"Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 68 Date Sent: December 20, 1998 Subscribers: 879 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. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% "Bare Walls" Basket Pictures/Prints If you are looking for basket pictures/prints, check out "Bare Walls" through Weaver's Words site. I will get a 15% commission from Bare Walls for every picture/print ordered. The address to check out the pictures is: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/prints.html %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Hi Everyone, I have added a couple of basket pictures to the web page. Be sure to check 'em out. The address is: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/pictures.html Also, Evonne Smith had me add her hand embroidered basket socks to the classifieds page. They are only $5/Pair. The address is: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/classifieds.html If any like to do online auctions, I am currently auctioning off silver bullion & coins from my grandpa's estate. My grandma wanted to me sell it for her rather than keep it in the house. The online auction address is http://www.ebay.com/. The e-mail address I use for my auctions is ka9zre@yahoo.com. Take Care & Happy Holidays, David davidc@iei.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Does Anyone Know? Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 17:27:00 -0500 From: Michael & Barbara Cordell To: David Collins Hi everyone! I have a question that I hope someone can answer for me. Our guild took a gourd class from Dyan Peterson last November up in Asheville, NC. It was an incredible class & we've been trying to get in touch with her to set up another. However, it seems that she's moved........Dyan if you're out there lurking, please privately email me or if anyone can shed some light on how I can contact her, I'd be grateful! Hope everyone's holiday is happy and peaceful. Barb, in windy and cool Charlotte, NC %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 67 Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 19:43:09 -0500 From: MYLOIS Organization: Prodigy Internet To: David Collins References: 1 Hi Everybody: Been a while since I have written. Was so busy finishing up my Christmas baskets and working -- not much time left over. We celebrated Christmas with my oldest son and his family last Sunday and it was wonderful. He lives outside of Chesaning, Michigan which is a two hour ride from our place in North Street, Michigan. I sent away in the summer to the East Gratiot basketry place and ordered their solid bottom, grooved rowboat base and made the rowboat for my son who is Mr. Fisherman and Mr. Hunter. It came complete with two oars and two fish. It turned out so neat and he was so tickled with it. I painted "Bruce's Boat" on the bottom. He hung it up on the wall immediately. I made the elbow basket for my daughter-in-love and filled it with dried weeds. She loved it. To Alice Edwards: I, too, have trouble with my left thumb and wrist and I feel it is from the way I manipulate the thumb to hold reed when I am weaving. I got myself a carpel tunnel wrist brace and sleep with it on every night and also put it on when I am not weaving. It has really helped. Sometimes I have to refrain from weaving for a few days. Also, you asked what FR stands for. I was taught it means "Flat Reed". Hope this helps. Winter has finally arrived in Michigan after a gorgeous, warm December. Last night we had about an inch of snow and tonight we are going to get about two inches. Best wishes to everybody for a wonderful holiday and a big Ho Ho Ho to you, David. Do us proud in 1999 as you did in 1998. Whatta guy!! Myra Stutler mylois@prodigy.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: instant tea/taupe dye-rit Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 20:32:24 -0500 From: roman@tm.net To: davidc@iei.net I have used the instant tea method of dying baskets. Use any cheap instant in a ratio of 3:1 i.e. 3 cups water to 1 cup instant tea. Bring to a boil to dissolve completely. Then either dip or put in a spray bottle and spray in sink or bathtub, wherever you can clean afterwards. If it is not dark/deep enough, dip again or add more tea (2:1) The tea mix does get stronger as the water evaporates. A lady at Tandy leather advised that sometimes her rendezvous people dye bone beads with this. Coffee also works, but tends to rub off of the beads. Be aware that this dye will alter many blue dyed reeds. On natural, it looks warm and brownish - I don't think too yellow, but it will "affect" with the tea pigment some of your colored reed. A good alternative for a nice medium/warm brown is to use Rit taupe. Both methods are well served with a spray of Scott's Liquid Gold afterwards to give the reed a nice patina. Kristin in Midland Michigan - where I'm STILL unpacking from the move this August. I really need to pitch a bunch, but..... I might need it someday! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 20:48:38, -0500 From: BDKE97B@prodigy.com (MRS BILLIE A DORRIS) To: davidc@iei.net David LOVED the politically correct Santa. To those looking for antlers-check your states regulations about using them-in Va. they are illegal regardless of how they are acquired. Can't remember who mention pains in your thumbs. That is where my primary problem is-one M.D. said the thumbs were coming out of the socket(pleasant thought) a type of arthritis. I've found mine are worse when lashing a basket esp. the left one as that is my holding hand and gets a lot of pressure. Billie in cold rainy Va. Beach. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Tea stain Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 21:28:39 -0500 From: "Linda J. Braun" To: "David Collins" Laurie -- For tea stain, I buy a large jar of the least expensive instant tea and add about half to three fourths of it to about a gallon to a gallon and a half of hot water and stir until dissolved. Just as with natural walnut stain, test before using and dilute as desired. Tea gives a bit more of a yellow color, close to light oak. Hint: If you want to save it, be sure to refrigerate it or it will mold. It will keep a long time in the fridge but a very short time otherwise. Happy Holidays to all, Linda - Baskets, Etc. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Goodbye for awhile Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 20:04:17 -0800 From: Joyce Fisher To: David Collins References: 1 Hi Everyone and Happy Holidays. I have had my last show and now have to get my studio and house ready for someone to move in and house-sit for 2 1/2 months. We will be going to Yuma, Arizona and then on to Puerto Penasco, Mexico during the months of January and February. I am making up "kits" of baskets I want to work on while we are gone. . My friend and I spent most of today dyeing reed for me to take along. I am also planning to spend some time each day with watercolors. It will be good to be where there is no telephone and no meetings--just time to relax and to do what I want to do. Our guild has been selected to have an exhibit at the Nevada museum of Art during October and November. There is an incredible amount of work to be done, including writing a grant. After the exhibit we plan to take the show to several outlying communities in the state and end up at the State Museum in Carson City. Fortunately I have a wonderful vice-president and board who will be hard at work during my absence. I will be back online in March. Joyce %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 11:31:16 -0000 From: "french" To: "David Collins" Hi David and Everyone! I know I haven't written in much recently, but have been enjoying every word everyone else is writing. Must be the time of year.... busy, busy, busy! I did want to write in and wish all of you the happiest of holidays!!! :) Best wishes, Diana French from sunny and finally cooler Southern NJ. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: 18 Dec 98 05:49:10 PST From: Peggy Lawson To: David Collins Dear David and Fellow Weavers, Well, I think someone must have hit me with a "dumb" stick, because of all the discussion about the virus alert I inadvertently sent into WW. It really wasn't my intention to send it into the forum when I selected "all" in my address book. And now I realize that it isn't possible to get a virus unless something is put on the hard drive. I apologize to you all, and I want to say thank you for the gentleness with which you told me I was off base. I am new to the Internet and really know so little about it that it is scary. All the info is very helpful for me in the future. I want to tell you all how much I enjoy this forum, and to David for all the time and effort he puts into it. I have a problem. I have a basket that has a handle that just doesn't work. I want to take the handle off, but the basket has already been stained. Any suggestions for solutions? I love you all and wish you all the blessings you deserve this holiday season, and may the goals you set for the new year be realized. In SW Ohio, where we broke a record for a late first snowfall, but where it is cold. Peggy Lawson %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: 18 Dec 98 06:32:23 PST From: Peggy Lawson To: David Collins Hello Weavers and David, I hadn't read this latest edition of WW when I wrote the first time, so I need to add another message. Someone asked about instant tea, and the ratio; use one jar of tea to an equal amount of water. Make sure you boil it and use the hot tea to stain. I save it in a jug and sieve it between each use because it will have natural deposits in it, and then heat it up before using it again. Someone else asked about sore hands. Have you tried glycerin? Around here you have to ask the pharmacist to order it for you, and it seems expensive because you get a small bottle for $8-10, but then you only use a couple of drops in your soaking water. There was some discussion about carpal-tunnel syndrome, which I had at one time and didn't really know what to do about. I had a fitness instructor who suggested that I try a chiropractor because it is so non-invasive, and that my insurance paid for. What the heck, I was missing a lot of sleep and my hands drove me crazy, so I tried it. I had to go a bunch of times for a period of a few weeks, but it was very relaxing, and I wasn't in the office more than 30-45 minutes each time. And it made the pain go away and my hands no longer went to sleep when I was in bed. I found it miraculous. I do have to go back periodically every few years for a shorter time because of the nature of my activities, but I'm not disabled by carpal-tunnel, and I can weave baskets, and that makes me very happy. Well, that is all for now. Happy Holidays to you all. Peggy Lawson %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: Dyepots and basket buyers Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 09:52:53 -0500 From: "Mary Hooper" To: "David Collins" Happy Holidays to all the weavers. I mostly lurk, but have a question for Laurie Burns (or anyone else who knows): what is the minwax mix? The instant tea dye sounds interesting, but one of the fiber sites (I think) carried the suggestion to mix tea and coffee. The writer's husband was a chemist and he seemed to think this worked better. I just brought in my LARGE trash barrel of black walnut dye. (It had ice on top of the dye and I can't even think of the possibilities inherent in a dyepot split by ice.) Someone on the web suggested putting ammonia in it to kill the "swamp water" odor, and it works. Now I can keep the dye in the studio for the winter without the odor getting out. I just dumped in a "dollop," maybe a cup, into half a barrel of dye. I received an order for 7 fruit baskets for Christmas and when I got them finished, the person who ordered had changed her mind and took only three. I have decided: a) Not to take orders--if I have something people like, they can buy it, or not, end of tale; and b) Not to give anyone a price break. It seems to produce not appreciation for the weaver's good nature (and I'll bet we all are pretty good natured or we'd be in a different field) but contempt. If anyone has anything to offer on this topic, I'd be interested in reading it. David: This is a swell site and I join your other friends and weavers in wishing you and your Mom a happy holiday season and a fruitful and prosperous new year. All the best from the mountains of western North Carolina, where the weather has gone from shirt-sleeve to an inch