Edith Nikkel

Quarantine Experience:

It is springtime in Manitoba, year 1954, the winter snow is slowly melting, and I am confined to my home.  I am a grade ten student but cannot attend school because I am convalescing from burn wounds to forty-five percent of my body and arms. I am very weak and tired of reading, knitting and crocheting.

One day my Mother asked me if I would like to learn to tat?  I agreed, so she showed me how it was done. Overtime I learned to create my own patterns, to make the art more interesting.

I was confined to my family home in Steinbach, Manitoba in 1954 and now in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am again confined to my home but this time alone in Abbotsford, British Columbia. 

I keep on tatting, just like I did when I was a teenage and I am so thankful that my Mother took the time to teach me this fine art so many years ago.    

 Artist Statement:

This is a framed shuttle tatted doily that Edith worked on during the month of April 2020. Tatting can also be referred to as “shuttle lace” and with this particular piece, Edith especially loves all the intricate knots, loops and picots that makes it a vintage inspired, mercerized white cotton doily.   

Artist Biography:
Edith has resided in Abbotsford for fifty plus years and is an artist with a wide array of interests and talents. Edith has a keen ability to make everything around her beautiful and is motivated by the pure joy and happiness it brings her. 

Edith has done several large painted mural displays, created original framed needlepoint heirloom pieces and has also designed mosaic rockwork projects together with her husband Peter. During her downtime Edith enjoys crocheting, knitting, drying flowers using the silica method and of course tatting with her antique shuttle.   

Artist Contact Information: 
[email protected]