"Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 4 Compiled By: David Collins Snail Mail: 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: May 19, 1998 Subscribers: 584 "Weavers Words": 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. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} @=@=@=@=@ PICTURES SENT IN BY YOU @=@=@=@=@ In order to conserve space on printouts, I have removed the list of pictures. You can still see the list on "Weaver's Words" webpage. I will list any new pictures here. Keep the pictures coming. NEW---Ms. Pat Moritz's Contemporary Copper And Silver Wire Vessel. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/bowl1.jpg NEW---Ms. Pat Moritz's Contemporary Gourd. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/gourd1.jpg NEW---Ms. Pat Moritz's Waxed Linen Knotted Pieces. Taller one is called "Disarray"/Smaller one is "Vortex of Color" http://www.iei.net/~davidc/fiber1.gif NEW---Ms. Pat Moritz's Seagrass Basket. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/seagrs.gif If anyone else has a picture, you can send it to me through email or snail mail. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 1 Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 23:31:32 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Hello & Happy May Day(s), Weavers Words readers. Don't know where the past month has gone, but I'm trying to catch up on my email (at last, again). Forgive me, please, if some of these responses are redundant. I haven't gone through the 2nd & 3rd issues of V.2 yet. A note to any of you who have sent me private messages - I haven't lost them & will get answers written soon (like within the next week). Thanks for being patient. "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 1 Happy Anniversary! Judy Miles - You can probably find a suitable small torch at a home improvement supply center or in the hardware department of a general discount market. In small towns, try a hardware or farm supply store. Kathy Derrick - Hi! I think I'm having Woven Circle withdrawal - missed the May meeting because of a schedule conflict with a close friend's Birthday Tea. Guess I'll see you in July, 'cause I think we skip June so people can go to the State Convention. Brian Jenkins - Having seen your note in Weavers Words, I've concluded that you are now a subscriber. You may have already received an access number from David for getting into the back issues on the website. Welcome! It's nice to get to hear from a male weaver. I've just harvested some honeysuckle, but haven't used it yet. If it doesn't cooperate, I may call on your experience for some pointers. Sandi Howard - I think I would use the name from the pattern and give the pattern author credit on my tag (as in 'Jane Doe's Wonder Basket' woven by Mary Roe). Judith Olney - When I feel a need to make thickness adjustments while adding a handle to a basket, I am inclined to trim the rim and leave the handle intact. I Love your approach to pricing based on 'what it would take to make you do it again'! :=) Linda Kotarba - I read the Barbara Morton article at the KC Star website, but was disappointed that it didn't include the photos. Or maybe I just wasn't able to access them? The hard copy of the paper has an excellent photo of Barbara in her basket workshop room and detail shots of several of the baskets she's made. Bert Comstock Independence, MO {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 3 Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 09:19:22 EDT From: Sandybsk To: davidc@iei.net May 21 we are travelling to Harrisonburg, VA for my son's wedding. Does anyone know of baskets shops along the way? Leaving from Indianapolis. Sandy Drexler {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Medieval Basket work Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 09:48:11 -0400 From: Melanie Wilson To: David Collins CC: LIST Basket-L I am currently researching Medieval Basketwork, if anyone has anything they would like to share on the subject or can suggest any references I would be most grateful. Basketwork through the ages by H H Bobart- I have found that this has now been republished in the UK if anyone is, like I was desperate to get hold of a copy. Mel {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: wedding baskets Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 11:54:56 -0500 From: Gary Dunham To: "davidc@iei.net" Lesley you asked about special baskets for weddings. I would recommend Pamela Woodbury's Hearts & Curls Market Basket. I bought it from Basketpatterns.com. It really is a beautiful basket and I have gotten many compliments on it. A possibility to fill it with is packaged microwave popcorn & plastic bottles of pop. Also, head over to the video start, get some gift certificates and some of their movie size candy. You have not only given them a beautiful basket, you also gave them a night in with a movie & popcorn. When its emptied, they can use it for whatever they wish. Hope this helps you. Cindy Dunham {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Straw rope Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 16:42:15 -0400 From: Melanie Wilson To: LIST SCA-Arts CC: LIST Basket-L , Baskets -David Collins Has anyone any experience making straw rope ?I've made some but the