"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 55 Compiled By David Collins Owned By Weavers Everywhere Date Sent October 12, 1997 Subscribers 340 Back Issues http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5998/ Basket Biddin' Auction http://members.tripod.com/~Basket_Biddin/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hi Everyone, We've had a couple of items added to the basketry auction page. This would be great for individuals and dealers who have surplus items or items you would like to sell. It is very simple. Just send me the following information: Name Email Address Category Item Description Picture (Optional) Minimum Bid Shipping Cost Go to http://members.tripod.com/~Basket_Biddin/ for more information. Thanks, David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219-5334 (317) 899-5747 davidc@iei.net P.S. If you have a problem printing back issues directly from web page, follow these steps. 1.) Highlight entire issue. 2.) Click cut. 3.) Paste issue into a word processor of your choosing. 4.) Now Print. This should solve any problems that you may be having. P.S.S. Lets all try to get along. This list is intended for pleasure. If you know of someone who has unsubscribed, encourage them to rejoin our little family. "BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER." @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: craft fair crazies Date: Thu, 09 Oct 1997 15:35:11 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha from hula land where it is hot and humid, Lori: to find that motivation, I have one minor suggestion--weave something you have wanted to weave but just didn*t for whatever reason--something big and awesome--and then set it where you can see it several times a day....and say to yourself "Wow, I did THAT!"--and believe me, your motivation will return... Judith--I did ask the inside weaver how she managed to keep from scratching her arms and she said "I just do!" and I took that as a sign she didn*t want to carry on that conversation and let it drop. She did tell me that a lot of her students reverted to weaving the other way once they started weaving on their own.... Linda--I missed the chat on Wednesday night as I was preparing for class so I*ll have to wait until Saturday....and it was me who sold 40 baskets at the first big fair of the season. I took 80 baskets, mostly medium to large baskets, a variety of kinds (large markets, floor baskets, magazine baskets, two handled swing totes, plus pineapples, Yankee Candle Baskets, pocket walls, etc.). This fair had nearly 100 booths and has a good reputation (word of mouth is the best way to find a good fair), but it was slow. A lot of people were there, but they seemed to be looking instead of buying. The booth that did the best business was a tole booth, and although her stuff was nice, it was dirt cheap--wooden pumpkins in sets of 3 for $10, Uncle Sam (about 10" tall) for $5--nothing in her booth was over $10. I wonder how she made a profit. Out of the 100 booths, it seemed that every other booth was a tole painter. There were 3 basketweavers: myself, our guild president (who brought maybe 25 baskets, mostly seasonal and she sold maybe half), and one of my former students, who was selling vests and shelves and small quilts. Her baskets did not sell as they were a little pricey, her stenciling is messy, and were the same baskets everyone was selling a year ago--nothing different. I expressed the same sentiment "Are baskets on their way out?", but people say no--look at Longeberger and all the off shoots of that place and they*re doing a great business..I*m teaching 4-5 classes a week and they*re full most of the time--but, I sold exactly the same amount at this fair that I sold at the same spring fair, so I*m beginning to wonder. I do a great variety of baskets---and if I make 2 of one basket, I change the color. For display, I use the hanger I described a few WW*s ago, two rectangle folding card tables that I cover with quilts, and a slotted folding door that I punched out slots and run boards through as display techiques. At the really big fair in Nov, I use a canopy and hang baskets around that. Back on Shirley*s List, someone suggested taking a huge basket and tossing smaller baskets into it and putting up a sign that says "Your choice $10"--and I had a bunch of little things left from a previous fair and did just that and they all went rapidly. I remember someone writing to diss that idea, but, hey, it worked for me. And yes, I fix my booth so that people can walk in.... I sometimes, rarely, take orders, depending on when the next fair is and I tell them their basket will be available mid Nov. I don*t take a deposit. I*ve been asked to make 15-20 of the same basket (mostly pineapples) but I am not a repetition weaver and turn that down. I would go crazy weaving that many of the same. At the big fair, there will be lots of weavers, and it*s a challenge to do different than what they do and that keeps me motivated. I did notice at this fair that baskets with lids and baskets with wooden bases sold well...seasonal baskets did not (is it too early, I wonder?)