"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 28 Compiled By David Collins Owned By Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: July 11, 1997 Subscribers: 247 Back Issues: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/basketry.html @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 27 Date: Tue, 8 Jul 97 22:19:10 EDT From: Devon_Branca@mlsonline.com (Devon Branca) Organization: MLS Online To: davidc@iei.net (David Collins) CC: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone, Just dropping a line to talk about Rit dyes. I usually only dye small quantities of reed at one time so I don't need much water. Therefore I can get my dyes pretty dark--after all, less water, more dye equals darker shades. Another suggestion is what I do if I don't get a deep enough color--OVER dyeing. Basically dyeing the reed again, sometimes it helps if you let it dry in between. Cheri Branca ***MLS Online-An Internet BBS. (www.mlsonline.com) Focus: Family, Business & Education. Voice Support: 716-454-5577 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 27 Date: Tue, 08 Jul 1997 23:11:17 -0400 From: "drpain@net-gate.com" To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July. I have a question for any Kentucky basket makers. Someone told me that the Kentucky Basket Convention is being held on July 31, Aug 1 & 2 of this year. I am teaching basket classes at Kentucky Music Week in Bardstown, and would like to know if these dates are right. If anyone knows how to get in touch with Dolores Mudd could you please let me know. I was told that she was running the convention. I am going to be teaching in Bardstown the week of the 27th thur Aug 1st. I usually bring plenty of extra supplies with me. I will be teaching pine needle and antler baskets. It is a really nice festival and has classes of all kinds to offer. Well back to weaving, I broke my toe on the 4th, so I can't do much of anything but weave. It is great :) THanks Mary Carty South Jersey Piney http://www.imagegfx.com/users/pinelands/ Baskets & Dulcimers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Subscription "Weavers Words" Date: Wed, 09 Jul 1997 05:44:54 -0500 From: "Frederick A. Kogler" Organization: All About Baskets To: david@putertutor.com David...Thanks many times over for your time and talents! Here's a little bit about myself; I'm a 57 year old father, grandfather and pastor of a Lutheran church. I have been interested in basketry many years and have recently turned of the burner as a weaver, participant and organizer of things in this area of my life. My main interest is working with black ash! I have begun the immersion process through an active reading and research process that has taken me from local craftsmen and women, to Lyn Siler, John Mc Guire and Gail Marlowe...and many others, such as the subscribers of this list. We have undertaken starting our own weaving supply store here in West St. Paul, MN called "All About Baskets(R)" and offer quality supplies and materials at very competitive prices: is our web page. I am the interim director of the BASKET WEAVERS GUILD - MIDWEST that is located in West St. Paul, MN and has a mailing address of 1637 Allen Ct., West St. Paul, MN 55118-3802. Our 53 members have regular monthly meetings and carry on a full program for weavers of all skill levels and of many different materials. I have a request to weave a back pack but do not have a good pattern for the same nor do I have a source for the straps that would go along with it. If there is anyone out there that can make a suggestions in this regard please let me know at -- Frederick A. Kogler, Sr. Associate Pastor Emanuel Ev. Lutheran Church U.A.C. of St. Paul, MN 1637 Allen Ct. West St. Paul, MN 55118-3802 http://www.concentric.net/~fkogler fkogler@concentric.net frederi964@AOL.com prop. "All About Baskets" fkogler@concentric.net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Missing weaver's words Date: Wed, 9 Jul 1997 10:44:14 -0400 (EDT) From: Jvoconnor1@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net In answer to Donna Kallner's question about missing volumes -- Several of the last issues of weaver's words have gone to my download because they were too large for my email. To retrieve these go to your file manager, open aol (or whatever online service folder you have), go into "download" and your missing issues should be there. You can click on it just like a document and then read it or print it out. When you pick up your email, if it says "downloading" and ticks down the percentage and then says download is finished (or something like that)...this is what your computer is doing. The email was too large and has to be sent to a larger file in your file manager. Hope this helps you guys. Sandi Howard Mundelein, IL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Wed, 9 Jul 1997 17:44:34 -0400 From: "Joy Moody" To: Hi Everyone. Maine is going from heat, to rain, to heat, and back to rain. Glad for the cool breeze at night. It helps me sleep so I can get up the next day & make more baskets. I ran into a former antique dealing cohort yesterday. She asked if I was doing anything new. I told her I get up every day now & LOVE what I am doing. What a pleasure to be able to say it! Mary: Thanks for the underwater weaving story. It made me remember when my niece was signing up for her college courses. My brother (hate to say it, but a stick in the mud about "art") told her she had to take something SERIOUS, "not like basket weaving" if