results are a bit prickly ? Mel {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 3 Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 01:15:28 -0400 From: "Susan Tripp" To: "David Collins" Brenda Johnson: The trip to Ohio was for the Winter Weave convention in Mentor. I heard 90 people signed up (and we were the only no shows...). Leslie Johnson: 75-85 baskets a show! Wow. I work a full-time job and can't image weaving that many for a show. I'm lucky to get two dozen for each show! And, to the person who does 15-28 a day, WOW again. I can't even imagine. My, my, my. I am so proud of myself when I finish two a day. I didn't think I was a slow weaver as in my earlier basket classes, I was always the first done. Lisa Notz: It's good to hear that someone else had trouble with the Lyn Siler creel basket. I am writing this before visiting your site, but will be sure to see your version. I too have learned a lot from Lyn but thought that one was particularly difficult. Lois: (Hi Lois) I wouldn't sell at that one shop anymore! I change my baskets all the time. Now you are limited as to what you can take there. If you have baskets similar to the other weavers, you will look like the bad guy if you try to sell them there. It's a hard situation since some places clearly have many different vendors for the same craft - which is fair if they are big enough to do that or take on vendors with a different style. About those pineapple baskets. I've seen some somewhere and they were beautiful. Does anyone know where to get a pattern for this basket? Welcome Tina Kawalchuk. I know of one supplier in NY that has reasonable prices: Donna W of DW Baskets. Check out her web site at dwbaskets.com. I'm sure there are others, but I don't know them. To all those people who are quietly reading in the background and not writing in: Go ahead and write in! WW is so interesting because there are so many different people out there contributing. I just love to read everyone's tips. It seams everyone has something of interest to add. My only complaint is that the last volume seemed a little short!?!?! I better end now or someone will complain I am too long! Susan in NY {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: first home party Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 08:59:19 -0700 From: "Amanda\"Mandy\"Popelka" To: "Weavers Words" Hello everyone! I have been super busy weaving and getting ready for my first home party show. It was yesterday and I had 7 people come. My mom held it for me. I did a $500 show. I was thrilled to say the least. Basket tags....this is what I did...I went to the printer and they printed MH on a plain business card so that I can bend it in half with the MH on the front...and then I write the name, number and cost of the basket on the inside. I also have printed cards up that say thank you on one side and on the other side it has instructions to take care of baskets. I also did my first antler basket last week. I just love it. It was suppose to be an egg basket but my hubby drilled the hole wrong so it ended up being uneven. I actually like it better. It looks more like artwork. Well, off to weave some more. Friends in weaving, Mandy icq # 3317059 Mandy's Hopechest mandy@essex1.com Oregon, Illinois {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Basket questions Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 16:40:44 -0400 From: John Miles To: davidc@iei.net I wanted to say what special women I have met after making contacts through Weaver's Words. Mary at the Pinelands and Kathleen at KMC - both of these ladies took the time to visit with me at their businesses and I had a great time sharing with them. Both are very knowledgeable. A question about keeping baskets outside. We have a large deck and porch. I left a stained pie basket on the porch and it was completely covered with mildew. I did manage to clean it up with bleach water but I would like to know what I can do with my baskets that I would want to keep outside during the summer months. Also, it was mentioned about using a torch for the removal of basket hairs and someone said they had purchased a torch from a rock shop. I would be very interested as to where I would look for a rock shop or maybe someone would have an address or phone number where I might get information about this type of torch. I have been weaving some large baskets and it is very time consuming to clip the hairs. I would appreciate your help. Judy Miles, Centreville, MD {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Winnie the Pooh Lamp Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 11:55:51 +0000 From: "Chris Baker" To: David Collins Just wanted to let everyone know I have added an exciting new item, the Winnie the Pooh lamp basket! It can be seen by going to the catalog - http://w3.ime.net/~cbaker/catalog.htm & clicking on the link. Also, I now have a picture on the multi-dyed reed on that page. Question for those who teach: How about sharing some funny things that have happened in class & some of the funny things people say? Example: One of my students call the heavy duty packing tool a wedgie! Chris Baker Days Gone By Augusta, Maine http://w3.ime.net/~cbaker/ Watch for the next FREE pattern, coming soon! {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Wedding