"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 60 Compiled By: David Collins Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: October 29, 1997 Subscribers: 356 Back Issues: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5998/ Basket Biddin' Auction: http://members.tripod.com/~Basket_Biddin/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 59 Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 19:09:47 -0500 (EST) From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net CC: Wickrwoman@aol.com A few months back, a storm knocked out my hard drive and modem so I have not been able to keep up with the newsletter for a long time. As you can tell, I'm back on line and plan on participating! Just read the question from Linda about chair caning and other seat weaving. I have been doing wicker restoration and chair caning, plus all types of seat weaving for 22 years now. I started doing traditional baskets in 1984 and switched to antler baskets in 1990, now they are my specialty. As far as the seat weaving goes, it is not really hard; if you can weave baskets, you can also do seat weaving with a little practice. The best book out there is: "The Caner's Handbook" by Jim Weidess, in my opinion and Ruth Comstock put out several booklets on hand caning, rush and splint. Check with the suppliers for other books and pamphlets: The Caning Shop, Cane & Basket, H.H. Perkins, Royalwood and Gratiot Lake. I read the Victorian and Country magazines all the time! I am constantly looking at the ladderback, mule ear, cane and wicker furniture to see what condition their seats are in!! Thought many times of sending my business card to the homeowner with the chairs featured in the beautiful pictures. Gotta close for now, I seem to have been on the computer for over two hours now, where did the time go? Happy Weaving from Wickrwoman@aol.com Cathryn Peters Zumbro Falls, MN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: We are home from AMB Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 18:20:21 PST From: "Kay Janke" To: davidc@iei.net Hello everyone: We finished up at convention today around noon. We had a great time, met lots of people & teachers, went to the reception last night & back to the vendors area to check out all the last minute sales that were being held. Never got to bed very early, we stayed on the 13th floor in the tower (tower has about 27 floors). That is another story. Is there anything particular you would like to know or hear about. I will tell you more when I have had some rest. Came home in rain storm, then it hailed & then it snowed & finally it was sort of doing all at the same time. I stopped at a rest area and had quite an accumulation of snow & hail on the car. Fortunately I arrived home safely tonight. What an end to a good time...ttyl. Kay at home in Mich. PS: Met and talked with Vladimir Yarish, also Judy Briscoe, Judy Wilson. Will add to this later. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Curling Reed for Bows Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 15:52:43 -0500 From: "Karen M. Johnson" To: "'David Collins'" Gretchen asked in WW 59 about curling reed for bows. I wet the reed and then use a hot curling iron to make the curls. It's easy and works great. Karen Johnson Brookline, NH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 59 Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 08:31:24 -0500 (EST) From: Linda Braun To: David Collins Speaking of tools, I saw a "heat transfer tool" on Aleen's show on the Discovery Channel. It was like a wood burning too only it had a flat round tip, looked to be about the size of a nickel, that heated up. Supposedly you can photocopy any design and apply it to a surface by placing it face down and applying the heat from the transfer tool. Anyone tried it on baskets? Did you have a fire? Thanks for the wood burning tool info, Lois. I'll call for a catalog. Linda - Baskets, Etc. Linda J. Braun e-mail: lbraun@ashland.edu Ashland University Phone: 419/289-5730 Ashland, OH 44805 FAX: 419/289-5949 Baskets, Etc. website -- http://www.ashland.edu/~lbraun/baskets.html @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: General Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 08:41:11 -0500 From: monast@iquest.net To: davidc@iei.net While visiting my parents in Michigan over the children's fall break, who should appear in the Grand Rapids Press, but an iguana from the Michigan Convention. WISH I WAS THERE!!! Very nice little write up, less sarcastic than the Wall Street article several years ago. I, too, noticed sales a bit slower this fall than at my summer shows. Are there just too many bazaars and such? I take my antler baskets to draw people into the weaving/display area. No sales on those yet, but for sure an attention getter. I also let children weave on an egg basket if they have any interest too. I think (hope) people do attend "same show" year to year and have had people return to my booth for my baskets. I am looking for a good black dye. It was discussed a long time ago, and I have lost track. A highly recommended