"Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 96 Date Sent: March 13, 1999 Web Page: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/ Subscribers: 971 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 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap Basket Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 20:15:47 -0600 From: Gary Dunham To: "davidc@iei.net" I received my swap basket today and it just takes my breath away it is soooooo beautiful. It is a replica of a fruit basket that Jean Weinrich had purchased at an antique show. It is so beautiful words just cannot describe it! I thank you Jean for such a truly beautiful basket. It has a place of honor, right smack dab in the middle of my coffee table! Happy Weaving, Cindy %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: bascats Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 20:19:57 -0600 From: "Austin Shontz" To: Hi everyone, Thought I would tell you about my bascats. I have an 18 pound American Bobtail named Leonardo who has only 2 toes on one of his big feet. Maybe some of you 6 toed cats can lend him a couple!!. We also have been adopted by a tiny black kitten someone dropped off in our neighborhood. Her name is Hijinks, and she lives up to it completely. Especially when I am weaving. They both love the round reed especially. It coils so nicely!! I also have my first basket (an elbow basket) Or rather, my mother does. Isn't it wonderful how our mothers just love everything we do, even when we get waaaaay past kindergarten? I will say also, that I have come a long way from that first. About sweetgrass baskets. We spend a lot of time in South Carolina and the only place that you can get the authentic coiled sweetgrass baskets is in and around Charleston, SC. There are still a few stands along the sides of the roads entering and leaving Charleston, and more venders in the old marketplace, but every year there are fewer and fewer. The young people don't have the time or patience to learn the old ways and the supply of sweetgrass and reeds is slowly dying. Progress, I guess. The last time I was there I bought a beautiful basket from a 89 year old woman who has been making them for 80 years. It is quite remarkable and very beautiful. She offered to teach me the technique but we didn't have time. Much to my sorrow. I love the weather reports from all over. I think everyone is longing for spring. We just had 14 inches of show dumped on us last week, but I think it will melt this weekend. Thanks David for letting us all pool our thoughts. May they all be pleasant and kind. Vicky on the Mississippi River %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: stuff Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 20:58:15 -0600 From: "Crystal R. Drenner" To: davidc@iei.net Hello, First I want to say, I am sorry for stirring up a sensitive area. But I was just expressing my feelings. We all need to do that at one time or another. I started weaving 10 years ago, as a way to relax, I was Director of Personnel for a large home care agency. It was a lot cheaper than going to a therapist. I left that position 3 1/2 years ago and I am now seeking my second college degree in elementary education. I still weave as a hobby and for friends. I don't weave that much because I am highly allergic to the reed solution they put on the reed to kill the bugs, etc. I have tried jersey gloves inside latex ones {I am also allergic to latex}, but that becomes difficult. Pets: I have a 6 month old miniature dachshund, a salt water aquarium, and a fresh water aquarium. Blessings to all, Crystal:) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Fwd: IMPORTANT Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 23:03:41 -0500 From: "Chris Baker" To: David Collins The following is a forward that I received from someone: I got a call from a man this weekend telling me he represented my bank and that they were having difficulty meeting requirements to be computer ready for Y2K. He said all bank customers would need to transfer their accounts to a bond account specially designed to protect our money until the bank could fully comply with Y2K requirements. He then said to verify that he was talking to the proper account person I needed to confirm information about myself, my account numbers and then give verbal authorization to transfer funds to this specially designed account. I don't trust folks who do this kind of thing so I asked him which of the banks I use did he represent. He was not able to do that and hung up at that point. Please pass this info to friends or family because this is a huge scam that is going on all across the country. Some people would be scared to think they would loose all their money (which he said was sure to happen if I didn't do this now) and would supply the information without first checking this out. I notified the Phone Company of the call - since I have caller ID, I could give them a number but the identifier just said "out of area". It came from a 248 area code, which is around Detroit. Anyway, just passing this along so you'd be aware and beware. Have a good day. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 22:48:51 -0800 From: "moonweaver" To: davidc@iei.net Hi David - fellow weavers - new comers!! Anette - Thanks for sharing your information on your basket cards. Wonderful idea! I have been tagging my baskets with pieces of cut out birch bark attached with raffia - hand writing all those tags has been a real pain. I won't copy your wording - but if you don't mind I'll use your idea. Pam W. - What type of birch bark baskets do you make? I agree fully with you on your actions toward those who go to a juried show or any other with items not made by their own hands - then displaying them or informing people that they themselves did in fact make them. You are right in pointing these vendors out to committee members. Natalie & Lois - found both of your comments in the last issue very welcome! I think our right to freedom of speech is something one should cherish. Also wouldn't it be rather a boring world if all of us thought the same, felt the same, and spoke the same? Would this also mean we would all weave the same????? Karen in Georgia - I weave with naturals - birch mostly. I embellish feathers or other things on to or into my work. I have found many natural materials to be compatible with incorporating into other reed baskets also. Just let you imagination go girl. Bert - thanks so much for the wheat weaving information. Can't wait to check out the site. Gail C. - you said you had goats - do you milk?? Last I want to wish to all of you health, happiness, a big smile, and supple fingers for weaving!!! Chrys from Northport Washington MoonWeaver Basketry We're seeing signs of a much welcome spring. Garden weather can't be far off now. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Thank You Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 21:54:40 -1000 From: Joanne Howard To: "Collins, David" Hi Everyone, Mahalo(thank you) to all of the great people that wrote in all of their helpful hints for wooden base weaving. Your tips have been invaluable. I have woven a few Nantucket's and the rimming info has been a real life saver!! On my next attempt, I have some great helpful hints. I have also gotten a great response concerning Drakes Cakes and Wise Chips. You all are so great!! Lois and I had a fun time at painting. That Ring Ding (I brought a thermos of cold milk) was out of this world. It was my first one I think, in 7 years. I just had a Yodel that Lois also put in the bag and I had forgotten how good they were. If I had a camera with me at class the other night, you all would have fainted at the sight of Lois with marshmallow fluff all over her face!! What happy campers we were!! I probably didn't look any better with chocolate all over my hands. Our painting teacher has a lot of patience with us. Actually she is younger than we are and if she gets cranky we just tell her to be quiet!!! I hope all of you woodworkers out there have some advice for my husband Steve and me. We just recently purchased a scroll saw so that we can cut our own wood embellishments of our own designs for my basket tie-ons. I think Steve might like to try his hand at making my bases (not Nantucket) but we are unsure of the tools necessary to do this. We were told we needed a router but we don't know what bits or special tools might be necessary to cut the grooves in the bases. I am hoping some of you can shed some light on this for us before we spend mucho bucks on tools. Hope I can keep up with all the WW's that have been coming fast and furious. It has been fabulous!! Anette: thanks for the basket tag info. I think it is great info when giving or selling a basket. Thanks for sharing that idea. Gotta run and pick up my daughter at the school play. Take care, until next time. Aloha, Joanne %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Retayne & stuff Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 09:34:20 +0000 From: wanda crist To: davidc@iei.net Hello fellow weavers- Once again could someone either e mail direct or post the address where to order from?? I've also looked back through and can't find Amy's post about weaving a basket for the teacher to keep? Amy could you e mail direct with your thoughts or let me know which WW to check back with?? Also some time ago - someone was looking for boats. I know of two: Susan Vogel has a rowboat, which was fast and was a very nice basket; East Troy Basketry has a larger basket, which has shelves in it. I think you can get both of these basket companies through Weavers Words Links!! Everyone have a great time at the conventions!! Lori %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Misc. comments Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 10:31:27 +0000 From: Tony Stubblefield or Dean Meredith To: David Collins/Weavers Words Hello All, I promise this will not be as long as my last posting! Carolyn - I am so glad you found your Nantucket baskets before they were pitched! Ever since my parents had a house fire, thank God nothing valuable was destroyed except the roof on the 2nd story, I have had a fear of what would happen to my baskets in a fire. Well obviously they would burn up if left inside, but I think about which one I would grab as I run from the house with a little black cat (Irena - 12 yrs old) in tow. Joy Moody - I have not tried John McGuire's Carve & Scarf, though I have seen pictures of it. I am pretty handy with a draw knife anyway, but the reason I use the belt sander these days is that my rims are pre-bent into a circle. I only taper the ends after I fit the dry un-scarfed rim on the basket and mark the overlaps. Like a using a draw knife you have to get used to the "feel" of the sander and how much pressure to use. Hannah - Good luck with the Nantucket purse. You should have a very busy weekend ahead of you, but you will have a great time. Oh, if you want to see what a quadrafoil pattern looks like I have 2 Shaker baskets on my web site that use it. They are on my Shaker basket page: http://www.tetranet.net/users/deanandtony/shaker.htm Anette - I love your "care instructions". That is all I do for my antique baskets. I may lightly mist them with water during the winter, especially if there has been a lot of fires in the fireplace. I never recommend that anyone "wash" a basket. While this might work on reed, it would destroy an antique basket, or even a new brown ash basket. Ash can absorb so much water that the