Ideas Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 10:35:43 EDT From: Qka42 To: davidc@iei.net Hello everyone!!! Want to thank David for all your hard work and to put my two cents worth in to help give Lesley some Wedding basket ideas. A couple of years ago a friend in my husbands office was getting married and I wanted to do a basket for him and his new bride. I had my husband find out what their colors in their house were going to be and incorporated that in the basket. It wasn't anything fancy a medium picnic I think?. I then went to a party store and got some fancy paper shredding and filled the basket about half full and added some champagne, snack foods like fine crackers, cheeses that would keep without refrigeration. I think I also added some bubble bath. I tried to think of things that they might enjoy on their honeymoon, if you get my idea...don't forget a couple of plastic glasses. If they don't like alcohol then maybe a sparkling cider. The possibilities are endless! After the honeymoon they will have a nice addition to their new home. I got the idea when I got married and the people from work filled a large round basket (not handmade but nice) with all sorts of goodies. It was a lot of fun just going through the basket and finding all the little treats and surprises everyone had sent. Was even surprised by a rubber ducky! Every time I look at that basket I think of our honeymoon and what a wonderful time we had. Really is a good type of gift for any occasion because it does take a little thought I think the receiver will cherish it even more. Hope this helps a little. All my best. Quin in Indy where the weather has just been glorious!! {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Bits and Pieces Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 09:43:21, -0500 From: BDKE97B@prodigy.com (MRS BILLIE A DORRIS) To: davidc@iei.net Up date on the ant/cinnamon solutions that I accidentally posted on WW. It has been at least two weeks and still no problem. I do add more cinn. every so often, For the person who asked if Judith O. has a book out. I have to jump in here although I am sure she will answer for herself. As far as I know she doesn't have a book, except the one on Choctaw Diagonal Twill Plaiting and that is a totally different subject. But her patterns are wonderful. Not just for the designs but for all the extra directions that she offers. Most of her patterns run several pages because of the "hot tips" that are included and it might be worth it to buy the patterns just for them and then get enthused enough to try the basket too. I quote her frequently whenever I am teaching. She writes in such a manner that you feel as if she is in the room with you. Again NO she doesn't pay me to say these things about her. I am finding the discussion on business cards interesting. I particularly like the idea of having part of the card you can remove to keep as a part of your sales records. I don't print my own cards but have them done at somewhere like Office Max. Several years ago my daughter send a picture of some of the baskets I was weaving at the time to a company that will do a sketch from the picture. She did this for stationary she had printed. But they also include the original drawing. I take that drawing to the store where it is reduced to the right size and used as my logo. I don't make these exact baskets very often any more but that doesn't matter as they are a representation of those I have done in the past. My cards fold in half and the information printed inside describes the care of the baskets. Then on the back I write the name of the basket. I used to do this by hand but my daughter found a way to print them on the computer on the clear stick on address labels and they really look good. I never put a price on the card itself. I use a separate price tag. This way if the basket is purchased for a gift the price is removable but still leaving the info about me and the basket intact. I tried doing them on the computer one time when I knew I was moving and didn't want to have new ones done with the wrong phone number. They were ok but don't like them as much as those professionally printed. A funny thing though' if only cost about $20 more to have 1000 printed instead of 500. I think my last ones were about $120 for 1000 and that will last me a year or more. I did a show this weekend that wasn't particularly good but I enjoy doing it anyway as it is primarily fine art and it's a great place for people watching. I only sold 4 baskets which isn't good BUT I sold the right ones. A $300 Nantucket, $100 for one based on Judy Richmonds N.E Quilt and two small $30/35 ones. A total of 465 for 4 baskets isn't great but it is better than $465 for 10 baskets as now I don't have to make as many to replace the ones that sold. Basket weavers in this area don't sell in the thousands of $ at a show regardless of price or style but I am satisfied with the results as I don't go in with intentions of hitting the jack pot. One last note on pricing. There are several weavers of name recognition who do charge higher prices but it is a business for them and many of them support themselves and their families without any other outside source of income. So anything is possible. I too consider myself in business