he was going to pay for it. Can you believe we come from the same family!? I don't tell him much now about what I am doing. Counseling was a "serious" career, but he thinks this is a joke. Kathi: About those T pins. I use a plywood sheet on my Lobo easel, which folds flat like a table to work on. The T pins go into it. Sometimes I use hat pins. Never had anything split so far, but the heads do come off the hat pins when I try to pull them out! Donna: I've been taking pictures of everything lately, getting ready for my Web site (due up this Fall). I plan on scanning the best shots. I am NOT a photographer, so I have to take alot of pictures to get one good one. I just leave film in the camera at all times. Denise: You didn't miss my "shop" because I don't have one, but you certainly would have been welcome to stop at my barn studio! Since I hung (what I affectionately refer to as ) the "Medusa" monster basket out front, people are just driving in all excited. It has been alot of fun. My business is being readied for Internet sales, unless the traffic continues, in which case I'll have to go back to the town for a different "approval". I'm O.K.'d for an in-home private practice in counseling, but they don't want alot of cars in the driveway at one time. It makes no sense, as several neighbors always have a pile of cars, so maybe some day I'll be up for hassling it out. Last but not least, I must be weird because my reed hardly ever bleeds after I've dyed it. I use either Basket Tree or Basketry (powder) dyes. I throw in salt or a chug of cider vinegar, use boiling/hot simmering water, process 5-20 minutes, wipe it with a paper towel & let it dry completely before rinsing. The next day, I rinse with cold water & wipe each piece with a paper towel again. I've never tried the vinegar rinse, but it sounds like something I'll try on the one or two colors I've had run. That's it for todays folks. Hope you are all enjoying your summer & making many many beautiful baskets! Joy Moody Sign of the Crow Hampden, Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Nantucket wall paper Date: Wed, 9 Jul 1997 21:19:24 -0400 From: "The Rigterinks" To: Greetings to everyone! First off, I would like to thank everyone who participates on this list - I have learned so very much from all of you. This list just seems to be the "shot in the arm" I need on the days that I receive it! David, you don't know how much "sanity" you give to all us "basketcases" Thank you! A few lists back someone mentioned a place to purchase Nantucket wallpaper and/or border. I wrote down the telephone number of the place, and of course can no longer find any trace of it! If anyone knows what I'm talking about and still has the phone number I would greatly appreciate it if you would let me know! Once again, thanks to everyone out there. You make be proud to be a part of this list and also a basketmaker. Diane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 27 Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 00:58:48 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 David & All the subscribers, Hello! I'm back, I think. Have been having computer problems. Am still not positive they're all fixed, but sure hope so. This was my first post received since the big glitch & I was really glad to see it & learn that I hadn't been bounced off. I have missed this list! I think I have recovered much of my missing mail via importing my account onto a friend's computer. If I'm missing any WWs, I'll look for them at the web site. It'll probably be a week or so before I get through the month-long backlog. It's great to see how much the subscribers number has grown! My medieval war camping vacation was a lot of fun, although the weather was pretty beastly hot & humid & stormy. We cheated a bit & spent a couple of nights at home. Got to visit with many of my favorite out-of-town friends. I wove a pedestal basket for my entry in the 'project made entirely on site at the war' competition. I came in second. The first place entry was a Viking style spindle with a soapstone whorl & osage orange shaft, made by one of my good buddies from Ohio. His wife spun some wonderfully fine wool thread on it do demonstrate how well it works. 4th of July was absolutely beautiful here! Can't remember the last time I got chilly watching fireworks. S. Rolf-Tooley >..... "the lady on our street who has everyone trained to save >all bones, hooves, twisted sticks, leaves, vines, and road kill and >who can't look at anything without assessing it's ability to be woven into >a basket or tied onto a gourd." .... Yeah, but isn't it fun!?! I enjoy my eccentricity! Shortly before I retired, my office was reorganized. My desk was the one where people dumped their extra supplies that weren't quite good enough to go back in the supply cupboard, but were too good to throw away. Everyone was sure I'd find a way to recycle them! Pam & Darleena: It's interesting to see your comments on how your guild meetings go. My first local guild meeting is coming up this Sunday. Guess I'd better get out my notes and call somebody for particulars of time and place and what I need to take with me. I'm reedy (er, ready) for it & looking forward to seeing people I met at the KC convention. Mary Fulton: Although I haven't yet seen what went before about underwater basket weaving, I was amused to find anything about it here. One of the running jokes in my camp last month was about underwater basket weaving. People were speculating