LACEMAKING is one of the oldest traditional arts associated with Ireland.

This site presents a selection of Ann Keller's original designs for handmade BOBBIN LACE. Her Celtic Lace designs are unique and new to the world of lacemaking. Also, Ann decorates the lacemaker's tools- bobbins made of wood or ivory- with her original, handpainted miniature paintings.

Click Here to view Pricing.

Instructions for making lace and the ancient art of Irish MOUNTMELLICK embroidery are contained in books available on Pricing and Orders.

Also offered are books by other leading Irish Lacemakers for different types of lace such as CARRICKMACROSS and LIMERICK. There are also original patterns for TATTING.

NEW! SNA SI IRISH DANCE COSTUMES

John Peters Olive Hurley School of Irish Dancing, June 2003

Charlotte Cunningham Olive Hurley School of Irish Dancing, April 2003

Now, for the first time, IRISH DANCE COSTUMES can be designed and embellished with Bobbin Lace. Ann's unique, one of a kind Celtic designs for dresses are featured on SNA SI.

WHAT IS BOBBIN LACE?

This is the oldest know form of lace made in Ireland, with samples surviving that date back over
300 years. It is made by the twisting and plaiting of threads wound on long slim holders known as
'bobbins', the stitches secured by pins through the pattern card, held on a stiff 'pillow'.

Lace pillows used to be stuffed hard with straw or horsehair; nowadays styrofoam moulds provide a lightweight and convenient alternative. Bobbins have always been made of wood or bone, in past times the most precious being made of ivory. To help tension the fine threads the bobbins are weighted by 'spangles', small circles of glass or porcelain beads. It is traditional to decorate bobbins and one of the most versatile and popular forms of decoration is miniature painting.

WHAT IS MOUNTMELLICK?

Mountmellick is a whitework embroidery indigenous to Ireland. It was developed in 1825 in the town of Mountmellick, using stitches from sources such as crewel work and Jacobean embroidery, also stitches unique to Mountmellick. With patterns drawn from nature in the Irish countryside the work was used to create bed quilts and smaller household items, also more recently jackets and collars. It is now enjoying a renaissance of popularity. Ann is the fifth generation in her family to practice and
design this work.

Ann invites you to listen to some of her favourite Irish music as you browse this site.
On this page you are listening to Ronan Hardiman's Millennium music, 'Silver Swans'.

For the story of this music CLICK HERE

For more information on Ronan and the other musicians whose work
is featured on the site CLICK HERE

To Email Ann, click here