and use the money to allow me to continue my hobby, attending conventions, buying supplies and antique baskets with the profits. A suggestion for a wedding gift. If the bride happens to be old fashioned enough to still put a penny in her shoe., I give her a penny Nantucket basket with a penny with the current year on it and then the basket in which to keep it afterwards. It depends on how close I am to them whether or not they also get a check. Cary Ray (hope I spelled that right but probably not and didn't want to go back and look it up) The school in Canada sounds great to me. I know there are weavers up there but believe they use different materials. What a change-from Louisiana to Canada. But a Senior School is a Senior School no matter where it is. It could have been in worse places.-Ft McNair for example-a wonderful area but the traffic is horrendous and the prices match it. Enough for now Billie {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: moving Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 17:15:04 -0500 From: monast@iquest.net To: davidc@iei.net I feel for the ladies connected with the service that are "on the move". I too am joining that club. My husband lost his job several months back and has traveled the US doing interviews. Each time I have felt a small measure of stability as there was usually someone from WW in that area. Once I was on a basket website that listed Guilds or Conventions and he said "well gee - they're all over!" As luck would have it I'll be moving from one GREAT basket state (Indiana) to another (Michigan). I look forward to meeting new weavers when we get moved up later this year to the Frankenmuth-Saginaw-Midland area. Kristin in Yorktown IN {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Ripple Twine Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 13:58:02 -0700 From: "Ames, Kay H" To: "'Weaver's Words'" Joy and Billie - Thanks for sharing your pricing for the Swirling Star basket I mentioned. It helps to have some sort of frame of reference. Trying out new twills is making me enjoy using flat reed again. I even got out some graph paper to try to plan my own, but decided it would be easier and quicker on the computer, until I discovered I did not have any good software for that kind of graphics. Anyone have suggestions for software? Joy, the Ripple Twine technique did not originate in the N.W. as far as I know, and I forget whose pattern I did see at one time that outlined the technique, perhaps called something different. I will search out the weaver's name so that I can give credit in a future WW. Though I don't know if the pattern writer "invented" it either. If I describe it you may all say, "Oh, yes of course!" I learned it during a conference put on by the Basketry School, now Pacific Weave. When one of my teaching sessions did not fill, I jumped at the chance to try it with Jill Green as the instructor. She has made a number of them and it was a wonderful experience to learn it from her. The basic technique is an open weave of two or three strand twining in round reed, with spaced rows (perhaps an inch apart), over flat or flat oval spokes. The "Ripple" part comes from continually adding spokes to increase, increase, increase. If done irregularly, bulges or ripples begin to form. The basket can be left relatively open at the top, reminding me of a clam shell, or a fancy art glass piece, or you can decrease, decrease, decrease and then you can achieve a pomegranate or squash or Johnny-Carson-Karnac-the-Magnificent-turban sort of shape. The rim is wrapped over and over to create the look of Japanese rolled border. I enjoyed it because with one technique you could make an infinite variety of shapes, and I particularly like twining. And I was fascinated by the dichotomy: It requires control and command of the technique in order to create the shape the way you want it, but also inspires and encourages you to get loose and organic and free-form to design an interesting shape. We used space-dyed reed in class but I have also used solid dyed reed. For you teachers out there I'd like to share a recent experience: I offered a class called "Basket, Basket" one evening a week for 3 weeks, through a community education evening program, in which the students wove two similar baskets. We made basic wicker bowls with two and three strand twining and a basic rolled border. The concept was to reinforce the learning by repeating the skills in a short timeframe. It took two evenings to learn about the materials and complete the first basket. Then after a review, weaving the base for the second basket was assigned as homework. The students were able to complete the second basket on the third evening. They found it very valuable to make a second right away under supervision, and they were thrilled with their improvement. Even though they were all brand new weavers, I think they all will be confidant enough to go on their own. I prefer this kind of skill teaching rather than recipe classes myself and found this a good way to introduce it into the evening program curriculum. Happy weaving to all. From Kay Harradine in the Pacific NW, where the swallows are swooping for white feathers, and the green heron has returned to the pond. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.