"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 24 Compiled By David Collins Owned By Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: June 28, 1997 Subscribers: 228 Back Issues: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/basketry.html @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: APOLOGY Date: 26 JUN 97 02:56:19 EST From: PAT STEINMETZ To: David and fellow craft persons (hope that is not offensive), Allow me to offer my profound apologies to anyone and everyone who was offended by my question re-guarding weavers-makers. It was not my intention to attach a label to anyone or to lock anyone into neatly labeled cubby holes. I have only been weaving for about 4 years and was just curious as to why some people called themselves basket weavers and others called themselves basket makers. I have come up with my own answer, but at this point will keep it to myself - I would not wont anyone to take offense or be hurt by my personal opinion. I do not think any of us has ever deliberately set out to offend or hurt anyone else on this list. I always look forward to receiving Weavers Words and to share information and ideas. I agree with Jayna, we are all basket cases, but then I suppose someone will take offense to that as well. David, I any sorry for causing trouble. You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work. I will try to keep quiet and just lurk for a while. Pat, eating humble pie in Indy. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 23 Date: Thu, 26 Jun 1997 13:02:42 +0000 From: Pamela Woodbury To: davidc@iei.net Hi Weavers and David, I just wanted to comment on basketweaver/basketmaker. I guess after all the basket insults people have thrown out over the years, I toughened up and really could care less what anybody calls me. If I really don't feel like explaining what I do to someone who asks, I simply say I'm an eccentric artist and they never pursue it. HAHA. I might have shared this on Shirleys list, not sure. Several years ago at an art fair and I do both art fairs and craft fairs, a father of one of my sons friends starting making all the old jokes, weaving in the home, under water, etc. This particular show is always my best every year and this particular year was my best show I'd ever done. It was only about 1:00 in the afternoon of the first day and I had made some spectacular sales already. I laughed and said you know what Cliff I've already made enough money this morning to pay for this semester of college. My son was at the time attending full time a large university in MI and living on campus so this was already a great deal of money. His mouth dropped open and that was the end of the jokes. I really don't care what anybody calls me as long as they don't insult my work and when sales are good my ego is good. As I said on Baskets etc. I put 3 kids all the way through college on basket funds and as the youngest graduated last May my goal was to slow down, but I am busier this year than before. One comment about the chat room. You must be Java compatible to get into it. At the present time I am not and have to download Netscape III and have not yet had the time to do so. I am not nearly as good on the computer as I am at basketmaking so I am needless to say a little timid about trying to download it. To answer Kristens question about craft/art fairs and your responsibility if it rains. Usually the other crafters/artists set the example. I have a canopy as most of us doing outdoor shows do and I fold the sides down and stay open if possible. I have sold many a basket in the rain. I suppose without a canopy I would pack up even though rain really won't hurt baskets, but if you don't have a canopy nobody is going to stop and look at what you have anyway. When it starts raining during a show I get a real kick out of the shoppers. Their goal is to get where it is dry. My goal is to get the baskets all inside under the awning. The shoppers will flock inside your tent in the way of everything as you are frantically trying to get your baskets inside. I have asked many a person to move so that I can bring my baskets in before they get ruined. Once the baskets are inside I don't mind if somebody stays under the tent, but find it hilarious how rude they are when I'm trying to close the sides and get things inside. I've tried spraying commercial stain on my baskets. I like the idea, but the stain does tend to clog up the spray bottle and a couple of paint brushes a year seems far cheaper than all the spray bottles I was going through. I sometimes will spray in the summer if I wait and have lots of baskets to stain at once. We have this little tree with lots of branches that died in our yard. I won't let my husband cut it down because I can hang baskets all over this little tree and spray them. They dry fast this way also. By the way we have been in the 80's and 90's here in the middle of Michigan for the past week. Pam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: weavers vs makers Date: Thu, 26 Jun 1997 17:27:39 -0500 From: "Ronald Harrison" To: Robert- we commend you highly for you response to the question on the difference. Your opinion was asked for- and you gave it! And we happen to agree with it whole heartedly. Mary C- I am a weaver, not a good one, but a weaver; my husband, Ron is a basket Maker- and a highly skilled one. I do not have the skill to cut a tree, split the raw materials, clean it, etc. I do have the skill to purchase materials and weave my baskets. Nor- do I lose sleep over not having that skill- I applaud those that do. I also know that if the access to purchased materials suddenly "dried up" that would be the end of my weaving baskets. I did not take any offense in