"Weavers Words" Vol. 3 Iss. 03 Date Sent: May 12, 1999 Web Page: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/ Subscribers: 1029 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. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Hi Everyone, First off, at the request of a subscriber and with the permission of the Weaver's Stain Family I have placed Weaver's Stain Staining Tips on the Weaver's Words Bulletin Board for easy access. Do view the tips go to the following address: http://www3.bravenet.com/forum/show.asp?userid=zb101628 I've noticed lately that some of the postings have become at little harsh. I stated at the beginning that I would never censor anyone's postings and I still stand by that. But I think that many of us are guilty of typing things that we wouldn't say to the person's face. It's much easier to email complaints than confront someone in person. So all I ask is after you type something, think to yourself is this the appropriate format that I should be doing this. Many of the postings lately have scared off new subscribers. I get many new subscribers and after they read the first issue that they receive they quickly unsubscribe. With over 1000 subscribers there's going to be many people who will not agree with your feelings and problems begin to snowball. Please just think before you type. Maybe the best recourse will be to email your complaints directly to the person you are complaining to. Next time you think that you've had a bad day read the following story: An accident report from the newsletter of the British equivalent of the Workers' Compensation Board. This bricklayer's report is a true story. Dear Sir: I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block No. 3 of the accident report form. I put Poor Planning as the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation, and I trust the following details will be sufficient. I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new, six-story building. When I completed my work, I found I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later were found to be slightly in excess of 500 pounds. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley which was attached to the side of the building at the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding is tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks. You will note in block No. 11 of the accident report form that my weight is 135 pounds. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel which was now proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed. This explains the minor abrasions and the broken collarbone, as listed in Section 3 of the accident report form. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until my fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of the excruciating pain I was now beginning to experience. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50 pounds. I refer you again to my weight. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and severe lacerations of my legs and lower body. Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin its journey back onto me. This explains the two broken legs. I hope this is a satisfactory explanation. Sincerely yours, Name withheld Take Care, David %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Dying Reed Date: Sat, 8 May 1999 07:32:58 -0000 From: "Steve & Johanna" To: "David Collins" HI; I've been lurking but haven't written for over a year...I finally couldn't resist offering my tips for dying reed that doesn't run or bleed onto the natural reed in your basket - or your hands, etc. This is the "formula" Linda Arter and I have worked out over the years using RIT (or any other fiber dye) Wet the reed you are going to dye. Make sure that the water is boiling - (We add the dye just before it boils and stir well) Add the wet reed to the boiling dye bath and turn off the heat. Soak the reed until it reaches the desired color. (don't crowd the reed and keep stirring it while it soaks) Remove the reed and spread to dry. Let it DRY COMPLETELY... After it is dry, rinse in a container using cold water. If there is considerable color run-off, dump that container, fill with cold water and a good amount of vinegar and let soak for about 45 minutes. Rinse again and let dry before using. This has worked for us. I can't give exact measurements on the vinegar because we do such large quantities. We usually dye the reed in beer kegs over a butane burner in the yard. When we rinse, we use those enormous round tubs you get at Wal-Mart and if we need to use vinegar, we add 1/2 to 3/4 gallon to the tub. We haven't had as much success with Procion Dyes...but found that they don't come off your hands easily...even with bleach...hence the weekend we spent at the basket festival in Northern Va., with RASPBERRY hands....(yes I have heard about rubber gloves...lol.) We don't use Procion much anymore...its not as readily available in the quantities we need as RIT. And Rit does make the colors that match everyone's current decorating scheme...thereby making the baskets more sellable... Hope this helps someone... Johanna Heller www.basketsupplies.