"Weavers Words" Vol. 3 Iss. 06 Date Sent: May 23, 1999 Web Page: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/ Subscribers: 1036 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, I would like to thank everyone who has purchased books through Weaver's Words Book Store. Now you can save 50% on all the New York Times Best Sellers. The address is: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/book.html Take Care, David %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 05 Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 01:11:46 -0400 From: "Donna Longenecker" To: "David Collins" Ann & anyone else interested - The Weaver's Friendly Guide to Pricing and Selling by the Davis' is still in print and available for $5.95. Donna bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Alaskan baskets Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 03:38:22 -0400 From: "Jayna Glemby" To: "David Collins" Hello everyone: My brother, at age 60, has gone on an Alaskan adventure! Most people slow down at 60, he chose an adventure! He will be in Fairbanks for 4 months and of course I asked him to see about getting me a basket, preferably by a Native American Indian. Does anyone have any advice as to where he should shop? He's willing....but of course, he's a terrific guy! He has been in all the other states, but Alaska and always wanted to go, so he took a summer job as a bus driver for a tour company. He is based in Fairbanks but will be traveling, so the suggestions do not have to be centered just in Fairbanks. Also, has anyone ever made the iris basket sold at basketpatterns.com? It's made from iris leaves. I've never used naturals and bought the pattern last year then forgot about it. Seeing buds on my iris made me recall it. Oh my, how many patterns have we all bought, and then forgot?? Since I'm a novice at naturals, any tips on this pattern would be helpful. I'm sorry to say, when the discussions get on naturals it just boggles me and I have no reference or understanding, but I read anyways and hope some sinks in. Some of you list plants and harvesting tips and you sound so knowledgeable, I feel like I'm in botany class. You are all so amazing! WW is such a grand learning tool. I was brought up a city gal (30 plus years) and have only lived in the suburbs for the last 15 years or so. During that time I've learned about birds and gardens, but the idea of going into woods and collecting naturals would be like saying I was going to Venus this weekend. I bought this pattern as it would be one natural I could 'harvest' right from my own garden and know what it was when I saw it. So, if you've done this pattern perhaps you might comment or email me directly. Thanks, Jayna In central MA where our April rains have finally arrived. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: RE: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 05 Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 06:22:56 -0500 From: "Lattanzio, Linda" To: "'davidc@iei.net'" Hello From Dallas - I've been lurking in the background for weeks. I really enjoy this forum. Here's how I printed the stain instructions. I just highlighted the text, copied and pasted it into a Word document, then printed it from there. I not only have the hard copy but a copy in my Word file. Hope this works for you. Linda Lattanzio %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Here It Comes Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 09:49:52 -0400 From: roman@tm.net To: davidc@iei.net To NATALIE BROWN: It's On the Way!!!! Your Basket buddy.....????? %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: (no subject) Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 10:16:17 -0400 From: cyousey@northnet.org To: davidc@iei.net Dear David through your WW I make contact with Becky in KS I wish to take a moment to thank her for her most gracious response to me. And the (extra) gift inside was just like a basket swap. Again thanks to WW for all the info. Connie %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 05 Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 07:38:41 -0700 From: Sharle Osborne To: David Collins I have few new baskets on my site. To view them you need to scroll down to the bottom of the page then click on New Basket Pictures. This is a non-commercial site. I just finished a twined cedar basket last night. I worked in some cordage from NE sweetgrass. It smells heavenly. After work on Monday I mailed my swapbasket from WA to WI and got an email that it had arrived Wednesday. Our intradistrict mail takes twice as long to travel one mile. Sharle Osborne sharleo@orca.esd114.wednet.edu http://www.olympus.net/personal/skoehler/bskt.htm %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: painting reed Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 10:47:07 -0500 From: cjc619 To: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone, A friend of mine who makes baskets had a question for me the other day that I thought someone here could help with. This friend is re-decorating her bathroom and is stenciling the walls, etc. She has made the "Flowers A' Bloomin'" basket which she wants to hang in the bathroom. She was wondering if it is O.K. to paint the reed for the flowers on this basket with stencil paint so that the colors closely match the colors on the bathroom wall. Has anyone ever painted on reed other than on a flat surface? I'm wondering if the paint