"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 102 Compiled By: David Collins Snail Mail: 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: March 21, 1998 Subscribers: 500 Back Issues: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/ Basket Biddin' Auction: http://members.tripod.com/~Basket_Biddin/ (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION*** ***PLEASE READ BEFORE PRINTING*** 1.) Highlight entire issue. 2.) Click copy. 3.) Paste issue into a word processor of your choosing. 4.) Now Print. (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) <>------<> PICTURES SENT IN BY YOU <>------<> 1.) Ms. Brenda Johnson's Vacation Stop At Royalwood. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/basketshop.jpg 2.) Ms. Judy Mullins' Log Cabin Getaway. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/cabin1.jpg 3.) Ms. Joy Moody's Basket Sign. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/medusasignclose.gif 4.) Ms. Sharle Osborne's Cedar Covered Bottles. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/bottles.jpg 5.) Ms. Fran Steidel's Wax Linen Egg Baskets. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/waxlinenegg.jpg 6.) Ms. Brenda Johnson's Wagon Full Of Bears. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/wagon.jpg 7.) Ms. Nancy Hedberg's Nantucket Bridesmaid Baskets. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/bride.jpg 8.) Ms. Tracy Jenkins' Kettle Corn Basket. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/cornbasket.jpg If anyone else has a picture, you can send it to me through email or snail mail. (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Hi Everyone, Everyone who will be attending the IBA convention in Indianapolis next week, put a BIG RED "WW" on your name tag. My mom, Norma Collins, will be spending most of time at the raffle tables. Be sure to stop by the raffle table she's put a lot of work into getting about 100 great items. Remember you can't win if you don't buy a ticket('s). :-) Take Care & Have Fun, David davidc@iei.net P.S. Congratulations to Ms. Marsha Florey for being our 500th subscriber. Welcome to the family. (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: French randing and open houses Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 13:03:33 +0000 ("GMT") From: johnancy@cin.net To: davidc@iei.net I have 2 subjects that I would like to hear comments on. The first is French Randing. Any tips on this type of weaving - size of reed for spokes and weavers, starting at bottom, finishing at the top? Also, has anyone ever held an open house, boutique, in their home with just baskets? I am contemplating doing this in early November and would like feedback. Thank-you Nancy in N. Illinois (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: Basketry Lamp Adapters & Spoke Weights Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 07:14:05 -0500 From: "Evelyn Vega" To: , , , , , CC: , , , , , Thought you'd like to know that Basket Lamp Adapters & Reed Spoke Weights are now available at: http://www.weavenet.com/page1.html Contact our Sales department for bulk distributorship prices. (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: NCBA was great> Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 09:13:56 -0600 From: "weavers" Reply-To: "weavers" <@i-55.com> To: "David Collins" Hi everybody: We got back from Raleigh Monday. The convention was great...it seems like it gets better each year. The workshop area was the best we've had in a long time...very spacious. Of course acoustics are always a problem at hotels.. Saw lots and lots of old friends and made some new ones. Also saw some incredibly inspirational work....The creativity always amazes me. I've been trying to catch up on the last few issues that I missed...Speaking of workshops...we got to visit with good friend Ann Ridgeway in Alexandria Va. on our trip..she has recently added a workshop addition to her house that is just about the most perfect I have ever seen. The work area is very large with tables and a large bathroom/dyeing room attached and a separate office...Also a "foyer" area where she actually has all her books and patterns out on shelves of course attractively decorated with some of her wonderful "collectors" baskets. She has bins in her work area to store every size of reed (opened hanks) and an area for handles, miscellaneous stuff and finished baskets...In addition, at one end of her main workshop room, she has a lovely sitting area with a sofa, chairs rug, etc. All this is topped off with a vaulted ceiling and basket border paper. It is truly the most perfect work area I have ever seen too nice to be called a workshop...probably Studio is more appropriate...So I'm jealous...Good thing she's a great friend... Julie: About the scanner. We have a Mustek 1200 SP flatbed scanner...It comes with software and I think we paid about $279 for it. It works great...we have been very pleased with it. Long Pine Needles - we have hand picked Louisiana pine needles that are from 12-14 inches long. They are dried inside so they are a soft green color...They will turn brown, and if you want them turned quickly, just put them in the sun. You can find them at www.basketsupplies.com Billie: We are really proud of you. I'll be joining your ranks one of these days and yes, the last time I used waxed linen, I thought there wasn't as much was as usual. Especially when trying to thread a needle. Maybe we should ask Kathy H. what's going on... Peacock feathers: We have used them in a lot of baskets. I have never tried to use them on something I would wear like a pouch so don't know if they would wear off or not. They are beautiful twined into a large basket or in a rib basket the iridescent colors are really nice. Also the tiny little "pin feathers" are really pretty on small baskets. Well, I really have a lot of accounting to do after the convention so I guess I'd better quit avoiding it. Leaving for Indiana next Tuesday...Looking