Wine Cork Tote

I spent an enjoyable day with the Central PA Basket Weavers Guild making a Wine Cork Tote basket.  The basket has a solid wood, drilled base. The tote is woven with round reed and  three rows of drilled wine corks.  The handle is made using round reed. 

Hen Basket

The Hen Basket gets its name from its original function. Farmers used to take their hens to market in this style of basket.  Not many people have such a need anymore, but the basket continues to be a favorite style to weave.

This hen basket has 10"diameter openings on each side.  The center of the basket  has a 12"diameter.  The raspberry and brown reed create a pleasing color design highlighted against the natural cream reed.

Baskets and more......

Spring Art in the Garden was a fun day of weaving baskets while meeting old and new friends.  The weather cooperated and the location was beautiful.

The end of May and early June is a busy time for teachers and it cuts into my basket making. Schools out for the summer now so I'm looking forward to making lots of baskets.   Be on the lookout for photos of my new baskets on this blog site soon.

Weaving a 10" Egg Basket

Spring Art in the Garden

Hope everyone can come see the spring flowers and crafts on Saturday.  I'll be demonstrating my baskets throughout the day.

Basket or Hat?

 
I have been making baskets a long time - since before my children were born.  As I look through photos of the past I have to chuckle that my baskets are in so many images.

My baskets were always around the house when my children were young.  Some baskets held their toys, some their books and some even became their hats!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day.  Make some new memories and cherish the old.  

Cental Pennsylvania Basket Weavers Guild Spring Retreat

I spent an enjoyable Friday evening and Saturday with the Central Pennsylvania Basket Weavers Guild.  They held their Spring Retreat at the Gitt Memorial Library just outside of Hanover, PA.  The beautiful 2 story home, built in the late 1920's, features wrap around patios over looking the  landscaped grounds bursting with spring flowers. 

Jean Poythress Koon, an artist from Morattico, VA was the featured guest instructor.  Friday evening we used a Dremel drill press to create three drilled bases -  hardwood, seashell and hand hammered copper.

Using glycerin-treated pine needles, we coiled around the bases using synthetic sinew to sew the pine needles to the base.

Saturday was spent coiling the pine needles around the hand hammered copper base made the night before.  In addition to the sinew to bind the coils, copper wire was used to add both strength and ornamentation to the basket.


By using glycerin-treated pine needles, there was  no need to dampen the needles while we wove.


All in all it was a fun and productive weekend!

To learn more about the basket  weavers guild check out their website: www.basketry.homestead.com

Colorful Easter Basket

Springtime, Easter and Baskets go together. 

This colorful basket begins multicolored spokes
inserted into  a wooden base.  The sides are brought
up by weaving a continuous cream reed weaver.

Bands of color are added as the sides take on a round shape.  The carved handle is added and
the top rim is attached. 

It makes the perfect Easter basket. 
Bring on the Easter eggs!