Letter to the readers

Very dear readers:

It is so wonderful to be able to share with you the photos and facts about our Second International Lace Event in this issue of La Encajera! We truly had world-wide participation - besides participants from all over Europe and Spain, We had people from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean and even South Africa! It was great to see lace lovers sharing knowledge and experiences. Old friends were reunited and new friends were made with promises to meet again. No boundaries could separate us - age, culture, language nor origin mattered as the language of lace became our means of communication. There were also lots of hugs, kisses and even tears when it came time to say goodbye.

The fan competition was also a great success. Each participant had to design and then complete a lace fan. In all, we received 22 entries from all over the world; you can see exactly where they came from on page 6. We also awarded 3 wonderful prizes, see what they were on page 6 as well.

Winners were selected anonymously by the wonderful and brilliant group of 8 teachers had who had so patiently taught classes during the event. Even though they were experts in their particular disciplines I know how difficult it was for them to decide on the best fans. I was secretly relieved that I was not among the judges - the fans were all so good, each fan seemed to be more spectacular than the previous one. First prize went to Esther Gomara of Madrid who made the delicate Withof Duchesse lace fan on the cover. Esther explains to us how she designed it on page 6.

There are colour photos of all the participating fans on page 25. Congratulations to all winners and many, many thanks to all the participants.

We have a wonderful story on page 7 told by Manie Kriel, who participated in the event. He came all the way from South Africa and shares his Spanish experience with us.

Besides celebrating the success of our international event in this issue there is a lot more to enjoy within these pages. We haven't forgotten that it's spring so we want you to get in the warm weather mood with 5 lace Flowers on pages 20 and 21. We've got some more letters of the alphabet in this issue as well.

Farewell until next issue when I look forward to presenting a wonderful exposition dedicated to lace handkerchiefs.

Kind regards,

Montserrat Arcos
Director
La Encajera

Index

Letter to the Readers | Withof Duchesse Lace Fan | Fan contest results - Letter from the winner | Second International Lace Event - The participant from South Africa tells us his experiences | Rose bud to open roses Fan | Second International Lace Event | Macramé Fan | Second International Lace Event - J·vea Prizes - Gala Dinner | Alphabet letters | Alphabet letters | Lace Day in Gironella | Lace event in Peñalva - 2002 Calendar Contest | Five Spring Flowers | Instructions: Roses Fan | Instructions Withof Duchesse fan / spring flowers | Fans exhibit in J·vea Museum | Fans participating in contest | Instructions alphabet letters | Alphabet letters | Instructions - spring flowers | Letters from the readers | Supplement 14 Patterns