Real Metal Threads?

You could also pick the book up reasonably used - it's been out several years now, I have seen it new in the UK down as low as £10, when it came out it was £25.

That's good to know. Krenik's has better prices than the Canadian site (even after converting from CAN to American dollars - but I need to get small samples from both to see the quality.

Hedgehog is a site that caters to those who create things for historical reenactments, and they are expanding an already pretty broad range of metal threads, their prices are between Krenik's and the Canadian place (can't think of the name and I'm in a hurry to leave for work).

I already had Threadneedle Street's site bookmarked, thanks for the tip.

Have a good start to the work week, everyone!

Catherine K.

carries real metal threads from Kreinik and another line. The Kreinik (according to the FS catalog) uses French terminology, and the other line uses English. I have never done goldwork so I don't know what the significance of this is. I have shopped at and mail ordered from Fireside Stitchery and have found them to be helpful and very quick shippers. No affiliation, etc., etc.

Sara

The only difference is the language the name is in, thankfully :) I will certainly check them out though. Thanks!

I love this NG, I was bragging on all of you today to a friend of mine, that there is someone on this list who has done pretty much every kind of needlework out there :)

Thanks again!

Catherine K.

I'm in Canada and I completed the EAC's Basic Metal Thread course this year and bought online from Tanja Berlin for most of my threads and kid leather - her service and quality are optimal. She has sample sheets if you want to get those first to check out her threads, you can.

While in Reno at the ANG seminar last fall I bought in person from Kay Stanis

and Michele Roberts both seemed to have the best quality metal threads and tools. Michele's website only has a front page but there is an email addy.Previous to taking the course, I bought some Sadi metal threads from JDR Brazilian Elegance. Their service was very poor and customer relations even poorer. The threads however are of excellent quality. Books that were very useful to me during this course were:

Metal Thread Embroidery, Barbara Dawson, B.T. Batsford Ltd. 1976

Metal Thread Embroidery - Tools, Materials and Techniques, Jane Lemon, B.T. Batsford Ltd. 1987

Techniques of Metal Thread Embroidery, Jane Zimmerman, Self-published 1975

The B.T. Batsford books I was able to buy online from

and the Jane Zimmerman book I borrowed from the EAC library.

I used Kreinik #5 and #7 Japan Gold Thread. I was told that they are "real" threads but I was also told that they are not. There was a technical argument for both opinions which I don't have handy at the moment - I was left with the impression that they are "imitation".

Hope this helps! Jeanine in Canada

Cather> I am going to do some work with real gold and silver threads,(pearl purl,

on 8/7/05 4:31 PM, Catherine K. at snipped-for-privacy@sbcglobal.net posted:

Wow - I'm surprised. I thought the section on Goldwork to be pretty extensive, especially the reference diagrams in the rear. But, you're right

- each of us has their own likes.

I also agree with Sheena - Tanya Berlin has good supplies at reasonable prices through her web site. She had some goldwork pieces in Inspirations magazine this past winter/spring - I think it was 4 small designs which could be done individually or as one. Her pieces have really good instructions, and she usually offers a critiquing service.

From ANG, Michelle Roberts is quite well known for teaching goldwork. You might be able to see if she has any classes or references coming up - you can try thru the ANG website

- I'm sure she's teaching at this upcoming seminar. They may have Michelle, or someone else doing a correspondence class.

Also be careful of what you're buying if you want real silver, or gold-plated, etc. The Kreinik purl - at least what most people get - is metal, but not actual silver, just silver colored. Much less expensive for practicing, most pieces.

Good luck on your quest - I'd definitely try Tanya Berlin's site for supplies. The Kreinik purl, jaceron, etc - is fine to work with - and at least around here my 2 closest LNS stock it.

happy stitchin' ellice

on 8/8/05 9:38 PM, Jeanine3 at snipped-for-privacy@netscape.net posted:

That's a really nice touch.

When I bought the Royal School of Needlework book, several years back - it was from Jane - who was selling them at the ANG Expo. At that time she told me it was a great reference, with the best instructions/illustrations and that I "had to have it" . Who am I to say no to such a recommendation, from such a wonderful teacher, needle-artist.

Jeanine - I'm with you on the "imitation" . It seems to me that the serious, experienced artists that do Goldwork only use this for "practice" or instructional pieces, or when they're willing to use the "imitation" stuff. But I think it has to do with what the thread is made from vs "real" gold thread.

ellice

Ellice! It was thanks to you that I went to Reno and had the best time with Vima in both of her classes. I met Michelle one afternoon through another student of Vima's and she showed us the heart that she was teaching. It was incredible! I've since looked at her other hearts in the series and drooled - they are so beautiful. I think she's teaching a correspondence course soon - a Faberge egg - IIRC but I don't remember if it's with ANG or EGA... Jeanine in Canada

Japan Gold isn't supposed to be the real thing - or so it was explained to me - though I agree that it would be great for practice, how many of us can afford to use the real thing for practice? :)

Regarding the book, as I explained in a later post, I had it confused with something else :)

Catherine K.

on 8/25/05 2:21 AM, Jeanine3 at snipped-for-privacy@netscape.net posted:

Jeanine - I remembered - was so sad that I had to cancel. Didn't get a chance to meet you - or do more with Vima & Michelle. They're both such gracious ladies (words I don't frequently use to describe people) - and fabulously talented needle-artists. Michelle retired from her corporate job a couple of years back, and now she just full-time travels/teaches - all over the world.

I think you're right about the Faberge egg, maybe with ANG. But I don't think it's as serious a goldwork peice (if any) - IIRC. I was supposed to do the heart class, and had to send back the pre-work kit when I cancelled. One of the pieces she taught earlier was a goldwork "lyre" - kind of harp. It was also just gorgeous. Perhaps next year. But, maybe we can take a correspondence class together sometime!

ellice

on 8/25/05 6:54 AM, Catherine K. at snipped-for-privacy@sbcglobal.net posted:

Too right you are. I think just some people (self included) get confused with the whole thing. I've used almost all of the Kreinik metal threads - the purl-purl, jaceron, japan gold. Am much more sparing with real gold.

Sorry - I just am doing this catch as catch can looking in on RCTN these days. The Royal School of Needlework book also has excellent sections on blackwork, monochromatic shading - for those interested in such. Didn't want to seem as if I was jumping on you. I can still see Jane and someone else (from my judging cert class) - whose name just ran out of my brain - waving the book at me and saying "You have to have this book - it's got the BEST section on Goldwork..." If nothing else - good pix to drool over, and dream about taking a class there.

ellice

I have only completed the Basic Metal Thread course (with the EAC) - I think I'll need to do the Intermediate before attempting any of Michelle's hearts though some of her previous ones are for beginners. She said there was a time limit on them (something to do with teaching pieces) but when that has expired, she'd like to sell the heart series as kits. I will have to give my credit cards to someone to hold for me when that happens or I'll end up with them all!

Did you complete your pre-work kit? I wonder what they do with those (the ones that are returned)?

Jeanine in Canada