Josephine Dowell sits with a big pretty pillow in front of her. Threads run from the top of it to what looks like hundreds of uniquely beautiful little rods. It looks like it could be a musical instrument, but it’s not. It’s for making bobbin lace.

A reel at the top of the pillow holds the spool that the lace pattern is on. As Josephine weaves the lace, pins mark and hold it to the spool. Colorful bobbins hold the threads that she is working. The bobbins are made of glass, wood, metal, bone and ivory. They are arranged in pairs to help the weaver track her threads. Some of the pairs clink together and others sound like tuned bells.

“I can tell you lots of stories about them and where they came from,” said Josephine. She points out two exquisite bobbins and explains her daughter picked them up in New York for her. They came from Faberge.

Josephine first saw bobbin lace being made at the Ozark Folk Center while she was waiting for a concert to begin. The woman was in the large auditorium, with her pillow on her lap. Josephine was intrigued and spent time learning the art. Now shares it with people where ever she can. She doesn’t like to teach, but she loves it when someone will come and sit down with her to learn the art.

“We have 18-20 members in our lace guild,” she said, talking about the Lace Makers of the Ozarks. “Some are still struggling, but others catch on real quick.”

Josephine and her husband Larry have been a part of Ozark Folk Center life for a quarter of a century. Many people know them as musicians. They travel from their home in Strafford, Missouri many times a year for dulcimer events and classes. Their son Jonathan Dowell is the 2007 Southern Regional Mountain Dulcimer Champion and in 2008 the family won the Southern Regional Dulcimer Ensemble Championship.

But they are both crafters, too.

Larry Dowell’s fascination with quilts and quilt designs began in the Quilt Shop at the Ozark Folk Center. During one visit                he noticed a quilt with unusual designs. When he asked about it, he learned about the story of the Underground Railroad quilts. He was fascinated with the idea and began working needlepoint designs based on the quilts.

This summer, Larry and Josephine have been guest demonstrators at the Ozark Folk Center. Larry has shown his needlepoint, bargello and quilt designs in his beloved Quilt Shop and Josephine weaves bobbin lace in the Clothing Shop. The Dowell’s will be returning to the Ozark Folk Center this Friday, August 14.

The Craft Village is open Weds. – Sat. from 10:00 to 5:00. Tickets are $10.00 for Adults and $6.00 for children 6-12. Visit the Ozark Folk Center online at www.ozarkfolkcenter.com to learn about upcoming classes and events or call 870-269-3851 for further information.