About Chris Parsons
I am a full time professional bobbin maker, living in Coleford on the Mendip hills, about 10 miles from the beautiful city of Bath, England.
I started making and selling bobbins in the mid 1980's, when I turned wood as a hobby, and attended local craft fairs. It was not long before local Lacemakers from Wessex Lacemakers and Clevedon Lacemakers took me under their wing and gave me some constructive criticism re the bobbins that I was producing at that time I owe special thanks to Mrs Reed from Bristol Lacemakers. I took their advice, developed my own style and have never looked back. Invitations to lace events soon followed, and I was producing more and more bobbins.
In 1986 I won a Gold medal at the "Woodworker" show for a display of my Lace bobbins .
Since 1992 I have been making my full time living from turning bobbins. I specialize in quality hand turned and hand painted Midland (spangled), Honiton, Flanders Binche, Bayeux , Continental, Square and Travel bobbins in wood and bone. I am probably best known for my painted bobbins and tatting shuttles
I am one of only two bobbin makers/suppliers in the UK that have a license from Copyrights to hand paint some of the characters from Beatrix Potter (Copyright Frederick Warne and co 1991).
Commemorative's bobbins are another specialty, many individuals and groups will already know of their excellent quality
Have a look on my "Bobbins" pages to see all the bobbins I make
Opposite is my sales stand at the National Lacemaker's Christmas fair held at Cranmore Park in December.
Below is a photo of myself and my son Joseph in my workshop. Maybe one day it will be "Lace Bobbins by Chris Parsons and Son"