about what kind of diving gear would be needed until I pointed out that the weaver didn't have to be under water so long as the basket was. There were a couple of days I seriously considered jumping in the lake to cool off, but didn't have the energy to tote my supplies and tools down to the beach. :-) Donna Kallner: Your custom personalized willow/antler basket sounds great. Is there any chance you can still get the customer or recipient to let you take a picture(s) or maybe take one for you? I'm not always good about recording things I make for others (usually as gifts), but I try to keep a record the really good ones. They can be a valuable part of your reference portfolio for tracking your progress over the years, reminding you of good ideas you may want to repeat or modify for future projects, or to show prospective buyers what you can do. I'd have probably grabbed a quick snack on the run and taken some pictures while the invoice was printing. My projects aren't always baskets. When they are something flat, such as a piece of embroidery or a page of calligraphy with illuminated borders, I like to get color 'Xeroxes' of them. I keep the prints in page protectors and sometimes add a reference sheet or card with samples of the threads to show the true colors used, design sketches, if any, and notes on any research sources consulted. Some items (knitting patterns and lace samples) can be effectively recorded by black & white photocopies. That might also work for basket surfaces. The last major repair I did on an imported ski sweater, I scanned on my new flatbed scanner. Don't have a color printer yet, but it looks good on my computer screen & the B&W printout isn't bad! Grace Davis: The John Campbell Folk School sounds very interesting to me. I've had no experience with it, but sure would like to hear more about it, if you go. Unfortunately, it's not going to fit my budget this year. :-) At the MO convention in KC last month I bought a copy of the book you & Forrest wrote (on pricing baskets) & am finding it helpful for projects other than baskets, too. Denise: I've got a number of unfinished projects around (doesn't everyone?), some of them baskets. Not so much because they were troublesome, as because I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with them. In some cases, other priorities took over. Some I may never finish. I'm trying to learn to identify those and get rid of them so they won't haunt me. :-) Carolyn: About ' wine colored dyes ... looking purple': If your dyes have natural dyestuffs in them, they may be affected by the pH of your water. Basic (alkaline) water can make some natural reds turn purplish. If that is the problem, adding vinegar (an acid) to the dyebath might swing it back toward red. (You can see this phenomenon easily with grape juice. Adding a little vinegar to some juice makes it redder. Adding a little baking soda to some juice (not the sample that already has vinegar) makes it bluer, and can make it end up sort of a blue-green. If that doesn't work (and it probably won't with modern synthetic dyes), you might consider mixing your own custom color by combining your burgundy with a lighter clear red. Measure the proportions so you can repeat it when you want to. It's good to be back on line! Bye for now! Bert Comstock, Independence, MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 27 Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 10:37:24 -0400 (EDT) From: JFerrency@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi! I've been standing on the sidelines for a while, enjoying this list and the wonderful variety of folks who contribute. It's probably time to introduce myself and ask my questions - well, some of them, anyway. I'm Jacquie Ferrency from Milford, New Hampshire. By trade I am a jeweler/metalsmith, but by nature I'm just a maker of things, all sorts of things. For the past four or five years I have been making baskets, mostly from reed, but also from some local materials (very local, like in my yard.) I'm a rash beginner, knowing just enough to be able to tell that I know next to nothing! Perhaps some of you have worked with Virginia Creeper, Bittersweet, Myrtle, or Grape vines or Daylily or Blue Flag leaves. Some of these threaten to take over the yard if I don't fend them off. With fresh grapevine hoops and ribs and fresh Virginia creeper weavers, I made a large round basket. It was tightly woven at the start, but has loosened up all over in drying. Should I have dried the materials first, then soaked them before using them? (either way, they're wet...) Is peeling the vines functional or cosmetic? Also, is there a use for bittersweet vines? The thicker twisty vines look as if they'd make great handles, but they don't seem very strong or flexible. Is there a book that provides information on using these materials? Another subject ... I work with a group of women who meet once a week to make things for the annual church craft fair in December. In the summer time we like to make reed baskets, but it is hard to find appropriate projects. There are from 8 to 12 of us, almost always a couple new to the process and others with varied amounts of experience but who weave only once a year within this group. It is a challenge to facilitate this endeavor, which ends up being great fun despite snags like limited space, limited funding for materials, etc. Are there others out there who are involved in similar volunteer efforts? Do you have any words of wisdom or suggestions