Robert's voicing his opinion. I do not feel that he labeled me. Maybe I am not bothered by trivial things like labels or others opinions of what I do. The question was asked and answered. I admire basket Makers and Weavers- but there is a difference, in my opinion. Bobbie- the weaver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Thu, 26 Jun 1997 20:40:06 -0400 From: "Jayna L. Glemby" To: davidc@iei.net Oh what a wonderful visit I had with Lisha Kimball at her Basketmakers shop in Webster, NH. http://www.weavenet.com/Basketmaker's-Shop.html She's out in farm country...when we were kids we called New Hampshire, cow hampshire! The most delightful and friendly and knowledgeable person... as I have found so many basketmakers to be. She has the most beautiful shades of dyed reed and her shop is just darling. If you are in New England, it's worth the trip. I have no vested interest here, just met her thru the digest and figured come good weather I'd pack a picnic and take a ride up north. It was worth it. Happy weaving to all, Jayna in central Massachusetts. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weaver's words Date: Fri, 27 Jun 1997 13:18:24 -0500 From: Linda Marshall Organization: High Plains To: davidc@iei.net Hi, Everyone, It's kinda funny how quickly we change our tune about the weather. It seems like just a couple of weeks ago we were all looking forward to warm weather, now I've seen several words like 'hot', 'humid' 'sticky'. I know I've felt like just diving into the soaking bucket a couple of times lately. The controversy about 'weaver' versus ' maker' reminds me of the fighting that the 'education' professionals and the 'training and development' professionals have. I used to 'train' in corporate settings, now I 'teach' at a Jr. College - so I'm both? I use reed and I also prepare my own white oak and honeysuckle - so I'm both? I cover the same class material and end up with the same baskets, either way. Let's each call ourselves whatever we feel comfortable with - just don't put down anyone for their choice. Neither term is better or more descriptive than the other. On to more important topics! I have recently figured out a couple of ways to get a little more organized. Like many other people, I keep dye to use again. Duh, I just found a good way to tell for sure what color dye I have in a jug. I take a small piece of the reed I just dyed & twine it around the handle. I don't want to say how many jugs of 'some color' are sitting around waiting to be tested. I also use used dryer fabric softener sheets to strain the dye through when I reuse it. It seems to catch the yucky stuff better than panty hose. I also found a really neat storage solution. A local dime store has just gone out of business nearby. I bought several of the 'gondolas' - the shelf things that they put stuff in to display. They have pegboard dividers and large metal trays. I also got a bunch of long hooks. Now I can hang coils on the hooks, put stuff in the baskets, and generally get more organized. On a more personal note: Is anyone out there going to go to the Kentucky State Fair this year? If you are, stop by the Kentucky Ostrich Association's food booth & try some ostrich. There will be burgers & ostrich on a stick. We're going to be supplying the ostrich & helping out in the booth, so I might see you there. I just rented "Much Ado about Nothing", with Kenneth Branaugh, Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, and Denzel (sp?) Washington. In several scenes there are a bunch of really neat looking baskets. Gave me a lot of good ideas. Linda Marshall hot, humid, sticky, So. Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: SUBSCRIBE Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 14:40:12 -0400 (EDT) From: LzyCat@aol.com To: david@putertutor.com Hi David, Hope this message makes it to you okay. Second time I have tried !! I would like to join your growing list of Basket weavers/makers...as I believe the titles are one in the same when you put Basket in front of them!! Glad to see Weavers Words up and running. Great to see everyone participating. To Roberta Huisman: Boy, how do you ever weave 15-28 baskets per day with five children?? I must commend you! I also am stay at home mom trying to supplement income with my growing basket biz. I have 2 small ones at home, one is 5 yrs old and one is 3. They certainly keep me on my toes!! I also teach out of my home a couple of days each week and one night at local consignment store. I would certainly love to weave that many baskets every day of the week!! Recently did the Victorian Laundry basket by Joyce Schaum....I encountered some difficulties with the layout in the base and ended up calling her at home! She was very helpful and kind and instructed me on layout. Has anyone else done this pattern? Would love to hear from you and how did it turn out? I have just returned from vacation in Maine and saw a gorgeous basket in a little shop in Bar Harbor. It was called a Great Island Floor basket and had a handle that was woven into the rim of the basket horizontally, extending on either side. Looked like a rectangular hoop...the basket had the shape of a Jeremiah Basket....has anyone seen anything like this or can anyone tell me where I could possibly find a pattern for this basket? It was gorgeous!! Do you think we will ever get a Basket Convention going here in Florida?? LOL Would love to have classes on the beach under the palm trees with a nice tropical breeze blowing...wouldn't that be great?? Hey, it's a thought!! Weave and suntan at the same time... Time to get off this one-eyed monster and return to my weaving table! Denise Lakeland, FL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.