"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 72 Compiled By: David Collins Snail Mail: 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: December 10, 1997 Subscribers: 372 Back Issues: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5998/ Basket Biddin' Auction: http://members.tripod.com/~Basket_Biddin/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hi Everyone, I would like to thank Mrs. Roberta Huisman for the basket that she so thoughtfully sent me. What a surprise! A Mathematician's view of "Is there a Santa Claus?": 1) No known species of reindeer can fly. BUT there are 300,000 species of living organisms yet to be classified, and while most of these are insects and germs, this does not COMPLETELY rule out flying reindeer which only Santa has ever seen. 2) There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. BUT since Santa doesn't (appear) to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household, that's 91.8 million homes. One presumes there's at least one good child in each. 3) Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each Christian household with good children, Santa has 1/1000th of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house. Assuming that each of these 91.8 million stops are evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, we know to be false but for the purposes of our calculations we will accept), we are now talking about .78 miles per household, a total trip of 75-1/2 million miles, not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours, plus feeding and etc. This means that Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second, 3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle on earth, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second - a conventional reindeer can run, tops, 15 miles per hour. 4) The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized Lego set (2 pounds), the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons, not counting Santa, who is invariably described as overweight. On land, conventional reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds. Even granting that "flying reindeer" (see point #1) could pull TEN TIMES the normal amount, we cannot do the job with eight, or even nine. We need 214,200 reindeer. This increases the payload - not even counting the weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. Again, for comparison - this is four times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth. 5) 353,000 tons travelling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - this will heat the reindeer up in the same fashion as spacecraft's re-entering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION joules of energy. Per second. Each. In short, they will burst into flame almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa, meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force. In conclusion - If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he's dead now. Take Care & Happy Holidays, David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Happy Holidays Date: Mon, 27 Aug 1956 21:25:37 +0000 From: Larry Prevost Organization: AT&T To: davidc@iei.net Hello Fellow Weavers! I hope everyone is enjoying a stress-free holiday season (wishful thinking! :) I've taken a break from weaving since I've finished all my basket Christmas gifts. I didn't do any craft shows this season and didn't miss it one bit. I've decided it was too much work and not enough profit after the State and the Government take their share. I recently got a job teaching basketry through the local Parks and Rec. Dept. It's only a couple of classes, but I'm looking forward to it. With all the comments about Longaberger, I want to share a story. My husband and I went on a train dinner ride last Friday night. It was for his office Christmas party. When we walked into the train depot to get our tickets, a woman whom I`d never met commented on my basket jewelry ( a necklace with basket charms and basket earrings that I purchased from Sandy Drexler). "Did you get the jewelry from selling Longaberger baskets?", she said. In a very polite but firm voice, I said "No, I MAKE baskets". She just smiled and said "They look like prizes you'd receive from Longaberger for selling lots of baskets." Thank you, David, for all your hard work and dedication to this list. Your generosity is truly what this season is all about. Happy Holidays to all! Caroline Prevost Redmond, WA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 71 Date: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 11:35:51 +0900 From: Vic & Darleena Jones Organization: USAF, Okinawa, Japan To: David Collins References: 1 Dear Fellow Weavers, Happy holidays to all. I've been soooo busy that I've barely managed to keep up with the list but of course, couldn't leave it unread. You probably thought that I had dropped off someplace but I've just been tied up in the craft show thing. One more show and a rest till Feb (if you want to call frantically catching up on Christmas cards and shopping a rest!) I've mentioned the Acores in a previous post. Someone was looking for an educational vacation. Well, it looks like we may get reassigned to the Acores and the family is thrilled. We stayed there for three years before and now are looking forward to another 3 years. It will be nice to actually know people at a new assignment, ahead of time. I think I'll get to know the weavers on the island a little better this time. Last tour I was just a customer, I hope to be a student on this tour. We should be starting our trek across country (pick up truck in Washington... drive to Mass) in August.. a wonderful time to travel! (VBG) I hope everyone is in the holiday spirit and if not... sit down with a mug of whatever relaxes you and take deep breathes...over, under, over, under... right J? Joanne, thanks for the tips and concerns. I've had a company