basket would swell and warp beyond repair. On an old basket if you don't end up destroying it you are washing off the patina with gives the basket so much of its charm and value. Bert - A 21-year-old cat! That's incredible. Growing up we lived on a very busy street and then out in the country, neither of which were very good for the longevity of pets. My cat is around 12 and that seems ancient to me. Bob - As I have said before I don't peen over my rim pins and I have never had any trouble. I do want the pins to go as far into the rim as possible without going all the way through. The additional 1/64 of an inch and "mushroomed" tip of the pin is not going to create a significant increase in strength for the basket. I took a class to make a 20 inch oval Nantucket and we didn't peen over the pins. It really is personal preference. Ok, so maybe this was pretty long. I guess I am just really long winded. Take care, Tony Stubblefield St. Louis, MO (were they are predicting 6" of now for Saturday and 60 degree for Tuesday, go figure that :-)) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Dyed cane Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 07:24:27 -0500 From: Judy Clark To: davidc@iei.net To Gail Caron - It sounds like you're doing one of those Judy Wilson buttocks baskets. I made one and it's one of my favorite baskets. It took me forever and I sure wouldn't give it away. What a nice person you must be. I got my cane from Judy already died. It didn't take the color on the shinny side but you weave so the other side is always out. You make a twist on each turn so the died side is always out. Hope you understand what I'm trying to say. If not email me and I'll try to explain better with Judy's directions. I have her pattern. Judy use to sell kits. She even started the baskets for you. I think she got tired of doing them after about a billion and went on to waxed linen baskets. Judy in cold but sunny Mason, Michigan %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: ww V.21.95 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 09:05:44 -0500 From: Maggie Silva To: David Collins Bert--Yes, I did weave a basket from my reindeer antler. Because the antlers are more or less flat, it is slightly square and shallow, just the right size for the kitchen counter. A place to toss all of those things that "I will put away later". Anette--Thanks for sharing your basket tags. What a great idea!! Nantucket rims: How wonderful that we all have found different ways of rimming the baskets. When I teach, I tell my students to find something that "works for you". My way is "right" for me, but not necessarily "right" for anyone else. I usually use half-round reed, shave with my shave horse (or finger plane on the tiny ones), then, after leveling and cutting the ribs even, I fit and adjust the rim. I GLUE the inner rim in place with tacky glue, clamp with clip clothes pins and sit back and relax until the next day. I do the outside rim in the same manner, making sure that the rims are even. I find that this works well for students, who may not get their rims level the first time, because a little hot water will soften the glue and allow for rim adjustment and enable them to successfully complete a basket without a major catastrophe at the finish. (In my first instruction booklet, I taught that the rims MUST be nailed in place first. Then I discovered how much easier glue made my life, and especially that of my students.) After my rims are set, I sand until smooth, and sometimes if the mood strikes, I will use a stain marker to color the rim. After lacing, I pin the rim. Because of the manner that I do rims, the E-pins are decorative only. I use #20 pins and do not usually have them go through the basket. I keep 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" pins on hand at all times. By using half-round rims, the pins may be set with needle-nose pliers and almost pushed in without using a hammer. When I use cherry or other hardwoods, I use my Dremel, drilling almost the length of the pin. Where to buy pins in bulk? E-mail . That is Gardner Screw in Gardner, Mass. They carry all sorts of wonderful brass items that basketmakers love i.e.: all sizes of E-pins, nuts, washers, and will also be able to tell you where you can buy a die to thread pins and make your own accessories for attaching swing handles. Hi to Dianna in Indiana! Maggie Silva in southeastern MA where 5 bluebirds arrived yesterday morning! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 95 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 09:28:55 -0500 From: Joanne Jackson To: David Collins References: 1 Hi Everyone, I haven't contributed to this wonderful WW for a long time and think it is about time I do so. Our computer crashed and I lost a lot of WW that I had not had time to read:-( To those of you who asked about "juried shows" I will tell you from first hand experience (I sponsor a show) I require photos and a complete description of the craft and if when we jury I have any questions I call and talk to the person making the craft. It is really hard sometimes to tell what the product really looks like form a photo. One way that you can be sure of a shows integrity is to go to the show before you apply and see first hand. I have sponsored my show "Santa's Bag" for 15 years. Being a basket weaver I feel I am probably more critical of crafters than some one who just promotes a show and is not a crafter. Pam: I would like to see a copy or get a copy of Tender Hearts so far I have never had anyone with those baskets apply to the show. I have true a basket weaver, Mary Smith-Stokes. The swap sounds really interesting. I have just been taking classes at conventions in materials that I can't or never would want to gather