forward to another great convention. JOhanna Heller (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 95 Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 10:54:14 EST From: BSKTCHERYL To: davidc@iei.net This is a response to Joy Moody's intriguing questions as an art therapist. I'm not sure I know what the distinction between art and craft is. I think of the images I create on paper as being art and my pine needle baskets as craft. Based on pure aesthetics I really can't say one is more beautiful than the other. Maybe they are both art--and just different mediums. Certainly I rarely see baskets displayed in art shows and when they are they are usually decorative and not functional. I became attracted to basketry because I love being outside among growing things and have been very intrigued by the baskets made by California Indian women. How could they create such beautiful objects from plant materials found in their immediate environment? A number of years ago I spent a week visiting a friend in Bend, Oregon. We camped alone beside a lake and in the morning she showed me how to make a basket using only pine needles and raffia--I've been addicted ever since. Basketweaving helps me to slow my mind down enough to hear my own thoughts and to participate in a ritual that is ancient and very grounding. Cheryl VanDeVeer Santa Cruz, CA. bsktcheryl@aol.com (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: NCBA Convention Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 12:16:51 -0500 From: Steve Steidel To: davidc@iei.net Hi, Well I'm back from NC Convention. Loved every minute of it. I made a beautiful brown ash bowl with Joanne Kelly Catsos - what a fantastic teacher and person. I spent 12 hours making a cedar double wall Indian basket with Bonnie Wenberg. Her basket was great - mine left a lot to be desired, but the experience was worth it. On Sunday morning I enjoyed Cass Schorsch's class on a cedar looped necklace. Her kit included enough material for you to make several more at home. I was free on Saturday so was able to shop and volunteer some time to sell raffles and work in the pattern room. The raffle prizes were so great that we ran out of tickets and had to get more. It was fun meeting several of the people from WW but 2 people asked me if WW stood for Weight Watchers. Were they trying to tell me something? Miss Billie - yes my newer wax linen is not as sticky nor as heavy. I wonder if we should mention this to the supplier. When I was in Portland Oregon I found a shop called Allen's Basket Supplies. He carried wax polyester thread. A lot larger spool and a lot less $$ so I purchased two spools to see. I am so glad I only bought 2 because they have no sticking power. He did have great handles and other "natural" stuff. Anna D From Jacksonville NC There is a basket guild in Wilmington, one in Goldsboro, and one in New Bern that you may be interested in joining. Let me know and I can tell you whom to contact. Fran Steidel (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: pine needles Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 17:37:41 -0600 From: "Susan Waite" To: "David Collins" I still have long pine needles for sale. Anyone interested, please e-mail slw@compu.net. They are $10.00 per pound plus postage. I will be glad to ship these anywhere. Thanks Susan slw@compu.net (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 19:50:24 -0600 From: mail1.aeroinc.net@svr1.iei.net (Mindy Lower) To: David Collins Hi everyone, It seems like it has been cloudy and dreary since last November. We are all looking forward to some sunny days in a row. I need some advice from you all. I only make Nantuckets from orders that I receive and have never had a problem until now. I had a lady from several states away buy two large ovals from me last October and order a large nesting set from me. She paid the 20% down that I require at the time of the order. The nesting set was finished in the middle of January and I emailed her several times with the remaining balance due. I never heard from her so I called her at the phone number she gave me (which was a business she owns). She said she would send me a check but to please not ship the baskets until after February 20th as she would be out of town. I never received her check and called back to her office after the 20th. The secretary took several of my messages for her to call me back, but she never did. The other day the secretary finally gave me her home phone number since she doesn't have regular office hours. When I call her home phone, I get her answering service which takes my name, number, and message to call immediately. So far no response from her. Today I mailed off a certified letter asking her to contact me immediately about the baskets or I will let them go for general sale on April 10th. I've never had this happen before and I'm wondering how others handle it. How long do you hold an order before you let it go to someone else? I do have someone else who has seen the set and wants it if my customer does not want it anymore. What do you do? Nancy, Your Nantucket bridesmaid baskets are beautiful. They will really be special to everyone. Someday I hope I can do the same for my daughter. Mindy Lower http://www.aeroinc.net/~users/nantucket northwest Illinois (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: "Weavers Words" Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 21:56:48 -0500 From: David Morningstar To: David Collins Hello Fellow Weavers, I'm planning a Basketweaving tour in Arizona October 9 - 12. The tour will include a visit to the home of a Hopi weaver where material preparation and Hopi-style weaving will be demonstrated. October is the basket dance season and we'll learn about the importance of baskets in their culture and the role of the women's societies in the Hopi ceremonial cycle. On the Apache Reservation, we will make a miniature Apache Burden Basket along with evening programs of stories, songs, dancing