We’re home and I’m catching up on four days of blog reading and spied these lamps by Caitlin Holcomb on Decor8. What a wonderful way to showcase the craftsmanship (craftswomanship?) of lace. In my History of Textiles class last term I developed a enormous respect for the women who made lace — it is extremely difficult and requires patience, skills and time I simply will never develop.
Ladies in the crowd, let’s all take a moment to be thankful we are born in the modern age: born any earlier and most of us would have spent our lives creating textiles of one kind or another (from homespun to lace). A bit of hyperbole, but not far from truth. There is nothing wrong with making textiles if that is your passion — however, having that be your prescribed role is another thing altogether. I have some lace my great-grandmother made and would love to have it outside the linen drawer, as a testament to her creativity and to remind myself to be thankful every advantage we often take for granted. Caitlin does custom work — I wonder if she’d take my lace and turn into something wonderful? Check out her Etsy store here.
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Lately I’ve been drawn to textiles and textile art. If you can believe it, I even attended a seminar on the history of crazy quilts at the local museum. It was fascinating. These lamps are wonderful. I’d like to do some textile art – but with a modern twist. I would have hated being forced into lace-making years ago. That would have been torture!
I think one of my favorite parts about making these shades is daydreaming about the ladies who made them. Where they came from..what they were used for..what they were thinking when they made them. That’s one of the big reasons I am so drawn to vintage materials. It warms my heart to keep them in use.
Thanks again for this lovely post, Abbey!
-Caitlin
these are stunning. they really do show how beautifully intricate lace can be.
lacemaking requires such skill, creativity and energy. i have so much respect for those who involve themselves in that art. lovely post.
I just love these!