lately that can't seem to get the orders right. They substitute one wire for the other and then on the next order gave me 7/8 instead of 1". This doesn't sound so bad but I already had enough of one and definitely wanted the 1" for a humongous basket that uses 3/4" weavers. I won't order from that company again.. too much of a hassle! Just wanted to say hey... I must get back to work on that last show. Take care ... Darleena in sunny, rainy, cloudy, windy... everchanging Okinawa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 68 Date: Sun, 07 Dec 1997 23:12:44 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 68 Melissa Borsting - When upsetting spokes of flat reed, the things that help me most are: a) twining a row or 2 of round reed around the 'edge' of the base to help hold the base in place during the upsetting of the sides; b) bending the flat spokes over a round object such as a pencil or screwdriver of piece of dowel rod to keep myself from creasing it too sharply and cracking the spoke at the bend; and c) clipping several of the spokes up with spring-type clothespins during the weaving or twining of the first few rows of the basket sides. The clipping is more urgent at the corners of square or rectangular baskets than for round baskets. I have some fine smooth wood splits that I haven't used yet. I think they will need to be soaked longer than reed and handled very carefully at sharp bends. Maybe I can learn things from answers you get from more experienced weavers that will help me get psyched up to use the wood! Lynn Pawley - Thanks for the reminder about the timing for Indy-Weave. Bert Comstock Independence, MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: Ornament Patterns Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 09:44:20 -0500 From: "Gretchen Hautzinger" To: "David Collins" For the person looking for the ornament patterns Bill the Basket Maker has Christmas Ornaments by the Blue Ridge Basket Makers. His address is www.Basketmaker.com and his ordering number is 888-641-7312. He has monthly specials posted on his web site. For those wanting to know my best sellers this year are sewing baskets of any kind. They range in price from $10 to $45 and the large quilt basket I can't keep enough of them made. On the "new Controversy" why should we be afraid to voice our opinions, Isn't this what this list is all about sharing information, good and bad suppliers, concerns, problems and sharing lots of love for our fellow basket makers? If we can't voice or share our information why have the list? Gretchen "The Cat Basket" @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 71 Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 13:55:53 -0500 From: Tom Freebairn To: David Collins This is for Serena: She was asking about an herb to keep cats off baskets. Bitter Apple is an execellent way to deter cats from baskets. I have five cats. I personally don't mind if they sit or sleep in my baskets, but there are places I don't want them. Just a little spritz of bitter apple will do the trick. It smells bad to them, but not to us. It's good to keep dogs off things also. It will not hurt anything you spray it on. You can buy it at pet stores or sometimes the drug store. It comes in a pump spray bottle which is yellow with green writing. It's made by Grannick's. I recommend it to my customers who have the same complaint as yours, and most of the time if they have a solution to the cat "problem" they end up buying the basket. I'm not sure that it is an herb extractive, but it's a safe way to take care of the situation. Hope this helps. Happy Holidays to all!!! Janet Freebairn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 16:58:56, -0500 From: BDKE97B@prodigy.com (MRS BILLIE A DORRIS) To: davidc@iei.net Hey folks, Let's get a life.Free speech is one of the things guaranteed by the Constitution and bill of rights. No where does it say that because you disagree with someone they have no right to express their opinion. What Joanne did was simply explain an experience she had and how she felt about it. I deal with both of the suppliers she was talking about and although I like both personally sometime they do things that irritate me. (Actually about this time of year everyone I deal with on any level irritates me). I am constantly amazed by the reactions of people on this list to others comments-it is supposed to be an exchange of ideas not a parroting of one's own. I know some of you on a one to one basis and others I have never met at all, but I can't imagine that all of us are so petty as to take everything that is said so personally. As most of you know I am never hesitant to express my opinion but I am getting to the point that contributing is not worth it-not because someone would disagree with me but because people are so easily offended and I hate to stir up another hornet's nest. If Joanne hadn't written I wouldn't even know that NC had a new catalog out-and lord knows I could use a new one-mine obviously hasn't been mailed yet. Also I agree with her about the lack of 800 number at Martha's and never knowing when you are going to get another newsletter. I am beginning to think that some of the suppliers think that since they are the only game in town that you should work around their convenience-not yours. I know that business is tough these days but constantly alienating your customers is not going to make it any easier. This is not intended to "bad Mouth" either of the two mentioned but the world in general these days. What ever happened to the idea that the customer is at least sometimes right. Well I guess I've spouted off enough. I don't mean for this to start another war-let's relax and enjoy life. Billie in Va. Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Petaling??? Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 19:33:07 -0500 From: "The Rigterinks" To: hello everyone! I hope that everyone is getting things "together" for the upcoming holidays. I know that I am not, but I sure hope someone out there is! I will probably either be weaving/and or staining on Christmas Eve... I recently purchased a pattern that I am anxious to do, but upon reading the directions found that I had better not start until I get some help. The instructions say to "Petal the spokes of the base". I have no idea what they mean! From everything else I can gather, this is just a round base that is twinned until the handle is reached. I would appreciate any help or insight that anyone can offer. Happy Holidays Diane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: weavers words Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 16:42:39 -0800 From: basketma@juno.com (Mary a Gullo) To: davidc@iei.net Although I have many pattern books and catalogs, I am having a difficulty finding a pattern for a woven item that is NOT a basket- I would like to make fans. I have the Hawaiian weaving book with the fan in that, but am looking for different fans. If any one knows of any books or patterns or carries such a thing, please let me know and I will happily order it(lets see if I happily make it) my NEW YEARS RESOLUTION is-do all those patterns that I have bought this last year and not done. Sure I did some of them, but....;.;excuses excuses.... no more excuses. that's a subject to talk about-what are your resolutions in regards to your basketry or basket making- lets get a controversy going about that.. somehow a bit more lighthearted. I also, just love the little poems or the big night before x mas poem how fun that is! thanks a lot mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 69 Date: Tue, 09 Dec 1997 02:24:52 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Judith W Olney - Thanks for the feedback on basketry publications. I found out Saturday that one of my friends is being hired by Interweave Press to edit books for them. I discussed basket interests some with her and she said there may be a possibility, eventually for Interweave to do a special basket-oriented issue of one of its established magazines. I think this is a rapidly growing field and ripe for someone who wants to get in on the crest of the boom wave. When I hear more, I'll post it. Don't anybody hold your breath, though! Melissa in Colorado - I have had children your daughter's age successfully complete simple twined bowl-shaped baskets. I start them with four spokes (about 14 inches long) crossed over each other in pairs and held in place by twining the first two or three rounds over the pairs before separating the spokes to twine over each one individually. After another three rounds or so, you can insert additional half length spokes (about 7 inches) adjacent to each of the originals (or to every other one of the originals). Twine one or two rounds over the new spokes as a pair with the spoke each is next to and then spread them and twine over the added spokes individually as is done with the originals. Try to work almost flat until the base is at least the size of your palm before gently curving the sides upward. If you want a wider flat base, add more half spokes. The sides can be curved like a bird's nest or worked nearly straight up. They can flare out or neck in at the top. When you get them as high as you like, but with about four inches of spoke sticking out, tuck in the ends of the twiners and tuck each spoke down next to the second spoke away from itself. The spoke ends may have to be trimmed some, but you should try to tuck in about an inch and a half of each one. The border will be a double scalloped edge when finished. If the bottom is rounded and the basket doesn't sit flat on a table, resoak the bottom, then grasp the edges with your fingertips of both hands and press the middle of the base with both thumbs to make the bulge go toward the inside of the basket. It will then sit on a flat surface without rocking. These can turn out in various shapes and sizes from a little paper clip dish to a pencil holder or potpourri cup or open-topped apple-shape. The bigger size could be a fruit bowl or flat bread tray with a shallow side rim or a tall vase for dried flowers. It's fun to play with different colors too. You could dye some reed with Kool-Aid. The spokes can be flat or round. Twiners should be round. If you want to just weave the sides instead of twining them, you need to add one extra half spoke at the beginning so there will be an odd number. I usually do the entire bottom with round twiners or weavers. Once you start up the sides, you can weave with narrow flat reed if you want it to go a little faster. It's a good idea to twine the last couple of rounds, though. If you use flat spokes, remember to bend them all in the same direction when you tuck the ends over. Billie in Va. Beach - I like what you said about being selective in the shows you do and how to display for a more discriminating clientel. I think that is the kind of market that will be most rewarding for people who are making fine quality baskets. Amanda Popelka - Three-inch pine needles will be more difficult to work with than longer ones, but not entirely impossible. If the branches are flexible and not too branchy, you may be able to salvage some ribs for rib baskets too. Spread your pine needles out to dry in a shaded location if you want them to stay green, then you can store them in paper grocery bags. Don't cut the needles, just pull them gently off the branches. Last year when we had lots of branches down in a storm, I cut some branches for ribs and tied thm into a curve before they dried. Cathryn Peters - I had Carpal tunnel surgery on both my wrists back in 1986. I was already losing my hand strength and grip, and the surgery was a vast improvement. I am having some symptoms again, and if it gets really bad I will not hesitate to repeat the surgery. Consider how