"Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 13 Compiled By: David Collins Snail Mail: 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: June 28, 1998 Subscribers: 646 {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} ***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. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} +++++Individual Weaver's Words Pages+++++ Of course you can always find links to each individual page on Weaver's Words home page (http://www.iei.net/~davidc/). Weaver's Words Home Page: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/ Weaver's Words Basketry Links: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/basket.htm Weaver's Words Favorite Links & Stuff: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/cool.htm Weaver's Words Free Postcard Page: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/postcard.html Weaver's Words Chat Room: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/chitchat.html Weaver's Words Classifieds: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/classifieds.html Weaver's Words Guestbook: ---http://www.lpage.com/wgb/wgbsign.dbm?owner=Basketry Weaver's Words Basketry Wallpaper Page: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/graphics/graphics.html Weaver's Words Basketry Clip Art Page 1: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/graphics/clipart.html http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb83941 Weaver's Words Bulletin Board: ---http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb83941 Weaver's Words Bulletin Free Banner Service: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/banner.html Weaver's Words Basketry Dictionary: ---http://www.iei.net/~davidc/dictionary.htm {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Hi Everyone, Just thought I would remind everyone about Weaver's Words Basketry Classifieds (http://www.iei.net/~davidc/classifieds.html). Check out the items already there or post your items for free. I have also started an online basketry dictionary (http://www.iei.net/~davidc/dictionary.htm). Check it out and help add some words with definitions. Take Care, David davidc@iei.net {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 12 Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 22:55:15 -0400 From: "E.W. Clark" To: "David Collins" Hello. What a hectic summer this has turned into for me! For those who knew, the countdown as of tomorrow for hubby's return from his deployment aboard the USS WASP will be one month and counting down! Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful emails you have sent me about my book, Addicted To Baskets. I am thrilled to say I have sold over 500 copies in 6 months!!! I am so glad that the book is turning into the weaver's resource I had hoped it would be. Speaking of that, what a resource Weaver's Words has been to me, both as a weaver and as a book author/distributor. There have been countless shops and individuals who have bought the book, sometimes in great quantities, sight unseen, due to the things they have read in WW! I have received several inquiries of late, so here's the scoop again: 124 page soft cover book with just about all the basics you could hope for, 20 patterns in 3 skill level, plus many special techniques and accents. You can get it at several basket supply shops now, or buy direct from me by sending a check to me at PO Box 1333 Havelock, NC, 28532. I will still sell it at a reduced price of $15.00 plus shipping ($1.50 book rate, $3.00 for Priority) at actual shipping costs, to people who mention WW. My web site (still don't have the domain thing straightened out... is now working better, and can be accessed at: http://www.always-online.com/users/always_online/ewclark/index.html Basket Supply Shops that wish to wholesale the book can probably get an awesome recommendation from the folks at Country Seat who take the Gold Medal for the most books sold in the least amount of time!! I offer 40% discount on orders of 12 or more. If you know of a shop interested in stocking it please let me know. AnnaMarie DiBucci and others: I am currently teaching 2 classes in Havelock. There is one on Wednesday mornings, 9-12 and one Thursday evenings 5:30-8:30. The next set of evening classes will probably start in mid to late August (after hubby is home and I can go on a well-deserved vacation...) and the morning class will be Mondays after Labor Day, starting Sept 14th. For more details, you can email me privately or through WW. Thanks again to all of you, especially you guys behind the scenes!! Betsy Clark, Addicted to Baskets {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 12 Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 23:19:12 EDT From: maroosnel@juno.com (Mary Rooney Snell) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 To Pam/OH: I know this isn't the way you would want your son to go because of the children, but here in bug heaven we periodically get a trail of ants (fire, of course) stretching from one side