Woven Color Study

 





Dyed reed can be woven into colorful repetative patterns.   Often the the patterns are woven into the sides of baskets or bottoms of low sided trays.   I decided to weave a reed color study into a square pattern and insert the design into a frame for  display.















I started the weaving just as I would to make a basket bottom, without the extra reed needed to weave  sides. 

                          After I achieved the desired size I folded
                         the reed  back onto itself.






I covered the back of the weaving with a felt square before I placed
the weaving into a frame.

Happy New Year !

During the past year I shared a little history and background for each of the baskets I made and posted on this blog.  This year as I finish a new basket I will post a photograph of the basket along with a brief description about the basketweaving process. I hope you will continue to enjoy viewing my baskets.

The new year is a time to inventory basket supplies after a busy fall of basketmaking.  I try to create baskets using the supplies I have on hand. This allows me to design baskets of various sizes and variations of basic basket styles.  I combine reed of various colors and sizes  not dictated by a specific basket style.


Small square-based basket using blue and violet splints and cream and colored weavers.

 










Round basket with green splints and a bamboo handle.

Merry Christmas

May this be a holiday season you'll always remember........

 

for the joy it brings

and

for the memories it leaves!

 

Sharon



Reed Christmas Stocking

Home holiday decorations often include

Christmas stockings.  I make mine with

woven reed. 







Using flat reed, the stocking is started by weaving the beginning of an elbow basket.  One side is rounded off to form the toe.  The opposite side is woven to the desired length to form the top of the stocking.  Colored reed can be used for accent and formed into a bow.  You can fill the stockings with greenery as well.

 
With Christmas right around the corner, the stockings are ready to be hung. 

    Merry Christmas!

Carroll County Artists Studio Tour

I will be taking part in the Carroll County Artists Studio Tour this weekend.  You are invited to visit the studio stops on the tour and to meet the artists and watch many of them demonstrate their craft. Directions to each of the tour stops are found on the Carroll County Artists Studio Tour website www.ccartists.com                                                   My baskets will be on display and sale at Studio Tour Stop 12 - Cat Tracks Studio.   I will be demonstrating basketweaving throughout the day.  I look forward to seeing you this weekend.                                                

 

Festival of Wreaths

      




 I created a reed wreath for the Carroll County Arts Council 15th Annual Festival of Wreaths.  The wreath will be on display from Saturday, November 24 until Saturday, December 1st.  More than 200 decorated wreaths have been donated for the silent auction to support the arts council. Bids are taken on the wreaths until the close of the show on December 1st.






          To begin the wreath, I wove flat reed over-under round reed spokes circling a styrofoam circle base.  The wreath resembles the woven sides of an egg or hen basket.  To finish the wreath I made a reed ornament with additions of pinecones and cinnamon sticks (see my last post). I also wrapped a piece of wet flat reed around a rod until it dried into a curly strip to add to the wreath.  Brown ribbon bows were the final touch.

  

Reed Ornaments

 

 The  desire to decorate around the house increases with
the approaching holidays. Baskets are perfect for filling with a variety of ornaments, small gifts and greenery.


  I also like to use basket supplies to make reed ornaments.  Reed ornaments can be used in a variety of ways.  They can be added to wreaths, gift packages and hung as tree decorations.



Reed ornaments are a great way to use leftover short reed scraps left over from other basket projects.  They can be made using different colored reeds and different widths of reed. 













Individual reed loops can be joined together to form star-like ornaments.  Ribbons, pinecones, and greenery add the finishing touches.