"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 61 Compiled By: David Collins Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: November 02, 1997 Subscribers: 360 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. 60 Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 07:41:58 -0500 From: Lora L Khoury To: davidc@iei.net To Pam Woodbury: Definitely, you need to try coiling. It is not hard, and it seems like your style, since you deal with naturals. I bought 2 big bunches of pine needles with the shafts dyed (one burgundy, one navy) from W. Jayne Baker Stanley at Michigan last year, and did my first coiled basket. I just love it! My first thought when I got started was, no way, this requires a needle, and I don't sew, but it was very relaxing. The nice thing is, you don't need a lot of "stuff". Once you get started, it's pretty routine, and you can just sit and create. I didn't get very fancy on the shape, but you certainly could. About curls: The way I've always done curls is to wet the round reed, wrap it around a pencil several times, and then secure each end to the pencil with tape or a clothespin. When it's dry, it keeps the shape. I usually take a long piece and wrap it all the way down the pencil, and then I just cut it to the lengths I want when it's dry. Works like a charm! Lora in Indy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weavers Words Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 09:35:44 -0500 From: "Joy Moody" To: Hi Everyone, It has been a while since I checked in. I just returned from Geneva, New York where I took a two day Nantucket class with John McGuire. I drove 10 1/2 hours to get there, & even if I hadn't made a basket it was worth it for the entertainment alone! He is a natural storyteller & a great teacher. I made an oval creel purse & of course now I am psyched to go on to other projects! Linda in Ohio: I recently found an old book at a book sale that covers caning, webbing, rush, reed & splint seats: It is called Seat Weaving, ISBN#0-684-15270-3 by L. Day Perry, published by Charles Scribner's Sons, N.Y., 1940. Amanda: Have you looked at International Basketry, ISBN# 0-88740-037-Y by C. Will? It was an array of baskets & history (most European). Kristin: You might try Basketry Dye by JADVICK, Midnight Black #7337. I believe they also have an Ebony. I used a hot, 5 minute simmer on the Midnight Black & got a good color without the blue. Pam Woodbury: I did not find any basketmaking demonstrations at Old Sturbridge, and a good thing too, for I would have keeled over to see them BOILING ash, as you did! I think I have found out the culprit though (he usually makes SHOES there, & is obviously not a basketmaker). I did inquire and was told they don't have many demonstrations anymore, "as it takes them so long to wet the ash". I thought it was very sad that a place that is otherwise historically accurate no longer has the wonderful program John McGuire worked so hard to put in place. There were a few, not very good quality, reed baskets for sale. That was about it. We traveled on from Sturbridge & went to Plimoth Plantation (ole spelling). That historical village is the 1620's period. They have a whole "craft center" devoted to early American crafts: pottery, woodworking, weaving & basketry. We were pleased to find a willow worker, who works & sells exclusively through their shop. He had a wonderful array of baskets. He explained that when the pilgrims first arrived, they received all their baskets ready made from England, as baskets were part of the provisions given to them until they could get established. He was using imported willow & was selling his baskets at what I thought were very reasonable prices for their size & quality. Kat in Okinawa: We will be working next on the Communication Loft section of the website at www.signofthecrow.com Thanks so much for the feedback! I invite the rest of you to stop by & check out the Humor Corner (most recent addition) as well as the Fall photos (outside the Barn Studio). Joy Moody Sign of the Crow Hampden, Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 60 Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 11:46:46 -0400 From: Joanne Jackson To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Hi Everyone, Wow what a week we had at convention. Like all that have posted before me in #60 (how did you get the strength to do it) it was a wonderful convention well worth all of the work that we all put into it. Since I was in charge of registration I came home with most of my baskets unfinished so I will have lots to play with in the next few weeks. My daughter-in-law came from California for the convention and had a wonderful time and went home with 3 finished baskets. A very happy weaver. She made the big ash bucket with Ron Kovell and carried it with her on the plane and had many comments about it. She also made her first Nantucket with Jim Rutherford and did a great job. He was a great teacher for the first Nantucket. I was fortunate enough to have a class with Vladimir Yarish from the UK. Ann you did a great job as his teacher assistant and it was great to meet you. I also took a pre convention class with Cass and as always she is one of the most wonderful teachers that I have ever had. This is the 3rd class that I have had with her. I made a birch bark purse with a beaded leather flap. I still have the beading to finish ( sure hope I remember how to