News from Simsalabim

At Simsalabim, there is always something happening and sometimes I go where things happen. On this page, you will find all the important news that will help you discover what Simsalabim is all about.

Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework

After having gained a Certificate in Technical Hand Mebroidery in 2002, I am now continuing with a Diploma. Having started in Autumn 2009, I will probably finish my diploma work in Autumn 2011 or Spring 2012. A minimum of six techniques have to be worked, my choices will probably be Advanced Goldwork, Advanced Silk Shading, Appliqué, Blackwork, Stumpwork and Whitework. There is also the possibility to do Box making, Tassels, Smocking and some other optional courses.

Machine lace becomes handmade lace

In Summer 2008, I had the opportunity to do some research at the City Museum of Jakobstad (Finland) on the former machine lace factory Lassfolks. Having seen many wonderful machine laces, I would like to transform these into handmade laces. This is a long-term project, including technical drawing and sampling. Unfortunately, time is a product that I lack for the moment, but I hope that one day I will be able to start this wonderful project. The result will probably be a book on the Lassfolk lace including the patterns for the handmade laces.

Thread Art Marathon

At the end of 2007, an idea crossed my mind : why not organise a Thread Art Marathon, to attract people's attention to the fact that Thread and Needle Art is dying out in Romandie? Fine, but why a marathon? Well, it would be absolutely fantastic to gather a great number of lace-makers, weavers, embroiderers and other thread art fans and have them show their skills to the public, for example in a museum or a castle. Each participant would show his or her skills for one or two hours at a time, then another participant would take over and so on. This could be done over a period of 22 hours (half-marathon) or 42 hours. Several people could be active simultanously. Why not 3 lace-makers, 1 weaver and 5 embroiderers participating in the marathon at the same time? There would be a central team to organize the event, and clubs, corporations, guilds and individuals could then enrol for either one or more hours.

Then another idea sprung into my mind. Why not at the same time try to break a record in the Guinness Book of Records?! Apparently, no Thread Art Marathon record has been registered, and this would be the perfect occasion to do it. So if possible, I would like to combine the Marathon with the breaking of a record.

At first, I wanted to organize the Marathon at Simsalabim, but since my Studio is rather limited in space, this woul be slightly difficult, since I believe the Marathon will require a more solid structure. It would be ideal to find a museum, a manor or a castle that couldreceive such an event, perhaps in association with a temporary exhibition. another idea would of course be to offer workshops during the day, to let the public, both children and adults, try lacemaking, weaving and embroidery. So far, I have contacted two castles but have not yet received their answer, so I will continue my search for a reliable partner.

My first idea was to organize this event in Autumn 2008, but since the idea has developed since then, I think it would be wiser to fix the date with the partner that I will hopefully find soon.

In order to make this Marathon come true, quite a few participants and people helping out benevoluntely will be needed. The Marathon will need people working their thread art for several hours, and others will give workshops during the day. If you would like to participate in the Thread Art Marathon, please contact me as soon as possible by calling me (+41-(0)21-601 06 26) or by sending me an e-mail. Everybody is welcome, as long as you want to participate actively.

A special thanks to the Valais lacemakers that have already promised to participate in the event. I hope to have the support of the Union de l'Artisanat Suisse and the Fédération des Dentellières Suisses, as well as numerous embroidery clubs and fans.

Creation of embroidery kits

In 2007, I created a few embroidery kits and I have to admit that I quite enjoyed it. I would now like to go on creating a whole series of kits that will be available in La Boutique (on-line shop). I have several motives that I wouls like to transform into kits, and an embroiderer, Magalie, who is very talented in drawing has offered her talents to create unique kit motives.

The themes of the kit series will remain simple : scenes inspired from nature, the four sesons, animals but also from medieval art and embroidery. More abstract motives might also be worked into kits.

The Tablet Weavers' Club

I am looking for peole in Romandie who know tablet weaving, in order to create a club. The aim of this club would be to meet perhaps once or twice a year to exchange experiences over tablet weaving. Are you a tablet weaver and interested in this idea? Then contact me by clicking here or give me a ring (+41-(0)21-601 06 26.

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