myself. Planning on doing an oak basket with Betty Curry at Spring Event next month. Wanted to take another basket with Judy Briscoe but her class was full on Friday night. I have made 2 of the large baby cradles I used a pattern written by Sharon Wright. I don't even know if the book or pattern are still in print. You could check on basketpatterns.com or maybe Donna or Angie know. Both of these cradles were made with love and given as our sons and daughter-in-laws had their first child. Each of them were boxed and taken with me, to California, on the plane as part of my luggage! A friend painted on them to match the decor of the room and we had a mattress made for them also. Both first grandchildren were girls so they now have there dolls in them. One granddaughter is going to be 13 and the other will be10. Everyone lucky enough to be going to the Indiana Convention have a great time and enjoy all of those wonderful classes. The advise that has been given to first time attendees should be well heeded by them because it is an awesome experience to go to a convention for the first time. I had a note this week that John McGuire had a snowblower accident and lost the tip of his index finger and injured the 2 next to it. Have any of you gals working on the IBA Convention heard anything about him? I see he is going to be a vendor at your convention. That's all for now. Joanne from Marshall Michigan, waiting for spring to happen! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 95 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 09:58:27 -0500 From: jbenner@juno.com To: davidc@iei.net HI All, So many thoughts and so little time. First I want to tell someone who would understand (like you guys) the big thrill I've had. Thurs night I taught my first basket class! I never intended to be a teacher or do this, it just happened. The daycare owner of the school my granddaughter goes to has been so good to me. She knows I can't afford the tuition, so has dropped my fee to a ridiculously low amount. At Christmas I had made baskets for all Hannahs (my granddaughter) teachers. They all loved then and this started the daycare owners (Janet) interest in making her own baskets. Several teachers own Longebergers and this gal paints so would like to make the baskets so she can paint the lids. Well, I told her that I'd help her with anything and when she didn't understand some of the directions in a kit she asked for help. BTW Thanks Angie for your help with this gal! I told her I'd help her and before the day was out she had 3 more teachers that wanted to learn. So, in exchange for all her savings I took a bunch of my considerable stash of reed up to the daycare Thurs night and we made modified napkin baskets. They had side handles and base fillers and they all ended up looking so different! It took us from 7:00 (Well really 7:30 till we got started) to midnight. One gal had to get up at 4:30 to be back there by 6am. Thought we should have made it an all nighter. (G) IN any case, I didn't charge, just wanted them to see if they liked it and hook new weavers in.... They wanted to pay but I said no. So Fri I take Hannah in and not only were those who participated excited but so were the other teachers who didn't do this. They were kicking themselves when they saw what their friends had made. I was told even some parents had asked if I'd do another class so they could come. Now of course they all said this time we MUST pay (I agree) but how much? How does one decide what to charge? I don't want to make money on this. I really enjoy just encouraging others and sharing my limited knowledge. What the heck, I'd love these guys to take classes from MY teacher (Hello Laurie if you are reading this) but I guess my schedule is more flexible than the community college. So is there a formula to know what to charge? Oh yes, Fri afternoon when I went to pick Hannah up, there was a card in her bin. A lovely thank you from the teachers and a note saying I will be receiving a 40.00 gift certificate from the Country Seat in the mail. What a bunch of sweeties! I know this has been recently noted BUT once again, I've not remembered it all. The Creative Carryall basket by Terri Olli. Is there somewhere that I could see a picture? I tried Country Seat, but it wasn't listed in their search. Also my teacher was teaching a Provender basket. Is there a picture of that somewhere? I can't believe this but somehow I've lost the pattern for the "cute little seagrass tote". I had printed it out from I think Baskets of Joy a while back. Ah well... I'll keep looking through this mess... BTW David, I tried to access the forum again, and this time it popped up perfectly. Go figure! Well, I'm pumped and ready for a new swap. I'm so sorry I didn't participate in the last one. Time and burnout from all the Christmas baskets I guess. But i"m ready whenever the next one comes about. Take care and happy weaving to all! Judy Benner Well, I guess that's it for now. I'll stop blathering. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: misc. Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 10:59:13 -0500 From: "Angie Longenecker" To: "David" Hi all, Winnie - try Royalwood for waxed linen. They have anything and everything! We don't carry any waxed linen or the patterns for it. It's def. a specialty if you want to do it right. My mom has ordered spools of different colors and 2 kits from Royalwood for me as presents. I've used the waxed linen in different projects and started a twined basket, but haven't had the time to tackle the kits yet. Maybe I'll take them on the plane for my honeymoon! Gail Caron - The bark side of the cane (shiney side) will take some dye, but usually not as much as everything else will. You might want to try using bleached or Hamburg cane as weavers. This cane takes a stain or dye very well. I use it all of the time to lash and to weave (esp. very small baskets). It's also very flexible. Pam - way to go! I agree completely that imports have no business at a craft show. Juried or not. Crafts shows whatever the level should be just that - handCRAFTed by the person selling. Karen in GA - If you want to use naturals as embellishments - try weaving a round reed basket with a couple rows of grapevines, willow or any vine type plant. We have a Canadian weeping willow and the branches are very strong and do not become brittle after drying. I use this willow for dream catchers, accent in round reed and rings for handles. Or weave the whole basket from vines. Try a ribbed style basket, this also works well for accents or an entirely natural basket. There are many people out there that only weave with gathered materials. Try the book - Baskets from Nature's Bounty. It's a great book with lots of patterns and gathering information in the front. Carolyn Corbett - my market style baskets always have a slightly peanut look because that is the way I like to weave! I don't weave straight baskets. I like them to curve and bow and move. The markets always have some degree of "buttocks" shape to them. Don't think your first basket was in any way wrong! It's just your style. My mom weaves with very straight sides, so it's personal, not hereditary or learned. Hope everyone's keeping warm! I'm freezing in PA, Angie The Country Seat http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Another Lurker emerges from hiding! Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 10:31:42 -0600 From: "Don Walworth" To: Hello, all you wonderful weavers, and David - what a great job you do, with your whole website. Thanks!! It's always a pleasure to find WW on our e-mail. I've been weaving about 7 years, starting with a class at Fun-Ed in Dallas, TX. Teacher was Barbara Keller. I haven't heard about her since the classes, so I hope she's still weaving and teaching. My baskets are mostly very basic - round and square shaped woven with flat reed. I hope to learn more advanced techniques - naturals and waxed linen especially - in classes at upcoming gatherings and conventions. We retired last year and are planning to do a lot of traveling as soon as our ex-Greyhound bus is converted to a motor home. (Should be within the next month). I'm planning to go to the Spring Event in Clare, MI - can't wait - it'll be my first! My thoughts and prayers are with you all, especially those who are having difficulty in their lives. Hope to meet many WW'ers in my travels Pat Walworth Gilmer, TX %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Seaweed and Creels Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 08:45:15 -0800 From: "Anne Boquist" To: "Weaver's Words" Hello Everyone, Quite exciting to see MY name on Weaver's Words, with a question I can actually answer! Angie in PA -- Seaweed is like anything else really, except that it has a mind of it's own. It needs to be gathered already dry, or just about dry off the beach, and kept dry until you're ready to weave. I use 2 types mostly, bull kelp and walking stick kelp (that's the stiff thick black stuff that washes up after a storm in our neck of the woods). I have had success drying the long skinny ends of bull kelp successfully from a fresh state, but it always turns black. I've tried everything over the years to try and dry the "heads" (the thick end) with no success. So summer time is the best, but a week or two of dry weather in the winter helps, the stuff is sort of freeze dried and has a different consistency but it still works. For bull kelp, I soak it in warm water just until pliable. Sometimes it only takes a few minutes, sometimes longer. I usually don't stray too far from the sink because if keeps absorbing water until it's mush -not attractive! Not to mention the INCREDIBLE amount the whole thing will shrink and your cute little basket turns into this unrecognizable mass. Also, because of the shrinking, I haven't had any success combining other materials with seaweed. When you're drying your basket, don't let it dry too fast, It shrinks more and gets quite brittle..too slow and they go moldy. I start mine out on a slatted shelf by the wood stove and move them around quite a bit. Sunny summer days outside is OK, but bring them in a night. Practice makes perfect. Yes, they smell, but not once they are dry, and it's kind of pleasant once you get used to it. Unfortunately, my "studio" is my kitchen and weather permitting in the yard. My family hasn't complained for years, (unless I bring in a bad batch) just guests that tend to wrinkle their noses. That's OK they don't tend to stay long! I oil them when completely dry with Watco oil, or teak oil and recommend occasional oiling with lemon oil on my basket tags Kathey Ervin--I've made quite a few creels from roots and seaweed. Being self taught, I probably couldn't follow a pattern if I tried. I just wing it, and start over if I don't like it. I'm in the process of making one now with bark and stitching. I love creels and have several old ones in my collection. thanks everyone Anne in Sooke %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 95 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 12:20:12 -0500 From: Pamela Woodbury To: David Collins References: 1 Hi Weavers, A question for you E-Bay addicts. I went on E-Bay to see exactly what it was. Actually I had sold some sports Beanies on it, but had never bought anything myself. I looked through the basket listings and there are no pictures. How do you know you are actually getting what you think you are getting. How do you know if it is an import or what. I saw 3 sweet grass baskets