do it). If anyone has the opportunity to take a class form this great lady please don't miss that chance. As everyone has mentioned before our keynote speaker, Annie Hickman was just wonderful. I talked to her several times and she was so proud and honored to be asked to come to our convention. I could have watched her for another hour. She visited my registration table( I mean literally on the table) in her lizard costume and was just what some of the first time convention goers (and the old timers) needed to build excitement for the convention. I also thought our pre-convention keynote speaker was great. For those who were not at pre we had a basket weaver from the Cameron Balloon Factory and he should slides of the process they go through to make a balloon basket. It takes 80hours to make one. Boy I can't even imagine what your hands would feel like after working with the large rattan that goes into those baskets. Well I guess I have more than rambled on long enough. Until next time.... Joanne Jackson in Marshall Mi. A tired but happy weaver! @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 60 Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 11:22:49 CST6CDT From: "LINDA A CARSON" Organization: Des Moines Area Community College To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and all, I am a fairly new subscriber and thoroughly enjoy all of your comments and tips. I am a member of Iowa Basketmakers but would like information (after reading all the wonderful comments about the Michigan Convention) about joining other associations. If any of you can give me contacts I would be most appreciative! I am sorry to have missed all the excitement in Michigan but have on my list of things to do as soon as I can manage to retire or fit them around a fulltime teaching job going to conventions and meetings and learning new techniques. Linda in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 60 Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 20:30:00 EST From: rorydrem@juno.com (Rory d Remenak) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Kristin, and others interested in dyeing: I use Procion Mx because it is so colorfast (important in outdoor shows in California). It takes a while, but doesn't need heating. I have some great colors - deep purple is a knockout, but black has eluded me. The manufacturer said to use Diazol brand dye for black, and it gave me a beautiful solid black. However, I haven't worked out the kinks to keep it from bleeding. I finally covered it with acrylic spray, and wove it dry. I did this for a special-order basket. I now consider black a dye color I don't have! If anyone is interested in the procedures for Procion Mx dyes, or in the reasons for the ingredients, email me. If there's enough interest, I'll post it to the list. It got pretty lengthy, though. Peggy in California, where the weather is getting unpredictable. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: AMB conv Date: Sat, 01 Nov 1997 07:25:00 PST From: "Kay Janke" To: davidc@iei.net We are home from AMB and I have been busy taking care of all the things I left behind. Getting to classes this year was better then last, as things weren't so spread out. Even at that I helped some ladies that were there for the first time, totally confused as to how to get where they wanted to go. If you stay in the tower, you take an elevator on one end of the building. If you are in the old part, it is a different elevator, on the opposite end of the building & to go to vendors and classes is in another area, that requires going thru 2 sets of double doors, a long walkway and down another flight of stairs, or an elevator to get to that level. It takes a little bit of paying attention to get yourself where you want to go, the first time is the hardest, then it gets easier each time. As I was there last year, it didn't seem bad at all. I had classes with Mary Smith-Stokes, Joy Carter & Pat Levitte. They are all good teachers. I tried a totally round reed basket this time, as I have never been fond of making a basket out of all round reed & this did not change my mind. I like the look, but it is hard on the hands. Glad that this was my first class (round reed) that way the classes were much more to my liking from then on. I didn't even find time to weave after classes, usually weave later, but with the reception, the Fri. night marketplace, vendor area & going out to eat, the time wasn't there for more weaving. During classes on Sat am, I walked around the vendors and then to classes and took pictures and talked to some of the teachers. I didn't have a class until the afternoon. So it was nice to be able to see what other classes were doing without being in a hurry. I was able to see some of the WW ladies that way, at least had a couple of schedules where their classes were. It was nice to be able to chat for a few minutes & meet them. Another time if we set up a time to meet, anyone who is available could come, even for a short time. Had I not had that morn open, I'm not sure I would have met them, other then the time I took a walk and ended up at Days Inn, where one of the gals was staying. And she was there when I called the room. I have always liked the traditional baskets, but after seeing some of the other free form & little waxed linen & pouches, I will try them sometime. I talked with Judy Wilson at Teacher's Marketplace. Her pouches & waxed linen creations