the condition affects your productivity without surgery. Do you really want to continue that way? The longer you wait, the more damage your nerves will suffer and the less effective surgery will be in the long run. Please talk to your doctor and see at least one specialist before you make your final decision about when (or whether) to have surgery. Jill Choate - When I broke the handle ring of a small rib basket, I was able to glue the break, but not wanting to trust the glue, I also added some reinforcement by placing flat reeds on the inside and the outside from rim to rim and wrapping the entire 'sandwich' in a braided pattern. A basket I made recently has a handle that is several layers of flat & flat oval reed with a pair of sturdy round reeds placed along the sides. The wrap on this one is narrow flat reed worked in a serpentine pattern. It was tucked in between the sandwich at one end and then goes all the way around a round reed, over the top of the sandwich, around the other round reed and back under the sandwich, etc. all the way across. You may be able to devise a similar fix if there's enough of the original handle to give you a starting place. If you just have stubs of the original handle, maybe they could be drilled for attaching a swing handle that will fold down when not being used. That way, it won't get broken again. Bert Comstock, Snuffling in snowy Independence, MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Hi to everyone! Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 09:19:00 EST From: Qka42 Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) To: davidc@iei.net Happy Holidays to all basketweavers everywhere! I just can't believe Christmas is almost upon us. Gosh where has the year gone? Guess the saying is true "time flies when you are having fun". Especially when you are weaving like crazy to get ready for that next show . I am truly happy to see a new year begin. My sisters and I are planning new shows and hopefully we will learn new baskets to keep us from going crazy.From reading "Weavers Words" (thank-you David) my sisters and I have learned we are just "babes". There is so much to learn from you all and I feel truly blessed that Kay Janke walked into our booth in Oct. thanks again Kay. Tracy and I met a wonderful couple from Ohio at a show here in Indpls. Best of the Season, that had some really cool baskets. I admire anyone who can go from the tree to the finished product. If you are out there hope your show in Cincy was great and if you ever think of giving classes keep us in mind you have my e-mail. Bert our basket party went O.K. considering only three people showed up out of several invited. We sold two sleigh's and a large stairstep and a toilet paper basket plus have an order for another sleigh. So I don't think we will be putting Longaberger out of business but it was a start. Something that we are looking into. We did our last show last weekend which wasn't that hot. At least not for us. The two vendors that were on either side of us did really well I think? They seemed pretty busy. We made our booth rent and a little over but not much. I don't think we will do that one again. We kept thinking of all the sleigh's we had to do while we were sitting there doing nothing, with Christmas music blaring in our ears. Oh well live and learn. In the last issue of "Weavers Words" you all were talking about a basket supplier KMC Baskets? What and where do I get info on this company? I just received my NCBasket catalog (thanks) and am always trying to compare shop. I keep going back to Restoration but it doesn't hurt to compare. Well friends I have enjoyed chatting with you thanks to Linda Braun for her "Bless My 'Puter" I almost had to reach for the tissue. Especially since joining "Weavers Words" and meeting all of you. I hope Dolly you are feeling better and hope that all of us will stop and say a little prayer for you to get better. Cause you know where two or three come together in His name there He is with them.Mathew 18:19. The end of my sermon. Thanks to all of you and hope that everyone has a Happy Holiday and a Wonderful New Year one full of new friends and lots of baskets! Take care all and stay safe and happy. Quin, Tracy and DeAnne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Shows Date: Tue, 09 Dec 1997 10:20:21 -0600 From: Roberta Huisman To: davidc@iei.net Hi Weavers: I made it through my 13th and very last show. It was a very good show but exhausting. Very cold weather to load and unload and quite a ways to walk. They put us up against a portable wall that divided us and an indoor ice rink. There was cold, icy air blowing through the cracks and underneath the wall....I went to the doctor last night and am suffering from ear infection in both ears and bronchitis. Still, money wise I did extremely well. For me having several styles of baskets and different colors in each has worked well. I don't feel my customers are overwhelmed or confused by too many baskets. I usually take 200-250 baskets to each show. I have had a terrific fall selling. If I take just one of a kind 99.9 percent of the time they ask for a different color.....so variety works well for me. Step baskets haven't gone too well for me this year so I took only one to this show. It was gone within the first hour and I had 6 other people ask for them in the two days. You never can guess what will sell. I sold a lot of large baskets at this show. Those that did buy the smaller ones bought several. I sold 3 chairside magazine baskets (got the pattern from KMC). I sold them for $28.50 which I new was too cheap, but the pattern was so easy and only took me one hour and 10 minutes to make and I figured it out and my profit was $20. So it was worth it to me. I had just gotten the pattern and did not want to come home with them, hence the lower price. It was a two day show and the magazine baskets were gone the first morning. I also sold a lot of bread baskets. I just quickly made them this week with a wood handle (which I hadn't done before) and they all sold better than when I made them without wooden handles. Well, back to bed to recover from this. Happy weaving to all! Berta In cold and snowy Iowa. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V1 I70 Date: Tue, 09 Dec 1997 14:53:30 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Karen in Ohio - How long does it take your elementary school student to weave the flower pot basket? What size reed do you use for the stakes? It sounds very similar to the basket I taught for an adult class last month. I called it a berry basket. We used 5/8" reed for the stakes and 2 rows of start and stop on the lower sides, then finished the weaving with 3/8". Used up some scraps of dyed weavers. I think what delights me most about teaching beginners is their excitement about the finished basket! One way you might convey some of your feelings about people who grumble over pricing would be to make some little signs to stand among your baskets. They could say such things as "How long would it take You to make one of these?" or "I value my time, please don't waste it." or "If you don't like these prices, shop somewhere else." Maybe they could just be little cards to hand to obnoxious people. Maybe we should draw some witty cartoons that would get some of these messages across in a subtle way. Mary Gullo - Welcome back! In case you haven't read the back issues you missed, I want you to know that there were several requests for your stocking ornament pattern while you were gone. I had saved it & took the liberty of reposting it for you. People seem to be enjoying it a lot. Good luck with your chair caning. Lois K. - I began to have allergies several years after moving to KC. Sometimes I think pollution may have been a factor, but mostly I think it has been a matter of aging and perhaps a long-delayed consequence of the massive amounts of second-hand smoke that filled my childhood. Well, irritating as they are, I can't think of anyone I'd trade health problems with. Your description of local fairs was interesting. It sounds like exactly the sort of thing I look for when I travel. The one trip I took that involved busses taking us places was while I was in school. I don't think I could handle travelling that way now. I have to seek out local specialties, foods, and one-of-a kind shops. Susan H. MacIntire - Thanks for the sweetgrass plugs source info. Now I have to figure out where to plant it. Ruth Lascurain - Here's David's mailing address: David G. Collins, Jr. Web Page Creations 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219-5334 Linda Benson - Thanks for the web & email info on the Swedish book publisher. My sister-in-law is from a Swedish background, but I don't think she knows the language. I'll have to ask her. Rick K - Your twisted paper basket project for kids looks like a winner. Have you ever tried making your own twisted paper? I've been wondering if I could do that with my spinning wheel. If I try it, I'll let you know. It would be a great way to reuse holiday wrapping paper. Kay Janke - My recipe for scrap reed is what I call 'doodle' baskets. Every once in a while I get out the scraps and play with them and let them tell me what they want to be. Well, it's a ham'n'beans day here - gray and sleeting on top of yesterday's snow. Hope I still have that hambone in the freezer. I'd better get out the soup pot & start things cooking. Bert Comstock Independence, MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Ahhhhh! Date: Sun, 07 Dec 1997 18:08:48 -0700 From: jfish@pyramid.net To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone--The last show for the season was one which my business partner and I chaired. It was at our church. The weather wasn't wonderful--the first snow of the season and everyone was a bit skitsy about driving even though the streets were not in bad condition. We did fairly well in spite of all that and today all the checks to the artists have been made out and will go in the mail tomorrow. I have one more basket/gourd to finish before the end of December and that's it for the year. It's been a pretty good year for us--our goal is to make a small profit this year and I think we will do that. Our Great Basin Basketmakers have done so well in the two galleries in which we are showing that the owners have asked for more baskets. Isn't that a good problem to have? Best holiday wishes to everyone. Joyce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Sweet Grass Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 10:40:19 -0600 From: catslapbaskets@webtv.net (russell/karen mitchell) To: davidc@iei.net (David Collins) Happy Holidaze Everyone! Just wanted to add my two cents on the planting of sweet grass. Plant it as sometimes suggested for mint, in a container and put the container in the ground so the sweet grass won't spread out and the "other grass" won't creep in. I got this suggestion too late and need to replant mine. Someone suggested to me to use a children's hard sided swimming pool for large plots of grass. It really is great stuff and I sometimes twist up a small wreath of it to put in necklace pouches. I have some hanging in the kitchen and when it is humid, or on those rare occasions that I actually cook or bake, the smell is heavenly! To: Berta in Parkersburg IA. how is your daughter doing after her tests?? Good I hope! To: Ruthanne Morningstar re: Xmas presents....I am usually the one in the back seat of the car, wrapping the present on the way to the party!!!! LOL! ;>) !!! >From the continuously cloudy state of Minnesota, where "they" say it will be sunny tomorrow!!! yeah right and the check is in the mail! Karen Mitchell Happy Holidays and Happy Weaving THE CAT'S ON MY LAP CREATIONS! @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.