Merry Christmas

 

At Christmas and in the New Year,

may you find  Peace and Joy.

Happy Weaving to All!

Sharon

CCAC Members Show 2021

The 19th Annual Members Show is currently on display at the Carroll County Arts Center.  This yearly exhibit showcases the talents of current members.  The display includes a wide variety of mediums by local artists.

Once again I am taking part.  This year I submitted a mixed media wall hanging.  A random weave of reeds, grasses and vines are framed within twisted vines forming a diamond shape.  Natural and dyed fibers reflect the fall countryside. 

The exhibit is open during normal gallery hours through the end of the month.  Be sure to stop in and admire all the work. 

 

 

Odyssey 2021

After months and months of waiting, Central Pennsylvania Basket Weavers Guild hosted the 20th Annual Weaving Odyssey weekend.  Over a hundred participants, including 20 first time attendees, enjoyed four days of fun, basket weaving and fellowship.  Every possible effort was in place to insure a safe environment for everyone.  

Dianne Glexiner lead the Thursday evening workshop.  I wove a colorful rectangle basket with triple twining and a twill weave.  The colorful twined band is similar to the Flying Geese pattern used by quilters. 

Friday I joined Anne Bowers as she taught us a basket she calls "Fat Bottomed Girl".  The basket utilizes wide, double spokes in its construction an both round and flat oval weavers to achieve its curvaceous shape. The vessel is topped with a leather handle. 

If you want to learn to weave a successful cathead base take a class with Diane Gleixner. Her technique will insure the basket is shaped with even, distinct  points of a cathead.  Her basket called Fancy Cat included triple twining, paired triple twining and adding overlays.  

 

I ended my weekend making a whimsical,  multicolored vessel accented with sprigs of contorted willow.  Anne Bowers calls this basket Wild Hair.  

Four baskets in four days!  What could be better.  

For more information about CPBWG go to :

www.centralpabasketguild.com

Woven: Willow, Reed, and Grasses

Mobius Strip

 

 Seven artists used different types of plant materials to create works of art in the current exhibit at the SHAPE Gallery in downtown Shippensburg, PA. Traditional baskets, gourds and pine needle vessels are include as well as mixed media sculptures and wall hangings.

Four of my mixed media woven sculptures are in the exhibit that runs through September 25, 2012.   Two of the sculptures include twisted wood found on my farm. 

Scoop #1 and Scoop #2

 

SHAPE Gallery is located at 19 East King Street, Shippensburg, PA.  The exhibit is open during regular gallery hours and is free and open to the public.    For more information visit their website: www.ShapeArt.org   

First Basket was a Family Affair

I love to weave baskets.  Perhaps even more, I love to lead others through their first basket weaving experience.  

This weekend I did just that, sharing my basket passion with a multi-generational "girls day out" to weave a basket.

After selecting the handle and color scheme of their choice, all three beginners ended up with a lovely individual rib basket they could be proud of.  

                                                                    Don't you agree?

OWL's Weekend Weave

 

I spent a relaxing Saturday at the OWL's (Outdoor Women's Life) 10th anniversary retreat.  Old and new friends came together to enjoy the country vista and participate in a variety of workshop offerings.  The sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze throughout the day.  It could not have been a better day!

Some ladies choose to weave a basket.  For many it was their first experience weaving. The morning group wove a rib basket with a found twisted wooden handle. Participants choose the colors and designs for their baskets.   The afternoon group wove around a glass vase form finished off with a matchstick rim. 

Art in the Park

 

It's time to emerge from our long hibernation and enjoy the crafts, music and old friends this Saturday, June 5th  at Art in the Park.  

I always look forward to seeing everyone after a long winter, but this years event is extra special since it wasn't held last summer. 

I will have baskets for all of your picnic needs - 

a utensils basket, watermelon basket and ice bucket are shown below.    

Come by to view my display of many other baskets and say "Hi".

Easter Basket Fun

 

Baskets have many uses.  They can be woven from a wide range of materials in a variety of styles and techniques.  I am often influenced by the seasons and holidays as to what baskets I weave.

When spring arrives, I can't help but be in a playful mood with my basket weaving.  I use pastel colors, and painted attachments to make baskets ready for Easter eggs, bunnies and flowers.  

New Year - New Technique Learned

Last year I spent a lot of my time wrapping balls in the style of  Japanese Temari.  I found it very enjoyable and gave many of the balls as gifts this past holiday season. 

 

This month I shifted to making Japanese Koma ornaments.  They, like the Temari,  stem from children's toys - Temari a colorful wrapped ball and Koma a spinning top.

The colorful designs appeal to me. I like experimenting with different colors, threads and patterns. Some have tassel tails, while others have beads hanging from the wrapped ornament.