are very nice. I was rather new to convention when she was doing the beautiful colorful baskets and wish I had done one of them. I met Susan Coyle on Sunday, as I was taking pictures during a break from class. Later she came by our class and asked to borrow my dolly. Everyone was loading what they could and getting ready to leave. As checkout was noon on Sun. many of us checked out early, over the computer, and only had our things from class to take yet. There was the storage area you could use if you didn't want to load your car yet, after seeing some of the ladies trying to get everything into those vans, of course they had much more then they came with, I was glad at that point that I had already loaded and was by myself. I took a picture of one of those vans, the bellhop said-- we will get it all in somehow!!!! Thanks to LP, we went to eat at the Rythym Kitchen. Two of us had great food, the other meal was Seafood Gumbo. I even tasted it. It was so HOT, I don't see how anyone could eat it. Anyway, Patty tried and ate some, but told the waitress that someone in charge needed to taste it. They came and gave her her money back. But the atmosphere was good and we had a good time there. In order to get back to the reception, we left before the music started. Thanks for the tip Lynn. All in all, I think that the convention went well. Teachers Marketplace had lots of neat things to see & buy, and I'm sure we all did our share on Fri. night. It would have been better, I think, if it had been longer then 1 1/2 hours. The entertainment was different and it was amazing to see the outfits that were created of bugs, lizards, etc. with the heads and some tails being created out of reed. The rooster was especially colorful and very realistic. Annie Hickman's husband was there during the conv. blowing up balloons and making animals, bows & arrows, and crazy hats, etc. People seemed to be in jovial moods, especially when the balloon man created his balloons for someone to wear. And the gal that wore them all over was fit for the part. Well it was a great time, and we all have next time to look forward to. Anyone who has not been able to get to convention, someday you will. You might be like me at first--I said I could stay home & do these baskets. You might be able to, but that is not all you go for. It is the getting together of all the people sharing ideas, being able to see all the vendors and all the great things that teachers & others have done (exhibit room). There is so much to see & enjoy. Try to go sometime and you may get hooked like the rest of us. We missed the pattern room this year, I did not buy as many patterns as I had before. Hopefully this will be back again. Well it is back to the other world today (no basketmaking in sight). Kay in Mich. Hello to David. Thanks for all your work in keeping us together. You are great to do this for basketweavers everywhere. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 54 Date: Fri, 31 Oct 1997 17:55:13 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Subject: "Weavers Words" V 1, I 54 Hello Basketeers - I'm back. It hasn't really been all that long since I wrote, but intervening events make it seem like ages! My trip to Iowa last week was wonderful, if a bit shorter than planned. The Lichen Dye class at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah was absolutely wonderful. Karen Casselman is an outstanding instructor and we got marvelous colors in vast quantity - mostly burgundy and scarlet. Unfortunately, my side excursion to West Amana and visit to the Czech museum at Cedar Rapids were eliminated by my worsening bronchitis. Didn't have enough energy to do any materials collecting. Am more or less back on my feet now and glad to be back in touch. Nancy Jacobs - Today is Halloween and tomorrow is the Woven Circle guild's Weave-In at Parkville, MO. By the time you see this in Weavers Words I expect we will have met in person. I'm not in either of your classes, but plan to look for you. I'm making the herb dipper and the double-wall centerpiece baskets. Patricia A. Moritz - If we've met, it must have been at the MO convention in June. I've been weaving baskets off and on for a long time, but only discovered there were modern guilds and conventions when I got onto the BASKET-L list last spring. June was my first convention. I live in Independence (just east of KC). I haven't taken one of Betty Curry's workshops yet, but would certainly like to. Do you have information about them? I dearly love oak baskets! I don't really specialize in any particular type of basket - am still too busy exploring all the possibilities and trying things out. Maybe I should say I specialize in diversity -- that's the most common thread in all my projects, basket or otherwise. The Craft Alliance Basketry Exhibit sounds wonderful. Too bad my October was all booked up. Will there be another one next year? I can see I need to start planning further ahead for these things. Angie, PA - One of my recently purchased books is *Fiber Basketry - Homegrown and Handmade* by the Fiber Basket Weavers of South Australia, Inc., edited by Helen Richardson. 