A Makers Epiphany

Here is one way to show off vintage french lace

 scooped up on  Flea Market adventures. 

 A cuff made from lace, 

vintage buttons and cast off linen shirts.

A treasure trove of antique lace. Some was hand knotted, 

some was hand made broderie anglaise, with plenty of fine cotton cuffs

 and collars patiently un-stitched.

It was ravishing. 

I wanted to flop right into that box and  make lace/snow angels.

As a maker of stuff, I've had an epiphany.

You have to LOVE what you make, 

and that love has to be enough sustenance, 

because the hours put into making

it may never manifest as a balance in your account.

The joy of making has to enough.

See:

 These two were stitched quietly 

while sitting at Berlin cafes, or bars, 

on pit stops while traversing the city.

There are happy hours here,

 hand stitching, chatting, choosing 

which tiny piece of antique lace goes on next, 

and who may have worn it.

The reverse side was equally important.

 I kept returning to certain spots

 till I was happy. There are two - one single cuff, 

and one made from the collar of a linen shirt, looping

 twice about the wrist.

The love of making has to be enough.

 After all, its not like I'll stop making stuff, right?

So when the gorgeous man says, "hey you've spent a long time
on that cuff,"
 I will nod and smile.

The serenity of the Buddha will
accompany me to the Artisan Market Stall.

I know my stuff is a niche market.
It's limited edition, and off beat.
It does not suit everyone,
 but it suits me.

And at last I am happy with that.
This, I think was the big take-away
from being with Julie Arkell.

No longer will I groan at the market when they drop
 that piece like a hot cake after learning the price.

When  they gently replace the item

 with an embarrassed half smile

 because it was more than they thought, 

even though they love it.

I won't even sneer inwardly when they make my favourite-
 the "I could've made that," face.

No.

 Here's what I'll be thinking:

The casual tosser - You clearly don't know vintage french lace when you see it.  This person is clearly not my target audience.

The hot cake drop - "I think I saw something made in china over on Etsy that would suit you."
 This person is not my target audience

The Face - "Yeah you could make it, but I did."   Smile to myself because they probably won't ever make it themselves.

Yes indeedy, sheer love is all I need.

 The satisfaction of a thing made with love. 

This is the legacy from my trip.

After all, how do you tally up

 the time, travel and toting to find stuff

 that calls your name from a tatty cardboard box,

schlepp it back in a suitcase, (pay extra luggage fees at the airline)

wash and iron it, stitch it, stitch it some more,

 tip out 1000 buttons to find the right vintage one to suit.

Photograph it, edit that photo, post it here,  post it there,

write about it, pack it up again

 or do more schlepping to a market stall?

No. Love. 

At peace with my makings.

Let's see how long it lasts...