rising from experience? Thanks to all for providing this opportunity to communicate and share. Jacquie in Milford, NH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 14:41:12, -0500 From: BDKE97B@prodigy.com (MRS BILLIE A DORRIS) To: davidc@iei.net It was interesting to hear the colors that everyone is using. I find them the same as I use. I used to use a lot of Myrtle Green before cushing stopped making it. It could serve for many shades of green depending on the length of time you left it in the dye bath. Lois, yes some of the shows in the CONUS do charge admission. They are primarily the larger shows that are in the more expensive venues like the pavilion in Va. Beach or the Coliseum in Hampton. These places are super expensive to rent but are the only ones of anysize around. They also do extensive advertising. The local shows in the schools and churches are usually admission free. Some of the proceeds from some of the shows go to charity., The main advantage that you get from a pd admins. show is that if the people are willing to pay to get in they are also willing to spend some money and usually expect quality merchandise with no junl or flea market stuff. I agree with Pam about the Folk Art Shows being where our stuff sells best. When I lived in Northern Va. I found my best shows were at Historic Houses-maybe people who go to historic houses appreciated quality better-I don't know. Guild Meetings-at our guild we always try to have a program of some kind. As we meet on Sun. afternoon in a church our time is limited so we don't have any long classes. We schedule them on other days. We recently held an open to the public beginner class with a small mkt basket. We had 17 newcomers attend. That is too many for a class but the teacher had 6 assistants to help them so it worked our ok. Part of our charter as a Not for Profit group is that we need to educate the public about basketry and this is one of the ways we do it. We charge basically for supplies at these classes no teacher fee. When we ask one of our members to teach a full day class we do pay her for it as we would any other teacher. If it is just a brief class at one of our meetings we just pay for supplies. Something to think about is whether you are penalizing members of your own guild by not paying them as you would others. It takes them no less time and effort just because they are guild members. But we usually don't pay for sharing techniques. Enough for now in Va. Beach, Billie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: questions??? Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 20:51:58 -0500 From: Tracy To: davidc@iei.net I have some questions for all who are willing to answer. 1} I would like to make baskets for outdoor use. Has anyone ever used Thompson's water seal on their baskets to protect them from water damage and has it worked? 2} I have a pattern that calls for a matchstick border. How is this done? The pattern provides no explanation. 3} This is the first year I am trying to make a go to weaving baskets to sell a local arts and crafts shows. What tax forms and publications should I be reading that let me know what I can and can not deduct as business expense? I have been keeping records updated so this will help me in December. Thanks, Tracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Craft Show Date: Fri, 11 Jul 1997 09:16:38 -0700 From: mandy Organization: Mandy's Hopechest To: davidc@iei.net Hello fellow weavers! I am just going to start to do craft shows...and was wondering if I could get a few suggestions. I have to design a booth yet, decide how many baskets to take, and how much cash to take for change. Any suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated! Would also like to thank David for doing the list, I have missed having a list to get such great ideas from and to meet such wonderful basket weavers. Happy Weaving ! Amanda Popelka Oregon, Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Rit Dye Date: Fri, 11 Jul 1997 13:41:56 -0400 (EDT) From: mbc@vnet.net (Michael & Barbara Cordell) To: davidc@iei.net Time to stop lurking! - now that I possibly have something to contribute concerning dying reed. One time when I took a class from Lyn Siler, she said she got her deep colors by adding just a little bit of black Rit dye to whatever color she was making - I have not tried this, but it makes sense and her navy, wines and greens are really deeper than what I ordinarily get. If anyone tries this, I would love to hear how it turned out.... A question - what guild is in the Plymouth, Novi, Livonia area in Michigan? There is a slight possibility that we will be moving up there and I want to make sure I have a guild to join before I agree to any move!!! (like I really have a choice..) Unfinished baskets....Judy Wilson ribbed basket kit. Bought it 4 years ago and have only done a little - it's so beautiful and not hard, but for some reason or other I just never pick it up. And I know I'm not alone about this, cause many of our guild members have unfinished ones. She came and taught about 5 years ago and everyone bought extra kits that STILL aren't done. Actually, I have set a goal to finish it this summer sometime (yeah, right!)...and then there are....about 8 other unfinished projects. David, thank you for not censoring and especially for doing such a terrific job keeping Weavers Words going...you're doing such a great job. Thank you! Barb Cordell Charlotte, NC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.