"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 80 Compiled By: David Collins Snail Mail: 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: January 11, 1998 Subscribers: 387 Back Issues: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5998/ Basket Biddin' Auction: http://members.tripod.com/~Basket_Biddin/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hi Everyone, ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION*** ***PLEASE READ BEFORE PRINTING*** 1.) Highlight entire issue. 2.) Click cut or copy. 3.) Paste issue into a word processor of your choosing. 4.) Now Print. I have added a page to the Weaver's Words webpage. It contains some of my favorite links/stuff. I was bored yesterday. If anyone has a basketry page that they would like added, I will gladly do so. I won't add a link without permission though. I will include you banner also if I can pull it from your site. The reason is because I'm limited on web space. Take Care, David davidc@iei.net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Date: Wed, 7 Jan 1998 19:34:12 -0700 From: Sharle Osborne To: davidc@iei.net Happy New Year to all! Over my winter break I had a chance to visit a good friend for a few days, cut some basket willows she has been growing and finish a couple projects. I made a waste paper basket and laundry size basket for the bathroom. It was hard to move them in there, since my bathroom is far from being a showcase, so they crowded our tiny livingroom so anyone stopping by would have to notice them. Before starting back to teaching, I went out Sunday evening to cut some red ozzier dogwood. With the leftover willow I may have enough for one more basket. What do people charge for basket willow, not starts to plant but the actual shoots for weaving? Is it by the pound? I'm working on a local monthly gathering, our first will be this month. We plan on making a little twined basket. We want to know if we should call ourselves a guild and if there is any infrastructure or national organization of basketry guilds. Thanks to all those folks who write and share. Sharle Osborne sharleo@orca.esd114.wednet.edu (360)6838816 683 Lotzgesell Rd Sequim, WA 98382 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Date: Wed, 7 Jan 1998 18:59:12 -0800 From: "Ames, Kay H" To: "'davidc@iei.net'" Happy New Year Weavers! One of my resolutions is to try to write in occasionally to WW. I kept meaning to, but never could seem to catch up READING it! My name is Kay Harradine (Ames) living in Mount Vernon, Washington, 50 miles north of Seattle. I still weave under my maiden name, hence much confusion. To e-mail me, please use: mames@fidalgo.net or kay.h.ames@boeing.com. I have been weaving since 1982 and teaching basketry for about ten years. My first love is cedar bark basketry and NW Coast Native American weaving techniques, although I weave in a number of styles using reed as well as gathered materials. I am a member of Northwest Basket Weavers Vi Phillips Guild, and of Columbia Basin Basketmakers Guild in Portland, Oregon. Just a quick note: Our Spring Retreat is coming up the weekend of March 20-22. We have a reciprocal arrangement with our sister guild in Portland, so for a small membership fee, you could join us, take classes and meet a wide range of weavers from two wonderful guilds! We'd love to have you as long as there is still room. The CBBG retreat is in September. I work full time at Boeing, commute two hours a day, weave and teach, raise goats, a llama, a turkey, geese, chickens, ducks, cats and sometimes sheep and pigs, (no kids). Our large pond is filled with a variety of wildlife to our delight: great blue herons and green herons, kingfishers, all manner of wild ducks, frogs, salamanders, turtles, and now and then we are graced by the presence of river otters! It is a full and rewarding life. Our ten acres of swamp land produces very iron-rich water in the well. We do not drink or cook with it by choice due to the taste. It stains the porcelain fixtures, my husband's blond hair, my toenails, and worst of all - my weaving materials, particularly cedar bark and other tannin-rich materials. So I have started a rain barrel to collect water off the roof, with which to soak basketry materials (a natural solution here in the rainy Pacific NW). I strain the water through two milk filters. I hope someone can offer advice on rain barrel techniques: a goldfish keeps the mosquito larvae down, but what to do about green slimy algae? I really enjoy reading all your news and your basketry advice and experiences. It helps when you mention what state or city you are in, as some of the guild acronyms are greek to me. Bert - I believe the Longaberger building photo was in People's magazine. Regarding waxed linen necklace pouches, I began with a pattern by Kathy Halter, which directs you to begin the weaving at the rim (a novel concept). I end up using the index finger of my holding hand as the "mold", or more accurately for providing even "spreadage"/tension for the row being worked. If the basket is bigger than my finger I sort of squash or stretch the fabric as I go, relying on the sticky wax effect to keep it all where I want it. For very small earring baskets, I can only get the very tip of my stubby finger into the opening, but it is enough to provide order. I find I have more control hanging onto the basket, than trying to get the basket to stay on the mold. I've made a few flat baskets, but find these more difficult, so I plan to use the adjustable sticky notepad ploy next time - great idea! I have also tried full-turn twining in two colors as Flo Hoppe illustrates in her latest book. It is similar to the technique