of the house to the other. Its usually the combination of kids and potato chips that start off the ant party. We have a product here which is very tasty to ants called Amdro. When we get one of these infestations we sprinkle the poison around the OUTSIDE perimeter of the house. This stops the invasion without resorting to any toxic products inside the house - I do worry about the various lizards, anoles, skinks, etc. who normally eat ants, and this is the one chemical I allow to be used in the yard - But I just can't stand to have the ants indoors. One non-toxic suggestion is buttered grits as a bait since the grits are supposed to swell up inside the ant; another suggestion is a mix of boric acid, sugar, flour, and bacon grease mixed together into little balls and set out near the baseboards. Mary Rooney Snell/Niceville FL Enjoying life and basketmaking in Florida's Panhandle where its been hot and humid since the end of April. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: weavers words Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 23:29:23 EDT From: Bskcreed@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi all, Just returned from a weeklong trip to Washington DC as a chaperone. These high school seniors had the distinct honor of working with the Kennedy Assassination Review Board (still top secret documents - and yes they did need security clearance) and also received some very special behind the scenes tours of the Supreme Court, Capital and Senate. They even sat in Vice President Gore's chair and were able to visit the Supreme Court Justice's chambers. Quite an opportunity and a FULL week to say the least. I had 3 full days to explore on my own while they were working - didn't quite see everything, but I tried! In addition to my being able to see most of what the kids got to see - I got an invitation from Diana Macomber to attend the family day at the Renwick Gallery on Sunday. I was able to meet Diana and see some of her work - in addition to her woven geese --- that I am attempting to make by testing her written pattern! Her work was wonderful to look at - lots of natural fibers and wonderful weaving. I took lots of pictures. In addition to meeting Diana, I was able to see the work of Mary Jackson and her fine sweet grass baskets and meet Ann Ridgeway. The guild was sponsoring a make-it/ take-it table which was well attended while I was there. Another of the guild members (sorry, I can't remember your name - but thank you) took me on a tour of the Renwick Gallery - which features basketry by John McQueen, Joanne Segal Brandford, Edith Bondie as well as work by other artists in mediums such as clay, glass, metal and wood. The displays were wonderful to see. I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 hour tour and happily returned to meet the kids for more sights and some wonderful dining. One of my exploring days was to visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History to see the basket exhibits featuring weaving examples from native peoples from around the world. There was a video featuring black ash and sweet grass work by Mary Adams - a Mohawk weaver. They had 4 examples that you could touch and smell as well as two cases of fine work displayed. The Department of Interior has an Indian Crafts Shop with all Native American work exhibited. I was able to find 4 basketry books that I did not own. They had a wonderful baleen basket for sale ($1600) (which I did not buy) as well as fine horsehair baskets and black ash fancy baskets. It is off the beaten path for tourists and I am sure doesn't get many visitors. I had expected to see an extensive exhibit of baskets in their museum and was very disappointed to see only 3 baskets displayed. My understanding is that the Dept. of Interior has many hundreds of baskets in storage rooms throughout the building. Too bad they are not available for viewing. Perhaps they will be moved eventually to the new Native American museum that is under construction to be completed in 2002. The trip was a great experience - although I am paying the price now and don't seem to be caught up on my sleep yet! I am anxious to start the goose pattern although I have done part of the neck already. Diana - I'm making notes as I go! Thanks again for the opportunity to try out your pattern. The samples I saw were even lovelier in person! Lynn in Indianapolis {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Christmas In July Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 08:25:47 -0400 From: Esther Grigsby Organization: The NorEsta Cane & Reed To: davidc@iei.net Happy Weaving Everyone! Yes, we're celebrating Christmas in July at The NorEsta Cane & Reed! Visit our web site for our July monthly special information and lots more: http://www.wsite.com/NORESTA To Kay Ames: I wonder when we will find a use for a can opener as a basket making tool? I'm very concerned about this now after your mention of my humor article on Baskets, Etc! LOL Seems I hit a nerve with many other basketmakers