and traditional foods. There will also be a visit behind the scenes of the fine basket collection at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The cost of $695.00 per person includes transportation from Phoenix airport and return by a professional guide, basket demo by a Hopi weaver and weaving a miniature burden basket with a traditional Apache basket teacher, home visits, two traditional dinners, reference packet, evening cultural programs and behind the scenes visit to the Museum. Not included is your motel (which is approx. $150.00 per double occupancy) and other meals . If interested, please contact Ruthanne Morningstar, e-mail mstar@mich.com for details. (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: Bokamoso Women's Basketry Cooperative Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 22:14:03 -0500 From: tomnjan@erols.com To: davidc@iei.net Hello everyone, My name is Jan Steiner and I've been sort of lurking in the background and been remiss in my responsibility to be a participant, so here goes. After taking a workshop in basketry 3 years ago, I'm still at it when I can find the time. Unfortunately for me, it's not nearly as much time as I'd like it to be. Basket weaving is one of the earliest skills that humans developed. In the April 1998 issue of Discover magazine, there's an article titled New Women of the Ice Age that talks about finding weaving impressions in clay remnants that are carbon-dated at 27,000 years! It's an interesting article and I recommend reading it if you can find a copy in the library or elsewhere. Anyway, like any other utilitarian skill that humans developed, basket weaving incorporated spiritual and esthetic properties along the way, partly out of the reverence for having developed something that helped insure survival or just made life a little easier. Personally, I try to avoid the semantics of craft versus craftsman versus hobby, etc. It seems to me that if you are in the business of basketry, then you are selling something that was hand-crafted and whether it's viewed as utilitarian or esthetic is entirely up to the buyer. If you are giving a basket as a gift, again, the recipient is the one who designates it's category. The problems in trying to analyze all of this are that human nature is individual and our economic system generally wants to categorize and compartmentalize everything into nice, neat little packages. Having had my own small business many years ago, I understand the frustration that many of you have in trying to make a living at this when you have to compete with huge craft stores that sell cheap imports. Though they aren't made nearly as well as your handcrafted ones, they are cheaply priced, and it seems that most people who buy them aren't looking for something that will last for years. Hooking up with a "quality" market or finding a "niche" seems like the way to go. Home parties sound like a very good idea and I would attend one in my area (Washington, DC). Last year I made a very nice wine basket as my brother's birthday gift, and every time he goes to the liquor store the manager asks him for the name of the maker because he would be interested in having them for sale in the store (hint, hint!). To finish this message, I'd like to pass on a link to Web site that I found really interesting. It's about a women's' cooperative in Botswana that has made a significant difference in their lives. I think the initial reaction a lot of Americans might have to this article is that this could be economically threatening. But if you consider that they are making baskets from their native renewable resource, palm leaves, then it's really not impacting on the price of materials or saleability of the baskets we tend to weave here in the US. And in today's atmosphere of some really depressing news, this Web page is really positive and uplifting! The name of the cooperative is the Bokamoso Women's Basketry Cooperative. http://www.iucn.org/themes/ramsar/w.n.okavango_basketry.htm May you always find joy in whatever you're doing, Jan S. (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: Morton Baskets Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 08:44:48 -0800 From: cpk3@juno.com (L. Kotarba) To: davidc@iei.net Hi Johnny, Kari and weavers, Thanks for sharing the story of the Courting Basket. I love these 'story baskets' the history you add lends such a special personality to the baskets. Your mother has been on my mind... even after a brief communication, I feel a bond with her. The creativity involved with Morton's Baskets is evident, even at a fast glimpse. I can't wait to get a further look when the newsletter and new pattern list arrives. Barbara has given me a resurgence of interest in basketry. I have been weaving for about thirteen years now and felt like I just couldn't use too many more baskets. Quilting seemed to be taking all of my spare time. When the pattern for the Chinese Cookie Cooler Basket arrived, I started weaving, and I haven't stopped :) It's so nice at the end of a day to have little treasures from your days work. I typed the CCC legend and history (Barbara and Jack's trip to Beijing and their experience in the museum) on some parchment looking paper, rolled it up and tied it with some jute... tucked in the basket. I have given two as birthday gifts and they are well received, to say the least! The baskets have 'special' meaning. And they are reproduction museum pieces to boot! My thanks to Barbara... and God rest his soul, Jack. In friendship, Linda Kotarba Michigan P.S. to David, I enjoyed the St. Patrick's Day history. You presented it in a fun and most interesting way. Thanks for Weaver's Words. (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: RETREAT Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 13:42:03, -0500 From: MUPZ62A@prodigy.com (MRS ROBIN J GRIFFIN) To: davidc@iei.net HI EVERYONE I am getting ready to leave Friday for the northwest basket weavers retreat. This will be my 3rd year