"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 87 Compiled By: David Collins Snail Mail: 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: January 30, 1998 Subscribers: 414 Back Issues: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/ Basket Biddin' Auction: http://members.tripod.com/~Basket_Biddin/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION*** ***PLEASE READ BEFORE PRINTING*** 1.) Highlight entire issue. 2.) Click copy. 3.) Paste issue into a word processor of your choosing. 4.) Now Print. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Tea Stain Date: Mon, 27 Aug 1956 21:30:23 +0000 From: Larry Prevost Organization: AT&T To: davidc@iei.net Hi Weavers! I haven't written in a while, but I very much look foreword to reading every issue of WW. I`d like to respond to Lynn in Indy's question regarding tea stain. I use a blend of coffee and tea to stain my baskets. I like it because it is a natural stain and if you are going to use a basket to hold food, you don't have to worry about toxic consequences. It also gives a beautiful golden brown color that I have found fits into most decors. I use INSTANT coffee and INSTANT tea using a 3:1 ratio (three parts tea to one part coffee). However you will probably want to experiment to find a color that suits you. Always be sure to test the stain on a scrap before you do your whole basket to make sure you like it. I dissolve the coffee and tea in a small amount of hot water and then add Luke warm water to dilute it. I have found that if I use a hot stain, any color in the basket tends to run. You may need to spray (or dip) the basket several times to get the color you want. I let mine dry in between sprayings. I hope this helps. Happy weaving everyone! Caroline Prevost in rainy but warm (50`s) Redmond,WA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Information please Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 19:26:09 -0500 From: "Carolyn Megginson" To: "David Collins" Hello to all, Can't begin to say how nice it is too get Weavers Words so often now. I do need help. Working on Computer and lost some Bookmarks. I need to get the Web Site for Carolina Basketry in New Bern, NC. Johnnie didn't even know it. He has someone else do this and faxes orders to him. Said he didn't even own a computer. Good prices at reasonable prices. I like his handles because they are heavier than any others I have purchased. I forgot to mention at my last class I had a 10-year-old with Mama and Grandmama. I was surprised how well she did. The adults told her to ask me and wouldn't help. I realize this is a gamble but she was excellent. Trying to get ready for shows. This is the first year I have participated in such an early schedule. Will close before I wear out welcome. Thanks again, Carolyn of Suffolk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Hairless baskets Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 18:43:22 -0800 (PST) From: Christine Wekwert To: davidc@iei.net Hi, This is my first time to write in. My name is Christine and I have been weaving for about 5 years. I love reading all the letters and noticed all the conversation of how to remove hairs from baskets. I use a glass juice bottle with the metal screw cover. You then drill a hole in the top and insert a cotton wick. Fill the bottle with denatured alcohol and light it. The heat is not as intense as other types of torches. Just be sure you lightly spray your basket with a squirt bottle to dampen it. Do this before you stain. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: dyeing reed Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 21:36:26 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha from warm and sunny Hawaii, I have to agree with Billie Dorris--don*t ever attempt to burn off those pesky hairs after you have stained your basket. One of my students stained her basket with a combination of mineral spirits and oil paint and then attempted to burn off the hairs and of course, her basket went POOF. Fortunately, she wasn*t injured. I trim the hairs with a pair of Chinese scissors I found at a swap meet for $1--I*m too timid to put fire anywhere near a basket whether it is stained or not. Oh, yes, and I did have a student who used a candle--and that left black marks on her basket...wouldn*t recommend that at all. And as for that combination of mineral spirits and artists oil paint--I wouldn*t recommend that, either. One of my teachers suggested using it--and I did. Using "burnt umber" gives a lovely walnut color. However, a few months ago, I noticed that a double bottomed apple basket I*d stained several years ago had white marks on it. When I took a closer look, I discovered the "finish" was chipping off the 7mm reed. Dyeing reed--it*s like everything else in basketmaking--everyone has a method that works for them. So here is mine. My reed doesn*t run on a basket and I am not sure why--just luck, maybe. When I dye reed, I usually dye a pound at a time (most of the time it is for a class) and I use a large plastic bin I found at K-Mart. It*s an off brand and was pretty cheap--$5, I think--and it*s 36" long and 18" wide and 8" tall. It is wide enough for a pound of reed to "unwind". I heat a Dutch oven with water to boiling and dump it into the plastic bin. I add extremely hot water from the tap until there*s about 3-4" in the bin. I dump an entire box of RIT into the water and stir until it is dissolved. I put the pound of reed into the dye and then cut the strings off and let it unwind. With the darker shades of RIT, I turn the reed over after a max. of 15 minutes. After it is the shade I like, I remove it to the sink and rinse it