with that article, as I have seen it reprinted in many newsletters in several states. I'm so glad I'm not the only one!!!!! KEEP ON WEAVIN' Cris Green/The NorEsta {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: "Weavers Words" Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 07:10:00 -0700 From: Kelly Anderson Organization: Admin Kit Investigator To: David Collins References: 1 David, I've been working on a web site for my local guild, the Misti Washington Gourd & Basketry Guild, based out of the Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, California. It gives a list of books, suppliers, and links for gourd art and basketry, as well as lists of upcoming basketry and gourd art events in Southern California. If your list permits it, I'd like to invite your interested subscribers to take a look at the site. It's located at http://home.earthlink.net/~andersox. Thanks, Kelly Anderson {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: miscellaneous Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 09:26:28 -0400 From: "Gail Caron" To: "David Collins" Hi David and fellow weavers: I haven't written for awhile, but have been reading each issue. It would be nice to hear from more members at the chat session. Is the time inconvenient? David: Thanks for sending me a second posting of the last issue. The second email was received fine. To Joy Moody: I love the idea of a basket swap. Have you made any decisions about how or if you will arrange it/ Pamfeix: I for one would be interested in your husband's bases and handles. Can you give us more information? I have been getting questions from people who have seen or received my baskets about the history of basket making in the local area (southern NJ). I would like to be able to answer knowledgeably - does anyone know of references that describe basketmaking techniques on a geographical basis for areas not well known for basketry? Its easy to find information on Appalachian or New England or southwest basketry, but what about lesser known areas like the MidAtlantic or far south? I have just completed an 18" Scottish yarn basket. This was one of my most ambitious projects so far, and I am, for the most part, very pleased with the results. I did, however, have a lot of trouble keeping the hoops in position for this basket. I tried to put the hoops together at a wide angle like the rim handled basket in Splint Woven Basketry by Robin Dougherty. No matter how securely I thought I tied the hoops, they kept working their way back to a 90 degree angle. I have a little bit of a variation from this angle, but nowhere near what I was trying to achieve. Does anyone have any hints? It is uncomfortably hot and humid here in southern NJ. I don't do well in the heat, so I am staying inside and weaving - this allows my weeds to grow about six feet tall - maybe I will find a new source of basket weaving materials (although I have quite a bit of thistle which would be difficult to work with). Hi Mary - I am working on my first basket of my own invention. I don't think its a great revolutionary idea, but it is the first time that I am trying something without a pattern or instructions from someone else. When I finish it I will bring it for you to see. I hope to get up there in the next week or so. I hope everyone is having a great summer weaving and creating. Personally, I cant wait until fall. Gail Caron in muggy uncomfortable New Jersey {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 9 Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 13:55:52 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 9 Greetings, WW readers! Here I am, back from the 'war' and trying to catch up on Weavers Words. Have been busy most of June with war prep, hauling stuff to the site and setting up camp, out of town guests before, during & after, stormy weather during, hauling wet stuff home, and heat wave since. Whew! I won't bore you all with details, but it was a really Fun event, in spite of all the weather-related excitement. (No serious injuries or losses that I know of.) I did have a basket class I was teaching get stormed out last Thursday before we got the first set of reed out of the soaking pails. Will reschedule that for another time, but probably won't have the same students, as most of them were from other 'kingdoms'. Had a good turnout for the needle- looping (naalbinding) class I taught Friday & was delighted to find two other people who have been doing it on their own. This is essentially the same technique Pat Moritz teaches as looped waxed linen basketry. It was used as a textile technique by the Vikings during the middle ages (and in basketry and textiles in many other cultures dating back thousands of years). I've been reading up on history and structural variations, mostly in my textile references. I'll let you know when I get something organized and written up about it. Also attended a dye roundtable & space-dyed some reed in walnut and indigo. Unfortunately, the indigo vat was not working properly and