"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 62 Compiled By: David Collins Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: November 04, 1997 Subscribers: 360 Back Issues: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5998/ Basket Biddin' Auction: http://members.tripod.com/~Basket_Biddin/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: vesterheim Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 17:06:45 -0500 From: nhedberg@preferred.com (Nancy Hedberg) To: davidc@iei.net Hi David.......thanks again for doing this for all of us. Your hard work and dedication is much appreciated. Bert: how interesting to me that you were at the Vesterheim museum to take a class. My cousin, Blaine Hedberg, works with genealogy there. Our family is half Norwegian (the other half is Swede) and Blaine keeps up with all the ancestry. Also thanks for your comment a couple of issues back about the nantucket bridesmaid's baskets I'm making for my stepdaughter (by the way she's marrying a Norwegian and plans to live there). I've decided to buy all the materials i.e. handles and bases, knobs and buttons, etc. Making all of them and then the baskets was beginning to have me in a panic. At least this way they'll all match :). Joy: I'm really envious of your class with John McGuire. I would love to do that some day. I've just about memorized his book. Nancy in Tn. where the leaves are beautiful! @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: aloha Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 15:53:29 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha all! Well, just finished the biggest country fair of the year (there are lots of other fairs but a lot of them have imports--jewelry, clothes, unfortunately, baskets) and it put aside my fears that craft fairs are on the downslide. It poured rain for an hour (and this fair is totally outside) and lots of people still turned out to shop. My canopy isn*t waterproof, but we put a large painters plastic drop cloth over the frame before we put the canopy over and it kept us (and more importantly, my baskets) dry. Then the sun came out and the wind came up--gusting up to 47 mph and tents, displays, etc. went flying. The weather definitely wasn*t with us that day. But, people still came and they bought. I sold lots and was greatly relieved. Yes, there were other weavers. There were 3 of my students there, two weavers I hadn*t met, and others who had a lot of items and a few baskets. I introduced myself to the two I hadn*t met and encouraged them to join our guild (one will, one won*t). I do have a problem with one of my ex-students. She usually sells a limited variety of baskets, mostly things she learned at class, but at this fair she had different things--different for her--and duplicates of things I had at the Sept. fair. She even used the same flowered knobs on picnic baskets that I had used. That ticked me off. I realize I can*t control what a weaver does after I give her the knowledge, but she doesn*t have to copy what I do down to the letter. The Longeberger dealers were there and they are a pretty unscrupulous bunch. (If you are a dealer, I apologize, somewhat). The contract we sign says we cannot offer any services for sale. No Tupperware, no rubber stamp parties--I can*t even tell people I teach classes....but the L ladies are forever handing out catalogs and putting newsletters, business cards, etc. on display. One this year was raffling one off (a BIG no-no on a federal installation)---and yes, I turned her in and she was told to remove it immediately. She wasn*t the only one. I think it*s a smack in the face to those of us who weave and sell at fairs..... It*s no different than hawking Tupperware.... But all in all, the fair was a darn good one, but I*m glad it*s over as I can give my fingers a slight rest..... I*m looking for a pattern for a baby stroller. I want to modify it so I can use flat reed, instead of round reed if possible. Does anyone know of such a pattern? Bert--I used to live in Kansas City. I worked at a now defunct store named Klines....and my best friend still lives in KC.... Thanks, Joanne, for once again standing (this time in the rain) in front of my booth, yelling "WOULD YOU LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL BASKETS" at the top of your lungs.....only a good friend would do that! Hope everyone is having a fine November. Glad everyone who went to the MI convention had a fine time and arrived home safely.....neat to hear about everyone*s experiences at such a wonderful event. Lois Honolulu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Scholarship Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 20:35:07 -0500 From: olneyjw@juno.com (Judith W Olney) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 David: Don't post this if you feel it is too basket unrelated. This is a bit of a long story, but here goes: My father-in-law Lloyd Botimer will be 103 on Nov. 29. He also now has his own web site done by my husband Roger. Here's how it came about: Lloyd developed a peg moving game which he called Shrewd Move some time ago. After he finished developing a "machine" to weave twined bases for my sister-in-law Janet who is supporting herself and two children with basketry (and wove over 900--yes, 900--bases in his 99th year), Lloyd turned his interests back to Shrewd Move and conned Roger into doing a computer version. Lloyd had all sorts of schemes for marketing his game--most of which were rooted in early 20th century sales strategies and most of which gave the rest of us lawsuit nightmares when we considered implementing them in the late 20th century. In desperation Rog and I told Lloyd we really thought the internet was the way to go (we figured it would take a while to get a web site up and we could drag the process out if we had to). Shrewd Move is, unfortunately, a really, really HARD game and I just couldn't see that there could possibly be a market for it. Then Rog's Mom had a brilliant brainstorm: why couldn't the game be the qualifier for a scholarship? Thinking of it in that light, even I could see some possibilities Lloyd is also a loyal Rotarian who still attends weekly meetings of the Camelback chapter in Phoenix (his attendance is no longer perfect, however). For a while it looked as if the Camelback chapter would administer and award the scholarships, but the board started talking about all sorts of grandiose plans (which we would, of course, fund). Then the board began to hem and haw because the board member most in favor of Shrewd Move had backed a money making