might possibly chip off if the reed is curved into flower shapes. Any suggestions on this subject would be greatly appreciated! From Lisa Carstens in Hartland, WI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 04 Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 10:31:54 -0600 From: "Karen" To: "David Collins" References: 1 Hi guys! I haven't been writing much because I have this new job, and it seems like it takes my entire time. Oh, well. I'd rather pay the bills. Went gathering honeysuckle yesterday, and boiled it. I was amazed how sweet it smells. Need to get more today, so I can get enough to make something. It's easy to find this time of year. The flowers are in full bloom. I'd like to hear what experiences any of you have had with honeysuckle. Does anyone know how I can contact Judy Briscoe? I had a pamphlet from her, and I've misplaced it somewhere. I met here in Georgia earlier this year and need to get in touch with her. David, thanks for your comments regarding lowering the rhetoric. We have one thing in common, baskets and we just need to ignore some other things. Let's not destroy this list. One last thing, is anyone else jealous of Anne in Tassie? She has more experiences and opportunities. Make me want to pout!!!! She gets to do everything!!! No fair!!!! One more last thing, anyone know anything about when Stowe will be holding their session next year? I might like to make a vacation of it, but need to plan in advance. Karen in Georgia where on my mountain it was 49 degrees yesterday morning, but its really pretty warm during the day. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 05 Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 14:41:43 -0400 From: Pamela Woodbury To: David Collins References: 1 Hi Weavers, On the question of water based stain. I guess it has been answered and answered, but I have been weaving for over 12 years and selling baskets from day one. I know many of you think I shouldn't have started selling so soon and I really didn't plan on it, but every time I took a class and made a new basket and showed it off everybody I knew wanted one. Basically that is how I started making baskets to sell as I had taken the class just to learn a few basic baskets for myself. Anyhow I have tried almost every kind of stain and I always go back to oil based. Now I know there are people allergic to the oil base stains and for them using coffee, water based stain, walnuts, etc. is the only way to go, but for a long lasting stain I have found an oil based stain is the only way to go. I have scrubbed the baskets in the bathtub that have been up high on a shelf and gotten terribly dusty and dirty and I have even put baskets in the dishwasher and the baskets with oil based stain will withstand all of this. Trying to clean up a basket that water was the liquid used, it all runs out when you clean the basket. I ruined clothes washing some walnut stained baskets and I no longer will even consider anything but oil based. Also I agree baskets stained with a water based stain look dried out. As far as the complaining I love those who write in to complain about the complaining and ask everybody to quit complaining. Well you might as well ask us to quit being women. How many women do you know that complain. It is in our nature. Now I'll agree some of the complaints have been silly, but maybe that person just needed to get it off her chest. I suppose the few men on the list laugh when they see it and I'm sure they will laugh when they read this, but complaining is part of being a woman. I agree there are a lot of big problems in the world and a little mix up in a reed order is trivial, but who cares. If that person feels better getting it off her chest to us then let her. If a business does bad business maybe this is the forum to let other weavers know it. I'd more suspect we are going to drive subscribers away from this forum because of all the ones who just want us to think nice thoughts and don't want anybody to be able to discuss anything that might be a little controversial. I have had very good luck with all the basket companies I have done or do business with. Maybe I have been lucky or maybe I'm not as fussy as others. I make do with what I have and the basket looks good when it is done. Maybe I had to sand the handle a little or singe the hairs a little more than I should have but I guess I just try to believe that people want to do good business and didn't send bad stuff to me on purpose. In the long run I still get a nice basket out of it. I might next time I order say hey the reed I got last time was a little hairy. Usually the comment is I Know and I'm sorry but the entire shipment was like that and we have gotten a nicer shipment in now. Donna I have to laugh at you and Angie, I think when you created her you must have cloned yourself. I also have an Angie, but don't think we think as much alike as you two do. Too bad the public got stuck with Longenbergers rather than Longneckers. Billie I agree I know I am getting too old for this craft show stuff, but I love making baskets so what am I going to do with them if I finally give it up for old age? :) I always watch the Antiques Roadshow and must have missed the one with the $5,000 basket. Wish I had seen it. Someone asked a few issues ago about putting an original pattern bought from the author in a kit. As far as I am concerned once you buy the pattern from me you can do as you want