1989. Publisher is Kangaroo Press Pty Ltd, 3 Whitehall Road, Kenthurst NSW 2156 Australia, PO Box 6125, Dural Delivery Center NSW 2158. It includes contributions by members of the Basketmakers of Victoria, Inc. You might be able to get contact information from the publisher. Good luck! Let me know what you find out. Diane Rigterink - I don't have a magic formula, but I would say the size of the basket would be somewhat dictated (at least in one dimension) by the span of the handle you want to use. One method you could try is to start with your array of patterns and compare them. See what is most common, what the extremes are, and what would be 'average'. If you only have one pattern that a handle would fit, how can you change it? If width is determined by the handle, try making some baskets longer or shorter. Vary the depth (height of the sides), or taper them so the side walls are high at the handle and low at the ends. Think of a particular use for each basket, and adjust the size to fit it. Use whatever kind of reed you prefer to work with. Scale the size to suit the basket. I usually prefer wide spokes for large baskets because they are sturdier. If the basket will be quite tall, he sides can be made firmer by using flat oval for at least some of the weavers. The basket will work better if you start with an odd number of reeds going each way in a rectangular base (such as 5 by 9). Or, you could make the base and basket round instead. Linda Marshall - Do you think people at the craft show would have bought baskets if they had tole painting on them? Just a thought that crossed my mind. Well, Bob had some yard cleanup done while I was out of town, so I won't be harvesting the wild grapevines and rough dogwoods from the fenceline this fall (sigh). They'll probably come back next year though. It's not as if I'm short of supplies or long on energy right now. And now I need to put away the reed I've got scattered across the livingroom before I continue weaving holiday projects. Weave well! Bert Comstock Independence, MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: re: Mostly Willow and Hello **** Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997 07:54:46 -0700 From: chas To: davidc@iei.net Hello to all: Sorry, I am WAY behind on reading my "lists", but noticed several messages concerning willow and willow growing. I am definitely a novice willow USER, But have been GROWING it for about 4 (or maybe 5) years now. And would be happy to share anything I can. I purchased my starts from Bonnie GAle, at English Basketry Willows, RFD 1, Box 124A, South New Berlin, NY 13843 Phone #607-847-8264. (I have given that info out so much, I should own stock !!) She is great ! She can only ship the willow in the late spring, but this is a good time to get her catalog (it is very informative), she sells starts, as well as books, kits, patterns and even completed baskets.. Quite a resource to have around the house. I planted my willow in an unused edge of my vegetable garden, and it has done very well there. It needs a place that can be watered and weeded (the weeding most important for the first few years). & likes a nice rich soil. The first year (being the fall/winter of the year) you do not cut it. Then the next year you can cut at ground level (I do this in the early spring, before they start growing) For weaving you want to cut when the leaves have all fallen. You can use it anytime, but this saves having to strip the leaves out of your way. I find that I have to let my willow dry for almost a year before I weave with it. As if I don't, it shrinks a great deal, and makes the piece very shaky and weak. So I am usually using last years cuttings, while I cut the current year. I didn't get much useable willow the first and second cuttings. But last year I got ALOT. It takes maybe 4-5 years for your plot to really come into its own. My first row is about 22 feet long, planted every 6 inches. This sounded awfully close to me too; in fact at first I spaced them further apart, and then filled in with cuttings the next year. They are spaced so closely, because this helps them grow upright, having each other to lean on!! Those have reached heights far over my head, maybe 7-8 feet tall. Keep in mind, tho', that for baskets only the tips can be used (except for spokes), because you only use withies the size of a pencil to weave.. I recently purchased a book on willow furniture, hoping to make use of the larger diameter, but found that mine were not quite THAT large, soooo .. Still in search of a use for them... Spring of '96, I extended my patch with two more-longer-rows further outside the garden, they have not done as well, tho' they are alive. My garden hose does not reach them as easily, hence they are not watered as well, and I have not been as diligent on weed control. But they do live, so there is hope. This spring I had so many cuttings, that I tried planting them along my creek and around the chicken yard. Most died. The geese pulled up many, and it did not take much hot weather to kill the rest. There may be a few left. I will look when the grasses die down over there. I have approx. 