Market Basket

A market basket can be any rectangle basket that is used to hold, carry and transport items, whether to town or to the next room.  Market baskets often vary in size from very small to quite large.    A variety of reeds can be used to create designs and patterns woven on the sides of the baskets.

This basket allowed me to create a Native American pattern on the side of the basket.  Using two colors of dyed reed I was able to create an interlocking diamond design. The design is visible on the outside and the inside of the basket.

Miniature Cheese Basket

Baskets can be woven in most any size and shape.  In my last post I shared the biggest basket I have made - a 26 in diameter melon basket.  Miniature baskets can be made as well.

I wove a 2.5 inch diameter cheese basket with its open hexagonal design base around a miniature wooden mold.  The splints are only 1/8inch wide.

A full size traditional Shaker cheese basket was designed to be used in the production of cheese making to separate curd from whey. The basket was lined with cheese cloth and the curds were poured into the basket. The holes allowed for the moisture to drain out as the curds compacted. This function dictated the design of the basket.

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My BIG Basket

Today is Mother's Day and I am taking a stroll down memory lane. For me this includes sharing a basket memory.

Nearly 25 years ago a woodworker challenged me to make a basket using two 26" diameter wooden hoops he had made. I accepted the dare and made a huge melon basket.  It was big enough that both of my young children could fit in it.  A reporter wrote an article about my baskets for the local paper and included the family photo below.

I still have my BIG basket.  It is stained a darker brown, but otherwise it doesn't look to have aged at all. (I can't say the same for me!)  

Kate poses with the basket today.

Multi-Colored Egg Basket

Traditional basket makers from the Appalachian mountains begin the process of making an egg basket by searching for a tall straight oak tree about 6 inches in diameter.  Once found, the tree is cut and the tedious task of cutting the wood into splints, weavers and handles by hand begins.  The resulting woven twin bottom egg basket is a natural color.

Like most contemporary basket makers I skip the tree search and preparation of materials  by weaving my baskets using a combination of round and flat reed.  I also dye the reed in a rainbow of hues.   I like to experiment with color combinations in my baskets. 

           This 10 inch egg basket is woven with a blues, greens, violets and burgundy weavers.  

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 for basket makers to weave.

The basket symmetrical style makes for an attractive holder of yarn or dyed flowers.  I used variegated shades of violet for the Hen Basket below.   

Footed Basket

The footed rectangle basket follows a traditional Shaker style.  The sides are woven tightly while the base has open spaces to allow for air movement.  The design makes the basket perfect for drying wool, storing onions or potatoes or holding most any item you wish.

The rim allows for hand holes to easily lift and carry the basket.  I like to add color to the basket in a variety of patterns. Any combination of colored reed and widths of reeds can be woven in the side to make each basket a distinctive, unique design.  

What Those Who Teach Can Do

The Art Institutes system of schools is honoring art educators around the country with a month long exhibition of their personal artwork.   I was invited to participate in the gallery show hosted by The Art Institute of Washington.  As a public school art educator I strive to encourage my students creativity and impact student learning by modeling lifelong learning, problem solving, persistence and craftsmanship in my personal artwork.

I teach digital photography and commercial art at school, so I chose to include a digital collage titled Basket Treasures as one of my entries.  It combines my interest in travel photography and basketry by showing a variety of my baskets and a photo I took on one of my vacation trips.   

My second entry is a hanging vessel made from woven reed and a gourd top.  It includes round and flat reed in shades of violet, greens and cream and a walnut slice.  The free-form vessel breaks away from traditional basketry shapes.

The opening reception is this Thursday,  April 19^th from

5:00pm until 7:00pm at The Art Institute of Washington Gallery of Art located at 1820 North Fort Myer Drive in Arlington, VA. 

I hope you can make this event and help celebrate the ARTS.