used in weaving "Sally" Bags by the Wasco/Wishram people of the Columbia River, which I learned from Mary Schlick. However I find that the waxed linen does not do a very good job of hiding the "behind" weaver, unless I weave even more tightly than my usual tight, tight weaving. Lately, for designs for my waxed linen pouches, I have been practicing the swirls, arrows, braids and other color patterns which Flo Hoppe describes so well in her book. I find these translate very well into this medium. They are small projects, therefore provide ample opportunity for multiple experimentation in a short time. I will end on a note of disappointment: I sent a check to join AMB (Assoc of Mich. Bskwvrs) in September. It was cashed in October. I specifically mentioned I am interested in teaching for the convention. I received no acknowledgement, paperwork, newsletter or anything until January 5th 1998, and as you know, the deadline for submitting course proposals was Jan. 7th. I would dearly love to attend some of the conventions around the country, but realistically will not be able to do so unless it is as a teacher, so I will look forward perhaps to meeting some of you at AMB Convention 1999. From the mild NW, trading the occasional winter snow storm for el Nino rain and mud this year, best wishes and happy weaving. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: waxed linen Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 12:23:23 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha from sunny, but cool Honolulu, David, I love your sense of humor, but you must have been peeking into the Keener household for that "Ode to January"!! It does, I*m afraid, fit us to a "t". Do wish more of you all would join in with Donna Weber*s chat room...what a good time we have there, chatting about kids, weather, food, and baskets. I*ve informed my family that Wed and Sat at 4pm (Hawaiian time) I*m not to be disturbed so I can visit with my friends.. and I do so look forward to it. I saw a waxed linen project--a small bag on a braid--and fell in love with it...what treasures I could wear around my neck hidden in a woven masterpiece...however, I can*t understand the pattern. So could some suggest a simple beginning pattern I could try? Or is a simple beginner pattern a figment of my fertile imagination.....? Wish I could be there to weave an antler basket with you, Mary Carty! And to BeckyJoy--about charging for classes...if I*m supplying all the stuff, I charge, with few exceptions, what I would sell the basket for. At the center where I teach twice a week, the students supply most of their own stuff (I supply a piece of 1/4" for lashing or #3 round for twining--no need in someone buying a pound for one small piece) I charge $15, but the center who does all the publicity gets 25% of that. Hope this helps. Hope everyone had a fine and safe holiday--vacation was way too short and basket demands are flooding in----but as someone told me once when I was whining.."what a great life you have--two healthy children, a supportive husband, and the ability to make money doing something you truly love"--can*t argue with that. aloha nui loa, Lois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: (no subject) Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 09:31:13 -0800 From: "Rory D. Remenak" To: davidc@iei.net David and Basketmakers/weavers, It is with great regret and after quite a bit of thought that I have decided that I need to resign from this list. The reason is not due to any postings that I have read ( and I am sorry but I haven't been able to read all the lists lately). What I am concerned about is the link at the end of the Weavers Words webpage, which I just recently found. It contains material that I consider in poor taste at best. You may think that I am stuck up to object to it, --okay. But I am a mother and a Christian, and find joy in good things, not in bad. Also, I do not want my name associated with crassness, as if I endorse it. It will be a sacrifice to me to live without the communications from you all. (I know, start the violins!) David, if you decide to get rid of that link, I would be happy to resubscribe to the list. Sincerely, Peggy Remenak, Somerset CA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mrs. Remenak & Weaver's Words subscribers, In response to the above posting. Well it looks like I have unintentionally ticked someone else off. Yes, I did add a link to www.ohmygoodness.com at the end of Weaver's Words webpage. I did so because they offer many humorous holiday postcards. In fact, most of the postcards that I have sent all of you on special occasions have come from there. I thought you all would enjoy the page. Some of the material may not be appropriate to small children, but we're all adults. So, with an OPEN mind, we have the ability not to click on the link. The part of Mrs. Remenak's letter that greatly disturbs me is when she insinuates that she's a "Christian" and that I'm not because I added a stupid little link to a webpage. I can and have taken criticism, but I will stand up for myself. Some people can sure make it difficult to do a FREE digest for hundreds of people. Mrs. Remenak says if I take the link off she will resubscribe. Maybe I'm just in a cranky mood, but the link stays. I haven't censored one iota of everyone's thoughts. So OUR page won't be censored either. I hate it but if anyone else feels the need to unsubscribe, I fully respect your decision. To all of the new subscribers, I assure you this is an isolated incident. This is a very user-friendly list. Please check out the back issues to verify our wonderful basketry community. I hope you all decide