that part came out a very pale gray. I guess I'll to read up on natural indigo processes and see if I can help Willow figure out what she needs to do to fix it. Haven't done a vat of my own for several years. Maybe it's time to start a new one. Oh well, back to Weavers Words: Sharle Osborne - I would probably try bleaching the mildew spots on the pine needles. It may not get rid of them, but should at least kill it & keep it from spreading. I'm not sure what it will do to the color of the needles. To make a hat form with an inside headband, start with a non- stretchy headband that fits your head comfortably. Let that determine the circumference. Put it on a Styrofoam wig stand and add padding underneath if it seems too big for the stand. Then use lightweight card stock, such as manila file folders, to build the hat form around it in whatever shape you want. Tape the card stock together with masking tape. You can make it more solid if you remove it from the wig stand and fill the inside with a stack of ovals of corrugated cardboard cut to the size and shape made by the band on the stand. Cover it with a plastic bag secured with thin plastic package sealing tape to make it resist moisture. I'm glad to hear that your local basket group is doing well. Have a great summer! Pamela Woodbury - I gave up long ago on trying to find partners for my son and daughter. They are both over 35 and neither is married, although my daughter is her the longest relationship to date. Oh well, my youngest sister had her second baby on the 12th of June, so her kids are sort of surrogate grandkids. My first 2 nephews and niece are in their teens now & practically another generation. Lesley & Fran Steidel - I'll read the next couple of WWs before I go looking for Lash Saver info. I just mail ordered one of each size. The catalog that came with them had several other cool things for basketry organizing (It's probably buried under the camp kitchen stuff I haven't sorted yet.) Someone may have already answered that question. I don't have a postable baleen basket picture, but the book is *Baleen Basketry of the North Alaskan Eskimo* by Molly Lee, copyright 1983 by the North Slope Borough Planning Department, Barrow, Alaska. I bought my copy from the gift shop at the museum on the U of Alaska campus in Fairbanks. I like your notebook filing method. I have separate notebooks for dyeing (I dye fibers, yarns and textiles, as well as reed); basketry suppliers; and general basket information (guilds, conventions, class information, patterns). Debra Conness - I don't think the discussion you generated about shops is a war at all. (I've seen some flame wars other places, and WW has never had anything like them!) Hearing of peoples' different experiences and opinions is what makes this list so interesting. Nobody is trying to make everyone else adopt their view, they are just sharing it. Please don't stop! I'll look for walnut sources when I get back to my dye notes if that hasn't been answered in the next couple of WWs. Joy - I sent in my application for the HGA the Certificate of Excellence in Basketry over a month ago. Have not heard back. Guess I'd better email them and make sure they got it. Leslie Johnson - My Chinese Cookie Cooler basket is 11" in diameter and 3.5" deep. The D handle is 6" wide by 8" high. It would be easy to vary the size. Bert Comstock in steamy Independence, MO {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 10 Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 13:55:52 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 10 David The Weavers Words web site just keeps getting better. Thanks again! Susan Tripp - A baleen basket is a basket made of baleen. Baleen is 'the keratinous substance from the mouths of plankton-eating whales' (Molly Lee). It's similar to fingernails and horn, and most of what I've seen is dark, nearly black, although it sometimes occurs in lighter gray shades. Whalebone corset stays are actually made of baleen, not bone. The baskets are usually fairly small, coiled, round and have fitted lids. They have a carved ivory or bone starting disk in the bottom and a decorative carved starting piece in the center of the lid which also serves as a handle. Alice Edwards - I think the book sale must have happened while I was at the 'war'; maybe I can get there next year. I'm glad you're feeling better. Hope to see you at the July Woven Circle meeting. Nancy Hedberg - Your probably won't see this until you return from your trip to Spain and France. Please tell us about it, especially anything about any baskets you encountered. Deb Curtis - I have several coils of 1-inch wide cherry veneer backed with a non-woven fiber similar to interfacing (for sewing). I have made a couple of baskets from it working two layers back to back to hide the fiber stuff. I'm not entirely satisfied with it as a primary structural material because it seems so flimsy to me, but I will be using it as trim, backed with 1-inch flat reed in a stair-step basket soon. I soak it