..cradles, baby carriers, large wagons, ..all sold.... so who knows? Glad to see your post, Cheri B! Darleena--the Willowes site is just great! She pictures a lot of her patterns and her pottery and ceramic tie-ons and I*ve made a lot of her baskets and they*re all lovely. Lynn Pawley--I am most anxiously awaiting my IBA catalog! Thanks for the "warning"! Off to class (oh, and about last night*s class--my husband asked if he could attend--he*s my lashing man--and I said sure, thinking he*d do about 2 rows and say "I*ll finish this later" but we did Willowe*s Country Floor Basket and his turned out to be magnificent--he has caught the bug and wants to learn more. What a most welcomed surprise!!) and Joanne has invited all interested parties to a 3 day sleepover at her house, overlooking Pearl Harbor, to make our own Nantucket...now when is that class, Joanne? Aloha, dear friends, Lois Honolulu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 54 Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 00:14:29 -0400 From: olneyjw@juno.com (Judith W Olney) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Diane: about "make your own" market baskets: I don't have a magic formula, but it is pretty simple. What size reed? What do you have? 1/2' and 5/8" are almost interchangeable, but just about anything that's stiff enough for stakes should work. Just guess as to what you think will look good with the handle you've decided to use. What size basket? The handle will sort of determine this. If you are really stuck take a piece of cardboard (cereal box?) and cut it till it looks like the length goes with the width of your handle. Measure both the length and the width. How many stakes? Decide what size you are going to use and also what width holes you want in the bottom. Add those two #'s together (1/2" reed + 1/4" holes would = roughly 3/4" of space per stake). Say your base will be 5" X 8". Divide 5 by 3/4 and get 6.666666 and call that 7. Divide 8 by 3/4 and get 10.66666 and call that 11"--luckily holes are adjustable and the 3/4" space per stake actually had an extra 1/4" in it! So your base will be 7 X 11 stakes. How long to cut the stakes? Remember this: THE SMALLER NUMBER OF STAKES ARE THE LONGER ONES! I have learned this from bitter and repeated experience! For the 7 longer stakes: add the length of your base (8" in this case) + twice the height you want for the sides + 6" or so for fudge and tucking. For the 11 shorter stakes add the width of your base (5" in this case) + twice the height you want for the sides + 6" or so for fudge and tucking. For the sides: what do you have? You can do absolutely anything you want. Every weaver can be a different width or they can all be the same--whatever.. Rims: presume you know how to do these. Size should go with size of basket--hold potential reed against top of basket to see how it looks. Advanced projects: vary the size of the stakes when you don't have enough of any one size. Use mixed colors. Years ago Sosse Baker used to save every bit of dyed reed and throw it in a bag. Here's the rule: whatever you pull out you have to use. The only time you can look in the bag is if you have started a row with something too short and need to match the width. If you have enough variation, this always looks great and sells well. She called these baskets "Joseph's Coat". Hope this helps. And as for baskets selling: so long as Martha Stewart lives, baskets will sell! Did anybody see the Time mag. article on her? Mind blowing what that woman is doing!...but I'm with the woman who unsubscribed from "Martha Stewart living" because it made her feel so inadequate! Billie: the check is in the mail! Pat: you said the C word. I thought I made it quite clear I did not want to know about that! I would love to have come to St. Louis, but my attempts to get on the mailing list failed and didn't even know it was happening until Judy and Lou mentioned that they were going. How about a little Pre info next time? I am trying to recruit people to come get me ready to leave for MI next Fri (visiting daughter in Ann Arbor for the weekend before--and probably doing last minute prep). I can't offer anything but good old hard work and a chance to participate in truly classic panic. Anyone interested? Am off to learn Russian birch bark tomorrow afternoon (class is on Sat., but I don't want to have to get up early and drive thru Boston). I need to do this like I need another hole in my head, but if I don't I might miss something. JOlney olneyjw@juno.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Cats Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 07:33:24 -0500 From: monast@iquest.net To: davidc@iei.net A word of caution for the cat/basket lovers on line. I too incorporate cats in my "name" Cat Nap Baskets - for the obvious reasons. While telling my cute story of how I took the name a women said "well, don't tell my husband, he HATES cats." I realized then that I could be alienating a whole group of people with my cute cat story. In addition she pointed out that many are quite allergic to the darlings. In response I have made an effort to keep my cats out of the baskets I would like to sell and up off the floor. From the files of "been there" "done that". I still take liberties with the folks who like cats and have several photos in my display book where my cats are helping or lounging in baskets. It has been wonderful to see the new people join in. Boy do we need you guys. Did "L" ever leave the lurkers and join in? Gotta go feed the (dare I say it) cats! Kristin in Yorktown, IN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 54 Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 08:04:48 -0500 From: Lora L Khoury To: davidc@iei.net Billie - Thanks for the info on the cherry staves. You've come through for me several times on this list - and I appreciate it. At this point, we're willing to try anything - my motto "Don't let the basket whip you!" We'll get that nesting set done if it kills us! It's becoming an obsession. As for getting started in basketweaving . . . I wove very little over the summer. After three years of coordinating conventions and 2 years as IBA president, I just could not get interested. I know, you'd think that would keep you interested, but think about it - 1300 people all wanting something different. Anyway, I had to prepare some things to submit to teach this fall, because I committed to teaching again after the summer. All it took was sitting down and looking through my patterns to get me started again. Try cutting a few kits one night, bagging them up, and then when you've got an hour or so, get started. Like someone else said, getting started is the biggest hurdle. Michigan Convention - It is definitely worth it to go on visitor's day. I've finally decided I can't spend every bit of my vacation time on conventions (DH would like to see me once in a while) so I had to cut out Michigan last year, and I was so upset over it. Got a group of friends to go on visitor's day and it was just the fix I needed. Didn't have to take time off from work, and I still got to be a part of it. Lora Khoury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 15:15:16 -0400 From: martyhln@juno.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and World Basketmakers, I hope your world is well. Someone ask about a tool carrier, the one I like and I've tried many, is Grace Kabel's one that is in the back of her carving handles for baskets, you may carve your own handle or weave the basket then buy a notched handle to fit before rimming the basket. This basket is compact and holds lots of tools. Diane if you decide, the length, width and height you would like to make your basket. Make the spokes for example width of basket plus twice the height plus 6 inches. You do the length the same way length plus twice the height plus 6 inches that will give you a little more than you need better too long than too short. By the way David what size basket do you like best? Regards, Marty Holihan, Flint, MI dholihan@genesee.freenet.org martyhln@juno.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: chat room Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 20:28:48 -0400 From: "The Rigterinks" To: Hi David First of all, let me thank you for this wonderful list. I look forward to each and every issue. I learn so much! You are doing a wonderful service to us "weavers" and I just wish there was a way to make you realize just how much this really means to many of us! I have a question about the weavers stain chat room. Is it still up and running? What time and on what day is it going? Please let me know and you can be sure I'll be there the next time, with tons of questions. Thanks for everything Diane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Quotes from old issues Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 19:47:49 -0600 From: Dave Balleweg To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everybody, I need some help. I thought I could go through the back issues to find the quote about the spell-checker and the computer, but I found it daunting to say the least. I can't remember how far back that was. I am taking a Horticulture Marketing class at OSU this semester and we were discussing the merits of spell chek the other day in class. The subject was always checking with a human (besides the computer) before you publish a catalog for your customers. I thought that quote would make the point in class. I would also like the quote from St. Francis of Assisi, too. I can't remember who wrote, but would like to have it again. I'm sorry I didn't save it then. You can e-mail me privately if you like. Thank you for your help. Marcia Balleweg, Wellston, OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Questions & Answers Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 21:12:04 PDT From: "Kay Janke" To: davidc@iei.net Hello David: Hope you are well. Wanted to let you know how much we appreciate the time you spend keeping us all together. You are such a great guy to do this. Diane R: How to do with just a handle, no pattern. My way of doing this is to measure the bottom of the handle, say it is 10", then how far do you want to go up the sides, another 8"?, then add about 5" so you have extra for turning over at the rim. Then cut enough reed to make your bottom, leaving 1/4 to 1/2" between spokes. Do the same for the other direction, deciding how long you want the basket, length of basket, plus 8" for side size and another 5" for total length. This works well for me & I can add color or seagrass, or whatever I want, when I want. If I have confused you, just e-mail me & I'll try to help. Good luck. Darleena: What part of Fl. do you plan on going to? And when will you be going, sounds like not soon. Chris: Making mini baskets to me is like making Barbie doll clothes, it takes a lot more time and is just easier to do larger things. But they are so cute. I need some info. As I have never made a Nantucket, has anyone made one using the rubbermaid bowl? If so, did you find it very hard and was it necessary to take it as a class, or could you have done it by yourself? They are so beautiful, but I have kind of stayed away from them, thinking they would be a bear to do. HELP w/any ideas or info. please. My type of basket has been the traditional baskets, I'll always like and make them, but would like to try something different. At convention one