scheme that fell on its face and even though Shrewd Move was just a prestige item where Rotary was concerned (they would get to award the scholarship and get tons of publicity) the board wasn't so sure, etc. etc. etc. At this point Lloyd thanked them kindly and said we would just do this thing as a family. Now: why am I telling you all this? Because there could be something in this for your kids. A registered download of the game makes the downloader eligible to enter the scholarship contest should he/she manage to solve the "puzzles". I don't know of too many basketmaker's kids who couldn't use a $10,000 scholarship. We're hoping that this fairly significant carrot will make it worth while for a kid to stick to it long enough to find the solutions. One of the things Rog's Mom and I like most about this scholarship is the part where a student with skewed learning ability or a bright kid who's bored and not getting grades that would produce a scholarship could win this one. We haven't got a clue as to what the odds of winning will be, but we suspect that they will be much better in the beginning rounds of play (a round of play closes when the scholarship escrow account reaches $10,000 and another one begins), than later when solutions might be "shared". If you'd like to try the game, you can download an unregistered sample form at www.shrewdmove.com. There's a link from Baskets, Etc. Please send any feedback to the webmaster (Roger) or the "customer service representative" (son Matt). I like to think of myself as the "Chairman of Advice" and have NO authority until some of my advice comes true. In the meantime, I wonder if Lloyd is the only 103 yr. old man with a web site. I also have to tell you that I am really glad Lloyd's brain cells were dying by the time I met him over 25 years ago. He still has enough to keep me continually intimidated! Keep on weavin' in case your kid doesn't win! (sure do wish mine was eligible!) Judith Olney olneyjw@juno.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 58 Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 16:18:19 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 From: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 58 Mary Carty - Thanks for describing your grandmother basket. I have also found a picture of one in one of my books. Yet another challenge! What is the address of your website? Isn't it fun to find yourself pictured in the news? I doubt if your basket price was too high. The would-be buyers were probably unaware of what goes into making such a basket and what the value really is. Jacalyn Bedworth - I haven't seen anything specific about when rattan reed came onto the basket scene in the western hemisphere, but will keep you in mind if I do. I do have a wonderful little book called *Basketwork Throughout the Ages* by H.H. Bobart, M.B.E.. It was published in London in 1936 by Humphrey Milford for Oxford University Press and is dedicated to 'The Warden and Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers of the City of London.' It makes no mention at all of rattan. Kay Janke - I didn't get to the Michigan convention, but I really like your idea of adding '@WW' to your name tag. I'm sure I'll do that for future get-togethers. Thanks. Mrs Billie A Dorris - I envy your birch bark class with Vladimir! It does my heart good to hear about all these great things happening across the country. Weavers Words constantly enriches my life and inspire new projects. Amanda Popelka - I occasionally see a book of regional or local basket history, but haven't come across anything comprehensive. I'd like to hear what you discover about the history of specific baskets. You might try the gift shops at historic museums in your area to see if they have anything about local baskets or basketmakers. Maybe someone needs to write an encyclopedia of basketry. There certainly seem to be a lot of interested people. But I sure haven't found an adequate overview for the things I want to know about baskets and their history. Hmmm..... There's gotta be potential for a dissertation or thesis out there somewhere.... Food for thought. Bert Comstock Ruminating in Independence, MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V1 I59-61 Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 16:18:19 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 59 Deb Curtis - Thanks for introducing yourself. I'm definitely interested in the Certificate of Excellence in Basket Weaving. I'll contact you via direct email soon. It's nice to have you with us on Weavers Words. "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 60 Kay Janke - Glad you got home safely. Please, tell us more about the Michigan Convention! Pam Woodbury, Donna Kalner, Karen Wheeler, Marty Holihan, Diane Rigterink - Thanks for sharing your convention fun with us. Diane - Mary Ann Gullo gave instructions for a stocking variant of an elbow basket in several sizes, including ornament, back in September. I've saved it & can send you a copy directly if you still want it. "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 61 Joanne Jackson & Kay Janke - Thanks for your convention comments, too. You made a good point, Kay, about the basket weaving not being the only reason to go to conventions. The synergy of all those enthusiasts having fun together is nearly indescribable. It Must be experienced! Linda A Carson - My *Twining Times* just arrived. It's the newsletter of the Missouri Basketweavers Guild. I believe it comes out quarterly. Annual dues are $10 per person valid from Jan 1 to Dec 31. Indicate whether you are a New Member or Renewal and provide your Name, Business Name (optional), Street Address, City, State, Zip Code, Phone (day & evening, with area code), and Email Address. Send information with check payable to Missouri Basketweavers Guild to: Mike Narkawicz, 105 Oak Valley Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376. Pay dues before February 1 to receive first mailing of the MO Basket Sampler Convention info. The convention will be June 12-14, 1998, in St. Louis. Do the Iowa Basketmakers have a convention? If so, please tell us when and where! How does one join your organization? Hmm... Somehow I lost the color 'purple' from my remarks about the Lichen Dye workshop I took in Iowa. That should have read: '...marvelous colors in vast quantity - mostly PURPLE, burgundy and scarlet.' Amazing stuff! Wow! I'm actually caught up with Weavers Words for a change! Must be time to go work on a basket! Happy weaving, everybody! 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.