"Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 119 Date Sent: April 24, 1999 Web Page: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/ Subscribers: 1020 David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 317-899-5747 davidc@iei.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Do You Like Weavers Words? Click Below To "Recommend-It" To A Friend! http://recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=210339 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% "Web Cards" - Create Full-Color Postcards For Your Web Page. http://www.printing.com/affiliate.asp?site=davidc For every free sample of "Web Cards" that you request from the above link, I will receive a $1 commission. It cost you NOTHING. Once you receive your free sample, you can purchase personalized "Web Cards" for your web page and/or business if you like. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Fw: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 112 Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 23:31:08 -0400 From: "Donna Longenecker" To: "David Collins" David - Thanks for letting us know you can do a spell-check when you compose this. I, for one, wish it was available in my e-mail program. I'm too lazy to look everything up and when it's late, and I'm tired, my spelling gets notably worse! Pam W - excellent comment about etiquette and selling of patterns. People call and request patterns by certain authors, and after over 20 years of selling patterns, I still have difficulty telling people that I can't carry them because I KNOW they are copies of someone else's. I've seen it firsthand at convention and the attitude of "so do something about it" from some people. I still buy from some of the same people I started with that long ago as I feel I can trust them. I'm leery, as I stated in past posts, of brand new weavers who send us their "new, original" patterns for consideration. Yes, I have been pleasantly surprised sometimes - sometimes, all it takes is an interesting, decorative technique to a tried and true basket as we are not all equal in our creative abilities. I appreciate it when a pattern states it was "inspired" by a pattern by a certain author as I assume the originator then knows about it. A very interesting pattern we carry was "inspired" by a basket originally woven in a different medium! Personally, I feel some of the "cheap" shots at both Di & Pam are uncalled for - the name calling is unnecessary. Jennifer - I'm sure by now someone else has enlightened you that an "L" basket stands for the Longaberger basket sold via home party plans as Tupperware. Donna bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Fw: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 113 Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 00:59:03 -0400 From: "Donna Longenecker" To: "David Collins" Re: Stripping of the rain forests. The reed imported into the states does not come from the Philippines. The material suitable for basket weaving grows in a band further to the south. Most of the vines are taken out as a by-product of natural development of an area - this is why there are periodic shortages. These vines grow high up trees and are pulled down and processed in the forests before crews come in cut down trees and develop roads, etc. It is taken out from a number of developing countries and all sent to China for processing. In Indonesia, they have planted areas specifically for this purpose. The problems are not so much shortages of the vines, but rather of the families still willing to go into the jungles to do the work. As with everything else, they are finding more lucrative jobs elsewhere. At around $5 - $6 per pound, it is a relatively inexpensive item when you consider the amount of work and waste that goes into producing just 1 pound. In the 25 years I've been selling reed, our retail price has only gone up about $2.25 per pound. There is lots and lots of reed out there, but American weavers have been spoiled and want only the very best quality - the cleanest and whitest available. Guess what, it does not grow white and only a small portion can be processed into nice, white reed. There is an overabundance of lesser quality, but no one wants to deal with it. The importing of weaving reed is not something relatively new - I have books and catalogs printed in the late 1800's listing imported reeds for sale. For anyone interested, we have a new item for sale - willow peel. It comes coiled like reed, but is actually buff colored, stripped willow and is available in 2 sizes. Donna bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: aloha Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 21:59:45 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha from muggy cloudy Hawaii, (everyday is NOT like the postcards show, darn it) Yes, the teal I used is RIT. I let the reed soak for a long, long timeto get the color I like. And I agree with Karen, Char, I think the basket you have is palm frond. The frond is coiled, giving the basket a unique base with a sort of star-like look and the edges of the fronds turn yellow and then the whole basket will turn a gray-brown. It*s neat to watch the locals weave hats from this stuff with the birds that Karen spoke of dangling off the top. What is use as a finish on my baskets is this: equal parts Minwax and mineral spirits and 1/3 part boiled linseed oil. I spray it on..this works fine and I like it better than that coffee/ tea stain and a walnut natural stain which I found will spot