year, our class kept smelling this awful smell & finally realized that the class next to ours was doing a kelp basket. Have you ever smelled Kelp? It wasn't good, as this was my only time in smelling it, not sure if that is the way it always is, anyone know? I am a tax preparer, maybe the lawyer & I should get together?? Keep weaving everyone and enjoy WW. "Take life one spoke at a time". Kay Janke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 54 Date: Sat, 11 Oct 1997 11:46:47 -0400 From: Billy Organization: @Home Network To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 To Diane with the many handles, When I want to make a basket with no directions I measure the width of the handle and use a reed at least that wide. For the length of the spokes, decide how big you want your basket, length and width, then add 4-6 inches to each dimension for cutting and tucking. As for the number of reeds, this is always the trickiest part, cut out what you think you will need for the width lay them on your table then put your handle across them to see if it will fit, remember to allow about an inch or so on the bottom if you intend to twine around your base, and adjust the number of spokes at this point. Keep in mind if you are using one handle the number of spokes on the side HAS TO BE AN ODD NUMBER. If it isn't, you won't have a center spoke for the handle. Also keep in mind if have an odd number of spokes on the side or end of your basket, the weaving, over and unders, will be the same on both sides, if you have an even number of spokes the over and unders will be opposite. This is especially important if you are using one row of color or accent piece of reed. I like my color or accent to go over the handle spoke (just a personal preference, and I was disappointed once when I was making up a basket and realized that on one side the color was over the handle and under on the other side. It took me a while to figure out why it happened that way but it's something you should be aware of. Good luck. Hope this helps and wasn't too confusing. Winnie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Date: Sat, 11 Oct 1997 19:26:32 -0400 (EDT) From: Jknight001@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone, My name is Jerry Knight and I have been subscribing since the first list, but this is my first time to contribute. I guess I have started to get a little afraid that we might loss this list because of some of the problems and I decided if some of us lurkers wrote in it might help , you know new blood and such. First I want to Thank David, for all his effort in getting this list going and keeping it up and running. It has to be a huge task. I know for a fact that I have received some much from it. I would hate for us lose it because of a problem that is so easily solved. Thinking before typing. Anyway, a little about my self, I started weaving 12 years ago, my first basket was a melon basket and it took me 10 years to weave another basket, not because of the basket but because I was busy raising three kids and working. I still have one daughter at home and still work full time, as a Personnel Manager. About two years ago, I decided to take up weaving on a loom. For Christmas my husband gave me some books on weaving and one of them was Lynn Siler's book on basket weaving, it took me about 3 months to locate my supplies. One basket and I was hooked. I took that basket to work and came home with an order and the rest is history. I have my own business, but no shop, yet! I do some craft shows and this fall I decided to do craft mall booth, instead, still now sure about this. But time will tell. Most of my work is custom orders by word of mouth. I like the personal touch, custom designing and matching colors for certain projects that type of thing. I have a tendency to do traditional type baskets, but when I work really late at night, which I have a tendency to do my creativeness comes out. One of my favorite baskets to weave is a ribbed pie basket, also one of my best selling. I also enjoy Lynn Siler's double wall basket. I am currently working on the biggest project I have untaken. I am making a 4 foot long cornucopia for a church in the north. It has been a real exciting project, both because it is so big and also because it is for a church. I really enjoy collecting patterns, my husband things I am crazy, sometimes. I don't always use the patterns for their instructions to complete a baskets, but I do use them for inspiration and ideas on size and type of materials, etc. I have converted our 4th bedroom, now that the boys have left home, into my studio. Three walls are book shelves 4 foot high with pegs near the ceiling to hang things from. I also keep my reed in rubbermaid boxes and I have to hall trees with numerous pegs that i keep my dyed reed on. It all should be very organized and neat, unfortunately, I am not a organized person and most of the time I end up weaving in my family room. I envy those of you that get to weave outside, being in Florida most of the year it is way to hot or the bugs are too bad or it is raining. Now for a question. I am going to be in the Highland County, Virginia area later this month and would like to know if there are any shops, exhibits, shows, etc. going on in that area. I really like visiting other areas of the country and seeing the different materials and ideas. I guess I have rambled enough for this time. Happy weaving Jerry Knight Baskets Naturally Bradenton, Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.