A few months ago, I wrote a series of blog posts about a stumpwork bride’s bag that I was making, that featured foxglove flowers made out of needlelace worked over a half cone stick.
I explained that I’d bought my half cone sticks years ago, and that they weren’t that easy to get hold of, now. I subsequently did some research, and found a few stockists. But recently, a woodturner called Bruce Bassett who lives in Utah contacted me for advice, as he’s been asked to make some half cone sticks to add to his range of lacemaking tools, a few of which he recently began selling on Etsy [ EDIT November 2013: the Etsy shop is no longer active – please email Bruce instead – see below] and the items he’s come up with are really lovely. Look!
They are available in five sizes, and the finish is really smooth.
He also sells a couronne stick (sometimes called a ring stick or hedebo stick), for making round needlelace cup shapes and flowers and for other uses in bobbin lace making.
PRICES, and SHIPPING/HANDLING COSTS (for within the USA, and also worldwide):
For the half cone sticks, the price depends on the size: the smallest one is US$9, the three medium-sized ones are $10 each, and the largest one $11. Add $4 per order for shipping within USA, $6 elsewhere.
The full set of 5 half cone sticks costs $40 plus $4 shipping within USA, $6 elsewhere.
The couronne stick is $20 plus $6 within the USA, $8 elsewhere.
The complete set of 5 half cone sticks and the couronne stick costs $56 plus $6 within USA, $8 elsewhere.
To purchase, email Bruce with your requirements, and he can send a Paypal invoice. With the half cone sticks, two small holes can be drilled in the foot end if required, so that the stick can be tacked to your fabric more securely if wanted, for no extra charge – just mention that you’d like that to be done when you email him with your order.
To contact Bruce, send an email to brucebassett@gmail.com
His ‘snail mail’ address is:
Bruce Bassett
420 Heather Road
Orem, UT 84097
USA
Tel: (801) 226-5267
I don’t make any money from this blatant advertising blog post! But I would like to think that by helping him get started with these lovely needlework tools, he can become more widely known for the wooden tools that he has such a skill for making, and more stitchers can make beautiful embroidery using them.
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Janet Granger's Blog 
Thanks, Janet. It’s wonderful that the cones are becoming so much more available, indicating a growing interest in raised techniques. *smiley face*
The smooth finish shows in the photos… they look gorgeous.
Looking back, you’ve got half cones from Stitch Direct, Viking Looms and the Guild of Needlelace (I think they are all separate products, not different suppliers of the same products?). Can you compare the different half-cones at all? Smooth finish? Size? Wood quality?
Not really, other than what you can see in the photos. They are all different products. I originally got mine from Viking Loom, about ten years ago. Most suppliers don’t give measurements, or indicate the size in their photos. I think they would all give more info if people emailed them, though.
Oh, how to choose then! Wait until I know more from the Thistle Thread Casket course and work from there……~smile~ Thanks again for the information on the suppliers
The half cone sticks are beautiful. What size did you use for the flowers on this post?
Gita
The half cone stick I used is 2 3/4 inches long, but that includes the handle as well. The ‘shoe’ part on its own is about one and a quarter inches long.
Beautiful work and wonderful all round – thanks for sharing with those of us not quite so much ‘in the know’. Very interesting indeed.
Reblogged this on theinfill and commented:
Wonderful work (very late Jacobean and Carolinian). Glowing colours and raised embroidery – don’t fancy having to try it by candlelight, that’s for sure. Many sites out there on methods and history – this site is one of my favourites and also Kay Dennis’ stumpwork gallery of modern pieces (http://www.kaydennis.co.uk/gallery.html).
I hope you enjoy these jewels of craftwork as much as I do 🙂