"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 33 Compiled By David Collins Owned By Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: July 27, 1997 Subscribers: 259 Back Issues: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5998/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: stuff Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 12:06:46 +0900 From: SMSgt Vic & Darleena Jones Organization: USAF, Okinawa, Japan To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Hello fellow weavers, To Forrest: I got such a good laugh over your basket. I could just picture your neighbor's reaction to your creation and then you out late at night, after the dogs have been put in, getting even with the neighbor's car. It sounds like it's never boring at your house. A good sense of humor gets us through life rather well. Marty: I like to play Yanni or John Tesh when I'm weaving. If I play country music during classes some of my students start to chatter about the singers and stop weaving. I enjoy the instrumentals and it seems to help things flow better. Amanda: I'm jealous that you have such a space to get a shop going. The military world travelers have to keep our belongings to a minimum and our homes are usually small spaces. We all dream of the 5 or 10 acres we'll have when we leave the military life. I wish you luck in starting your project. Maybe you could share the space with your husband. A wall in the right place and a second door out the back. If it's tall enough you could put a loft in for your storage. Have you checked into the zoning laws in your county? You'll need the big basket "sign" and won't that be great to weave? I have a student who is relocating to South Carolina and will need an instructor. Anyone out there? We have a super typhoon threatening to move in. The weavers would like to see it move in so we have an excuse to weave more. But then I'd probably lose another of my banana trees and I hate to lose plants. I must get ready for my next show and I'm using every excuse not to work... back to it. Happy Weaving. Thanks David! Darleena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 32 Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 12:48:25 +0000 From: Pamela Woodbury To: davidc@iei.net Hi Basket Friends, Just one quick word on unfinished projects. I am a finisher. I hate to see an unfinished basket, but I do have one still sitting unfinished. I usually come home from guild and even finish that basket before I go to bed. I spent years hating ribbed baskets. I have had so many people tell me they took one basket class and hated it and my first question always is was it a ribbed basket and the answer is always yes. I think a ribbed basket is just waaaaaaay tooooooo hard for someone who has never made a basket. I have conquered my fear of ribbed baskets and am rather starting to enjoy them. I spent years taking nothing but ribbed baskets at conventions just to conquer them, I was trying this with really difficult twills, but I don't know if I'll ever conquer my fear of difficult twills. I am now spending all my convention time and money on taking Nantuckets, not because I am afraid of them or not because I need to conquer, but because I absolutely love them. I figure now that if I am going to spend a lot of money at convention, it needs to be something I truly love. I have 3 nantucket classes coming up in the next 3 months. I think I'm going to have to buy a curio cabinet soon because I am getting way to many special baskets to just have them scattered around. They need to be displayed in a more impressive style. HAHA To Mary Carty, I like to listen to loud country music so I can sing along. TeeHee Just to let everyone know the basket at guild that Kathy Westphal was making was my Cathead Sampler, which is a twill and she did an absolutely wonderful job. Good work Kathy. To Terri, yes indeed you can sign up for extra classes at MI. On Thursday when everybody is registering they will have postings of all the classes that still have opening. Get in that line early as they line up for a mile to get what they want. Usually people are in a hurry to get home on Sunday so you will probably have good luck picking something up for Sunday morning. Joy, I'm really sorry to hear about your stolen basket. I just got insurance last week. I didn't however insure the baskets or supplies. I was much more concerned with a major lawsuit over somebody knocking my display over onto somebody than the loss of the baskets, not to say I wouldn't be pretty sad to lose them. Most insurance's would be so high without a $250 deductible that you probably wouldn't have gotten anything by losing one basket anyhow. The insurance rates go down drastically with deductibles. I have had a couple of baskets stolen, but knock on wood, nothing major. It is not just the general public that will steel from us we need to worry about other basket weavers as well. Two of the major conventions that I went to last year had a great deal of stealing going on. It's sad but true. I've said it before and will say it again we are not all nice. :( :( :( Pam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: michigan Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 08:52:28 -0700 From: pamela parins Organization: university of wisconsin milwaukee To: davidc@iei.net I'm trying to find information on joining the Michigan basket guild. Can anyone help me?? Thanks Donna K. for sending me info on David's newsletter. I've learned much so far. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Question Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 11:13:03 -0600 From: ANDREA & TOM OKEEFE Organization: SAVANNAH HOUSE To: davidc@iei.net, coltsfan@usa.net Greetings David and Everyone from sunny and very hot Florida! Does anyone know where I can obtain a pair of needle nose pliers manufactured by XURON? They're 5-1/2" long and have a soft blue handle. I used them at my teacher's house yesterday but she bought them years ago and doesn't know where to get them. They are the best I've ever used. I'd appreciate any info anyone has. Andrea Palm Island, FL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Misc. Basket Stuff Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 16:04:11 -0400 From: Mandy Miller To: davidc@iei.net Hello Everyone! I just subscribed to the list and have only been reading for about 3 issues. I have thoroughly enjoyed them! I just wanted to comment on the ribbed basket as a first basket - I taught two students to make their first egg basket last night. Both of them have made 3-4 baskets, and I thought they were ready for the ribbed baskets. They both left very frustrated and disappointed, with unfinished baskets. Frankly, I was amazed that they found it so difficult. The second basket I made was an egg basket, and I was thrilled that I didn't have to rim it!! Both of the students complained about the shape of their baskets, and seemed to have various other troubles. I felt really bad that they weren't happy - usually people leave so excited with their new baskets, even if they aren't quite finished. Which leads me to another question - usually I teach small groups (4 or less), and usually teach a basket that they (as a group) are interested in making. I had several requests for the egg basket. Do most of you teach baskets by request, or do you choose a basket, advertise that you're teaching that specific basket on a specific date, and let people show up for the baskets that they want to make? I'm considering teaching only what I call 'squares and rectangles' (really easy ones) because I really hate it when students who just don't seem to have the knack for basketmaking leave disappointed and/or frustrated. Pam - My thoughts exactly!! I really empathize with you about the "Pink Flamingos", and I laughed my head off reading your message about them. My husband and I call those things "-on-a-stick", such as 'Bird on a stick, scarecrow on a stick, angel on a stick', etc. At a craft show I was at last weekend, the woman at the booth next to me started the day with at LEAST 15 angels-on-a-stick. At $16.00 each, she sold out completely. Guess how many comments I got about how EXPENSIVE my baskets were!! It totally burns me up - I even got a comment "Sorry, they're just not Longaberger..".. GRRRRRR!!!! Then I watched that same woman go next door, coo about the angel-on-a-stick, and shell out $16.00 for a piece of plywood. Gee...I wonder how a BASKET on a stick would sell??!!?? (or maybe we could call them 'woven flamingos')... Maybe somebody should try that!! Mandy Miller W. Henrietta, NY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weavers Words Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 18:48:07 -0400 From: "Joy Moody" To: Hi Everyone! It has been nice to have new people come out of the lurking places. Welcome & good to have your input.. So glad to hear there is a new chat site. I felt like the craftmall pulled a bait & switch. Linda, does the same limitation to about 6 participants apply? On the old site, if there were too many people trying to get on, you'd get an obscure message which really meant the number of participant slots was full. Julie Sadler: Try the Hudson Museum, part of the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono, Maine. They have a Penobscot basketry exhibit which includes some very old birch bark examples. You might also check out http://www.atiin.com/iaca to contact Native American artists/basketmakers or write the Penobscot Indian Museum, River Road, Old Town, Maine 04068 (They may also be able to link you to Passamaquody birch bark basketmakers). Mary Carty: I like classical, Nova Scotia Highland music, dulcimer & a smattering of everything else except Country. Amanda: The first thing you want to do is check your towns regulations for in-home businesses. When I opened at home for my counseling practice, I had to go before the town council to get approval. Your neighbors get to state any objections. There can be restrictions re: the amount of traffic in & out of your yard, the times of operation, the size of any sign you may hang, building codes etc. There may be taxes levied by the town on businesses in the home. You are ahead of the game though to have a detached building; I can tell you it is not fun having people call or stop at all hours & you will enjoy your business more if you can open & lock up on whatever schedule you choose. Have you thought about how you will advertise so people will know you are there? An ad campaign budget and plan is really a must if you want to control costs. Whoever was talking about hickory nuts made me hungry & brought back school yard memories! A small group of us in elementary school discovered the wonders of sitting under the hickory tree & using our rock tools to grab a snack. Fun Fun. Count yourself lucky to have one of those magical trees! Looking forward to the next issue, as always. I love to have a tea or coffee, find a quiet, sunny spot to light, & read Weavers Words. Joy Sign of the Crow Hampden, Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: weavers words Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 21:48:52 -0700 From: "Lisa A. Mather" Organization: Twig's Country Baskets To: davidc@iei.net Greetings from New Hampshire! I finally had the time to catch up on the Weavers Words that have piled up. It seems that the summer is cruising on by and I never get a chance to sit in front of the computer for long. Well, its dog season in NE and my husband and I are training in the field or in the obedience ring as much as we can but I still find the time to weave and teach as well :) I recently made the cutest Noah's Ark;pattern by Di's Heavenly Treasures in NC. It really looks like an ark and was fun to do! I've been reading a lot about the melon basket. It really can be a beginners basket if is done without adding secondary spokes..thus