Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Lost Art and My Gratitude

I participated in my first market on Friday.

Most commonly heard remarks at market were:

"My grandmother/grandfather/mother/aunt (or insert other deceased relative here) used to tat."

"That is a lost art."

I had a really great time at the market. Not so much for the selling, because there was precious little of that, but for the conversations I had with people. Most just wanted to share their experience, reminisce about family. One said he fell asleep while his mother sat in his room tatting each night. Some expressed regret that they didn't learn, others said they had tried and failed. A few said that they had learned but let it go. A few more said they would like to learn.

For the better part of the six hours, I was sitting at my table tatting one thing or another. I would spy someone across the aisle, whispering to a friend, "That's tatting." I always did my best to catch their eye and grin at them. I let them know that I appreciated the fact that they recognized what I was doing. It usually started a nice conversation.

Quite a few people stopped and stared. I grinned at them as well. I invited them to watch, really, I don't mind. I made silly faces when a stitch failed to flip, I grimaced dramatically as I struggled with knots. I told one group that my friends (that would be you, gentle readers) and I were intent on dragging tatting kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century. I tried to make it accessible, not quite so mysterious. People seemed to take to it.

In all, I will take it as a success. My name and work are out there. I have already signed up for the next market in March. One positive note is that since things didn't sell, I have stock on hand. I also have the ability to plan better for my next outing.

I continue to be thankful for my friends and family and their support of my hobby gone crazy. They have been so encouraging about something they don't always understand.

I am also very thankful, to you, gentle readers, for your support. You understand what goes into it and your comments carry more weight because of it.

10 comments:

  1. It's always delightful when someone purchases an item I've made, but I most enjoy just demonstrating and chatting with our visitors. Twenty years ago our group had to agree with our visitors that tatting was becoming a lost art. Even we had difficulty finding supplies, and didn't necessarily have the time to teach.

    But the miracle of the internet happened and we can now give them websites where they can learn about tatting, and there are youtubes/videos to teach them. And there are now threads and shuttles and patterns in great abundance. This is a wonderful time to be tatting! And it's great that you are demonstrating in person! This can lead to other opportunities and places to sell or demonstrate your work! You may even be interviewed by local newspapers. It's still considered an unusual craft! I'm glad your family is supportive!

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    1. I did my best to steer them towards shops and sites that would help them. I planted the seed. When I go back in March, we'll see if anything has taken root.

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  2. Sounds pretty much like my experiences every labor day weekend at Rollag. One thing that also works for me, is to have a large shuttle wound with large thread and a second color ball. Any one who expresses even a tiny bit of interest, I grab that off the table and show them what I am doing. With the large thread and 2 colors it is easier for them to see the double stitch. It has created more interest in the passers by. I allow those you want to try with the shuttle and threads. A couple kids have even tried to do it, since I have demo materials available.

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    1. I do have a tatsy full of thread I could let them try. Thanks for the tip!

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  3. Funny how when tatting in public, we all seem to hear the same type of comments from people, no matter where we are. I heard same things from people this past weekend at the Milwaukee Domes event. Hope you get lots of sales at your next market!

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    1. I know, it is yet another thing we tatters have in common, besides our practicing a lost art and shared addiction to threads (and shuttles and pattern books and...)

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  4. It sounds like a wonderful day! I love to converse about tatting!

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    1. It really was. Any time I can walk away with some laughs and new friends, I'm good. And who would complain about being able to tat for a few hours? I mean, really!

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