with the bidding starting at $21 and thought to myself they would have to be imports?????? Pam from Michigan %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Fw: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 95 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 13:44:29 -0500 From: "Donna" To: "David Collins - Weaver's Words" Carolyn - If you have a favorite supplier, and who doesn't, you certainly are entitled to your opinion and allowed to mention it. Sometime ago, wasn't there a tread going where people were asked to write in and mention who their favorite supplier is? Certainly people will not ignore other vendors just because you mentioned one specific one. Gail - Re dying cane - Grace Kabel recommends boiling cane in a dye bath to get it to accept dye (except Hamburg cane which takes it quite nicely.) Bob - "Basket Totes to Weave" has been out of print for quite a few years. Being a paper back of only 23 pages, I don't know if any of the book searches will bother with it. Maybe someone has a copy they would part with??? Winnie - We don't carry any patterns for waxed linen as we only carry the natural buy Royalwood has some really nice ones with pictures on their website. I got Angie 2 for her birthday last year from them. Bert - Having done a lot of woodworking in earlier years, we have successfully bleached iron (rust) marks out of oak wood by using household bleach 100% on the stain. You must be careful to do the entire area as it will lighten the surrounding wood. There are also commercial wood bleaches available from woodworking sources. (However, I have not been so lucky with rust stains in fabric) >From sunny (today at least) PA where they're still not sure how much or when the snows are going to hit. Donna http://www.countryseat.com Check out our new online searchable catalog with shopping cart ctryseat@fast.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: NCBA Conference; patterns Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 10:51:50 -0800 From: "Dolores" To: "David Collins" Hello everybody, I do wish some of you who are so good at referring to names and items would tell the rest of us how you manage to remember! I often think I could respond to someone's comment or query, and then time goes by and I forget! Anyway, several things. First, the NCBA Conference. Am I correct in thinking we are going to add a red ribbon to our nametags? Does anyone know the hotel well enough to indicate a restaurant or bar or gathering spot where we could meet, say Saturday at 7:30, just before the business meeting and raffle? Second, patterns. A problem I find is that when I write a pattern for a class, I do a lot of helping and explaining which might not be in the pattern for someone who wants to buy (or borrow) a copy. (And yes I say this to them!) Further, I teach a lot of the same people who know my teaching and writing style well enough that a lot of vagueness may exist which isn't immediately apparent. All of this to wonder if we could have some kind of pattern reader exchange? I have some nice baskets but hesitate to apply for the pattern room at conferences in case my friend-readers and I have missed the obvious! Any suggestions? Next, double wall. I agree with the suggestions so far. Don't know if they have double wall, but I find the patterns by both Judith Olney and JoAnn Kelly Catsos to meet my needs whether or not I take a class with them. Further to making a double wall. Whether the bottom be twilled for a solid (which is usually my preference) or made with one piece(s) on top of the other, as in Lynn Siler's Spiraling Double Wall, mark the bottom not just at the corners, but use a ruler to pencil across all four sides. This will help to ensure that the measurements don't slip too much. Give yourself plenty of space to work: the outer side will be laying flat out for a long time! Remember that the inner basket will become a form and work to make it as accurate as possible. With this inner basket (as with many others) try weaving the first row from the inside (rough side of weaver to the inside) turning up the corner spokes and clothespinning about 1.5 inches from the bottom. I don't upsett the side spokes until I begin the second (sometimes third) row, turning and working as usual from the outside. When the inner basket is completed, begin building the outer basket as with a Nantucket, bottom up, which gives better control. (You can sometimes use a bucket or bowl or a Nantucket form to hold the basket upside down.) At some point you will be firmly against the inner basket and can pick up and carry on as usual. And finally, I too am basically on the side of more basketry, less other. However, it does remind me of taking classes where one can listen in or turn out as desired! Take care, everyone, and may the road rise up to meet you, etc. etc., come the 17th! Dolores von Rosen %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: wooden bases Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 14:23:11 -0500 From: gatsby@larck.net To: davidc@iei.net I don't remember who asked originally but I make my own wooden bases for my baskets. Although I usually have a pretty perfect fit, I have used my awl to make the slot a little bigger when the reed wouldn't go into the slot. I just ran it around and around in the slot. It worked. That doesn't help if the slot is too big however. Someone asked about double walled patterns. I did my first one from Lyn Siler's book Handmade Baskets. I was able to figure it out on my own so it can't be too difficult. I have my first basket, a market, that I made in an adult ed. class. I used to carry my tools in it when I taught my classes so my students could see how my first basket turned out. Fortunately, it didn't scare any of them away. Dot in Maine, where the snow is starting to melt so there will be more room for more on Monday. Some day the ground will show and the flowers will think about coming out! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 93 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 14:10:59 -0600 From: Roberta R Comstock To: davidc@iei.net "Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 93 Kathi Calvert - When the reed is too thick to go in the groove on a basket base, you can sometimes flatten it by pinching with pliers. If that's not enough, try sanding it or shaving it gently with a sharp knife blade. Also, remember that wet reed swells, so if you insert your spokes dry, they may go into the groove easier. Joy Moody - On identification of your sumac: Staghorn sumac has fuzzy bark reminiscent of the 'velvet' on deer antlers. If the bark has no fuzz, it smooth sumac. Both are ok to handle. The red berries have a tart flavor and were used to make a drink similar to lemonade or hibiscus tea. We used to suck on the berries, but didn't actually eat them as they are mostly seed with a fuzzy sour coat - no flesh to speak of. Sumac bark is a good source of tannin for dyeing. I think the roots would be good for basketry - they send out runners that start new 'trees' and you could collect quite a lot of them without harming the stand. (By the way, most of the rash causing poisonous shrubs and vines in the US - poison sumac, poison ivy & poison oak - tend to have white berries.) Bert Comstock Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 94 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 14:12:20 -0600 From: Roberta R Comstock To: davidc@iei.net "Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 94 Kathy from No. Central Ohio - Is there any chance you could send a photo of the phone book baskets to David for the WW web site? They sound fascinating! Carolyn Black - Glad to hear your mother is doing better. Mindy Lower - I think you are the first person who has explained (to me) that the pins hold the rim on a Nantucket basket. I recently bought a couple of small molds, so that is valuable information! Thanks for pointing that out. Diane in Kansas - I just occurred to me while reading about your unsatisfactory first basket teacher, that maybe the reason she avoided answering your question was because she didn't know the answers. If she only knew the patterns for baskets she taught and never did any experimenting or making up her own baskets, that could be the case. Bert Comstock in Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: stuff Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 15:41:46 -0500 From: roman@tm.net To: davidc@iei.net Greetings from Midland Michigan. More snow and no flowers. Boo Hoo. To Gail Caron: When dying cane it will look splotchy on the cane side. When you come to the rim you must go over and twist so the colored inside is exposed on all rows. This is also true when weaving with natural cane on a rib basket. You must twist every other row so the shiny cane is exposed on every row. A very narrow seagrass work well to fill in more quickly and blends nicely with #O or #1 r.r. It also is very good for the quarter and half fill required for a rib basket. The seagrass turnbacks are almost invisible. I borrowed my Mothers "Christmas present" so I could weave in the living room and watch some T.V. A Quilters self heal mat is WONDERFUL for measuring and laying spokes, and protects good wood tables. Travel Projects: I recently had need of a project for the airplane. My Twill Babies kits from Patti Hawkins were fabulous. I started the project ahead and woven up to the top as we flew. First Basket: Dear Jean Cadmus-May was my first instructor. Somehow we both lived in Logansport Indiana at the same time and I signed up most enthusiastically for a class. I was the only one who showed, but bless her heart, Jean did a one-on-one class. It was a rib melon basket and took my a FULL 4 hours. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you dear Jean. I GREATLY appreciate your willingness to promote basketweaver even when it's one person at a time. I also remember Jeans excitement about Indiana Convention that year. It was to be in Fort Wayne. I remembered and went to my first Indiana Convention the following year at the 4-H Leadership camp in Lafayette Indiana. We were a rugged bunch, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. My first exposure to Mary Hetts. Until then I was bound by symmetry and precision. Mary made us reach into a bag without looking and get a small piece of driftwood. Three ribs were already attached and we had to DEFY our urges to make everything the SAME. I also did an Easter Basket with a braided border. It was Sunday morning and I didn't have a CLUE. I was a teachers nightmare, cause I just didn't get it. A year later I took out the pattern and figured it out. Last but not least the cats in my life are Purina Cat Chow - Rikki Tikki Tavi - Tetris - and the unnamed and therefore named Black and White. We consider them angel cats because when someone most needs a bedside companion, one is usually on duty. Also at bedtime prayers for my youngest son a cat is usually watching over us. Come on IBA Convention! Kristin in Midland %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: This & That Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 15:21:05 -0600 From: ANDREA & TOM OKEEFE Organization: SAVANNAH HOUSE To: davidc@iei.net, coltsfan@usa.net Hi Everyone from Sunny and Warm Palm Island, FL Sorry I haven't written in a while - thought I had but on checking I realize I must have has a "lapse" again. Barbar Ten Thumbs My condolences. I know what you are going through as I lost my beloved husband last May. I think you are doing