no need for the turn backs. That can be tackled later in what I call a buttocks basket. This is certainly a bit more complicated as a beginner basket. My teacher started us with the basic melon. There has been a lot of talk about insurance. I no longer do the fairs but do teach in my own home and needed to get extra insurance to cover me in case someone hurt themselves. It is easy to obtain an umbrella policy to cover this and it follows me wherever I go. This price varies from state to state but is very little for a great deal of coverage. It is usually best when your other insurances(house and auto) are in the same place; then you just ask for an umbrella over and above this. Pam, you mentioned something about corporation. I don't know if it is the same(maybe not) but I once looked into incorporating and the info I got was not to if I worked out of my home because if I were to be sued they could go after me as the corporation and then me as the individual. It was only advisable if I worked out of my home. I don't know if this is accurate or if is helpful. Unfinished baskets...I have a few of those. One time, a few years ago, I was determined to learn how to make a Cow Nose basket and fought with it over and over and then one day it formed before my eyes. I was so elated to have finally figured it out and then I never finished it!!! It still sit in the workshop without a rim and handle. Go figure! Well, I've chatted enough and I'll try to keep up with this more in the future. Happy weaving and thanks David for keeping this going! Twig Henniker, NH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: thefts and other stuff Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 22:54:51 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha, Congrats to Forrest (did I spell that right?) for finishing his basket! We would all like to see it, whether it*s on your head or not! Perhaps it would inspire my husband who thinks his responsibilities start and end with lashing. This is odd, but I have tons of unfinished projects laying around the house--cross stitch and quilts--but all my baskets are finished. I want to finish my new treasure to see exactly what it looks like! Now, if I only had some motivation to get to those quilts..... Joy--I can sympathize with you, sister! I consigned to a place called the "Country Barn" which happened to be at the arts and crafts center where I currently teach. Right after I put a large magazine basket in the shop, it vanished. The shop called to see if I had it....and yes, they paid for it...but then others (and they were are big baskets) apparently grew legs and walked out. I talked to other consignors and found out they were missing items, too, and most of these items were big items (floor lamps, etc.). I spoke to the operators who said it must be the people in evening classes taking stuff and I was offended as I was teaching at night and I certainly would have known if someone walked out with one of my baskets or someone*s lamp--and I was the last person out! However, this complex is large--with a photographer*s class area, ceramic shop, Glamor Shots studio, frame shop, and a retail craft shop--and there were a lot of people with keys.....when I suggested it could have been an inside job, they were floored that I would suggest that. Anyway, thefts became so frequent, they closed the consignment shop. I was naive to think that no one would steal things people had made with their own hands...... and to Mary and her musical question. I listen to Celtic dulcimer, the Cheiftains, Enya, Cherish the Ladies, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Yanni, and Mozart. Can*t weave without music! Amanda--I do so envy your chance to start your own shop in the garage! I think it*s worth taking a chance--if you don*t you might regret it--and wonder the rest of your weaving days.... Andrea and Tom--just got "dissed" on the Girl Scout site as someone came up with the stupid idea of our troops of Brownies raising money to put a statue representing Girl Scouts in DC. I said why not Savannah and the response was "who ever goes to Savannah?" How tacky. And I will admit--I always finish my baskets, but if they*re incredibly ugly, I toss them (and place them in a hefty bag--one of my neighbors took one of my truly uglies out of the trash and used it in her house!). What ever happened to SIMPLY BASKETS? Was there ever a May issue and I just missed it? Gosh, I like this wonderful page--thanks again, David...and our guild president is finally home, so things are going to straighten out.... Have a fine weekend, Lois Honolulu, HI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 32 Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 19:33:58 -0400 (EDT) From: FDilts@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi to all . Thought I would put my 2 cents worth in regarding ribbed baskets. So far I have found very few people who like to make them. I, on the other hand, find it to be one of my favorites. I had been weaving for about a year before I tried one though. Not sure if I would have continued weaving if it had been my first one to make. I like doing the God's eye in reed and then weaving the main portion of the basket with sea grass. Creates a very rustic looking basket. To Amanda in Oregon, IL - I think that I have talked to you via email regarding basket guilds in IL. Today I finally found out where Oregon is. We do have some members who are in your area so if you would like information let me know. Well I'd better go. Happy Weaving to everyone. Melanie ^i^ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 32 Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 19:48:25 -0400 (EDT) From: JSarge8230@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Dear Fellow Weavers I have split white oak staves and want to die them black. I tried minwax and it didn't work, next I will try permanent ink. A gal in our basket group tried Rit and it came faded to dark purple. I need help. Any solutions out there? Joyce, Venice Fla. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weavers Words Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 09:31:49 -0700 From: "LORI HOPKINS" To: "David Collins" Hi All, How I miss all of you... Summer is my busy time with longgggg Hours of working and no weaving time ....I did steal a few minutes to read some and I'm up to issue 27 so forgive me if I'm a little behind... Theresa---For dark rich colors the liquid rit is what I use. Before weaving with it I wipe the reed with an old rag. Kathi --- The push pin in directions I used on my third basket after that I found it was easier to weave by using a heavy book to weigh my work or just use my hand.. The better you get at weaving the easier it gets to decide how best to lay the bases out with a system that will work for you..Donna----I try to take a picture of every basket I make.. I put the pictures in an album with my patterns. I use it when teaching others . I also find if I'm not careful my baskets tend to all look alike....I get in a grove and can't get out... Does anyone else have the same problem... I find that my baskets tend to look the same for 1 year..Then I must force myself to try a new color combinations or new shade of stain.. By taking pictures it helps me to keep a variety going.... Well I'm out of time I hope all are enjoying the summer . May The Weave Be With You,Lori Hopkins, Lake Wallenpaupack,Pa. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Melon- egg basket Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 12:40:07 -0700 From: edwinb@erols.com To: "\"Weavers Words\"" Hello everyone! My first basket was a MELON basket. I didn't make an egg basket until many baskets later. The melon does not need " increasing " or filling or turning back, so was much easier.We used 5 ribs on each side. I think this style is very comforting for a beginner with the weaving and no rims. Now , the egg is something else.I have made many,and I love the look, but always alot of cutting and adjusting--its a chore.Does anyone have exact measurements for the ribs for 8" hoops and a nice very rounded egg or fanny shape. I mean for the primary ribs and the secondary ribs. It would be so lovely if the ribs went right in correctly. Very, very lovely! Nancy in Glen Arm, Md. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Issue 32 Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 09:06:36 -0400 (EDT) From: DKallner@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net I'm just getting caught up with my reading, and wanted to chime in. Terri Brenner, I also got the Lattice Basket with Judith Olney at Michigan, so I'll see you there! My other Michigan classes are Cass Schorsch's Biscuit Basket and Sandy Whalen's Country Garden Basket. I got exactly what I wanted, and couldn't be more pleased. Mary Carty asked what kind of music we enjoy listening to when we weave. I'm a big fan of The Chieftains -- that really gets me going. If I have a real problem to figure out or just need to get into the rhythm of weaving, I plug in The Chieftains and chew gum in time to the music. If I need to get my blood moving, I plug in some Broadway musical and sing along at the top of my lungs. But on lots of days, I put in a book on tape and let someone read to me while I weave. I exchange book tapes with two other weavers, and check others out from the library. Sometimes I listen to classics like Jane Austen, other times to contemporary fiction like "How Stella Got Her Groove Back." Fun stuff.But my favorite stuff to listen to is when I'm cutting wild willow and the toads and birds are singing. That's the best "music" of all! Donna Kallner White Lake, Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weavers Words Date: Sun, 27 Jul 97 17:00:26 GMT From: "Caroly{ Megginson" To: davidc@iei.net (David Collins (digest)) Hello fellow basketmakers, I had the opportunity to go to Chippokes, Pork, Pine, and Peanut festival this past weekend. My first baskets I observed were wooden bottoms with wooden slats,the next ones were almost as primitive. Both of these baskets had nailed rims. The nex booth also had handmade but something was totally different. I had just about given up when I saw more and I told Lewis someone had real baskets. I knew immediately that I had seen these before. They were made by Susan Butler of Grafton, Va. She has some of the most unique baskets I have ever seen. She even had the grandmother basket (egg basket type but with four sides). She used a lot of flat reed and enhanced the feel of the baskets with the delicate use of round reed. She paints on a lot of her baskets, simple but elegant designs, and even makes antler baskets. I guess I could rattle on all day but I think you would have to see them to realize the artistry and diversification she uses. I know I can't sit around anymore, have got to get busy, thanks Susan. Lewis has found when twining around the bottom of the baskets he likes to use a real small seagrass. This is easier and gives an original look. We are headed for the Watermelon Festival next week. Plan to have a good time and it would be nice to sell some baskets on the side. Is anyone familiar with the ICQ network? It is a chat line that can be downloaded free. Really nice. Made my first braided border basket, not to bad, had more trouble with the inside than the outside. Have a few more things to do to get ready for next week. Carolyn Megginson Suffolk, Va. 23437 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Baskets Date: Sun, 27 Jul 97 22:18:13 GMT From: "Caroly{ Megginson" To: davidc@iei.net (David Collins (digest)) Hi! I just want to offer a quick correction on my previous letter. The basketmaker was Susanna Butler not Susan Butler. Hope to hear how shows or fairs are going for fellow basketmakers or basketweavers. Carolyn Megginson Suffolk, Va. 23437 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.