"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 43 Compiled By David Collins Owned By Weavers Everywhere Date Sent September 04, 1997 Subscribers 290 Back Issues http//www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5998/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hi Everyone, Thanks for all the get well wishes. In case some of you didn't get my message, the web page has been updated to the current issue. I have also made a list on the web page of all the subscribers names and email addresses. If your name doesn't appear correctly its probably due to the fact that I don't know it. The new and correct address is listed above. I've noticed many of you have asked about stains for your baskets. I have recently been working on a web page for a basket staining company called Weaver's Stain. Weaver's Stain is owned by Mark and Dollie Koch out of Indianapolis, Indiana. Some of the features of the web page include: 1. A chat room that's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You must have a browser that is Java capable. Just set a time with a bunch of your friends to meet at the chat room and chat away! This chat room is basket related, not just about Weaver's Stain. 2. A list of dealers that carry Weaver's Stain, sorted by state. If you are a dealer or know of a dealer that would like to purchase Weaver's Stain you can have your business listed for free, just send me your information. 3. A printable order form with cost and UPS shipping information. 4. A page where you can search the World Wide Web from some of the most popular search engines. 5. A page where your guild can be listed for free. All you have to do is send me contact information (e.g. Contact Name, Address, City, State, Zip Code, Dues Information.) 6. If you have a web site you can add your site to the Weaver's Stain page just click the icon that says "Add Your Site". 7. There is also a page of Tips on how to stain your basket with Weaver's Stain. 8. Weaver's Stain comes in 4 shades: Clear, Walnut, Oak and Black Walnut. There are sample pictures of each shade on the Home Page. My mom and her friends have been using Weaver's Stain since they started and have had wonderful results. The sites address is http://www.weaversstain.com/. Let me know what you think about the site. Take Care, David (davidc@iei.net) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Pattern Trivia Date: Mon, 1 Sep 1997 21:13:48 -0400 From: "Kim Renich" To: I have decided to let myself be the brunt end of comments and flames once again simply because my opinion differs from others. I would agree that patterns should be written in an easily understood manner, but different people will interpret that in many ways. What is easily understood by the apparently more experienced, advanced and knowledgeable weaver such as yourself, Cheri, could be extremely confusing to a beginner. Who do you suggest "tests" a pattern before it printed? You've already said it shouldn't be someone you know ... so are you supposed to give it to a stranger? If not a friend, then who? Who will you blame when a stranger tests your pattern and doesn't find a mistake? I believe each person who writes a pattern, writes it in the manner THEY would like all patterns to be. I think we all have purchased patterns with typos... and with gross errors. It IS disappointing when major instructions have been overlooked or when you use a "small foot" only to find out that what YOUR supplier calls small is not the same size as the "small foot" the author uses. I bought a pattern once that called for 4 small feet. I liked the looks of the pattern so well that I ordered 48 "small feet" from my supplier. This would allow me to make 12 baskets (and hopefully sell them at a show). Can you imagine my disappointment when the "small feet" I got were WAY too big?! I saw smaller ones for sale at IBA later ... THOSE "small" ones, I'm sure, were what the author was referring to. My supplier calls that size "mini feet" . Those 48 "small" feet are still sitting in my closet. Not only did this particular pattern not give the measurements for the feet, but the instructions for the number of rows to weave up the sides were incorrect. I couldn't figure out what I had done wrong... then finally went back and counted the rows on her photo... and it was not the same as her instructions. I bought another pattern once which was so cute .... some type of door knob basket with a pretty green wreath on the front. The wreath was what attracted me in the first place. The pattern didn't even mention the wreath, let alone give instructions for it. There was no "real" name on the pattern, no phone number, just an address. I wrote to that address, using the Logo that was on the pattern. A couple weeks later the letter was returned... no such address. I will not buy another pattern from that person. Mistakes and omissions like this are VERY aggravating to me. Something as trivial as a misspelled word does not cause me distress. To answer a few questions posted in digest 42, yes... it would make me angry if I made a cake and the directions omitted the baking soda! However, it would not bother me at all if the directions said " mix well" .. If I bought a shake without flavoring, I would tell the management immediately, but I wouldn't do a thing about it if the cup they served it in had accidentally gotten the logo stamped on a little crooked. And who wouldn't be upset if you were instructed to sew a collar on before the zipper? But I have also bought Simplicity/McCalls' patterns where the tissue paper had been slightly folded before the heavy black lines were printed on it, thus causing a little imperfection when I flattened the tissue paper. Did that stop me from buying another pattern? I don't think so. Did it make me write to the company? No. Mistakes happen, even in the biggest of companies. I prefer patterns without errors, and 95% of the patterns I bought do not have errors, as for the ones that do... most are just trivial typos that aren't worth thinking about. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: (no subject) Date: Mon, 01 Sep 1997 23:33:04 -0700 From: Jeffrey Dispenza To: david collins I think typos make a pattern writer look like she doesn't care enough to put an effort into her work. Sort of sloppy if you ask me. And then I begin to wonder if the rest of her stuff is slipshod, too. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: pineapples in Marshall, MI Date: Mon, 01 Sep 1997 22:23:20 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha! I know I*m an addicted weaver--Saturday aft., while getting ready to go the UH/Minn football game, I caught my big toe in the fringe on the Turkish carpet and fell but the first thing to touch the ground was the toe.... As soon as I heard the snap, I said "Thank God, it wasn*t my thumb! How could I weave?" But it is broken and hurts a lot--but I*m still weaving.. Joanne Jackson--I*ve been to Marshall, MI but can*t remember why I was there. Back in the 60*s, my dad was stationed at a now defunct air force base in Battle Creek. I went to Marshall with my Mom--could have been a church thing, but I do remember seeing pineapples on houses and doors. Glad those baskets are a seller for you (we push them as a gift/wine basket) but try one with a 4" wooden base. If you have trouble getting one, our woodmaker makes them and I*ll send you one. Cheri Branca--sorry, but my "enjoyable" Labor Day was spent doing just that --laboring away in the weaving room! It is so-o-o hot here in Hawaii that sitting in front of a fan weaving beats going to the beach. David--I checked out the WEAVERSTAIN page and you*ve done a great job! However, I think I*ll have a rough time finding someone to chat with since there is such a difference in time...but I*ll keep trying. Jayna-I get homesick this time every year--when you*re raking leaves, think of me... A guild question (especially for you all who are connected with smaller guilds)--we*d like to plan a workshop early in the year (Feb maybe?) and would open this workshop up to any guild member who wants to teach (that*s the only fair way--I think). Have you ever done this? What happens if a guild member (who is currently teaching) wants to teach, but doesn*t have the skills nor the knowledge? This person is teaching at a shop (after 2 months of classes herself) and the baskets coming out of her classes are scary.....So any guildines for setting up classes would be appreciated. Lois in horrendously hot Hawaii... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 42 Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 09:06:10 -0400 (EDT) From: LindaClift@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net David: I have a stupid computer user question. How can I Java enable my brrowser so I can chat? Now on to basket stuff. I sent to the York Interstate Fair in York , PA 4 baskets this AM for competition. Wish me luck folks!! David, thanks for all your work. Keep weaving, Linda Clifton New Cumberland, PA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: rattan plant picture Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 08:32:26 -0500 From: catonmylapbaskt@webtv.net (karen mitchell) To: davidc@iei.net Hi to everyone! In response to Harold R Evans, I have a copy of the l994-95 catalog from Allen's Basketworks, in the catalog there are several pictures including rattan vine and rattan being processed. Perhaps these pictures or even Allen could help you. Here's the address: Allen's Basketworks 8624 SE l3th, - P O Box 82638 Portland OR 97202 503-238-6384 Keeping in mind that this info comes from a 3 year old catalog (if it has to do with basket making I never throw it away! Could be the reason my house is so small!) Allen may have e-mail by now. I hope everyone had a great Labor Day and has a great day today. Take care! Karen in Minnesota. HAPPY WEAVING, KAREN THE CAT'S ON MY LAP CREATIONS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Baaaaahd patterns Date: Wed, 03 Sep 1997 04:08:10 -0400 From: Avis Richard To: davidc@iei.net Hi all! Just a note to drop this gem... needle crafters (knitters, crocheters....et. al.) also find themselves with patterns that don't work!!! Even major pattern publishers frequently have to send out corrections in subsequent issues. And I see where pattern writers on my lists often ask that others test drive their new ones and let them know of any glitches... and with needlework there's another bonus for makin booboos... needle sizes are not universal, a 7 needle by one company may register as an 8 on the needle gauge... And just the other day I asked my buddy "which way are they supposed to give the measurements here!!! I don't know if the chest they're describing is 17 inches hi, or 17 inches deep! And he said there is no set way to give measurements either...i.e. height X width X depth... So in this imperfect world... I believe we are being TESTED daily!!! And being a nother Mainer... please won't someone describe a buckeye! I too want to know what it is.... Avis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: Back Issues Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 20:19:25 -0400 (EDT) From: BasktWeavr@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hello to all!!!! First---many thanks to David for the wonderful job you do with "Weaver's Words". I hope your health is improving. I am a physical therapist assistant so I know you are going through some rough times. I for one have you in my prayers and I know others do also. Well, I have a problem. I was missing some issues so I went to the geocities website and when I printed issue 11 everything went wonderfully but then I tried to print issue 23, 38, and 42 something was wrong. The words go so far to the right that they won't print and everything is cut off and you can't get them to print. I am not sure if it is something I am doing wrong or what. If I am doing something wrong please let me know how to correct my error. I hate that it took a problem to get me to write again. I have not written since the first issue or two. I apologize to anyone who wrote to me and I did not answer. My life is such chaos that I rarely allow myself time to enjoy myself with the computer. One question I remember is what is a sock basket that I was working on. It is a small laundry basket by Sharon McElroy. She also has the large version. They are both beautiful and a joy to make. In June, I had my second teaching experience at a Dulcimer festival in my home town of Owensboro, KY and I loved it. I sold only one finished basket but had a lady come up to me with a small basket idea she wanted and with her help I designed and made it and showed it around and got another order from one lady and an order for 6 from a gentleman in Ohio to put in his shop. I was so excited and I wonder how well they sold. I used to only weave for enjoyment but now I am addicted but my full time job interferes with this addiction. I teach a little and am trying to sell my baskets to support my addiction. I also have a full time +++++++ 3 year old son. He does not understand Mom's condition yet. Well, sorry for lurking so long but life is so busy. I enjoy reading your words when I have a chance to read. I have kept a copy so I can indulge in reading them again in the future. Keep on weaving and writing, Lisa Boyens Owensboro, KY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.