"Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 6 Compiled By: David Collins Snail Mail: 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Owned By: Weavers Everywhere Date Sent: May 27, 1998 Subscribers: 598 "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. If anyone else has a picture, you can send it to me through email or snail mail. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: ww Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 16:15:41 JST From: "Darleena Jones" To: davidc@iei.net Hey weaving buddies, I've been quiet lately... chewing my lip and running around getting ready to move. I've had 12 classes this month and I'll never do that again. I feel like I've had a 2 full time jobs ... plus. Hey! to Anna D. Good luck on your first solo basket. The only obstacle I can see is translating the patterns. I would always suggest a standard Market Basket for a first basket but as long as you can understand what the author is trying to tell you then you should be okay. How do you like your new assignment? We'll be leaving on the 30th of June for the Azores. I have two shows in June and I'm beginning to think that I'm crazy to do them. Karen M. I was the person (or one of them) that made the coffee table basket. I didn't use RR so I'm sure mine took much less time and obviously he's priced his so that he never has to make another one. The flip top lid on mine is very handy and the students love to inspect it. I had one student just turn it all over the place to check it out. Of course it had stuff on it and she upset the whole thing, and she didn't even ask permission. Some people!! I can't find who had mentioned giving credit to the pattern author but I'm putting my two yen together to agree with her. Whenever I have a class I always give credit to the author of the pattern, even if I have to rewrite it so that the students understand it better. The only time that I haven't is when I've shared a pattern that came from my instructor... she got her patterns from a disk that was circulating at the time and most of the patterns didn't have author's names. I have done much researching and collecting... um... too many patterns and when I've come across the author, which has happened a few times, I've added it to my copy of the pattern. I have designed a few baskets and shared them with a few students or an occasional class but I've always asked them not to pass out my pattern. I'm very protective of my work and ...shall we say..selfish? But I've always been protective of my designs and artwork for many years in many different art mediums so it's a habit, I guess. Also, if a student asks about a particular basket I always tell them who designed it and where to find the pattern.(because I have baskets everywhere and couldn't possibly teach a class for all of them) I appreciate the work that went into the design and wouldn't have purchased the pattern if I didn't. All I did was do a good job with my weaving and followed the directions. Well, my soapbox is wobbling and I'm done chewing my lip for awhile. Thanks for listening. Darleena from Okinawa where Memorial Day has been beautiful {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 5 Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 14:00:12 -0000 From: "MARK MAHONEY" To: "David Collins" Hi, I've been reading Weaver's Word and there's a subject that kind of bother's me. I think that most people started weaving for enjoyment, not for profit. I know that I have been weaving since October and I have not sold any, but my house has become "basket central". Therefore, I am strategizing a plan to continue to weave without going broke and without packing my house full of baskets. WW has been great in that department. Now, to the part that bother's me. If you decide to go into business by making baskets, you should think like a business. If you decide that you want to put your baskets into a shop and you do not want other weaver's in that same shop then you need to request it in your contract and have it included. If not, I do not see a justification in being upset about it. I have always worked in the financial world, minus the last year since my second child was born. And I see it from the aspect of the business owner as well. Its the simple supply and demand theory. Anyway, that's just my take on the shop situation. I hope that I don't seem too critical, but like I said I've been on both sides of the subject. Darleen in Hawaii {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Quality Alert! Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 07:40:27 -0400 From: "Sandra" To: "David Collins" Hello to everyone, It's been awhile since I've written in. I just had to comment "Quality" verses "Quantity". I don't feel that quality has to suffer when a person weaves in quantity. Some of us weave faster or slower than others but that doesn't mean that quality is an issue. A person can still enjoy weaving even though they are making lots of baskets or just a few. I'm a fast weaver but still very much enjoy weaving. My baskets never suffer from quality. Some maybe can only make a basket once and never repeat it, some may weave a basket many times--that's fine too. We all do our own thing. Thanks David for all that you do with WW. Sandra, Maine {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Kingston Canada Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 09:47:00 -0400 From: Wenda Vince To: davidc@iei.net David and especially Carey Ray--You mentioned coming to Kingston, Ontario, Canada--so your husband could attend