marvelously well. Beverly, thanks for your concern. I have wonderful friends and neighbors here on the island that have sustained me thoughout. I've enjoyed reading about all the cats. I have two Maltese who are both smaller than cats - the big one is 7 lbs. and the little one is just a tad over 4 lbs. The big one acts like a cat when it comes to reed. Every time I uncoil a bunch he manages to get in it and play. He loves it. The little one is smart enough to stay clear as I'm whipping it around in all directions. Am making progress on my first and last Nantucket tapestry purse. Have the rim on the bottom. My teacher says I have about another 6 hours of work on it before I'm through. I will survive. I will survive. I will survive. I will finish it. I will finish it. My daughter's wedding is in 5 weeks. I will survive. I will survive. I will survive!! Andrea Palm Island, FL %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 18:46:37 +0000 From: wanda crist To: davidc@iei.net Fellow weavers- Hope someone out there can help. I have woven two different baskets, both somewhat (16" & 10") tall and the body of the baskets were woven with 3/16 fo and on the other 1/4 fo. One had apuch in handle and the other woven on a 8x20 D. On both baskets, I had trouble with them going in; the corners were not a problem, but the side view of the basket they went in. Any ideas as to why? and perhaps how to correct the problem. I have woven both baskets before and not had any problems. Thanks in advance for the assistance!! THINK SPRING!! Lori in Illinois %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: misc. Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 16:44:32 -0500 From: "Jocelyn Levan" To: Hi David & Fellow Weavers, I can't believe how fast the WW are coming lately - I can't keep up! I'm slowly preparing for a show I have in April, but having a very difficult time fitting in weaving with my other jobs. Sometimes in the evening I just can't get motivated - once I start on a basket, I'm fine. The starting is the problem. I do have a question for others who do shows. What are some of your best selling baskets? I'd like to make some that seem to be popular sellers in other areas. Beverly in MA - we've been to the Outer Banks about five times. We usually stay on the northern beaches around Ocean Sands, although this year we will be a little further south in Duck. The only basket place I went to was Carolina Basketry in Bern, but that is over 3 hours away. The owners were absolutely wonderful people - even gave me several things for free! Pets - we have one very friendly barn cat that would like to be a house cat (his name is Mango). We also have two dogs - a German Shepherd/Husky mix and a black Lab/ Border Collie mix - also outside dogs. Along with these we have five goats that are pets. I used to breed them an d milk them, make cheese, etc., but developed carpal tunnel. So I gave up milking, had both wrists operated on, and have felt wonderful ever since (surgeries - 2 years since left wrist, 7 years since right wrist). Sometimes my wrists/fingers get tired after a lot of pulling on lashers, but not even close to the pain/numbness/tingling before. My prayers and thoughts are with all who have had struggles lately. Even though many of us have not written in to specific people, we are still thinking of you. Preparing for the huge snowstorm heading our way tomorrow - brought the wood in for the woodburner. It's hard to believe after our sunny mid-40's day today, but they finally are starting to give prediction of no less than 6 inches for central Pa, our heaviest snow for this very mild winter. If we do get hit, there will be no work for me on Mon. - I work in a school district - so I'm ready to weave the day away! Lyn Levan %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 95 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 20:08:16 EST From: DeeGrin@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and fellow weavers, Wow, David, we are really keeping you busy. I can't keep up! You are doing a great job as usual. Remember the first of the year when you were worried because no one was writing in?? Great weaving info lately, especially Tony - thanks for all the detail. Good to hear from Joy Moody again, you couldn't have said it better. When I entered nurses training 44 years ago, ( boy where does the time go?!) they told us never to discuss politics, religion or sex. Was good advise then and now for the weavers word. I will be busy for the rest of the month with my two granddaughters and their Mom & Dad arriving tomorrow and then leaving for the N.C. convention. Will try to wear a red ribbon or a red W somehow so can meet other WWs. We just hatched out 8 baby chicks in the incubator with about 5 more to go and bought two 5week old baby pigs today. With twin ship, a calve, roosters, hens and cow we figure we don't need any toys to entertain our 3 1/2 year old granddaughter. Thanks again to all those that took time to write all the helpful tips on rims etc. I prefer not to use glue unless its absolutely necessary, but that's an individual choice. Someone mentioned an oriole basket, I still have mine and my original grapevine egg basket. Forgot the period of basketmaking when I did ribs and the oriole. Did an herb basket with ribs remember I finally resorted to glue. Gave it to my daughter and every time I see it at her house I admire it, but remember saying I would never make one again. Didn't know at the time it was ok to use glue. Didn't really know it was used on rims until the last few issues. I know it will take me forever to catch up on the issues in two weeks. Dee Grinenko in Sunny Fla. where I raked up 12 bags of leaves this week. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.