Do you remember my basket collection? Baskets collected from all corners of the world. Well, baskets are not the only thing I look for when I travel. In a glass cupboard in my studio (may be I should call my studio a travel museum.....) I keep a special box with lace, in the box I also have books, postcards and pamflets about the old lace industry from a wide range of places.
Vadstena in Sweden is known for its bobbin lace, and in the Elsa Peterson Bobbin Lace Shop I found this 87 years old lady selling the most beautiful pieces of handmade lace. She soon recognized my interest and told stories and showed me the different patters. I left the shop with a handkerchief and a bookmark, small, perfect pieces which I let glide through my fingers from time to time. True eye candies.
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April 2007, Marta, Terje, my dear Austrian friend Dagmar and I visted Burano in the Venezian lagoon. It was hard to look at anything else than the colourful houses on Burano, but if I did, my eyes were drawn to old ladies sitting outside their houses making lace. I don't think I will ever understand how they manage all the thin threads which are used the make the intricate patters.
A tablecloth, handkerchiefs and bookmarks are my memories from several visits to Burano.
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It was the summer of 2005. My mother celebrated her 75th birthday that year, and decided to give a special birthday gift to her family -a trip to Malta/Gozo. There were 18 of us, the oldest was my mum, the youngest was a bouquet of cousins celebration the fun of their lives. Tedre, on the small island of Gozo, I found a lively lace tradition. Old and new pieces, small and big. And some found their way into my suitcase.
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India is less then two weeks away. I wonder what I will find there to bring home as travel memories.
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Woooops, I almost forgot to mention Jesurum in Venezia. They have an outlet store close to "my flat" in Canareggio, and I go, see, buy every time I am in Venezia.
Who can resist their Botticelli Collection?
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Another lace lover is Pinar in Istanbul. I am hereby making her blog my Blog of the Week.
I am so glad I found your blog. Thanks for the information and beautiful photos here. I have loved following the links you give.
Posted by: Loella | October 05, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Britt-Arnhild, since I have visited France for years and years, I have fallen in love with French lace. Tongue in Cheek had a post about it not long ago. Did you see it?
Posted by: Anna Bluebell | October 05, 2008 at 10:57 AM
All that lovely lace is exquisite! There are so many wonderful lace-making places in Europe, so many types of lace...what treasures! This was such a pretty post--Thank you!
Oh, big news--you won the blue beads from my gift giveaway! Do stop by and see when you get a chance. I look forward to sending the beads to you to add to your stash of lovely things!
Happy Day, my friend ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | October 05, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I love lace, too, Britt-Arnhild. My sister took up lace-making a couple years back, but I know I don't think I really have the patience for it myself. I'll be in touch with you when I travel to see if you know of any good places for lace! :)
Posted by: suz | October 05, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Who could not admire and love this beauty? What a gift to have the patience to create laces so gorgeous.
Posted by: Annie | October 05, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Loved your post about lace. You will probably find lace in India. In my cupboards are the linens we use for special holidays. They are old and heavy and embroidered, some with lace, others with cutwork. These were brought back from India in the early 19oos when my Mom's auntie lived there. They were inherited by my Mom and then by me and I treasure them and enjoy their history every time I use them. have a great time and take lots of pictures!
Posted by: Ardi | October 05, 2008 at 05:36 PM
this my friend, is a delightful crush- i *wish* i could understand how they manage to keep all the threads in order too- it is truly a fine craft.
love the new photo of you at the top- you are a beautiful woman.
BIGLOVE to you Britt.
Posted by: elsa | October 05, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I remember seeing a wonderful older lady in traditional costume in Brugges, Belgium making lace. The creation of lace is a mystery to me.
Posted by: Linda | October 06, 2008 at 06:19 AM
this is a lovely post ..
lace is like life..
hard to create.. easy to consume..
I thank you very much for choosing me.. the blog of the week..
I have been soooo busy during the weekend that I have seen only today..
=)
lots of hugs.. and love.. from istanbul..
Posted by: pinar | October 06, 2008 at 10:33 AM