one was a liquid black, but not Rit. I just can't squeeze it out of my braincells. Whomever was doing the cushing dye testing - how is it coming. I'm currently in contact with a fabric quilter who is investigating those dyes. I've tried Procion, but at the time didn't have a safe place for it's preparation. I would like to try again. Anyone out there have good results? My biggest trouble with rit black is the color breaks down after awhile into a purplish hue. I want ebony. Cool in Yorktown IN Kristin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 59 Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 15:09:19 +0000 From: Pamela Woodbury To: davidc@iei.net HI Weavers! I am home from MI's convention and exhausted. Five days of weaving, doing committee jobs and vending is a little bit tooooooooo much, but I made it all in one piece. I had a wonderful time and made a beautiful Nantucket Oval with 2 swing handles at pre convention. Of course when you get a Nantucket home there is still a lot to do before it is finished. I have 3 of them lined up for polyurathaning once I get the chance. I also plan on making my mother one for Christmas so I will probably do all 4 at the same time. I still have a purse that need putting together, but am still a coward to do it. I will be writing Martha Lawrence soon to buy her book. She assured me it will give me the courage to put my purse together. The really nice thing I found about vending is that I got to meet everybody at convention. I got to talk and meet some people from WW, which was nice. I have decided I love the naturals and am planning on devoting my next conventions to taking classes in natural. Judy Zuglish vended next to us and she was working with yellow cedar and it was wonderful. It felt just like leather. She was a marvelous lady and I hope to be able to get a class with her some day. I scanned through IN's convention book while I was at MI's convention and see mine arrived in the mail while I was gone. I received for being on the convention committee the Basketmakers Ten Commandments and I thought everyone on the list might enjoy them so here they are: 1. Thou art a basketmaker -- thou shalt not put any other avocation before it. 2. Thou shalt try all styles of baskets -- rib, coiled, plaited... 3. Thou shalt finish one basket before starting another. 4. Thou shalt not pass a basket shop without slowing to a crawl. 5. Thou shalt not rip out -- only unweave. 6. Thou shalt not reveal time and source for funds expended on basket supplies and classes. 7. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors black ash/oak trees, birch bark or willow bushes. 8. Thou shalt cook or clean but one day each week though not allow the family to go hungry or dirty. 9. Thou shalt not dye in the bathtub. 10. Thou shalt give credit to the designer of a basket if it is not thine own. I have tried to live up to most of these myself. I have a little trouble with #2 as I have been leery of trying a coiled basket and I must admit plaiting got the better of me. I have coveted birch trees and keep sort of wishing the one in my own yard would die so I could skin it :(. Several of us had quite the discussion about what to call ourselves when the vending was slow. We all agreed we liked the word artist and we tell people we are an artist. That seems to lessen the underwater weaving comments and most people really don't care what type of artist you are and just walk away knowing you are an artist. I have to admit I gave poor Jana's husband Mark a hard time as this was his first basket convention and he was well aware when he went back to work everybody was going to know he had been to a basket weaving convention. He was trying to prepare himself for all the jokes. :( Mark you really were a good sport all week. If he could survive several days of women teasing and all the hustle and bustle of a big convention, he can hold his own at work. :) I got home Sunday at about 1:45 and took 2 naps and went to bed at 11. I guess that might give a clue as to how exhausting a big convention is. 5 nights of barely sleeping really does get to me after a while. There is just so much to do. I saw many wonderful baskets go by our vending booth, which was also nice as we got to see everyone's finished work. Our guest speaker was Annie Hickman, what a wonderful talented lady. Annie received a degree in sculpture from the University of Illinois and after making an egg basket turned it upside down and created a bug headpiece. She has created many costumes out of basketry materials and performed for us in her various costumes and walked around in them and had them on display for us to touch and see and for those who wanted to try on. She performed in her costumes for more than an hour and most of us could have stayed for another hour easily. Until you have seen a lizard, centipede, rooster, etc. woven costumes you just can't imagine them, but they were spectacular. Pam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 15:39:10 -0500 (EST) From: Steve Steidel To: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone, I