until the water runs fairly clear. I then tie it up with a piece of jute and hang it outdoors in the shade to dry. That*s it--I don*t boil the reed, I don*t add vinegar or salt (RIT*s primary ingredient IS salt--why add more?) and the reed does not bleed on my baskets. If I*m in a hurry, I use it immediately. Otherwise I soak it along with the reed I*m using to weave the basket with. My colors are vibrant (and I do mix a lot of RIT to achieve dusty rose, cranberry, jade green) and my students like it--no complaint of bleeding. I don*t save my RIT as I had a blowout with a jug of RIT and nearly had to replace a floor, so I toss it. Norma, as a member of the IBA, I would like to donate a door prize, but I*m clueless to what would be appropriate. If you can think of something, please let me know--a Hawaiian shirt, a Hawaiian T-shirt, macadamia nuts, chocolate covered macadamia nuts, chocolate covered pineapple, dried pineapple, papaya, mango, li hui moi????? Darleena--thank you greatly for the envelope that graced my mailbox last week. I*ve tried to e-mail you, but it keeps getting bounced back to me. I also e-mailed your friend who is moving to Hawaii and gave her some craft fair info... I had one fine bonding experience with my almost 22 year old daughter, Bridget, last Friday. We attended the Rolling Stones concert together and both agreed it was awesome--best concert we've ever attended...but I*ve created a monster as now "Satisfaction" plays everyday in our house.. May there be peace in your life and most of all, in your heart. Lois Honolulu (where there are 30'+ waves on the North Shore and even the surfers won*t go into the water!) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 08:41:36 -0500 From: "Joy Moody" To: Hello Fellow Weavers! Carolyn: Funny we should have the same interest - it is actually the fancy braided borders that have lead me to play with round reed. It is fun trying new things & expanding skills. I still prefer the flat reed, so far. About Vicki Schmidt's entry on magnets & wraps: The company she mentioned does not allow us (Independent Distributors) to "advertise" on the Internet; that is why I have asked people to contact me directly. I offer DISCOUNTED prices to my basketmaking friends & am happy to do so. My husband & I have had substantial results & feel a moral obligation to spread the "relief" around! Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can help. Dede: Thanks for mentioning where to get Basketry Graphics. I was unable to get it locally. Also, for the person who asked about graphics, you might consider looking in 1800's catalogues.....those prints are past copyright & can be used. Myra: I don't believe I have seen the New England Quilt basket pattern. Can you describe it & tell me where I might see a photo, buy a pattern? The largest (perhaps similar?) one I've made is Judy Richmond's Classic Floor. You can see a funny picture of that in the Humor Corner of my website.............I haven't heard, is anyone laughing? Thanks to all who have sent well wishes about the Ice Storm of '98 &/or who have seen my pictures on the web. We have had several MORE mini ice storms, so I went out & took more pictures! Some of the restored power was lost again, but the linemen have worked like dogs & the majority of people are back on line. I don't mean to be naughty & self-promote too much, but we've added the Culture Corner to the website too, & you can finds lots of examples of international basketry in there, as well as other cultural tidbits. Have fun! Joy Moody Sign of the Crow Hampden, Maine where we are ready for another storm this weekend www.signofthecrow.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 86 Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 07:56:57 CST6CDT From: "LINDA A CARSON" Organization: Des Moines Area Community College To: David Collins Greetings from Iowa....I enjoy all of your wonderful input with each new edition of Weavers Words. I have a question for Linda Braun..you make a comment about a Noah's Ark basket. Can you direct me to a pattern? Sounds great! And to Myra: Do you have a source for your New England Quilt basket pattern - I love large baskets and quilts! Thanks, Linda in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 85 Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 09:04:58 EST From: ShebesterJ Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) To: davidc@iei.net Answer to ?? about Martha***********try MWBASKETS*******you'll get her everytime! Jodi Shebester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weavers Words Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 14:36:59 PST From: "Alice Edwards" To: davidc@iei.net Hello, About round reed, I enjoy working with it. But, I have noticed that people seem much more impressed by the flat reed baskets and have heard others mention they didn't like competing with or being compared to the 'cheap' imports. Perhaps the public perception is partially due to the difference between the price of imports and the Longaberger baskets? I do think that some of the more advanced baskets in Flo Hoppe's books would be less apt to be compared to the imports. But, I haven't got that far through the book yet. I keep getting sidetracked with flat reed baskets. I do enjoy baskets that use both types of reed. Speaking of books, in back issues I have seen mention of books that were out-of-print. While you can always ask your local library to request them through inter-library loan, if you want your own copy once you have seen the book like I do, I have some additional web sites you can try. These sites don't actually sell books. They list books for sale by