Betsy Byars

The Lace Snail by Betsy Byars, published in 1975. Is a tale about a snail who magically creates lace and in her travels uses her lace to help all the different creatures solve problems and be happy. The snail makes lace parachutes for the bugs, caps and such for the frog, snake and turtle, a hammock for the alligator and, for the hippopotamus, a sort of bridal veil for the hippo. Betsy is now 90 years old and has been followed into the world of children's books by both her daughters.

Patricia Polacco

'Fiona's Lace' is a story about a families destiny being changed by the skill and enterprise of their daughter. The author Patrica Placco is of Ukrainian and Irish descent, born in America in 1944. At school, Patrica was bullied for her problems with reading and writing and took solace in drawing. Eventually, a teacher picked up on Fiona's dyslexia and helped her with her work. 

"I didn't learn to read until I was 14. I got promoted from grade to grade because I could read enough to just make it. That changed, though, when my teacher, whose name was George Felker, invited me to wash blackboards one day after school. He asked me to make letters and numbers on the board with a wet sponge. As I struggled, I realized that he had discovered my most horrifying secret. He said, "Patricia, you have fooled us all the way to your 14th year, and you're not dumb. I have a friend that can help you."
Thirty years later, I saw Mr. Felker at a wedding. I remember racing across that room and grabbing him by his lapels, and I said, "Mr. Felker, you don't remember me. I was a student of yours..." Then we sat at a table, and I told him everything that he has meant to me and how he literally pulled me from absolute darkness into the light. I got to thank him. We were talking and crying, and he said, "What do you do for a living?" I said, "I make books for children." Patricia Polacco

In 'Fiona's Lace' an Irish family have to emigrate to America, as times are hard. The family becomes separated and it is the distinctive lace that Fiona makes that allows the parents to reunite their family.

Paul Anthony Waplington

Above: Paul Anthony Waplington b.1938 'The Lace Draughting Room '

I have been having one of those days where everything has been pointing to 'lace'. If the universe is shouting something at you then it is best to listen. This is a painting by Paul Waplington, who originally trained as a lace draughtsman in early1940's Nottingham. 

The restrictive, painstaking nature of this flat pattern design meant that Paul sought escape in studying three-dimensional subjects, working from the streets and factories of his surroundings. 

On the collapse of the lace industry in Nottingham, Paul pursued his career designing in Spain and Portugal and has resettled in Portugal where his surroundings and thus subject matter completely changed. His works have recorded the changing world of the Midlands of England and rural Portugal. 

Liske Russell de Boer

Liske is a furniture designer who produces bespoke pieces, she is driven by a passion for textural exploration, I love this piece but unfortunately it is the only image of her work I can find, care of Flow Gallery. liskerdb@hotmail.com