The Lace Guild facts for kids
The Logo of the Lace Guild based on the Wheel of St Catherine of Alexandria, Patron Saint of Weavers, Spinners and Lacemakers
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| Formation | 1976 |
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| Type | Craft Organization |
| Purpose | To encourage the craft of lacemaking |
| Headquarters | The Hollies |
| Location |
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The Lace Guild is a special group in the UK for people who love making lace. It is a registered charity, which means it helps people and does not make money for itself. It is also an accredited museum and an educational organization.
The main goals of The Lace Guild are to share information about lacemaking. They teach about its history and how lace is used today. They also want to help people make really good lace. The Guild encourages new lace designs and helps lacemakers show their work professionally.
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Discovering The Lace Guild's Story
The Lace Guild started in 1976. This was because many people in Britain became interested in lacemaking again. Lacemaking has been a craft in Britain since the 1500s.
The first leader of The Lace Guild was Doreen Wright. In 1985, The Lace Guild got its own permanent home. This building is called 'The Hollies' and is in Stourbridge, England. Paid staff work there to help run the organization.
In 2001, The Lace Guild celebrated its 25th birthday. They published a book about their history. In 2009, The Lace Guild Museum became officially recognized. This means it meets high standards for museums.
Joining The Lace Guild
Even though The Lace Guild is based in Britain, anyone can join. You do not have to live in the UK to be a member.
Members get to choose a special committee. These people are called Trustees and they help run the charity. They serve for three years. The committee tells members what they have been doing each year. This happens at a big meeting called the Annual General Meeting (AGM). This meeting is held during their yearly convention.
What The Lace Guild Does
The Lace Guild creates a magazine called Lace. This magazine comes out four times a year. Members receive it as part of their membership.
The Guild also publishes many books. These books often teach people how to make different kinds of lace. They also help lacemakers improve their skills. They have a special program to check the quality of lace made by members.
The Lace Guild has a very large library. Members in Britain can borrow books from it. They can visit in person or have books sent to them by mail. The Guild's website also has lots of information. You can learn about the history of lacemaking there.
They organize different events for members. These include courses and a summer school. They also have an annual convention. Every three years, they hold a big competition where lacemakers can show their best work.
Exploring The Lace Guild Museum
The Lace Guild's main building, 'The Hollies', has a huge museum. This museum has a large collection of lace and other related items.
The museum has a special room where they show different exhibitions. These exhibitions feature lace from their collection or from other places. The themes of these exhibitions change every three months.
The exhibitions are open to everyone, not just members. You can visit on Fridays. If you want to visit on other days or with a large group, you need to make an appointment first. If you want to see a specific piece of lace from their collection, you can also arrange that.
The Lace Guild also has an email service called 'Artefact of the Month'. If you sign up, you will get an email each month. It will show you a picture of a special item from the museum's collection.