dealers who pay to have their books listed. Then if you want the book, you order it from the dealer who has the book. (This assumes they keep their list of books updated, but you at least know they had the book when they listed it.) I have had good luck getting a book I was trying to locate. The sites are: http:://www.bibliofind.com , http:://www.abebooks.com , and http:://www.interloc.com. One warning, if you do a search with basketry as the subject, you will get a big list of books. Lynn: the Baskets, Etc. web site has some instructions for using tea (and coffee) to stain baskets in their staining tips section. The web site address is: http:://www.ashloand.edu/~lbraun/baskets.html. There is also a link to Baskets, Etc. from the Just Patterns magazine web site, which is at http:://www.justpatterns.com. The Just Patterns magazine has some neat patterns and the web site is nice. It has some free patterns available, so if you haven't checked it out you might try it. The Baskets, Etc. site has lots of links to other sites, that is where I learned about Weaver's Words. Marci: I have never tried to burn the hairs off of a basket, but have thought about it and will certainly be careful if I do. I have clipped them off with nail clippers. They seem to work better than scissors to get close and nip them off. Bert: I just joined your guild and plan to be there Sunday, I'll probably be the lady who looks lost. Thanks to all of you who have been contributing to the list. Alice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Indiana Basket Convention Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 18:04:23 EST From: Qka42@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hello all! Just a quick question if anyone can tell me. When is visitor's day? Date and time? We weren't able to join this year but are looking forward to visitor's day but I don't remember when?? I hope the lady that burned the basket and unfortunately her kitchen is doing well and thank goodness no one was hurt. I always worry about using weaver's stain especially canned in an enclosed area especially in the winter when the heat is on(gas). Thanks David for hanging in there with us all! Tracy, DeAnne and I do so enjoy reading WW and meeting so many wonderful persons. I also enjoyed Joy Moody's website. I can't wait until all the sites are finished as I would love to get a pattern for the backpack basket if available? I have one for an adirondike but I think Joy's is more what I want. I keep trying to get tracy to make one for me but no is all I hear. I guess I will have to break down and do it myself. I envy all that are able (financially and have the time) that will be going to the NCBA. I have heard good things about it. Someday....... Better run. Good talking to everyone!! Quin Turning cold in Indianapolis,IN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: OOPS! Date: Mon, 27 Aug 1956 20:49:18 +0000 From: Larry Prevost Organization: AT&T To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone OOPS! I made an error on my posting about the coffee and tea stain. The ratio should be: 3 parts COFFEE to one part tea. Sometimes I adjust it a bit, but I always put in more coffee than tea. Sorry for any confusion. :( Just to let you know, I have tried making the stain with brewed coffee and brewed tea. It came out very weak and I just couldn't get the color I wanted. Bye for now, Caroline Prevost Redmond, WA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Dogwood Supplies Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 21:03:50 -0600 From: "twobearz" To: Hi David, First of all thank you for the wonderful service you provide with Weaver's Words. We will have a supply (not very large) of dogwood for anyone who needs it come early spring. I use some of it for Dream Catchers and a little for weaving on gourds, but I still have enough left over from the last batch. If anyone is interested, write me at twobearz@msn.com. Thanks, Shari Zabroski Wonder Lake, IL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 23:18:11 -0500 From: mbzaj@infinet.com To: David Collins References: 1 Dear David, I just want to thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! I was unaware of the UPS tracking service on the internet until I found it on your favorite links. I had two different shipments coming from North Carolina this week. They both ended up being late. (One hasn't arrived yet.) If I didn't get them on time, I would have to had cancelled a basket class of 16 students tonight and 22 students Saturday night. After using the tracking service we had to put a trace on the one that I don't have yet. I now see it is in motion. This will save my Sat. class. Once again, David, I say thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sincerely, Brenda Johnson :) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Dreams Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 09:40:45 EST From: Jvoconnor1@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net I had to pass along to you guys the dream I had the night before last. I was driving home from work through this beautiful forest preserve (which, by the way, is true) and a deer ran out in front of my car and I hit it. A man in a pickup truck stopped and asked me if I wanted to keep the deer for meat and I said no, I don't have room for it in my freezer. As he is loading the deer into the back of his truck I said...stop, stop I want the deer's antlers to make into a basket. So the guy in the truck took out a saw and cut them off and gave them to me. I couldn't wait to get home and start on my new basket. LOL!! See what influence you guys have over my dreams!! :} I told