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 02 Date: Sat, 8 May 1999 10:27:24 -0400 From: "Donna" To: "David Collins" Cindy - The Twill Baby necklace kits are available in our online catalog and come with pre-dyed reed. For anyone who already has purchased a kit, we now have refills available (all the ash with pre-cut spokes and wax linen required, minus the mold, instructions and tools). They come in natural ash with dying suggestions to personalize your own necklace. They, too, are with the kits in the online catalog. What a great birthday present, I'm sure your daughter will enjoy it. By the way, hate to keep plugging, but Splint Woven Basketry is now back in stock. It has been reprinted in it's entirety and includes about 10 pages in color of a variety of weavers baskets. Also, Basket Making by Olivia Barratt is now available in paperback. "Smootie"- that is still the current email for Carol that we have on file. We have no notes on file so it mustn't be bouncing back for us. I'll make a note to tell her you're trying to contact her and forward your e-mail address to her if that's ok. Donna in cool, rainy PA http://www.countryseat.com Check out our new online searchable catalog with shopping cart ctryseat@fast.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Will the snow go? Date: 8 May 1999 15:32:46 -0000 From: "J. Choate Basketry List" To: List Member J. Choate Basketry List - http://www.corecom.net/~choatepp I know what you're thinking, can't this woman make up her mind? First she is complaining that it will never get here and now she is complaining that it will never go away! When I left for Seattle to teach a class on April 30th we had a little frozen precipitation falling in Talkeetna and I thought, "well a little more won't hurt." A little more ended up being another fourteen inches! Mud, slime, slop, Talkeetna is not a pretty place during breakup. But after, now that's a different story. Someone said that Alaska is like childbirth - 90% misery and 10% ecstasy. Well, I'm up for the end of labor and on to the glow of birth. In the mean time we have been hard at it getting orders filled on baskets and plotting and planning for the trip down the ALCAN (Alaska Highway). We've decided to go soft on this Midwest Antler Basketry tour and have invested in a travel trailer. Guess I'll have to save the tent for winter camping with the dogs. Speaking of dogs we've got two more! Moon and Frazier have joined the pack and that puts us up to fourteen. Fifteen if you count the "fat dog" who is the only one who will be traveling with us this summer. We plan to be on the road and headed in your direction about the middle of June and we sure are looking forward to it. We're still scheduling for the "Headin' Back East" tour in 2000 so if your group is interested in having us share some tales of Alaska next summer and weaving up an antler or two let us know and we'll get you lined out as well. Until we see you on the trail.... Jill Choate Talkeetna, AK %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Grandmother basket Date: Sat, 8 May 1999 08:37:34 -0700 (PDT) From: Carol Miller To: davidc@iei.net To Jennie and everyone else interested in the grandmother basket. It is a very nice looking basket. The weaving takes a very clear mind! Don't weave on one of those days you are in a slump. A very good point to remember with it is not to get frustrated, a lot of concentration is needed the end product is well worth the effort. I had to put mine down a couple times and come back later. I wove with 11/64 the beginning was a tad difficult. To all interested in a challenge get the pattern and try it! Carol in Montana %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: JoAnne Russo's baskets/other basket stuff Date: Sat, 08 May 1999 11:58:19 From: Eileen To: davidc@iei.net I've' admired JoAnne Russo's baskets for a couple of years and purchased one of her ash twilled bowls at a show last year. She won the award at the A.C.E. show in Evanston, IL for the second yr. in a row. There was also a very nice article about JoAnne in the April issue of The Crafts Report. I can't say enough about The Crafts Report, especially if you are really interested in being a businessperson in the art world. They are the best magazine for the full time or part time artist. Their magazine has come a long way over the 15 years that I've subscribed to it. It's now a nice glossy magazine with lots of very helpful articles. Folks were asking about setting up at shows recently. Well there was another article recently about setting up a booth and also the proper behavior at your booth. They have a web site to check them out - http://www.craftsreport.com Single issue is $5. and a yr. for $29. money very well spent. In the Sept. issue they will be featuring baskets in their new column In Sight. For those of you who haven't been able to get either of these 2 magazines that have been talked about with JoAnne's work there is another place on the internet to see her work besides the ones that Sussi Nuss mentioned. Go to - http://www.guild.com/ and you can purchase some of JoAnne's baskets along with the works of Jackie Abrams, who does paper baskets or Stephen Zeh, from Maine who does wonderful brown ash baskets. There are 7 pages of baskets for sale from many basket makers along with a lot of other artwork. If you'd like to see some great Japanese bamboo baskets check out the basket exhibit at The Textile Arts Gallery located in Santa Fe, NM or at their web site http://www.textilearts.com/ Eileen Romeo, MI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Bluegrass Area Basketmakers Seminar Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 22:39:52 -0400 From: Jeff J Braunscheidel To: davidc@iei.net Thanks to everyone who so quickly got me the information about where to write to get the information about the seminar. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: stuff Date: Sun, 9 May 1999 00:38:30 EDT From: CHobbsNANA@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone-just need to respond to a couple of things. About preventing you dyed reed from running, go to the fabric store and buy a bottle of "retayne". Use a capful in your dye water. It works. Noresta-thanks for the "sticks." It has provided several of us with conversation on what these things were for, and finally decided they were for runners on the bottom of our baskets. There was something else I was going to respond to, but this senior is having a "senior moment!" Clare, in central Indiana, where the weather is really getting nice! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Fescue, Zebra Grass Date: Sun, 9 May 1999 11:40:32 EDT From: RcpJean199@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net CC: RcpJean199@aol.com Hi all, I am just chock full of questions and comments this time. I usually keep a low profile but here goes! Can anyone recommend a book that might discuss the use of Fescue or Zebra Grass in the process of basketweaving? I have a small shop and have had a customer request something along that line and I am at a loss to suggest a book. Next, my husband and I will be staying at Atlantic City for our 20th anniversary on June 6,7,8,9, and will be taking day trips on both Monday, the 7th and Tuesday the 8th. We are going to try to visit The Country Seat on Tuesday but would be interested in any other basket shops in the area. My husband is willing to drive me any reasonable distance as he loves to explore new areas. Last and certainly not least, I have both a comment and question on the pattern issue. For starters, I have never and would never photocopy someone else's pattern. However, I would like to make up kits for those patterns that I carry. I would naturally buy the patterns from the author and include them with the completed kits. Is this a conflict and am I setting myself up for a lawsuit? Feel free to answer privately at my E-mail address or directly to the list. I would be buying in groups of 12 per pattern. I personally think that airing out the problems created between Di and Pam have a place on this list as it gives a better insight of what is acceptable and what is not. I realize that common sense should prevail but sometimes there is a thin line between good business and good ethics. I don't think Pam ever meant to hurt Di and the hurtful things that were said could have been avoided if handled in a more professional manner. I am in the middle of the road on this issue and would gladly do business with either one. Thanks again David for everything. Jean Reynolds Reynolds Country Place in lovely downtown Plympton, Massachusetts RcpJean199@aol.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Spelling error/WW Date: Sun, 9 May 1999 18:52:09 -0400 From: "mkoch" To: I am sure all of you figured out that I meant Ourka Blackburn from Restoration Products paints like an "angel". Not a gel. I guess I need to proof my posts....... Yesterday, I observed the IBA 2000 basket jurying. The baskets were fantastic. The selections made were great!!!! Wait 'til you see the convention book. The committee worked very hard. Kay & Fred Kohler were gracious hosts. Thank You, Thank You Kay & Fred. Bye for now, Dollie Koch %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: weaving Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 08:42:23 EDT From: DebGring@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone! I've been busy the past few weeks and haven't written in, but have been reading every issue! Some week's back there was talk of making twill babies, intrigued, I bought a kit from Gratiot Lake and made it last weekend. I am not real fond of making small baskets, but once I stopped making stupid mistakes, it went well. The kit was very nicely put together and everything was in it that you need. The instructions were very good also. The one I got was black and natural, I guess they come in other colors too. I was really proud of it and took it to work with me to show it off, they (non-basket weavers) said oh, how cute. Then one of them said, you could make a bunch of these and sell them for maybe $10 even! I told her that since the kit cost $20, and the time in making it, I wouldn't sell it for less than $50 or more! LOL!!!! Isn't it funny how people with no idea of what goes into something can think they are saying something nice and encouraging. She thought she was saying something nice, but didn't have a clue as to what she was talking about! I can laugh about it, because it happens to all of us sooner or later! My parents got home from Fla. mid April and brought me a gift that my unobservant (normally) father found, it is a mini egg basket, made by a lady in Ky. for a handcraft gallery in Berea Ky. I know I could never do this, the weaving is so fine! The reed looks much smaller than #1 round, must be 0 or 00 if there is reed that fine. I am not sure what the God's eye is made of, but it is perfectly done. So, there is hope, dad did a good job this time! He is learning! Now someone in Canada say around Alberta area, be looking for a package this next week, I am going to the room to finish it soon, will stain today and hopefully get it in the mail on Thursday of this week. Not sure how long it will take.......I wouldn't think more than a week anyways. Everyone take care and hope you all have safe and happy weeks. And David, thanks again for this forum and your work to make it happen. Debbie Gring in N.W. Ohio, where today the birds are singing, the sun is shining, and the temps are supposed to get to the mid 70's and I have the day off! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 07:32:35 -0700 From: "Larry T. Boitnott" Organization: Larry T. Boitnott To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone, I had an unexpected opportunity to participate in Spring Event'99 hosted by the Traverse Area Basketry Guild in Clare, Michigan two weeks ago. I took Loraine Zielinski's Autumn Leaves Gourd class. I learned so much. Both the class and the conference were well worth my time. Hats off to Linda Flinn and the guild for all their hard work. I will be looking forward to next year's Spring Event in Grand Rapids, MI. A few months ago someone stated that they wished there were more basket conferences to attend in the summer. My friend Mary S. and I have organized a small gathering for August, 1999. Mary Hettsmansperger will teach a beading class and a gourd class. Jodi Shebester will be teaching a bamboo basket class and your choice of two Nantucket baskets. For more info e-mail me at the above address or call (517) 644-5435. Also, the info is to be listed on the Events Calendar of WW. I have a new patch of 88 willow cuttings where to date it looks like all but 5 cuttings are doing great. And in my old patch, some of the plants have in excess of 100 rods starting to grow. It is a good thing my husband is putting in a new well for me because so far this spring we have not received sufficient rain. I am experimenting with my old patch this growing season. I did not harvest some of the shortest, smallest rods. I want to see what leaving them for another growing season will produce. I am hoping that the plants will be stronger even though it means loosing a season's growth of new rods. Sue Ann in chilly Weidman, Michigan where we are slowly starting to plant flowers and praying for rain. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: staining tips? Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 10:07:48 -0400 From: "Ingram" To: David, Several times a staining tips sheet has been mentioned about the Weaver's Stain spray. Is it possible to have a copy of these tips posted on Weaver's Words? Or have I missed it? Since so many of us apparently use this product, we could all benefit from it, if the Weaver's Stain folks wouldn't mind. Just a thought... By the way, I took the spelling test and missed eight. Not too bad for a special ed. teacher?!?!?! Thanks! Leigh in Laurinburg, NC %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 17:06:52 -0700 (PDT) From: Jackson Manchester To: davidc@iei.net Hi, I have been reading Weaver's Words for awhile and have just sat back and listened and absorbed all of the information that I could. This is a fantastic column and my friends and I are grateful to have this kind of forum. There is a portion that does really bother me though. There is one person that writes in that badmouths other weavers. Two issues back she talked very specifically about a weaver she met while doing a craft show. She was a new weaver and was talking about starting to sell them. It was so negative that it really bothered me. And quite a few of the things that this one person writes in is so judgmental. If that "new" weaver receives this forum and reads it, how do you think that she might feel. I think that we should really try to support each other instead of criticizing. I guess that was just my general thoughts and I just couldn't sit back and not say anything. Melodie Manchester Kissimmee, FL %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW / Tips and relative search Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 19:38:20 -0500 From: "Patricia Steinmetz" To: David Collins Hi, I attended a juried art show this past weekend. Lot of neat stuff, but only two basket makers. Both had some really unique and different baskets. Also saw pottery bowls (baskets) with reed weaving incorporated at the top of the basket. Very different. The artist told us that before she dyes her read, she washes it in soapy water first to remove the chemicals. She says that the reed takes the dye better. She gets a much richer color. She claims it also reduces the problem of the dye bleeding when she weaves with it. I have not tried this. I generally don't have much of a problem with bleeding. But I think I will give it a try to see if I can improve the intensity of my colors. I also have a question for weavers in Michigan. I am looking for a basketmaker by the name of Linda Thomas. Actually, Thomas was her maiden name. Don't know her married name, but I do know that she is married to a minister. They have at least one son. They live somewhere in Michigan. If anyone knows her, or Linda, if you are out there, get in touch with me. I am your cousin Patti. I believe that her mother also weaves. Her name is Betty Lou Thomas. I have not seen either of them in many years. Our families are not very close. Email me through Weavers Words and I will send my snail-mail address. Happy weaving, Pat A day without sunshine is like, night. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 22:24:37 -0400 From: David & Ruthanne Morningstar To: David Collins Hi WW's People: It's Dandelion time folks. So, get out there and pick those wonderful Dandelions and make that Dandelion Jelly. I gave the recipe last year. It's easy, full of Vitamin C and tastes rather like honey. I've made two batches. Does anyone have an easy, tried and proven, recipe for Dandelion Wine? Lois: I've been making Back Packs since the 80's. I've found, the bigger you make them, the more you put in them and the heavier they are. I've made them in all sizes. Most of the classes I teach are the smaller size and the Shaker-Tape version straps work fine. Students can make whatever size they wish after they learn the basics. I've purchase good, heavy straps from L.L. Bean. They don't list them in their catalogs, and the last time I ordered them was in 92, but the medium harness is number 553685 and comes in dark green. The larger harness (which is what I think you would want) comes in a brown and is Order number 553677. They were $6.95 and $ 8.95 +shipping. Again, this was in 1992, so I'm sure they've gone up. They were of very good quality. I've since turned to leather straps for the larger back packs which a friend of