Queen's University! You will, I'm sure love Kingston! Queen's U. is considered one of the top universities in Canada! It has a long and venerable tradition of turning out scholars! I assume you will be coming in September--am I right?? Yes we do have people interested in basketry up here!!!! I know a number of them!My particular interests are in natural fibres but we have suppliers for cane etc. here too. Billie---yes the change from Louisiana to Kingsston will I'm sure be drastic but I'm sure Carey will enjoy!! Thanks David for this forum! --more info on request Carey! Bye from the great Canadian north---yesterday must have been 80 degrees here! {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 5 Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 10:23:50 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 5 Kay - Your report on the grass rope bridge construction was really cool! Lois - Happy Birthday! And thanks for the pineapple basket pattern. Diana French - Ten minutes is pretty fast to get a good color on reed! I sometimes leave my reed in the dyebath for half an hour or more (longer with natural dyes). When you want to space dye, you don't necessarily have to stand there and hold the reed the entire 10 minutes (or however long it takes); you can prop it against the side of the pot or rig a way to hang it so it only goes into the dye as far as you want it to. I have a tripod made of iron rebar that will hold a dyepot and also gives me a hook to suspend things into the pot. You could make some 'S' hooks out of coat hanger wire to hook the ties of your reed coil to the sides of the pot. Carolyn Willoughby - You seem to be off to a good start in your basket weaving and are doing wonderful things with it besides. things with it. Maybe you can meet some other weavers at the craft fair. Susan Slaven - Glad to hear your first basket teaching class went well. Sounds as if your have more coming up. Good luck! Anna D - What was your favorite basket to weave among the ones you did with an instructor? Maybe your first solo one could be a variation of that. You could make a similar basket in a slightly different size or add some colored accents to the weaving. Harold R. Evans - Good luck with your new shop! Ann Ridgeway - I like the thoroughness of the cost calculations you described. I never used to think about such things as overhead until I got involved in preparing government cost estimates for contract jobs several years before I retired. But those are very real costs. I like to think pattern sales may be a way I could someday recover my research and design costs. Karen Mitchell - I think the price on that designer coffee table was probably Not a typo. Maybe we're not thinking big enough! I thought it was Darleena who wove a coffee table. She's probably on the road by now, or about to be, in their trip across the US en route to their (er, her husband's) new assignment in the Azores. We should tell her about that when she gets back on line. It's good to hear from all you folks who are relatively new to Weavers Words. It's always exciting to see who has joined us and what they are doing. I'm really impressed at how quickly we are approaching 600 people on WW, too! What fun! Thanks again, David! Bert Comstock Independence, MO {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Home at last. Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 10:19:21, -0500 From: BDKE97B@prodigy.com (MRS BILLIE A DORRIS) To: davidc@iei.net Well gang spent the weekend in San Antonio for a reunion with a group we were stationed with in Germany over 20 years ago. We do this every 2 years and have a great time. Of course it gives me a chance to shop for baskets in places I have never been before. My find this time was a new pine needle masterpiece with lid, porcupine quills and turquoise. It is magnificent. all the dealer knew about the weaver was that she lives up North some where but winters in S.A. Her name is Trudy Brazelton. Does anyone know her. The best part however was the reaction of the rest of there group when the learned that I had paid $175 for it. Talk about shock. It was worth every penny and more. Ann R. Your hands aren't any slower or older than mine. Think I have decided the customer should also pay for my pain and suffering when I weave some of these suckers. Diana French. I also graduated from Fletcher but at a time when it was 7-12th grade. I graduated in 1960 so that tells you how old I am. But not how old I feel after the weekend trip where I walked more than I have in ages. Actually I was even born in Jax Bch. One of those rare thing" a native born Floridian". Where in Jersey are you. We lived in the infamous Glen Ridge (well before the rape trail) in North Jersey and then later in Moorestown. I used to go to Rancocus, where Mary Carty is all the time but that was before her time there. About the care of baskets, I basically say that water is good for most baskets and so give them an occasional shower under running water. I recently did my stock from a show that was terrible dusty. It really helped their appearance. The colors do not run but some of the walnut stain washed off-no biggy but make sure they are dry before they are replaced on furniture of rugs. Ohio Pam. Of course we are delightful. We occassionally disagree but that just makes WW more interesting and full of varied info. Lois- Am curious. Why do you change your tags for different shows? Do you think it helps? does the change reflect the type of show you are doing? Although I sometimes get tired of mine but I have a rather distinctive tag that customers recognize so I sometimes I will change the color of the logo and information. It is mind boggling to me that anyone could weave that many baskets in one day. Have done the same in the past one time when I was on a new medication that had me hyper. think I did 3 magazine/hearths but not the rims. The hand therapist says no more than 45 minutes at one time. I usually weave longer than that but it really gets to my hands/neck/back. Must get a move on today as we are going to open the pool if the weather cooperates but it certainly isn't warm enough yet to use it. It was in the 80's when we left on Wed. in the 90's in San. Antonio and we came home to the 70's yesterday. What a weird weather year. 