if it gets wet. I do like Dollie Koch*s Weavers Stain, but I weave so much it isn*t cost effective for me, but I*m most anxious to try her new shade called "driftwood". And about urban legends..do check out the site David listed. It is a hoot....remember back in the old days when we heard those stories about the man with the hook who used to hang around areas where teenagers (us) used to "park"?? They are all re-told there....the Neiman Marcus cookie recipe? a hoax, also..... check it out for a good laugh. Eight days 'til craft fair and still weaving and the shoulder will feel much better when it is over. (Or until the next fair) Aloha, Lois %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: (no subject) Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 03:25:32 -0500 From: Marty Zielke To: David Collins Hi to all, I think Amy had a good point about Longengerger baskets. I am also a quilter, and when all the china imports started coming, quilters around the country were up in arms about how it would destroy the value of handmade American quilts, destroy income for others etc. etc. But I think those cheap quilts have their place. Not many can afford$500-$1000 for a beautiful handmade quilt. Even though the cheap Chinese quilts may not hold up after the first washing, who am I to say that someone should not be allowed to buy them. Ironically, the Longenberger baskets seem to be more expensive than what most of us sell ours for. But again, this is a free market economy, and I think there is room for both. My own sister seems to prefer Longenberger baskets to mine. Hey, her choice. And she gets mine for free!!!!!! And lets face it, David Longenberger deserves some credit for generating a renewed interest in baskets. Most people who are not active in a craft don't know what to look for in a basket. I don't carve wooden ducks, and wouldn't know a good duck carving from a bad one! Marc, well written commentary on patterns vs. no patterns. Someone said that John McGuire was at the convention. How does he seem to be doing???? Did I miss something? What was this about "pinecone stain"? Whoever posted this, would you please repost with all the info? Oh shame on me....I could go do a search on the old WW's. Gee I read all WW's, and can't believe I missed this!!! Gretchen: did you say 8 acres and 2 ponds? Sounds like a great place to have a WW's campout and basket weaving weekend. What do all of you think? Let's all meet at Gretchen's place the 4th of July weekend. I can take 3 more people in my pop-up. Oh, and Gretchen, could you please make sure that those of us who have campers can have water and electric hook-ups :~) Oh yeah Winnie....I too just use an old scrap of 2X4 to shave on. Is have wet and dry. No not my legs..... If the Stanley gets too clogged up, I just pull the gunk out. I also use these little 2" metal clamps that are sort of like a clothes pin, to hold my rims on. They won't budge with those little things on. These clamps are used by woodworkers. I bought about 100 of them and Oh are they nifty. Never have used clothes pins since! From Marty Z. in cold rainy Illinois, waiting for the sun to shine, so she can go camping and weave! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 118 Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 08:54:06 +0000 From: Laurie Burns To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 I was already thinking about staining when Lisa Carsten's mentioned stain again. As I have said before, I am always looking for a stain that is easy to apply and gives a rich color. I currently use a half-and-half combination of minwax stain (puritan pine is my favorite) and boiled linseed oil. However, it takes easily a week to dry and definitely smells!!!!!! I recently was reading Braided Border Baskets by Genie Jackson and she mentions a stain using "a mixture of Liquitex and Rembrandt oil paints mixed with odorless mineral spirits. Has anyone tried this and what colors do you use? She uses a combination of Indigo extra and burnt umber. Laurie Burns in Still Cold and damp upstate NY! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 118 Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 06:50:00 -0400 From: "Susan Tripp" To: "David Collins" Mary or anyone else with a copy of the Shuttle, Spindle, etc., magazine: can anyone scan in some pics for David to post? Is that legal? I too thought we had 'til April 30 to sign up for the swap? What's 20-50more people when you already have 100??? Why are the swaps limited anyway? Couldn't they be divided into two or three sections - randomly - and send out the swap partners in batches of 50 or so then take the next group of 50to come in and then mix them??? I'm just curious, not being critical - I have never coordinated a swap and obviously don't know what goes into it. I'm sure though, I will be set straight. Maybe my punishment could be to volunteer to coordinate one?? Susan in NY %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Imported knockoffs Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 11:55:56 -0500 (CDT) From: Kathryn M Gomm To: David Collins Donna from Country Seat - I saw a great online article that dealt with the "stealing" issue of taking someone else's ideas and having it reproduced overseas cheaper. If you go to http://www.craftsreport.com/may99/acproject.html there is an article titled: "Project Aims to Protect Craft Artists from Imported Knockoffs." It's a very well written article and may be of use for the future. Kathryn Gomm