my husband and he looked at me like I was crazy, but I knew my basket buddies would find the humor in it. Mandy: My hubby and I just put a contract on a house in Kingston. We'll be down in your neck of the woods around April probably. Anybody else out there near DeKalb, IL? From the finally thawing northern Illinois area, Sandi Howard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 84 Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 13:38:52 EST From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 84 Linda & Emily - It was good to hear from you about Emily's research project. I hope she is finding a lot of good information for it. There is sure a lot more on the web about baskets today than there was this time last year when I first tried a search. Isn't it great? Have you done any basket weaving together? Emily, when I was about your age, I used to make straw hats and purses for my storybook dolls (well before Barbie came on the scene) by braiding grass and stitching the braids together in coils and spirals like a braided rug. Linda, it's nice to know there are some level-headed parents out there who are working With their kids exploring the web! I hope people remember that you weren't the one who suggested removing the website link. Mandy - Whew! I'm sure glad you weren't seriously hurt in the fire! It's so easy to become complacent and not think about safety. Your story could be worth publishing in a safety magazine. I can't remember the name of the one we used to get at work, but I'm sure the safety officer of any big company or government agency could tell you. They pay (but probably not a lot) for personal experience stories that make such a dramatic point about safety. Don't wait for another close call to get back to us with what else you're up to these days. Susan Darabond - Sounds like you and your daughter share a good sense of humor, even if she doesn't weave baskets (yet)! I got another good chuckle trying to imagine the reaction my daughter (who is unmarried at 39) would have if I went around proposing marriages for her! I like to think that on a good day she'd be able to laugh with me at the thought. Myra - This seems to be a Mothers & Daughters issue of WW. Isn't it interesting how a 'theme' will suddenly pop up when you don't expect it? I enjoyed hearing about your shopping expedition to Atkinsosn's Country House. Sharle Osborne - Sounds as if your first North Olympic Basketmakers meeting was a big success. What fun! Please keep us posted on how the group grows. Another option for your twill patterns exercise would be leftover ribbon from your holiday giftwrapping. I've seen some examples of this that are pretty enough to frame. I think they were laid out on a piece of plain paper or cardstock with a piece of double-sided tape down one edge of the page to hold the 'warps' in place. I like the idea of the group bringing odds and ends of natural materials to swap. Wonder if there's anyone else in my guild who works with naturals. I'll have to ask around at the meeting Sunday afternoon. I still don't know many of the people very well. Most of the meetings seem to be centered around classes that teach a specific basket.. If you weave bookmarks, try to keep them from being too thick (don't want to damage the books). How about coasters or hot dish mats? When I went to a conference in the Fisherman's Wharf area a couple of years ago, I found a great little ethnic import shop/gallery (well, not really so little) in Ghirardelli Square. They had a lot of wonderful things I could never afford, but I did buy several little baskets made of twill woven (not coiled) pine needles. They still smell good. There's a lot to see right there in the neighborhood and being a prime tourist zone many shops are open in the evenings. We were at the Holiday in and found much worthwhile exploring in easy walking distance. Good luck! At least enjoy the trip! Melissa Borsting - You planned picnic basket should be a big hit. My inclination would be to use whichever materials feel right at the time you get into weaving it. I think either the willow or the dogwood will be durable. I've seen some very old, obviously well-used baskets of such materials that still have many years of service in them. If you work with fresh materials, you might want to plan to go back and add some supplemental filler weaving to tighten it up after it dries. If it's good and solid when you give it to the luck couple, I doubt if they'll wear it out. How big is it going to be? Please tell us how it comes out. Fran Steidel - Having just recently gotten involved with waxed linen (I think I'm falling in love with it), I'm curious about what kind of ribs you use in your linen egg baskets. Do you mind telling us? Please. If I ever get to the Carolina basket shop, I'll have to allow extra time so I can browse in the Net place too. I'm a sucker for gadgets and tools. Bert Comstock Independence, MO, sunny, for a change, and temperature in the 50's....What am I doing sitting indoors in front of the computer? @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 83 Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 20:56:44 +0000 From: Pamela Woodbury To: David Collins Hi Lora Khoury, I tried e-mailing you, but got the message back. Maybe I'm sending your address wrong, but I was hoping you would see this. A couple of people I know and myself included planned on entering a basket in the exhibit room at IBA and didn't know if we needed to make prearrangements or just bring the baskets with us to the convention. Could you please e-mail me privately with the info. Thanks Pam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.