don't write in often but I do read and enjoy every WW. I have been real busy lately with my little egg baskets made out of wax linen. I make them very colorful ( remember Judy Wilson's) but mine are only 3 inches. I now have a 2" one in Christmas colors to use as tree ornaments. I have my patterns and kits all made up for a few guild classes here in Eastern North Carolina. I'm looking forward to teaching it. The real purpose of my writing in is to ask if anyone knows of any great basket related things to see on the road from Seattle to Portland. I'm accompanying my husband on a business trip. We get to Seattle on Nov. 15 and plan to take a leisurely car ride down to Portland. We need to get to Portland by Nov. 18. The only thing we have planned (besides eating great food) is a stop at the Bonsai exhibit at Weyerhauser plant. Bonsai is my husbands vice. Hope someone can suggest something. Thanks Fran Steidel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: AMB Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 12:02:02 -0500 (EST) From: DKallner@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net I just want to post a thank-you to all the volunteers, teachers, vendors and others who made the Association of Michigan Basketmakers convention such a great experience. This was my first AMB convention, and it was every bit as wonderful and overwhelming as everyone said it would be. Well worth the 9-hour drive each way! I took Judith Olney's Lattice Basket at Pre-Convention, and had the opportunity to work with a draw knife and shaving pony while making a carved handle. At convention my classes were with Sandy Whalen (a squarework willow "Country Garden" basket) and Cass Schorsch (an ash, cedar and honeysuckle "Biscuit Basket"). The instructors were all great -- knowledgeable, organized, fun -- and I'm very proud of my baskets and what I learned making them. The opportunity to pick the brains of some outstanding willow weavers -- Joanna Schanz, Jo Campbell-Amsler and Kathy Kellenberger -- and weavers who specialize in naturals -- Peggie Wilcox-Arens and Carol Madison -- was one of the highlights of the convention for me. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I can't wait to play with some of the ideas that filled my head on the drive home, and some of the materials I bought from the vendors. Thanks again, everybody, for making this great event possible! Donna Kallner White Lake, Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: AMB Convention Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 21:28:10 -0500 (EST) From: KAWBASKETS@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hello Basketeers! I have not written into WW yet, but love to read it. My name is Karen Wheeler and I live in Columbus, OH. I have been weaving for 10 years. In fact, today is my 10th anniversary of making baskets! I made my first basket, a berry basket, 10 years ago today. I just returned from attending the AMB convention. It was a wonderful time of learning and inspiration for me! I think it was the best convention I have attended so far. What a great job the coordinators and all of the volunteers did! I was fortunate enough to have 4 wonderful teachers. I had class with Tressa Sularz for pre-convention. I made the Serpentine Twill. The basket had a cat-head base. With the combination of the natural spokes and burgundy weavers the basket was stunning. I made a miniature berry basket with Peggy Wilcox Arends. It was made with birch bark, sweet grass, and we had to carve a tiny handle for it from willow. Next was a class with Chris Lamb, Introduction to Diagonal Bias Plaiting. Chris is a master at this! She has written a wonderful, 11 page pattern for this. There are 6 different design patterns to choose from as well as lashing techniques. All are in the pattern. I think it might be available through basketpatterns.com. My last class was with Marilyn Moore. It was Knotted Cords to be used as necklace straps. It was a great class for Sunday morning. I can't wait to try one of these cords with one of my necklaces. She also showed us three ways for closures. I would highly recommend any of these teachers for class! They were all fabulous! I attended a two lectures, Donna Carlson and Vladimir Yarish. Both were excellent programs. The pre-convention banquet speaker was really a treat. He talked about making baskets for hot air balloons. It was really neat! I would love to hear him speak about his new job - weaving B-2 bombers. I have to say that the highlight was the feature artist, Annie Hickman. Her work is fabulous! And you have to see it to really do it justice and you have to see her in it! She weaves headpieces and body parts to look like insects and animals. Then she makes costumes to go with them. (Linda Marshall - you would like her rooster costume because she used ostrich feathers.) She really was a unique artist! Just wanted to share a bit of my experiences with you. It was good to meet some on-line friends for the first time and see others that I have met previously. I do have about 4 shows left for this year and 2 of them are next week. So I have a lot of weaving to do this week. If I get half of what I have planned to make, done, I will be a happy camper (weaver). David, you are doing a great job and I do appreciate your hard work in keeping this list going! Weave Happy! Karen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Convention Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 11:25:20 -0500 From: martyhln@juno.