in warm water for a little longer than I'd soak reed. It cracks badly if you bend it too sharply. I plan to cut some of it into narrower strips for smaller projects (one of these days). Jessie Buehlmann - Thanks for the tips on making stain with fresh walnuts in the husk. I'll try it when the walnuts fall later this summer. Bert Comstock Independence, MO {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Thank you Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 14:52:12 -0600 From: ANDREA & TOM OKEEFE Organization: SAVANNAH HOUSE To: davidc@iei.net, coltsfan@usa.net Dear David and Everyone, First, I'd like to thank all of you who have written to express your sympathy on my loss of my Tom. I almost made it to basket class last Wednesday, but things to do involving the estate keep getting in the way. I really haven't felt much like doing anything since Tom died but I guess it's time to take up my tools and get going again. I will try to get to class this Wednesday. I feel I need the companionship of other weavers to get started again. Maybe this will help to motivate me. I've been enjoying the latest issues of Weavers Words and catching up on all your news. It will be months before I get through all the older issues. David, thanks for continuing to do this. It's a wonderful forum filled with wonderful people. Andrea Palm Island, FL {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: patterns on red paper Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 12:01:14 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha, It*s rainy in Hawaii and not all that warm--hope that heat wave on the east coast and in the Midwest lifts soon! Our guild has been invited, for a second year, to participate in a "traveling" craft expo in August. (no, we aren*t traveling anyplace--they are traveling to Hawaii). We are trying to recruit new members and sell a few baskets and kits--any tips and any ideas? Last year, we did a "make it and take it" but opted not to do it again (it is indeed difficult to find a basket to teach in 45 minutes) and we had 75 sign-ups (people who were interested in joining) but when we mailed out info, we gained only 2 members. (I think people were looking for a free class.....) Any advice will be most welcome. Now, I know we had this great debate over patterns a few months ago and I*m not bringing that up again, but I wanted to make a couple of comments re: some new patterns I received in the mail last week. Three of the patterns were printed on bright red paper. I know the idea behind this is to keep people from copying the pattern and I can understand that.(but if someone wants to copy your pattern, it will be done) However, one of the patterns was "readable", meaning the print was dark, but the other 2 were not and they are very difficult to read. So I spent this morning, typing the pattern over and printing on white paper, so should I chose to make the basket, I can read the pattern without a struggle.(and no, I*m not going to do it, but I could print it out for friends and that defeats the purpose of that red paper) So can I suggest that if you are going to use red paper, make sure the print is dark enough for the average (even those like me who have to wear bifocals) person to read. I have a pattern that is printed on a medium blue that I*m sure won*t copy, but isn*t as difficult to read. Second, please have your patterns tested. This doesn*t mean to reflect on anyone*s ability as a pattern writer--it simply means that if someone is going to sell a pattern, it needs to be written so that the average weaver can understand it. For example, on one of the red patterns, the writer says to fold "all" stakes to the inside of the basket and tuck under a few rows of weaving. Then she says to cut off the outside stakes level with the rim row. (This is a beginner level pattern--so says the writer) How can I cut them off if I*ve tucked them? Perhaps a tester could find this and make a suggestion to the writer. That doesn*t mean she has to follow the suggestion--it is her pattern. Please, don*t take offense at this post--I*m not dissing anyone-- badmouthing anyone--nothing like that. And before anyone asks why I bought a pattern on red paper if I didn*t like the paper color, I order all my patterns and didn*t know....but I probably won*t order patterns from this writer again--they*re just too darn difficult to read. Happy weaving and much aloha, Lois {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: basket bits Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 16:34:57 -0400 From: "Tom Rigterink" To: Hi Everyone! I hope everyone is getting a chance to weave a bit in this HOT weather! 