mine made until recently, but John McGuire sells an excellent strap that I've purchased for $39.00. Good luck! I recently attended Spring Event in Clare, Michigan, which was sponsored by the Traverse Area Basket Guild. It was very well organized. I made some great baskets, one an Oak Shopper with Betty Curry. I've never worked with that type of Oak. I used to attend the McColley's school in W. Virginia and split my own out. It took you three days just to get enough to start to weave a small basket. With Betty Curry, she had it all ready (it's done differently) and I wove a great basket in 2 hours. On Saturday I made an Antler basket with Judy Briscoe using naturals. They were both very good teachers. Instruction was good and they were delightful to boot. The "L" Baskets - All of you who attended the Spring Event I'm sure noticed the gals selling the denim clothing with the basket emblems embroidered on. For those who haven't seen these items, they are very well made denim Shirts, Dresses, Overall, Jumpers, vest, etc. They embroider (with a machine) baskets on them and they are very attractive. Well, I purchased a denim shirt and wore it the other day in our local grocery. A lady that knows me slightly, but knows I'm into a lot of different things, said to me. "Oh, do you do Longaberger Baskets too?" I smiled, and politely said, "Oh, no. I make Real baskets." Since this experience, I've worn this shirt to a garden club group and was asked the same thing. After my response, there's a slight pause, hesitation and then a puzzlement on their faces and then they say. "I like the Longaberger baskets, but they're all rather a like, they don't have individuality, they're so expensive, . . . etc" "That's because they're made in a factory on a mold and nailed together." We're winning folks, just hang in there! (Interesting to note - Has anyone noticed that the spell check does not recognize Longaberger in their dictionary? At least mine doesn't!) Ruthanne Morningstar from sunny, warm Dryden, Michigan. Where the wild Dame's Rockets are almost ready to bloom and the dogs find it great fun to torment the raccoons, snakes, bunny rabbits, etc. David & Ruthanne Morningstar Dryden, Michigan Mstar@mich.com dmstar@CompuServe.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Just a Suggestion (Swaps) Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 22:58:19 -0500 From: Gary Dunham To: davidc@iei.net Hi! Our numbers have grown. We are well over 1000. I agree, it is up to the swap hostess the number of people she wants in her swap, but could we have 2 swap hostesses for the next swap? If both hostesses limit it to 100, that still is 200. We'll just have to remember which hostess we contact for the swap. Bert-You said you were hosting the next swap, which is in July. I don't know if there are any other people on the waiting list to host a swap, but if there isn't, I'm more than willing to be the other swap hostess for your July swap, if that's okay with you. Cindy in Northern Illinois Where I'd rather be weaving but have to finish a wedding quilt first! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Shows and other things Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 15:39:11 -0500 From: "Bonnie Fanning" To: "Weaver's Word" David & all, Billie - Thank you for the list of things to take to shows. I thought it was very helpful. I will be going to my first show this year with another weaver and don't have a clue what to take. This will be a real good start. I agree with you on the spelling test. I thought I knew how to spell and was surprised! Along the same lines, a few WW back, someone thanked several people who had sent in what they took in the line of baskets that sell well for them and how many. Did I miss that in WW or did they all e-mail directly to the person who asked? I think it is fine if you e-mail directly to the person who asked the question but I think basketry questions that would interest others should be shared with the rest of us also. With over 1000 subscribers, anything pertaining to baskets will probably pertain to more than one person. Just a quick dog training story. We had a male Doberman and kept one of a litter of pups we had from him. The one we kept was a male we named Howie. I was driving back and forth to work some 40 miles before we moved to the area where my husband was transferred and took Howie in the van with me. After about the third day, he started to whine like he had to go the bathroom about halfway to the office. The third day I let him out to go, it took me about 20 minutes to get him back in the van. Well, I bought a collar and leash and solved that. The next week there was a beginner dog training class advertised in the paper, so I signed Howie up. Even though he was only 4 months old, they let him stay in the class because he was so large. The first night we went to class, all the dogs and owners, around 25, walked in a big circle in the park. After two times around the circle, Howie laid down and wouldn't get up. I didn't have the heart to yank on his choker collar hard enough to hurt him, so we went home, having flunked out the first night! Both of the Dobermans we raised were so intelligent that they pretty well trained themselves. Thanks to all those who share their vast amount of knowledge here. I very much appreciate the time and effort you take to pass what you have learned on to others. Bonnie from central Illinois where it just clouded over and looks like it will rain. Bonnie Fanning The Fountain Creek Peddler ftcreek@net66.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Fw: Gas Out Results! Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 10:42:35 -0400 From: "j.carreon" Reply-To: "j.carreon" To: "David Collins"