'Til next time Billie in Va. Beach. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 15:56:20 -0400 From: Jayna Glemby To: davidc@iei.net Hello everyone. Haven't written in some time and in fact just catching up on past volumes and other mail since my trip to the west coast. San Diego was freezing and everyone from cab drivers, hotel workers and restaurant workers were saying it hadn't been that cold there in 50 years & blamed it on El Nino. Sure.. I arrive, it's cold. Most southern Californians were bundled up in coats...but since they have little need for them, they were 20 & 30 years old! Fashion was certainly odd...tourists in short sleeves and shorts and natives in coats from the 70's! When the sun came out we went to the zoo and the best attractions were not always in the exhibits. Being a small town gal, I've never seen that many people in one place all at once, with so many accents, skin tones, etc. It was glorious to see how many versions of humanity we have! God in her wonder at work!! Had a wonderful opportunity to visit with a lady from Malaysia and several people from Australia, while at the zoo. Then on to Spoakane to visit my brother. They rarely have rain there in the high desert....it's where they could make all the cowboy movies. He's on the Idaho border. I suggested we wash his car and it rained for 3 days. Felt like a weather jinx. Was not able to view any baskets during my trip....no time in San Diego (that was a business convention and time was spent in seminars, etc.) and no luck in Spokane. We searched Spokane and could not find any native American museums and no craft shops that featured baskets. Lois. Thank you for the Pineapple basket pattern, how sweet. I've made some before but never on a wooden bottom and I think they will sit much better your day. And belated birthday wishes. Course everyone has a different version of which is the BIG birthday! Tracy Jenkins: re: care of your baskets. It will be interesting to hear what everyone has to offer. First, living in the NorthEast, I tell people to try to keep them away from a direct heat source in the winter so they won't get terribly dry and once a year give them a 3 min.(or so) soak in warm water with a few drops of glycerin. You can get a small bottle at a pharmacy. AnnaMarie D: re your first solo basket. It's hard to suggest something as we don't know what you've done. However, you may want to do a variation on one of the 9 baskets you've made with your teacher and alter them a bit with a few rows of color or if there is a handle, change they style. That way, you'll have an idea of what to expect but can begin to experiment and add your own touches. Do let us know what you end up doing!! Also try to never loose your first basket...don't give it away or sell it. Keep for yourself, for 2 reasons. One to always recall the thrill and wonder you felt when you made that first one and to see how much progress you are making as a weaver. I'm not weaving this weekend...this is play in the dirt weekend, filling window boxes for the deck (6) and pots, and planting around the porch. But weaving and getting my fingers wet would help clean all that dirt embedded under my nails, so I'll look presentable at work tmw. So long for now, Jayna in central Massachusetts {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Weavers Words Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 20:36:37 EDT From: Clbeadle To: David Collins I've been reading for months and am finally finding the time to 'unlurk'! I'm Cindy and have been weaving for about 15 years, the last four full time. Twills are my favorite, but also do a lot of gourds. I have been doing just shows, but am branching out this year and finally started teaching weaving classes too. I love all the info exchanged here! Loved the bridesmaid's baskets and the geese. WOW! Lots of talented people out there weaving! For tags to put on baskets, I buy little tags with strings already attached (Avery makes them), then stamp my name, phone on them on one side. On the other side I have a basket stamp, then write in the name of the basket and stock #. On a separate little sticker I put the price which can be removed, leaving all the other info intact for the buyer. This may sound a little tedious, but I do a box of 1000 at a time, so I'm set for a while. I think punching a hole in a business card, then stringing it takes about the same amount of time. Although I have some 'original' ideas, I use a lot of patterns or ideas from patterns and then sell the basket. I always use the original author's basket name on my tags. I agree with those who said that as long as the patterns are for sale, it's ok to sell the baskets, with credit given. Otherwise, why sell the patterns? If I teach a class using someone's else's pattern, I buy them from the author. Loved