95 with high humidity is just to much for me!! Has anyone gotten a Basket Bits lately? I can't remember the last one I received, but I think I picked it up from Jim at a convention!?! Keep Weaving Diane {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: TEACHING KIDS Date: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 13:41:01 -0500 From: Gary Dunham To: "davidc@iei.net" Hello everyone! Summer camp has started and I have been teaching 6th graders how to weave. They caught on fast and really are enjoying themselves. They all did quite well. One of the boys finished a "Cookies for Two" in two hours. I was impressed, as this was his first weaving experience. All the children are asking to make more. I think the part they like best is squirting the basket to keep it wet. We have no air conditioning at camp, so this helps them keep cool. I think the next basket we will make will be one where we don't need a pre-made handle, as my budget is limited. It's nice teaching the children because it's a practice run for when I and my friend Nancy will be teaching workshops in the fall. I was reading in one of my craft magazines that if you buy the magazine and use the patterns within, that you can make as many of the items as you wish & sell them. You could not sell the pattern, though. You also could not buy one magazine and then have you and a couple other people mass produce them. If you wanted other people to help make them, they too had to buy the magazine. I feel that clears up the whole quandary over whether or not you could sell what you make with someone else's pattern. I think people who offer patterns to sell realize that they will be used for that purpose. My friend Nancy had just made up a basket to hold a large size tissue box for a friend. An original pattern she designed that is quite nice. Basketpatterns.com just updated their listing and lo and behold someone is offering a similar pattern for the same type of basket. I guess great minds think alike! Everyone stay cool! Cindy in hot, sweltering N. Illinois {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 11 Date: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 17:33:49 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 11 Susan Tripp - Good luck in your coming job hunt. We're having extra summer in Missouri right now. Want me to send you some? Cheryl VanDeVeer - Assuming that your gathering question was for anyone, here's my answer: Some items, especially ones that grow in my yard, I collect when I need them or when the time is available. So far this spring I have collected a fair amount of young mulberry bark, usually by peeling it off the weedy volunteer mulberry trees when I remove them from the fencerow and lilac hedge. I dry it for storage, soak it for use, and cut it into long narrow strips for twining and binding. Sometimes I make handles or rib basket rims and ribs from the peeled saplings. I harvest bittersweet and trumpet vines when I prune them. Current year growth on the trumpet vines is hollow and makes a nice braided filler. I saved some trumpet vine pods last fall for ornamental use. I will be cutting some volunteer rose of sharon twigs soon to try them as a substitute in a willow style basket. I'm also experimenting with the bindweed vines that invade the veggie garden and flower beds. Iris and day lily leaves can be cut in late summer and dried. I have also collected about half a bushel of last-year's catalpa pods and am experimenting with basketry uses for them. I have nearly finished a basket woven entirely of catalpa pods (soaked and flattened for weaving) - only have to re-wet it and lash the rim pods in place (with mulberry bark). Some things, I collect when opportunity presents itself - such as the elm bark samples I removed from a tree that had been felled by a windstorm in the park across the road from our 'war' site. I have several friends who own country property and have invited me to collect materials from their land. Cattail leaves and rushes can be cut nearly any time and dried for storage. Maurine Joy - Thanks for the coffeemaker method directions for walnut stain from powdered hulls! I think I'll pick up a spare drip pot at a thrift store to reserve for stain and dye preparation. Diana French & Joy Moody - I'm interested in basket swapping, too. Barb Foster - Thanks for sharing the umbrella parts lasher tip. Jennifer Miller - It was so good to hear of your fun at the Missouri convention! That's pretty much how I felt about it last year, which was my first time. I didn't get to go this year because of a schedule conflict, so am glad somebody made good use of all that fun for me. Linda Braun - Thanks for the info about the new web address for Baskets Etc. That's one of my favorite websites and I certainly would hate to lose track of it. Pam Duffy-Kope - I don't hate lashing. I enjoy trying different lashing patterns and materials. And it's so nice to finish each basket. Pam Duffy-Kope - Enjoyed your airport security story. My son had a similar experience with his hammer on his last trip down from Alaska (he brings his own carpentry tools & had forgotten to put the hammer in his checked bag). What kind of baskets did you weave in Japan? Did you collect any Japanese baskets on your trip or meet any Japanese weavers? Bert Comstock Independence, MO {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.