Milwaukee, WI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Staining Info/Weaver's Words Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 14:03:39 -0400 From: "mkoch" To: Maybe I can offer a few helpful tips on staining. If you are using Weaver's Stain: The odor shouldn't be too strong. Of course, we all handle the stain differently and that may account for a stronger odor. Make sure you are not staining over the same area more than once. Reed will only absorb so much stain. If you are staining over &over in an effort to even out the coating, DON'T. When it dries it will even itself out. Over staining would also account for a more intense odor and would take longer for the odor to dissipate. Any odor should be gone within a week. Also if you are over staining an area you will use a lot more stain. Also, if you hold your can too close to the basket: 1. The shade will be more intense and 2. You will use more stain than needed, hence, a stronger odor. You should be able to get at least 12 medium sized baskets out of one can. If you are not getting this type of mileage from a can, please visit our web site and view "tips". One of our goals is" that you get your moneys worth". Most Weaver's Stain suppliers case discount, bringing the can price down to $6 to $7. If a case is more than you would use, split it with a friend. If you are not able to view our web site, please email us your name & address and we will mail you a staining tip sheet. For those of you that have sinus or asthma problems, we recommend that you use a disposable dust mask you can purchase from any hardware store. ALWAYS stain outdoors. Lisa C., we will be in WI attending the Lake Country Basket Fest at the Waukesha County Technical College next weekend. If you have time to stop by, my husband will show you how to get that LIGHT oak shade and share some tips on how to get that mileage from a can. If you are not taking classes, bring a finished unstained basket from home and we will stain it for you. However, if you are having a problem because of your sinuses, then we would be happy to give you some other tips on other products to use. For those of you attending the Basket Fest, remember we will be staining class baskets FREE and sharing staining tips Saturday 'til approx. 5pm. Any manufactured stain you use, aerosol or not, will have an odor to it. We recommend that you use a TUNG OIL base stain on your basket. Tung Oil is self sealing, but allows the basket to breathe at the same time. This will add to the life of your basket, and that's the end result we all want. There are several stains on the market today. Most of them are designed for wood or wood products. Reed is considered to be in the wood family, however, most stains have heavy duty drying agents in them and will dry the reed out. TUNG OIL base stains are reed friendly. There are other oil-based stains, but eventually the oil dries out and hence, the reed does too. That's why TUNG OIL is the important key. We highly recommend Weaver's Stain :), however, there are two other products we recommend Deft Oil and Watco. They are tung oil based and come in several beautiful shades. Sorry if I was too long. If you have any questions or need help in getting that extra mileage from your Weaver's Stain, PLEASE contact us. Thanks, and bye for now. Dollie Koch The Weaver's Stain Family %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Staining Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 14:17:48 -0400 From: "mkoch" To: I almost forgot: There are several natural ways of dying your baskets. But remember some of them are poisonous. There are several walnut hull users that seal their baskets with either Weaver's Stain Clear or Deft Oil Clear. Once totally dry, it is totally non-toxic. Your basket is now waterproof and can be used for food. Hope I was of some help. Dollie Koch %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: a really big ribbed basket Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 08:30:20 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha from sunny, so far, Hawaii, Gosh, David, I do appreciate the spell check, but could you develop a memory check--it seems when I post something, I usually forget something else. A student brought a basket to class this week and it was the most awesome ribbed basket I have seen. She wanted to know if there was a pattern available as she would like to make one (and believe me, trying to figure out how to make a second one from the first one would drive us nuts..). So we are looking for help. This basket is not an egg or melon or potato basket. It is made from 2 16" hoops--one being the handle and the base and the other being the rim. They are Gods-eyed together. Then a half of another 16" hoop is placed at the rim, opposite the handle and it is Gods-eyed at the base of the basket (using the 16" hoop/handle) and a 3 point God*s eye is used where it connects to the rim. The basket is woven in 1/4" (the colors on her basket are gray, navy, cranberry, and green--really nice combo) and the ribs are#6. There are 4 sections of ribbing and weaving (from "handle hoop" to that half hoop is one section--from half hoop to the other side of handle hoop is another and so on). From what I remember, it is almost cats headed on the bottom. The handle is braided. It is awesome...and she bought it in Germany at a military craft fair for $50 (we couldn*t believe that!) and she said the weaver did it as a hobby and charged enough to cover her supplies. Does anyone recognize this basket? If the weaver invented it, she is a most creative (and patient) person..the owner is going to take a picture and I can send it to David to ask if he will post it. I don*t do ribs as a rule, but I would certainly tackle this one...it would be a challenge and the finished product would be a semi-masterpiece (that I would never sell for $50!). Thanks! Lois %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: Fwd:turning on lights??? Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 15:16:11 -0500 From: "Mary E. Sheehan" Organization: Mary Elizabeth Designs To: Wickrwoman@aol.com CC: davidc@iei.net Turning on a light may seem like a great way to help this country, but I have a much better suggestion. Why don't all of us get down on our knees and pray to Jesus, the True Light of the world....the one that this great nation is founded on. "Freedom" in this nation came from having God's Laws written on our hearts. As His Laws are thrown out, we will and are losing our freedom and safety. The children of this country have been robbed from the hearing of God's word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. I pray that this nation will see the Light and turn for His precious healing, and follow His ways. This is the Only answer for us, and our children, and our nation! May God Bless you richly, and keep you and all your loved ones safe in His protection. Mary E.Sheehan %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: SWAP BUDDIE Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 16:52:02 -0500 From: "Karen & Jerry Drenner" To: Help, My computer was toasted due to lightening in Wednesday night's storm in Indiana. With it went all the information stored on the computer. Including my buddie information. I am currently accessing my email on mom's computer. Thanks, Crystal %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: craft shows Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 00:56:19 -0700 From: edwinb@erols.com To: "\"Weavers Words\"" Hello everyone, I enjoy every issue of Weavers Words so much and what a great exchange of information. The question of Longaberger people selling at craft shows has been " hanging around", so I was able to get a copy of "Company Guidelines" from a friend- I wont use her name! Here it is from page 78 Company Guidelines - on a page titled Promoting Your Business: There are many ways of promoting your business, including events such as fairs, trade show, craft shows, flea markets, bazaars, open houses and extravaganzas. We support the promotion of our products at these events because the activities are temporary arrangements (not a regularly scheduled weekly or monthly set up). But we ask that your first approach is always for a Home Show. Fairs, Trade Shows, Craft Shows, Flea Markets and Bazaars You may take orders at the events. You may not sell cash and carry (allowing a customer to purchase an item and take it with her the same day), including product lines no longer offered by The Longaberger Company. This goes on for a whole 8 x 12 page and I cant copy all, but the above is the part we are interested in; That's enough about the "L" co. If anyone wants the whole thing, I could snail mail them a copy. From Maryland where the dogwood is blooming; it's at the best every other year - don't know why- and this is beautiful year. Nancy from Glen Arm, Md. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 114 Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 20:53:37 -0400 From: "Donna Longenecker" To: "David Collins" Lois- Excellent post - well thought out and stated. Another thing that cannot be done is to photo copy pictures from other patterns or books and use them on your patterns for illustrations without getting WRITTEN permission from the original publisher. A note must also be posted on the pattern to the effect "illustrations used with permission of Jane Doe." I would like to think that there are a fair amount of us out here doing "policing" on our own. We have signs posted in our store and notices on our web site regarding the reproduction of patterns, yet I still witness people coming into the store with photocopies of pages from a book for a pattern that they want to purchase the reed for. One customer was so bold as to call us, claiming to have purchased a pattern from us with an "unclear" picture and she was having trouble following the directions. The "unclear" picture turned out to be a photo copy of another person's pattern sheet which she admitted to when we told her the patterns all were sold with good, clear photographs which clearly showed what she was questioning. Still trying to get caught up while it's raining outside tonight. Donna bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Prayers for the Children Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 10:08:13 +0900 From: "YBARRA" To: "Joe & Tracy Ybarra" http://www.9news.com/newsroom/chs.htm This is a sight that I just got and it is worth looking at. You can send messages to the students there and prayers.....thanks and God Bless to you all..... Here is the address if you want to send a card....... Columbine Senior High School C/O Mr. Frank DeAngelis, Principal 6201 S Pierce Street Littleton, CO 80123 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 118 Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 18:30:12 -0700 From: Janet Hechmer To: David Collins References: 1 Hello from Sneeedville, Bert: Thanks for identifying my plant. I'm pretty sure it is horsetail. It is in sections and