In the Market for Hand Made Scissors? UPDATED

"Sheffield steel" used to be a byword for quality handmade steel items. You can still buy a pair of hand made and sharpened scissors in Sheffield if you don't mind ordering from England. Ernest Wright and Son Ltd. is the last hand made scissors manufacturer in England apparently.  Many thanks to Tricia and Rachel For mentioning the company!
http://www.ernestwright.co.uk/catalogue/browse.aspx?breadcrumb=13_56

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28581597

As supporters of traditional crafts, I hope anyone in the market for new embroidery scissors considers buying from the Wrights.

UPDATE:  I've heard from someone in the States who placed an order that was paid in advance and has heard nothing at all from Ernest Wright and Son and is now disputing the order with Paypal.  On the other hand, the folks I know in England who have ordered from them got prompt service.  So order at your own risk.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 4, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Needlepointed Key Fob

Nimble Needle has done an article on the key fobs they sell which are self-finishing and come with their own little canvas. Follow the link to their website to see all the designs in stock.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-quick-stitch-for-gift-giving.html

I don't know for sure but I suspect these are from Voila.
http://www.voilaneedlepoint.com/fabfobs.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 20, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Trims and Finishing at Chaparral

Steph was just visiting Chaparral in Houston and took photos of some of the amazing trims and ribbons and finishing there. First, she choose ribbons for some of her stitching. 
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-ribbonry-at-chaparral.html

http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2014/11/one-more-ribbon-from-ribbonry.html

Then she just took photos of some of the amazing things she saw there.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2014/11/other-things-i-saw-at-chaparral.html

If you happen to be in the area, drop by Chaparral for a tour of your own.  If you aren't close enough to do that, click on "Projects," "Finishing," and "Workshops" on the website to see more.
http://www.ndlpt.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 3, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Met Goes Pinterest

Tricia Nguyen of Thistle Threads just mentioned a new initiative of the Metropolitan Museum to put digital information and photographs from their collections on Pinterest for all to see and study.
Sadly, you will have to have a Pinterest account to see the photographs but each week the Met textile conservators plan to add a new board with many photos of one piece.  Right now the items are stumpwork and embroidery but this is an invaluable resource for those interested in historical embroidery and techniques.
http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/2014/11/pinterest-board-for-textiles-at-met.html

http://www.pinterest.com/textilesmet/

The interest level is important, though.  The Met won't keep posting if those interested don't follow the board and look at what they are making available online.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 23, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bangles and Bags

It's been a long time since I've seen needlepoint bangle bracelets. These are supposedly from the 1950s but I think they were available in the late 1940s until the very early 1960s. 
http://ladyviolette.com/2011/08/27/vintage-needlepoint-bangle-bracelets-circa-1950-from-the-lady-violette-jewelry-collection/

With the help of Google, I found another on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/87647667/vintage-needlepoint-bangle-bracelet

L'espirit de France sells modern bangle bracelet kits.
http://www.lespritdefrance.com/needlepoint/bracelets.html

Many thanks to the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria for finding the vintage bracelets and posting about them on Facebook.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 21, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.