to stay with our family. To the rest of you I'm sorry and the list goes on. I apologize for subjecting everyone to such pettiness. Your friend, David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: subscribe Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 12:14:51 -0500 From: "Shawn C. Pillsbury" To: "'davidc@iei.net'" Dear David, I just read "Weavers Word" for the first time. I love weaving so I thought that I would say "hi". I have had the privilege of taking classes with Sandy Atkinson. She does the "Country Basket Weaving" show on PBS. I had seen her program a few years ago and thought that I would like to learn to weave some day. Well, I was introduced to her by a friend and started taking classes. I love it! I feel so privileged to be learning from her, she is a great teacher. I have learned so much. If anyone is interested in classes or needs supplies (she has everything!) "Atkinson's Country House" is located near Lennon Michigan. She can be reached at 1-800-832-3071 for a free catalogue or directions. Someone wrote in about Nantuckets, saying how much they liked them. I do too. At first I was not impressed with these baskets, but I decided to make one. I'm hooked! I like large Nantuckets the best. Apart from just saying hi, I also wanted to put in a plug for my favorite weaving instructor. I enjoyed your site. Sincerely, Sandra W. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 08:29:48 -0500 From: Jayna Glemby <"jayna l. glemby"@hey.net> To: davidc@iei.net Greetings and Happy New Year everyone. I hope things improve here. Our sleepy little town of Charlton erupted with a murder due to domestic violence (first ever) and it has impacted greatly on our little community. It made the TV & print news headlines. Such a tragedy. Domestic rage seems to have escalated. We have the type of town where no one locks their doors...when my girlfriend scaled down a few years ago and moved out of her house into an apartment, she hunted for weeks for keys to the house. They finally gave up and told the real estate agent they hadn't locked the house in years...course the new owners were shocked. But on an upbeat note, so nice to have the great sharings on WW from fellow Bay Staters, Judith Olney and Judy Sarna. To Judith Olney...many thanks, that was the greatest, most concise and complete set of suggestions for round baskets I've ever read! Already put them to good use, even if I did look a bit silly eyeballing my basket as it sat on the top of the car!!! :-) And, thanks, Judy Sarna for the address to purchase the Lash Saver....bet they are flooded with orders (mine included). Happy Weaving to all, from Jayna in foggy, wet, central Massachusetts. PS... I wish more people would sign off saying where they are from, it's interesting to see. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 77 Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 15:37:03 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Happy New Year everybody! Darleena Jones - Your trip across the country in June sounds great. That should be good traveling weather across the northern states. Meanwhile, please keep us posted on how your coffeetable basket comes out. Quin, Tracy & DeAnn - Sweet Grass, also called Holy Grass, is *Hierochloe odorata*. It is native to the northern US and Canada. Sweet Vernal Grass, *Anthoxanthum odoratum* was introduced to this continent from Europe. Both contain coumarin which gives them a pleasant sweet smell when they dry. The odor is akin to that of sweet clover or woodruff. Sweet grass is used in several styles of Native American basketry. For twill weave baskets, look into Lyn Siler's books: *The Basket Book* and *Handmade Baskets*. Each has several twills in it. For more detail, see *Twill Basketry* by Shereen LaPlantz. Billie D. - I took the twined waxed linen basket class at my local guild meeting Sunday. What fun! The basket is a little pouch about 1.5 inches wide and not quite 2 inches tall, with 3 rows of beads strung on the spokes at intervals. It has an added fringe across the bottom and a braided handle, both with more beads & a few spangles on the loose ends. Of course, now I'm making one in My choice of colors and adding a pattern to the twining. Mine will be a belt pouch sized to hole a drivers license, a couple of other cards & maybe a key or two. It will have a flap to close the top. I think I'll be making several more of these in the near future. Thanks for the inspiration & tips you posted in WW! Bert Comstock Independence, MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Tool Caddy Date: Sun, 11 Jan 1998 12:41:31 EST From: BJ CRAFTS Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) To: davidc@iei.net Greeting to David and Basket Weavers, Just had to let everyone know about the great find I bought at the hardware store my husband draggggggged me into kicking and screaming. While he was doing his shopping I was roaming about and saw the Bucket Caddy. It sits on top of a five gallon pal, has four divided sections and small holes great for your weave rite tools and the cost was $3.99. Now when I go to the next Basket Retreat my Guild has I'll be all set. The trade mark is Stacker, Portable Products, Inc. 1-800-688-2677. Happy weaving, BeckyJoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: pine needles Date: Sun, 11 Jan 1998 16:21:05 -0600 From: "Susan" To: Hello to all weavers out there. I have collected quite a lot of long pine needles, that I will sell to anyone interested in them they are 10" -12" long. Anyone interested, please e-mail me and I will be glad to talk to you. Thanks ..susan slw@compu.net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.