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and World Basketmakers, AMB was a success, I believe we all got through it. Not much sleep, but every one seemed to have a great time. The friendship is so good, you get to see friends from years gone by and make more. I was lucky to see some from this Weavers Words, and would like to say hi to them. In fear of forgetting a name, I will not start, but just meeting them was a good thing. I came home with 4 baskets one of which is still unfinished, but I will work on it. I finished Anderson/campbell's White Oak Backpack, Judy Brisco's Cypress Knee, and Marilyn Moore's Waxed Linen [since I got home] I still need to finish Arter/Heller's In Formations. As a complete and considering as a whole it all went well. For those who did not attend you missed a great time. Teachers were great and the Amway Grand understood us much better this year. For those who did attend I hope you had a great time. However whoever we left in charge of the snow, I really didn't appreciate it, it snowed so hard on the way home I could hardly see the car in front of me that was nerve wrenching to say the least. I don't remember ever having snow before the trees lost their leaves. Now that I'm rested the world seems much better. The snow is gone. My IBA booklet was waiting for me when I got home and I'm already trying to make up my mind just what to take there. I know it will be fun I also know we will not get a lot of sleep. But I can't wait. To be with people who understand this madness called basketweaving. Until next time go weave a basket have fun. Regards, Marty Holihan Flint, MI dholihan@genesee.freenet.org martyhln@juno.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 59 Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 19:22:22 -0800 From: rae hunter To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Correction ...sorry the book I recommended for willow cultivation deals with willow cultivation and willows not willows willow baskets. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: AMB convention Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 17:11:31 -0500 From: "The Rigterinks" To: Hi everyone! Another year of convention is over and I find myself already looking forward to next year! I think I enjoyed this year's convention more than previous years, partly due to the classes that I had and partly due to the fact that I got to meet some people that I e-mail on a fairly regular basis. I was lucky enough to get 2 Shaker classes this year. At pre-convention I took the Shaker Tatting Basket with Martha Wetherbee. This is the 4th year in a row that I have been lucky enough to have a class with Martha. She is not only an excellent teacher, but also very good at sharing her knowledge of the Shakers with her classes. Her passion for her art and it's history shows in every class she teaches. At convention I took the Shaker Laundry Basket with Eric Taylor. What a beautiful basket...and you work hard to make it too! But it was well worth it. I also was lucky enough to take a class with Pat Levitte called Wee Wishes. We made a ribbed necklace on a chicken wishbone! I've only made 2 or 3 ribbed baskets before so this was a definite challenge for me, and being so small made it even more of a challenge...but it was fun! Hope everyone else who attended the convention had an enjoyable time. Now I have a question. Many issues ago, someone gave us a "pattern" for a miniature stocking ornament and I can't find it anywhere! Does anyone remember which issue it was in? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, Diane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: For list Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 20:54:29 -0800 From: edwinb@erols.com To: "\"Weavers Words\"" Hi Everyone, I used to go to craft shows with 5-6 neighbors and we would go home with a car full of purchases. Now the country look seems to have simmered down- my neighbors dont go as often. Last year the big decorating idea around here was birdhouses. Well, we took care of that by making birdhouses out of reeds! A friend told me that she saw melon baskets made with farm tools as the handles. Sounds adorable.What a great idea. This was at a craft show in Pa. Is the weaver of these baskets on Weavers Words ? Is everyone else out there enjoying Sandy Atkinsons new series? I am disgusted that it hasnt been on in my area-unless I missed it. I enjoyed one previous series so much. If anyone is watching it and would tape it for me, I would be happy to pay for tapes and postage. Then I could share it with the Deer Creek Guild. Would this be legal?? Nancy inMd. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.