Weaving with Judith Saunders

Judith Saunders was the invited guest instructor for a Central Pennsylvania Basket Weavers Guild October weekend weaving workshop.  While traditional basketry techniques are used in Judith's art pieces, the results are far from traditional.  Her vessels are intended to be more sculptural than functional.  She shared her more than 30 years of weaving experience with us over the weekend.

Saturday, we explored diagonal weaving with hand painted watercolor paper strips.  I made the small paper container with a layered rim.

















Sunday I selected a shell that Judith collected from Ocracoke Island, NC.  Spokes from papyrus stems were joined with waxed linen and inserted into and through the openings in the shell.  Using cedar strips, day lily stems and waxed linen, the form of the vessel emerged following the shape  of the shell.  Two small shells were attached to the rim.