has a rough texture like little corrugations. I agree about JoAnne Russo's black ash baskets in Shuttle Spindle and Dyepot. They are amazing. That black ash sounds like it would be wonderful to work with. I don't think it grows in TN. I have been using honeysuckle for some time now. I use it green. For years I didn't boil it. Didn't want to take the extra time. Lately I have been. It really does make it much more flexible even when it is green. Janet Hechmer %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Fw: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 116 Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 22:20:16 -0400 From: "Donna Longenecker" To: "David Collins" Pat - Your Irish basket story is interesting. Does anyone else have a basket they bought that was not for sale? I bought one several years ago from a great Italian restaurant in Kitchner, Canada used to serve bread. It could very easily have been made from reed, but rather is some metal, looks like a dull stainless steel, too heavy to be aluminum. It has flat woven sides, braided border and braided handle riveted to swing. They thought I was a bit crazy and I had to ask twice till they realized that I seriously wanted to buy one. They had a whole variety of shapes in use. It is not a "molded" piece, but rather appears to actually have been woven. Who else? Lisa - We carry a pattern "Small Adirondack Pack Basket" by Lisa Nortz which gives instructions for 2 sizes, the smaller being 3-1/2" x 2-1/2" x 5" high. I don't know how big an American Girl doll is but possibly you could adapt this pattern to fit. It is available from the online catalog at our web site. Donna, in cool, wet, chilly PA bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Fw: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 117 Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 22:46:50 -0400 From: "Donna Longenecker" To: "David Collins" Leigh - Excellent directions can be found for the Gretchen border in "Braided Border Baskets" by Genie Jackson - yes, from the online catalog a tour web site. Donna L. where I'm almost caught up after 2 evening of persistence in reading and replying. bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 118 Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 23:22:16 -0400 From: "Donna Longenecker" To: "David Collins" This is the last issue I have to catch up on. Probably another will come tonight though. Lois - Sorry to hear that you have been the victim of "hate mail". All you did was state some facts and opinions - if others cannot accept that, they should just ignore it. What sense does it make to lash out at others? BYW, I happen to know of someone who was successfully prosecuted for harassment through unsigned e-mails traced back to him! Re: Virus & Hoax postings - I have to agree with Mary. I have taken to deleting them without even bothering to read them along with chain letters, etc. If it's real, you will find out in enough time as with the Melissa virus. I read about it in the newspaper & heard it on the radio, before seeing any postings about it. I also received a warning from my sister who works in a military installation as she was pretty sure they were infected and warned me not to open anything supposedly from her with the bogus subject line. And ironically enough, the Fabreze bit was in our paper before I saw it posted to WW's so knew it, also, was not true. With more than 1000 participants, what would happen to this if we all passed on these "warnings" we received? Sorry about the recipe showing up here. I was meant for David to post to the recipe page. Anyway, hope someone will try it and enjoy it as much as we do. Donna L. where it's time to get to bed. I feel good as I'm all caught up and look forward to reading the next issue when it arrives. bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 23:39:14 -0800 From: "moonweaver" To: davidc@iei.net Hello all, First I would like to apologize to all of you for sending the recent posts. The one on payphones was sent to me by another member of WW - I assumed she had checked this out before sending it - silly me. Also someone on last post said strychnine was not used by drug dealers to cut LSD - her information regarding this is False I sorry to say. There is all types of information regarding this subject upon the net - it's a sad world we live in. Second from now on I am going to make a point of not posting anything that is NOT BASKET related. I think I've upset enough people here. Now a basket question: In past issues there has been discussion in regard to an original pattern. My question is this: When I weave in birch bark I do not look at other basket to get ideas - I use forms that are what I have around the house (boxes, 6x6's, 4x4's, whatever strikes my interest). Now are these baskets considered 'original'? I hope all are well and happily weaving. Chrys Where the weather is a nice 72 degrees in northeastern Washington %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Miscellaneous and a basket question! Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 09:18:33 -0500 From: lin karrels To: "'davidc@iei.net'" CC: "'thekarrels@prairienet.com'" Well David, it's been a long time, about time for this lurker to come forward. I've just been sitting out here absorbing all these wonderful tidbits of information. I've been weaving for about 4 years now, avidly, and there is not one friend or family member who hasn't had to "give a home" to one of my baskets. I took the leap and joined the Spring Swap so I thought I may as well come forward and say a big "hi" to all. I've so enjoyed reading Weaver's Words. I am self-employed and work at home. I don't get out much as I have constant deadlines to meet and you have all formed a "circle of friends" for me. Spring Swap - I thought this would be like falling off a basket, but you're absolutely right, the hardest part is picking out just the right basket to make, or should I say narrowing it down to that one basket. Pam Woodbury - I'm playing catch-up and just getting around to the volume where you mentioned crating your dog. I have 3very large Belgian Sheepdogs, all of which are crate trained. They all trained at different speeds and they all have their own feeling regarding the crate. One is too big to fit in his any longer and the floor does just fine, one thinks she is a person and should only sleep on her "special place", but the third absolutely loves her crate. So, the crate door swings both ways and like people, some dogs like them, some don't. To your trainer's defense, the method of training he/she teaches (sounds like Koehler, which is great because treats aren't pushed, praise is); they crate before and after training to give the dog a chance to settle down and become "bored". After boredom in the crate, training sounds like great fun and they are much more eager to learn (in theory). The 30 minutes after training is to give them a chance to again settle down and through routine will understand that training is now over; time for fun and sun naps again. BUT... like sending your kids to school, you have to do what you think is best for your dog. If your dog is older and is feeling threatened by now being put in a crate, that's not the best thing for him. On the other hand, traveling in a crate is the best thing you can do for a dog. Training can be great fun, stick with it, you'll appreciate your pet much more for his nice manners and he will be thrilled to be "working" and taking "you" out for a walk. I'd love to know how you are both doing in class. I'll bet he shines. Sharle Osborn - 1-1/2 years ago I spotted the Mavica digital camera, and have been waiting ever since for the prices to drop. Do you have the one with the zoom lens? Is there anything you don't like about the camera? I'm really thinking this is the one for us to go with. Basket Question - Keep in mind the phrase "there is no such thing as a dumb question" when you read this one. When lashing on a rim I was taught to come up on the inside of the basket, over the rim row and down the outside of the rim row and out under the rim, then to start lashing to the right. This is great if I'm using a flat oval or round reed for the rim, but when using a flat reed on the outside (usually only do this when the basket is very small or when I need flexibility), when you tighten the lasher it pulls the bottom of the rim up where you begin. As I became a more experienced weaver, this really began to bother me (I had dealt with all the bigger booboos and was now down to the little ones). I started to pay a lot of attention to lashing when reading technique books and found that everyone seems to have a different way to do their lashing. My question - to those right-handed weavers out there - how do you lash on a flat reed rim (lashing to the left or right) and more specifically how to you anchor that lasher when you begin? And just in general, what techniques are you using to anchor the lasher at the end? Do you use the same technique when lashing on any rim, or do you use different techniques depending on the rimming material. I've been lashing on flat reed rims now by going up the outside, over the rim row and down the inside, then coming to the front and lashing to the right but I don't think it's anchored tightly enough. Any tips would be really appreciated. Finally, finally, finally, let me add my 2 cents in with everyone else - I never met a David I didn't like and David, you certainly have everyone's admiration and truly deserve it. Thank you for this forum. Lin in (believe it or not) SUNNY northern Illinois, the lake is high from all the rain, but the leaves are bursting out all over. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Bits and Pieces Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 10:07:59, -0500 From: BDKE97B@prodigy.com (MRS BILLIE A DORRIS) To: davidc@iei.net I couldn't agree more about not stopping a Gretchen border in the middle. Don't ever do that and no matter how experienced you are mark the beginning in some way. After having to take it out and start over many times because I thought I didn't need to mark the start I realized that it only took a second compared to the time it took to "reverse weave" and start over. Perhaps I am missing something here. Lois and I quite often disagree but neither of us has found it necessary to write nasty emails to each other. Folks everyone is allowed to have an opinion. It matters not a whit whether or not you agree. You are certainly allowed to disagree with her but there is absolutely no need to be personal about it. Stop and think about whether or not you would say these same things to her face-I think not. In person you would be much more "controlled" so let that thought carry over into your emails. One thing I learned after 1998 (my year from hell) that the small things matter not a bit in the grand scheme of life. There is absolutely to need to get riled over things you don't agree with. Concentrate on the things that matter and let the pettiness go. Look at all the tragedy throughout the world today and see how silly arguing about all this is. OK enough from the soapbox. Billie from 85degrees yesterday to 65 degrees today in Va. Beach. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Urban legend and chain letter type posts Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 11:27:57 EDT From: Weavekat@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Usually I lurk in the background while reading and enjoying all the WW posts, but it seems we've been invaded. Since I'm fairly new to the newsletter this may have happened in the past so bear with me. I've seen this same thing occur where I work and hope it doesn't get a hold on here. Many goodhearted people in my office are new to computers and the Internet. If they received one the "alerts" of any kind they feel it is their duty to follow any and all instructions included in the post. I know their intentions are good but not everything contained on the Internet or that is transmitted through e-mail is trustworthy or harmless. The Melissa Virus is a perfect and now well-known example. Modern technology can be mighty daunting and I really don't know of an easy way to stop the well intentioned without causing hurt feelings somewhere along the way. I admit that I'm sure there has been a positive result from some of these e-mails and posts at one time or another but I think common sense should eventually prevail. Someone mentioned that David doesn't have the time to be screening everything and get the newsletter out to us. Lot of truth in that statement. I'm impressed by the terrific job he does and the time he devotes to it. There's been a major improvement in "networking", so to speak, since I started weaving in 1989. Beginners have a much better chance of finding teachers and classes to learn the basics than ever before. I hope Weavers Words and all of it's valuable participants keep the faith in baskets and sharing the knowledge. Feel free to share the soapbox or knock me off of it. Kathy in Kentucky where it's a beautiful, cool, sunny day and I'm going outside! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 118 Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 16:36:46 -0400 From: "Mary Hooper" To: "David Collins" Bert: The maple pieces are 8 to 10 inches by 2 to 3 inches. The bark is onthe two long edges. Billie: Horror story of the bank. Most of the complaints I've heard and have of my own are about "name" banks. It seems the bigger they get the more the small customers get stomped on in the push for ever higher profits to keep the stock prices up. I have a few hundred shares of stock in a small bank that promotes itself as friendly to small -business people. Do you have any new local banks you could talk to about your accounts? Is the only solution to the charge-card problem to close the Wachovia account out all together? My recent horror story was about putting a stop order on the account when I couldn't find the checkbook for three days. The next day I found it and went in personally to have the hold lifted. Assured it was being taken care of, I went back to work. Only it wasn't and checks from convention went back to the people I wrote them to. It's been an embarrassment to me and a pain in the you know where to the people who held my checks. On Monday I have to go back to the Centura ranch and find out why the apology letters the manager was going to write to those people haven't been sent. The next step is to open an account with one of the two local banks and hope to heaven that one doesn't get bought out by a "name" bank. When Chrys writes about the consumer having power over big business I wonder if she's talking about banks! Now I really do have to get back into the garden....Mary Hooper %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 15:39:49 -0500 From: "Patricia Steinmetz" To: David Collins Fellow weavers, I have finally received my Ireland vacation pictures. I took some pictures of some baskets that were being used in a display over there. I am going to take them over to David so that he can post them on WW for all to see. Hope you enjoy. I have decided that I really need to find another diversion besides basket making. Last night I had a dream. In my dream we were all franticly looking for quarters. It seems that all the new quarters that were being minted had pictures of baskets on the backside. Each Quarter had a different basket picture. I don't thing I want to know what that dream means. Well, I'm off to David's with the Ireland basket pictures. Be sure to look for them. Pat, in Indy %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Colorado Tragedy Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 18:07:57 -0700 (PDT) From: Marsha Ackerman To: David Collins Well, I happen to be one of those weavers that is in their right mind (read: left-handed) and when I read one person's well written instructions for weaving the Gretchen border and it mentioned this was the right hander's way...I wondered how lefties do it? I have chosen to learn to weave right handed but would sure like to know how to do this border left-handed. I've done the Gretchen border on a small hearth basket but it was loose...but it was my first and only Gretchen border....and I've got a wonderfully large round basket waiting for it's Gretchen border...anyone care to lead me to some suggestions for lefties? I thank you for any guidance you care to share, Denise Tulsa, OK %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.