15-17 different varieties, most purchased from Bonnie, some for other sources. Willow basketry is such a different style of weaving, that I find it hard to find the time to do it. Seems I will have to make the bases first (Ugh !) and then maybe I can weave a little here and there. Well, hope that helps answer some of the questions, good luck to all. I really enjoy my willow :0) To Angie: I would be interested to hear what kind of luck you have had with the Australian (?) weeping willow you were trying.. When I enquired here (Western Wash State) about the weeping willow. I was told (by a woman who had used some), that it wove well, but on drying became VERY brittle and broke even in a strong breeze. Rattled and shook and she called it EVIL *** :) Not too encouraging.... Glad to see this forum up and running again.... Thanks Bye for now Ruth Lascurain Cinebar, WA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 55 Date: Sun, 02 Nov 1997 15:03:14 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 55 Judith Olney - How was your Russian birch bark session? What did you make? Any special features that are typically Russian? Jerry Knight and other recently heard voices - Hey! It's good to have you all piping up. The more the merrier! Jerry, I know what you mean about being more creative late at night. Left to my own devices, I'm definitely a night person. My Prime time is from 11 pm to about 2:30 am. Bert Comstock Independence Mo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 56 Date: Sun, 02 Nov 1997 15:03:15 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 56 Sharle Osborne - I don't know much about formal structure for basket guilds and being official, but I think the most important thing to start with is finding several people who want to be involved and are willing to make a commitment to meet on a regular basis to share basketry activities. You might be able to get some pointers from the existing guild that you can't get to. They should be able to give you contact information about the State guild, if there is one, and how to establish an affiliated local chapter. I think the contact with others who share your interests and are willing to share resources and skills is the vital thing. Good luck getting your local guild started! Joanne Howard & Lois Keener - It's so nice to know you two have each other for local weaving buddies! I got to Hawaii once years ago when my (now ex-) husband had R&R from Viet Nam. It's pleasant to feel as if I know people to look up if I ever get there again. If you ever get a chance to travel in my part of the mainland, let me know & I'll show you Kansas City! Cheri Branca - Thanks for the good tips on vending and craft shows. I haven't started selling, but am giving it some serious thought. Pat Steinmetz - Please tell us more about your basket weekend with Betty Curry. It's so cool to learn that there's so much going on so close to home! I want to try it all! I can't be positive about your knotless netting question, but I believe it is the same thing as looping (needle looping when done with soft fiber such as thread or yarn). I think another textile term for it is 'nalbindungen' (German). Have you tried it to see if it works for your project? You might be able to stain your cat basket with tea. Bert Comstock Independence, MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 57 Date: Sun, 02 Nov 1997 15:03:15 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 From: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 57 Darleena - Did you survive the move okay? (I'll refrain from asking whether the house is back in order.) Annetta Kraayeveld - I think a mild bleach solution would be just the thing for cleaning mildew from an old oak basket. Regarding conferences and workshops, my favorite at any given point (even though I haven't been to many basket ones yet) seems to be the most recent. The few I've been to have all been exciting and satisfying, each in its own way. I also like to hear about other weavers' experiences. My latest was only yesterday! The Woven Circle Guild here in the KC metro area had all-day weave-in at the Parkville VWF post. I took Barbara Morton's medicine dipper class in the morning. It's a ladle style basket on an 'S' shaped oak handle. The original was used by an Appalachian midwife to carry her herbs and hang conveniently on the bedpost for easy access during delivery of a baby. Barbara has a long history of collecting baskets and their folklore and adapting them into her designs. Her love of the people and processes carries into her teaching. We're going to get together soon and spend a day trading information about basket history. After a satisfying pot-luck lunch, I took Marcia Hornig's class in which we made a double wall centerpiece basket using a pattern by Jan Treesh. There were a lot of good looking baskets produced. Some of the instructors had kits and patterns and specialized parts (such as handles and slotted wooden bases) available, but I didn't take time out to look at them closely. (I need to use up the stuff I bought at the MO convention before buying more.) I'm beginning to get to know some of the local guild members and feel at home with them. They're an interesting bunch of people. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the five women who drove up from Wichita, KS, to join us for the day. I only regret that more people couldn't have been there. The site certainly had enough room. All in all, it was a beautiful day, including the most spectacular rainbow and a half I've ever seen just before sunset. The rain we drove home in made the evening darker than it might have been, but did nothing to dampen our high spirits. I think our next weave-in day will be in the spring. Janet Freebairn - I think the Certificate of Excellence from the Handweavers Guild of America is a new thing. I plan to look into it too, but haven't sent for the info yet. Bert Comstock Independence, MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.