the idea of the turkey baster to apply stain! Next time I get to the store, I'm getting one just for that! Foam brushes wear out so fast! Pricing.... what a can of worms.... When I first started selling my baskets, they were rather inexpensive, but I didn't care, as long as I made enough to buy more reed! Now that I do it full time and am supporting myself, my attitude has changed! I kinda resent that attitude now. We have enough competition with Pier One, imports, and the uneducated public who expects import prices! Then there's Longebarger with their inflated prices! Many people believe if it's expensive, it must be good! By underpricing, we're perpetuating the public's belief that baskets are cheap and easy to make. WE all know that's not true! My prices not are affordable, but quite a bit higher than when I started! I value my time and expertise, and make a quality product. I, too, have run into more and more imports at shows being passed off as 'yep, I made em'. I can't compete against a $15 step basket! Although I usually will tell the promoter or committee, I've never had one take any action at that show. Even though it says they will, in the contract. I really don't know what to do in that situation, other than not return. Promoters seem to be getting greedier, I guess. Hopefully, I'll have enough classes going next spring, I won't have to do spring shows, where the imports are seen the most. I prefer the art fairs in the summer when people seem to come willing to pay for quality. Loved all the info about home parties! I have had a few customers ask in the past about having one, but never acted on it. Now I will! I have 3 people who want to have them for me in the fall. I, too, have done the consignment thing with a shop and was very displeased. Their mark up, and care of merchandise (or lack of) was not to my liking. I know they all are not like that, but I'd rather sell them myself. Having a few put in a sunny window and get terribly faded on one side was enough to get me out of that situation! I know a lot of craft malls are very successful now, but I choose not to go that route. The space sizes are rather small and pricey. If you have big baskets, you need a good size space! I use a propane torch to burn the hairs off my baskets. I've never had much trouble with it. You do have to be careful and keep the torch moving all the time! I just mist the basket before torching! Haven't lost one yet. I also have done it after a basket was stained. It was thoroughly dry and aired out. Again, if you're careful, it can be done! I've made picnic (or market) baskets for wedding gifts, adding the stuff for picnics inside. I write the bride and groom's name, wedding date across the handle in calligraphy. Always a hit! To Kay; I saw that National Geographic program on the Andes with the bridge building. I was amazed! All with handmade rope! Loved the advice about cinnamon repelling ants! We learn so much here! Someone asked about a gourd society. There are quite a few state ones, as well as American Gourd Society, Box 274MR, Mount Gilead, Ohio, 43338. Subscriptions are $10/year for their quarterly newsletter. There are some gourd websites too with more guilds listed. good luck! I've rambled way too long, sorry. Thanks, David, for all your efforts in keeping this going. Cindy/MI {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Bear Grass? Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 15:24:01 EDT From: Jvoconnor1 To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and fellow weavers! Okay, I give up. What is bear grass? Anyone know? Also wanted to let you know I treated myself to a class with Susan Kavicky on May 16th and started the Maya ash basket. If you all ever have the opportunity to take this class at convention, I highly recommend it. The basket is really beautiful and Susan is a wonderful, patient teacher. I'm looking forward to finishing it one night real soon! I bragged so much about Weaver's Words and they were so shocked that I knew so many of the names of teachers and weavers that they knew (like Ann Ridgeway, Judy Olney, etc.), Susan and another class member, Jan (who came all the way from Iowa) wanted your web address. Hi Susan and Jan -- hope you joined us on the web!! By the way, Jan was RAVING about the grrreeaaattt time she had at Amana colonies. Way to go girls! Lois, thanks for the pineapple basket pattern. I'm keeping it in my things to do pile. Well, just back to work after having oral surgery last week (get the stitches out tomorrow)...so I'll talk to you guys later! Sandi Howard In beautiful, sunny Mundelein, IL {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: wedding baskets Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 08:17:41 EDT From: Arlo1225 To: davidc@iei.net To everyone who has sent in ideas for a wedding basket gift - thank you! All the ideas were wonderful! Now I just need the time to choose one and make it!!!!!! Have to get through the next 2 weeks first - son's birthday today, and daughter's end-of-the-year school functions and moving-up ceremony......then on to baskets!!! Still waiting to hear from all you lucky weavers who were able to go to Stowe! To Dave - can't thank you enough for WW - it is truly a life saver on those hectic days we all seem to have too many of.....it is nice to sit back and read each issue, great therapy, especially on those days/weeks you don't have time to weave! - keep up the great work! We appreciate your efforts! Thanks again to all! :-) {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.