and it is great. It will be in port orchard, Washington this year. It is a great bunch of ladies I will let you know all about it when I get back. Made contact with Ruth at the centralia basketmakers group and I am hoping to join them at the next get together. I continue to love this newsletter. I have learned so many things from it. It is great to hear from people all over the country. My husband is from North Carolina (Morehead City) and I see there are several basketweavers from down there. I haven't been back there with him for years because I don't like flying but I am afraid I will have to get over that and go next time. I am somewhat of a lurker but hope to join in more as I go along. Thanks for a GREAT newsletter, Robin (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: large basket Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 19:10:39 +0000 From: Kathy Halter To: davidc@iei.net Hi! Thought I would share some information regarding the big basket that appears in Brenda Johnson's Vacation Stop at Royalwood photo. The basket is from Northern Thailand. It was made by Baa [Aunt] Keo, a member of a basketmaking co-op in a village near Chiang Mai. Woven entirely of bamboo, it took her 2 days to make the giant size replica of an "everyday" fishing creel. It was created for a special celebration honoring the King of Thailand's visit to the basketmaking village. The basket is 47" tall, 25" diameter at the top, and 40" at the widest point. It came to the United States in a container, along with the much larger Rice Harvest Basket which is 7 ft. 8 inches in diameter. If you are ever in our area - Mansfield, Ohio - stop by the shop to see the baskets! Kathy Halter - Royalwood Ltd. (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: newcomer Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 23:16:59 +0000 From: "The Baker Family" To: David Collins My name is Chris Baker & live in Augusta, Maine. Just a little over an hour south of Joy Moody. I have been making baskets almost a year, and like most of you am addicted. I have been doing shows selling the other things I make since 1995 & added my baskets shortly after I learned to make them. It has gone really well & have just started teaching classes. They are not full yet but are going very well with the students I do have. I did a small show last weekend & had a lot of positive response to my advertising them. I have some pictures of my baskets on my web site (see bottom of message for address). I also am writing a lot of my own patterns, too. I am really glad to find such a large source of basket maker to exchange info with. I do have a couple of questions. #1-For those of you who do shows & have to transport larger baskets, what is a good way to keep them protected while loading & unloading? For me, the Rubbermaid containers are not large enough for the kind of baskets I'm talking about. #2-This is to all of you who write patterns & sell them. As I mentioned I have just begun teaching classes, and do not own a shop. Most of whom I have talked to about selling patterns wholesale, have a 10-12 minimum before giving the discount. I am lucky to have 3 at a time right now & ordering that many patterns is out of the question. If someone asks me to sell 3 of my patterns wholesale & provides me with a state sales tax #, I would gladly do it. I hope some of those reading this would give this some consideration. Hope to hear some feedback from some of you. Chris Baker Days Gone By Augusta, Maine Web site-http://www.ime.net/~cbaker (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: Congratulations on !00 issues Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 09:37:43 -0500 From: "Debra Davis Lymburner" To: "David Collins" David congratulations on 100 issues. Thanks so much for bringing us all together. Welcome to all the newcomers. I really enjoyed hearing the story behind Barbara's courtship basket. I'm also anxious to hear all the wonderful conference experiences. I took a class from Toni Rynicke a few weeks ago and made a lidded mail/ fishing creel basket. It felt good to be weaving again. She had a good suggestion: recycle an old purse strap and use it for a basket. I went to the Salvation Army and found a couple of worn leather purses with salvageable straps that I can put to good use. Looking forward to spring in snowy Pinckney, Michigan. Debra (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) Subject: NCBC Great Time! Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1998 11:39:39 -0500 From: Ernest C and Julie C Kleinlein To: David Collins References: 1 Hello everyone! I finally have caught up on my sleep, going to bed every night at convention between 1:30 and 2:00AM, is fun at the time, but it does catch up with you! We were up every morning between 5:30 and 6AM to make sure to get to class on time. It was really great fun!!!! Would go again today, if I knew of one to go to!!! When I got home we had company come for 3 days, so it has been busy around here. The convention was great, there were so many nice people, in fact, I would have to say there wasn't anybody un-pleasant, the whole 4 days. There were lots of tired ones, but all smiling! I made 5 baskets and of course loved everyone of them, had great teachers too! Looking forward to the fall, for the next one. There are many concerns, about the date of next years convention, I believe that Ind, NC, and Mich, is all the same dates? or two of them are! Not sure! But I do hope that we still have the great classes, teachers, vendors and fellow basket weavers that were here this year. Or hopefully the dates can be changed! Oh well either way, it still will be fun! Nancy - Saw your baskets, just BEAUTIFUL!!!! Makes me wish I was one of the bridesmaids. Roberta - Ditto from Ernie!! Also, thanks for the scanner info I will check them out this week. Still Tired, Julie (¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯) If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.