home difficult so going away is rather challenging for me and certainly nothing I look forward to. Quite like this lockdown for those reasons, love home! Thanks for the visit BJ#7
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - those bobbins are beautiful - so delicate and perfect designs for such dainty lace work. Your little storage case for them is ideal. xx Jo
ReplyDeleteWow, those bobbins are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI’m very impressed with you being able to do lacemaking and now you’re telling me you’ve painted these stunning bobbins. Wow Diana, you never seize to amaze me how talented you are.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us.
Much love lynn xxx 14
Hi Diana, those bobbing are quite exquisite. I can see why you kept them, how gorgeous, and intricate - I would surely not have had the patience, never mind not having the skill. Glad you managed to double up on some space saving. I have to consolidate space in my craft room, which is now my home office, so that I can still use it as a bedroom for my grandchildren. That's my challenge for the next month - figure out how I can manage to make it an office/craft room/ bedroom! Have a lovely week and stay safe and well, Heather xx #13
ReplyDeleteHi Diana, I so love those bobbins. Some years ago I had a few and was surprised how much they sold for on eBay. I still regret letting them go but I guess you can't keep everything though I do give it a good go! Wishing you a very happy and creative woyww, Angela x20x
ReplyDeleteThere is no end to your talent - those bobbins are beautiful. Sorry I am late posting , I still have about 5 bags of "stuff" to sort though - I NEED more space! Have a fab week xx Soojay
ReplyDeleteSorry I am so late, had a bad day yesterday and today is not much better as yet. But did have two and a bit days of no pain before.
ReplyDeleteI love your bobbins. That painting on them is exquisite and I can just imagine it taking hours to do them but I guess if you got to do 50 of one design you quickened up considerably. Not surprised you kept them, they are heirlooms.
Hugs, Neet 6 xx
These bobbins are absolutely beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that you did them in 50s!
I am sure the ladies who bought them must treasure them.
Take care, Susan #39
Hi Diana, beautiful bobbins, and fascinating information about them. I'm always interested in learning new info, even if I'll never use it, lol. Stay safe, have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #16 X
ReplyDeleteHi Diana, I love your bobbins, especially the handpainted ones. I think I said last week, my Gran did bobbin lace, including Honiton lace until her eyes couldnt do the intricate patterns any more. Happy Belated WOYWW. Take care and stay safe. With love & God Bless, Caro x (#34)
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, beautiful paintings on the bobbins, very tiny and delicate. Angela #38
ReplyDeleteOh they are so beautiful Diana, I love your painted bobbins, and the sweetnes and beauty of your way of painting them .They are so won derful - Congratulation also for having also made the new William Morris bobbin roll, and for saving place at the same time :-) . Hugs Dorthe xo
ReplyDeleteYour bobbins are just goooorgeous, Diana! Especially the Honiton ones, which I recognised instantly. I used to have some very pretty ones myself, and my Dad turned some lovely ones for me on his lathe. I think I may still have them somewhere, but I did give my lace pillow to a friend who was continuing with the lacemaking. Seeing your bobbins really brought back some memories! Your painting is so delicate and pretty. Well done making a new case for your bobbins, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit. I am running very late this week as well, having been busy in the kitchen and with other things, and getting very behind. Yes, the dress is aubergine colour, although it was described by Ebay as "purple" - both fav colours so no problem! I am very pleased with it. I am also very pleased with the revamped pantry. When it was first being built, I did a lot of research online and everyone recommended not having anything stored more than 2 items deep, or you won't find things easily. This was what it was like with the awful old cupboard that used to be in that space - I had to take everything out before I could find anything, and would often end up with more than one of something, and old stuff lingering at the back and going off. It's much better now, with everything on view, and with the shelves going in a horseshoe around a central space, everything is reachable, and I can just turn around and put what I want onto my trolley. It is a very small space, but it's amazing how much you can get in with a bit of organisation. The new Really Useful Box drawers and the extra boxes brought down from upstairs have totally solved the problem of the chaos of the bottom shelves too.
I am pleased to have finished the black jumper. The green cardigan is proving more of a problem and I am now on attempt #3 to get the band right - hopefully it will be OK this time! I don't really mind because I just do it while watching TV and there's no deadline on it. I'm hoping to have it ready to show everyone on Wednesday.
Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi x #22
You never cease to amaze me!!
ReplyDeleteOOps! I did see this post - and commented. yes, they are beautiful but somehow the new blue ones look very different. Well, they are very different.
ReplyDeleteHugs Neet (who talks in riddles at times) xx
I took over a cherished set of painted bobbins recently - Honiton - and so loved the connection of painted bobbins...expanded the energy of the lace inexplicably!
ReplyDeleteSo have started personalising with painting my own...