of snow in a very short time; but the sun is shining and I'm grateful for every day I wake up in the morning.... Mary Hooper %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: introduction Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 17:55:47 +0000 From: Jeffre and Michelle Harrison To: "Weaver's Words" I am new to the list, hello! I live in Central Florida and I've been making baskets off and on for over 25 years. I'm approaching another "on" after being "off" for several years. I've taught several classes here and there and I am currently running a class for middle school girls. On my list for Santa I put several basket-related suggestions including an introduction kit to Nantucket baskets. I had the Nate's catalog, so I used that as a suggestion. I also have H.H. Perkins and a couple others and one from South Florida. Does anyone have any suggestions? Some of the reed I ordered for the girls at my class had to be paid with school funds, so my company choice was very narrow and we got some terrible terrible splints. I am always looking for better sources, and the girls always want sources after they start the class. I enjoy spoke and strand baskets and I've made my share of Appalachian baskets as a demonstrator at various Pioneer festivals and Florida Cracker events. I'm interested in the tiny baskets someone mentioned that they made into pins for the holidays, and I'd very much like to start making miniature furniture. Does anyone have any pattern sources or ideas for searches I could make? Are there others on the list that are in the Florida area? I'd love to meet you and perhaps get together to make some baskets. Michelle %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 66 Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 16:24:08 -0600 From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 66 Dee - Sorry to hear about your loss of a friend to cancer. I'm sure the baskets you are making on her behalf will become fond reminders of her for the recipients. Lois - Your folk tree sounds like a fun thing to have. After the holidays can you hang baskets on it? Joan Culler - Thanks for the info on the urban myths/hoaxes site. Now, if people will just use it Before they start sending out spam.... :=) Pam Feix - I'm not sure what is meant by the term 'wool wax', but I suspect it is lanolin. I think lanolin is available at pharmacies in tubes (like toothpaste tubes). If not there, perhaps a supplier of soap-making materials would have it. Sue Ann - Your basket show plan is the best I've heard of yet. Thanks for sharing it with us. Well, fellow weavers, I'm a long way from ready for Christmas, having just found out that two of my siblings and their families will be coming here for Christmas Day. I'm really excited about it, but have a lot of things to do to get the sleeping spaces cleared out and set up. Not to mention that I still have several baskets to weave before then. So, that's all for now - hope your Holiday season is bright and fulfilling. Bert Comstock in sunny Independence, MO. (Still no genuine winter weather here.) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words V.21.67 Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 21:27:41 -0800 From: boitnotl@sensible-net.com (Larry T. Boitnott) Organization: Larry T. Boitnott To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone, Marty H. - At last writing I forgot to say that the story that you printed was a tear jerker for me, too. Thanks for printing. It was excellent food for thought. Pat M. - When I cut my willow in September/October and it has been sorted and bundled, I let it dry at least until May or June. I have never had to think about it because I am usually still using the last year's havest. In THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BASKETRY TECHNIQUES, by Sue Gabriel & Sally Goymer, "The idea is for the wood to do the maximum amount of shrinking without drying out and becoming brittle. Drying time will depend on weather conditions but generally between one and three months. Drying is best done outdoors to avoid causing too rapid shrinkage which can damage the bark:.........(pg.19) To mellow the willow is a process that I do after it has soaked for the allotted time ( usually one day for each foot the rod is long for barked willow). After the willow has soaked, I wrap it up in a towel or blanket that has been wet and rung out for a day or day and a half. Bobbie responded to your question about their web page. She loves to chat. Also, Pat, red is my favorite color of willow. Would you consider sending me cutting of willow later this winter? I would be happy to share some of mine with you in exchange. The color sounds beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing and peaceful harvesting. I had a friend share some cuttings of his corkscrew willow tree yesterday. Am anxious to see if it will grow. How were you selected to attend the Papal Mass in January? Nice to know that common folk will be in attendance. That's all for now. A blessed Christmas to all!!! Sue Ann Boitnott (Larry's other half) in Weidman, Michigan %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: tobacco stain Date: Tue, 08 Dec 1998 15:12:40 -0800 From: edwinb@erols.com To: "\"Weavers Words\"" Hello everyone, Would the person who sent the info to Weavers Words about Saint Julian -the patron saint of basket weavers- please contact me? This would be nice information to put in the newsletter of Deer Creek Basketry Guild and I didn't save it the first time. I would love the picture and the history again. Here is information about a home made tobacco stain; found it in a magazine at the doctor's office and cant remember which magazine now. It is for furniture stain but could be used on baskets: Break up one plug of chewing tobacco in a jar and add one pint of clear household ammonia. Cover the jar tightly and let stand for about a week. Wipe surface and end grain of wood with a damp cloth just before applying to ensure even penetration. Strain liquid through an old but clean nylon stocking and mop several coats of it on the wood with a lintless cloth. Allow to dry 24 hours. I hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday season. Nancy B. from Glen Arm, Md. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.