The Lacis Museum Newsletter

June 2nd, 2011

Dear Friends of LMLT,

This Week
Last Saturday, friends came to make KANZASHI flowers, staff member Erin Mannion sharing her own talents and tips, to make them bloom from folded pieces of fabric. Some of the visitors who were familiar with this traditional Japanese technique, shared their knowledge, demonstrating the elaborate folding which would then be secured with glue.
For groups planning Museum/Exhibit tours, we are receptive to repeat this demonstration as part of your visit if requested in advance.



The LMLT Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LacisMuseum) is gathering friends, thanks to Karen and we ask our friends to keep us informed of events you would like to share.  Please pass on any comments to facebook@LacisMuseum.org, The Newsletter is featured on our Facebook.
 
Events
2011 EXHIBITS
FOUNDATIONS: THE MAKING OF THE SILHOUETTE, the Spring Costume exhibit runs through July 30, 2011, focusing on undergarments and how they shaped us. Complimented by the wax life-like mannequins on loan from Ellen Thomsen, the exhibit is a vividly transports the visitor into a world of unreal fantasy.  

The Exhibit is open during all museum hours, Monday through Saturday, from Noon to 6:00. Tours of the Gallery are available on request. If planning a visit, a call ahead would be appreciated.  Group tours are likewise welcomed and custom tours and exhibits can be arranged.  



September, 17, 2011 to February 4, 2012.
THE KNITTED LACE OF ESTONIA .

Our Fall textile exhibit will focus on lace knitting and its manifestations in relation to the alternate Estonian knitting disciplines, as well as the knitted lace in the cultures of Russia, Shetland, Germany and other geographic enclaves where lace knitting became the spirit of the soul.
Nancy Bush, sharing her love of Estonia, will be taking a curatorial role and will develop educational programs coordinated with the exhibit.  September 17, 2011 to February 4, 2012, with a Friday evening opening party on September 16.

An invitation is extended to lace knitters, who have ventured into the cultural knitted laces of the exhibit and who would like to share their accomplishments, to submit photos of their work for consideration as to inclusion in this exhibit.
 
 
 Shetland Lace Shawl,  19th c.
  
 
Classes
(Note: Class schedules subject to change. Confirm dates prior to registering)

July 20-23, 2011 (Wednesday thru Saturday)

CLONES IRISH CROCHET LACE with Maire Treanor. Maire will return for another workshop following thImpossible to take for granted the world we live in, now realizing that our survival is our fortune. Our homes, our possessions and even our lives exist at the whim of forces beyond our control. Each day precious, each day to have meaning. Here our purpose is carry forward the past, to remember to  learn from...not to disregard but to preserve. e overwhelming success of the one she hosted last  year.  A world recognized expert in Crochet and its relation to the Irish culture, this workshop will be a continuation of her earlier offering and will be suited to new as well as prior students. In addition to introducing new motifs of her own designs she will cover edging techniques and jewelry.
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Maire resides in Ireland and is dedicated to keeping alive Ireland’s rich textile traditions. She is author of  “CLONES LACE, The Story and Patterns of an Irish Crochet”
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LECTURE: Friday, July 22nd, 7:00 PM. Appealing to lace makers and non-lacemakers with a cultural interest in Ireland, a Power Point presentation by Maire of her world of Clones and Clones Lace its impact on the economic survival of Ireland in the 19th c. and its impact today on restoring the cultural traditions of Ireland.
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Note: Those coming from out-of-town might want to consider staying at the “Rose Garden Inn” where prior attendees to Maire’s class have reserved a block of rooms. Offering charm, friendliness and a great gratis buffet breakfast, the Inn is a short 15 minute walk to LMLT which will take you through the Berkeley Bowl, world renown marketplace. www.rosegardeninn.com




July 29-30 (Friday & Saturday)
FRENCH FLOWER MAKING with Jan Wutkowski. Using the hot iron flower tools Jan will teach the age old secrets and techniques for making flowers in the French tradition. Two sessions will focus on roses and orchids but the skills learned  will enable you to make other custom realistic and imaginary flowers that are marketed for hundreds of dollars. To assure the class schedule, registration should be made no later than July 1.

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August -5-6 (Friday & Saturday)
FRENCH COUTURE EMBROIDERY & TAMBOUR BEADING with Robert Haven. A workshop on French Couture Embroidery. Robert Haven, a professor at the University of Kentucky, studied at the house of Lesage in Paris and recently produced the definitive DVD on Tambour Beading, divulging the subtle embroidery techniques used for the world’s famous couture houses   Winning several awards for his work he been a major force in the revival of this almost forgotten technique.. Some of his work can be seen at http://web.me.com/rwhaven/Professional_/Welcome.html

LECTURE,  Friday, August 5, 7:00 PM. A Power Point presentation by Robert on Tambour Beading and his work. Open to the public.

August 13 (Saturday)
MAKING HAIR WEFT FOR COSTUMERS with Lynn McMasters. Learn how hair is woven to make weft as they have for hundreds of years on a simple three thread loom. The weft will be used to make switches, long curls, chignons or, for those taking the “False Fronts” class, can be saved for use in this class. No prerequisite required.
 
