July Musings

June was a busy month as usual to start off my summer season. June 11^th through 14^th I was at the Folk Art Center demonstrating crochet lace in the glass-enclosed lobby, a very inviting oasis for visitors after quite a walk from the parking lot to the building. Being in the first spot right inside the door allowed me to welcome visitors and give a short introduction to our galleries, museum, exhibitions and demonstrators.

This prime location is also a bit larger than my usual spot near the Gallery, allowing me to bring my beloved little antique cradle to feature one of my Christening gowns on a designated baby table. This display attracted a great deal of attention and, once again, the baby items were very popular.

The weather has been very pleasant for outdoor activities, and we see many hikers on the beautiful trails around the Folk Art Center and on the Parkway. The bears are also out in full force, not just around the trails, but we see them in our parking lot and around the building. They mostly keep on walking, but it is suggested to give them the right of way! There are several living in my neighborhood along with foxes, deer and white squirrels. We all get along.

Early June also brought our annual neighborhood garage sale. It was advertised online and on every street corner in our little Asheville suburb; however, we noticed that the numbers of customers are dwindling, as well as the number of neighbors who participate. Many don’t want to go through the preparations and work involved to make it successful.

I always welcome the opportunity to release things I don’t need or use anymore, and many of us donate leftover treasures to our favorite nonprofit thrift stores. I also find a few things worth purchasing and keeping, at least until the next sale!

One important change I made in the house was replacing a huge picture of old-world maps over my couch with a three-dimensional leaf picture that had been hanging in my studio. Unfortunately, it was not appreciated there, but now it is prominently featured where it deserves to be.

In 1989 we were visiting an aunt in Canada and spent a great deal of time in the woods. I decided I needed to take a bit of those beautiful maple trees with me to Florida, so I gathered tree bark, moss and leaves and let them dry for almost a year. Then I trusted Michael’s framing department to mount everything exactly as I envisioned it, capturing the moment of a windburst lifting the fallen leaves. They left just enough space between my treasures and the non-glare glass to create the illusion of floating leaves.

My first restoration this month was a cute little white crochet lace dress created by my customer’s grandmother when she was a little girl. It had a few loose threads and broken connectors, and I reattached the skirt to the bodice.

While I was working, I kept thinking about how pretty a soft tulle petticoat and a velvet ribbon belt would look with the dress. When I mentioned this to my customer, she told me she has two sisters and they all had taffeta dresses and velvet belts in different colors. This little dress is now ready for her granddaughter.

Now I am working on a lady’s lace dress that was caught on a doorknob, tearing some of the netting and embroidery. Luckily, I can reconnect the netting to the adjacent embroidery and create invisible seams to restore the damaged areas. Images of that project will come next month when the job is completed.

I usually spend very little time on Facebook but found an interesting Reel last week. A young crocheter who collects hooks questioned the origin of the flat thumb rest found on most crochet hooks. After some research she discovered that German inventor August Knippenburg received a patent in 1896 for creating the thumb indentation to keep crochet hooks from rolling. Good for him! I can take it or leave it, but many crocheters find it very helpful.

July, of course, will bring grand celebrations commemorating America’s 250^th birthday. I hope you have your red, white and blue outfits or accessories ready, or perhaps something especially meaningful instead of the usual commercial T-shirt.

I am planning to create a red, white and blue lace crochet scarf from my own spiderweb pattern. It will pair beautifully with almost any solid-colored summer top.

I am already looking forward to my July demonstration at the Folk Art Center from July 23^rd through the 26^th. I’ll be back in my usual smaller spot, nestled between the display tables near the restrooms. It has become a favorite stop for visitors, giving me the chance to share my tools, threads, yarn and, most importantly, the stories behind the lace.

On that happy note, I wish you a wonderful Fourth of July filled with family, freedom and gratitude.

Happy Birthday, America—and many more to come!