 Period Switch

August 20 (Saturday)
MAKING FALSE FRONTS FOR COSTUMERS AND REENACTORS with Lynn McMasters. Learn to make false fronts, choosing to make simple curly bangs (good for 1860-1910) hairstyles or a more advanced false front for a Romantic Period (late 18th c.) hairstyle. If you have the weft you made in the weft class you can make a braided false front (1850s) hairstyle. All the projects use a simple hook technique to make the false fronts. Your will also learn how to steam curl synthetic hair., No prerequisite required

 
                    Chignon and Bangs

Fall Programs will include new ribbon classes by Patrice Krems, following her popular Spring flower making classes 
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September 10  (Saturday)
NAUTILUS COCKADE with Patrice Krems
The Nautilus Cockade is a perennial favorite because you will gain the knowledge to transform flat ribbons into a three dimensional nautilus shells that can be varied in countless different ways giving you every opportunity to display or wear your ingenuity. In this class you will learn how to make a vintage style Nautilus Shell Cockade and also how to give them a modern twist. 


October 1 (Saturday)
SUN BURST COCKADE with Patrice Krems

You will be most familiar with the Sunburst Rosette Cockades on military tricorn hats in the Revolutionary War and cloche hats and dresses in the 1920’s.The Sunburst Rosette Cockade is a vintage style favorite that can be modified in countless different ways and give you every opportunity to display or wear your ingenuity. Among the techniques you will learn is how to make beaded stamens. Also, learn how this vintage style cockade can be also be transformed into delightful dangling flowers twirling like whimsical ballerinas from the ends of the gimp stems.


October 15 (Saturday)
CABOCHON ROSES with Patrice Krems
Learn how to make these classic vintage style Cabochon Roses.  Whether a dainty bud or with spectacular open petals with rolled ribbon edges, these beauties will 
enchant you. You  will be mesmerized as the cabochon roses will come to life and bloom from flat ribbon.


Details on all classes and workshops 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 community of friends.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP
This steadily growing group meets on the third Saturday of each month from 1 - 3. Hosted regularly by Beth Lysten and on occasion by Maria Jose Munoz, all are welcome to learn, share and support this timeless art. If curiosity persists, we would encourage participation in the more formal bobbin lace classes offered at LMLT.  The group will nest meet Saturday, June 18th from 1 - 3.



TEXTILE CLINIC.
LMLT offers a free clinic on the third Monday of each month from 2 - 4:00,  offering guidance as to identification, restoration, conservation, repair, storage and value as related to lace, costume, rugs, quilts and virtually any other textile. Our own “Road Show,” bring and share what may or may not be those treasures. Next clinic will be June 20th.
                 
Details are available on our web site at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.

New in the Shop

 GARGOYLES, Alex Woodcock (SM27). Serpents’ heads and grotesque demons for the purpose of shedding rainwater from roofs. A fascinating insight into our fantasies...in stone.

ALEXANDER McQUEEN: SAVAGE BEAUTY, ed Andrew Bolton (YA32). Arguably the most influential, imaginative and provocative
designer of his generation exploring fashion beyond the human form.

POMP AND POVERTY, A HISTORY OF SILK IN IRELAND, Mairead Dunlevy (YA31). A fascinating story of silk and wealth in Ireland as related to the silk trade and the exploitive conditions of the workers.

VICTORIAN GOWNS BY WORTH 1867-1898, ed by Millicent Rene (AP91). An extraordinary collection of 116 gowns by the style setter of the late 19th c. with colorful contemporary descriptions as gathered from Harper's Bazar.

AP90  VICTORIAN FOOTWEAR 1867-1868, ed by Millicent Rene (AP90).. From Harper's Bazar, a contemporary collection of shoes, boots, legginmgs, slippers, muffs and appropriate embroidery designs and contemporary pictorial advertising.
Impossible to take for granted the world we live in, now realizing that our survival is our fortune. Our homes, our possessions and even our lives exist at the whim of forces beyond our control. Each day precious, each day to have meaning. Here our purpose is to carry forward the past, to remember to  learn from...not to disregard but to preserve.

ABALONE BUTTONS (OC26, OC27, OC28). Beautiful, multi-colored shell buttons available in .7”, .8” and 1.1” diameter.

CHINESE SILVER HAIR ORNAMENT (SO93). Traditional Chinese knot design with spangles.


CARVED BONE STILETTOS (SO84).  Decorative 6" stilettos with animal end hand carvings.
 

KNITTING NEEDLES, “BLACKTHORN” LACE (TO30). These exotic carbon alloy needles get rave reviews by lace knitters, including Nancy Bush, for their tack, points, flexibility and comfort. 6-1/2” long, available in 5-needle sets, sizes: 2-0,  3-0,  and 4-0.

Closing Thoughts

Impossible to take for granted the world we live in, now realizing that our survival is our fortune. Our homes, our possessions and even our lives exist at the whim of forces beyond our control. Each day precious, each day to have meaning. Here our purpose is to carry forward the past, to remember to  learn from...not to disregard but to preserve.
Jules Kliot, Director

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