with it as long as you don't copy my pattern and sell it as your own. I would be more than happy to have my patterns bought for kits and quite frankly when somebody buys patterns from me cause they are going to be teaching a class they are putting that pattern in a kit for their class. Pam %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Reed Size Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 14:43:41 -0500 From: "Kim" To: Hi All ... I found it very interesting to read about the problem one lady was having with some reed that was marked wrong. We've probably all gotten something we didn't like or was incorrect. What I think was sad is that the company she ordered it from was not taking responsibility. I was glad to hear that they finally agreed to take back the reed. However, because they had been so negative ... they permanently lost a customer. I don't recall the lady's name who experienced this, but she did prove a well known business motto "one satisfied customer will tell a friend, one unsatisfied customer will tell 10" I'd like to thank her for sharing her experience with us.. Kim %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 20:20:50 -0400 From: "MYLOIS@PRODIGY.NET" <"MYLOIS@PRODIGY.NET"@prodigy.net> Organization: Prodigy Internet To: davidc@iei.net Hi All: Had my first craft snow last Saturday and it was a gorgeous sunny, warm day. I did really well and picked up my 3rd store to supply baskets to. I have to do 10 baskets right off the top. I also have to weave 2 baskets for a friend I work with for her wedding and a special order for another friend. Just finished a basket my sister ordered. Busy hands are happy hands!! I officially opened my own basket weaving business. I went to the county building in Port Huron (yes, the Port Huron with the bomb found I the junior high and the 4 boys arrested) and filled out a dba form and then to the bank and opened a business checking account for the business. I am so excited -- have been working hard to get this up and running and it finally happened. Life is good! Myra Stutler mylois@prodigy.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: even in WW Vol 3 I. 05 Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 19:56:58 -0500 From: bscott@ma.ultranet.com (Beverly Scott) To: davidc@iei.net An Open letter to David and weavers, David, I congratulate you on your efforts to bring common sense to the writers on this list, but it made me really sad that this is necessary and I think it is too late. When this list started I really enjoyed the openness and good will of the weavers. I was very encouraged to find weavers willing to share ideas and help anyone with any weaving problems or difficulties. I have gotten so discouraged about the writings on this list over the past few months that I no longer look forward to a new WW in my mailbox, in fact, I read it with a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach waiting for the criticisms. I did not want to lose the connection to other weavers, but I always dread the unnecessary meanness that flies. David I would like you to take my name and email address off the list, so I don't get Weavers Words in my mail any more. I just needed to voice my disappointment with the way this list has turned out. Bev Scott, Berlin, MA %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 22:49:33 -0500 From: "tthompson" To: Dee in FL, thanks for your kind words about our web site. For the folks in Long Island who have contacted us via web site address, we are gonna give some serious thought to coming your way to teach classes. Will e-mail you personally with more detail. Thanks, Uncle Tom and Pam %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Baskets! :-) Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 09:37:01 EDT From: Arlo1225@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone! Wow what a busy month! Have fallen behind in reading WW and am just now catching up. Carolyn - WWVol3 101 - Loved the letter you shared - thanks! Lois - Can't believe the stories about your painting class! That woman shouldn't be allowed to teach! I would feel compelled to write to the organization that sponsored the class and make them aware of the situation. Hopefully then others would not have to put up with the abuse you experienced. Jean R. - Happy 20th! You have us beat by 1 year! Our anniversary is also June 6th! Many issues ago I expressed concerns about teaching my friend (who is deaf) how to weave - I am still not very proficient at Sign and I was afraid I would not be able to adequately explain some basketry terms - well - our time together was wonderful! We have so far completed 2 baskets together and have a list of supplies we need to order to make 4 more! It's great having someone to weave with! Okay now - all you lucky folks who were able to go to Stowe - please start sharing your adventures and basket pictures! Thanks! :-) I have received the most beautiful basket from my swap buddy - Judi S. from Ca. It's a coiled pine needle basket made from needles of a species of tree that grows only in southern Ca., and is stitched with waxed linen. It is BEAUTIFUL! Judi also packed a scented candle and many other goodies - thank you, thank you once again! Re: the next swap - the timing sounds ok to me, also the suggestion that there are 2 coordinators to allow more to participate. Just my opinion - I have not yet been able to volunteer to help as coordinator. Someday soon I hope I will be able to, but in the meantime, thank you to all who have volunteered - whatever you decide to do is fine with me! Please let's all remember why we participate in WW - our love for the art of basketry! We are fortunate to have the time, talent, and patience to create beautiful objects that are both functional and works of art. Through our weaving and teaching we are helping to keep alive an ancient art form and helping others recognize the beauty of basketry and hopefully gain an appreciation for the art of basketry. Let's not lose sight of this please. Finally, thank you Dave for this wonderful site! Your work is certainly greatly appreciated! Happy Weaving to all! Lesley in upstate NY where the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the weeds are taller than the flowers! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 02 Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 11:02:17 -0500 From: Roberta R Comstock To: davidc@iei.net "Weavers Words" Vol. 3 Iss. 02 Mary Lind - I don't know of any regular basket supply shops in the Kansas City area, but several of the members of the Woven Circle guild teach in workshops in their homes and sell supplies, patterns, books, etc. When are you going to be in the area? Billie - Your list of what to pack for shows is excellent. Thanks for the pointers. Bert Comstock, Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 03 Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 11:08:53 -0500 From: Roberta R Comstock To: davidc@iei.net "Weavers Words" Vol. 3 Iss. 03 To all of you who report on classes you've taken and interesting baskets you've seen. Many Thanks! These are the things that keep me inspired. Johanna Heller - Good dye tips! Thanks! Eileen - Thanks for the review of Craft Report magazine and the good web sites. Jean Reynolds - I think your kit idea is a good one. Why not contact each author whose pattern(s) you would like to use in your kits and see if it's okay with them? I would think that's not too mush different from teaching classes using patterns by someone else. I know that happens all the time, and that some authors will give you a wholesale price on the patterns when you buy multiple copies. Let us know how this works out, please. Regarding fescue and zebra grass for baskets, I have not seen either mentioned specifically. In general, leaves of grasses tend to be too brittle and not strong enough for baskets once they have dried. The stems are the part usually used. Sue Ann - I think we have been getting the rain you were hoping for. We have not had a decent time yet this spring when the ground has been dry enough to get the rototilling done. Total precip for the year is about 8 inches ahead of normal for this time. Cindy in Northern Illinois - I offered to run a swap in July, but after learning that Pam Feix was next in line, she and I agreed that she will go first and I will follow her. I don't think it's a good idea to try to run two different swaps at the same time. Having them more often would be less confusing. After Pam F. does a swap, I will follow her, probably starting the month after her swap ends. I'm trying to get a file together of who else is in line to take a turn at coordinating. When I get it sorted out, I'll post the list so anyone who got accidentally skipped can get put back on the list. But don't look for that until sometime in July. Bert Comstock, Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Made in USA Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 13:13:49 -0400 From: "Donna" To: "David Collins - Weaver's Words" Weavers everywhere - For those who have not yet came across this information regarding the "Made in USA" movement via the American Crafts Project, here's some information you might want to check out. Crafts Report has contained information about this and has a web site you can check out. Did you know that there is a federal law that requires "Country of origin" markings to be "indelible" and "permanent"? (Wouldn't that be a blessing for basket weavers?) The American Crafts Project is filing a complaint with the United States Customs Service seeking to strengthen enforcement of country of origin markings on imported items and the banning of paper stickers. There is a free seminar at the July show, Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia, July 30, 31 and Aug. 1 Protecting Your Designs Breakfast A panel discussion, chaired by Joel Joseph of the Made in the USA Foundation, will be held Saturday morning, July 31, at 8 a.m. in Philly. (You don't have to be an exhibitor to attend!) For free tickets, email: ProtectDesignsBreakfast@rosengrp.com (Donations at the door will benefit the American Crafts Project.) Also, a very interesting article regarding foreign knockoffs of crafts was contained in the "Connections" newsletter. You can get a copy by contacting: lindam@rosengrp.com (Linda McCormick) I am passing this information along for anyone who might be interested in looking further into this for their own benefit. Donna in PA where we are having the absolutely most beautiful day possible http://www.countryseat.com ctryseat@fast.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: aloha Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 09:04:24 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha from sunny (finally) Hawaii, but it is supposed to be a hot one! I thought the story about the L fundraiser was a hoot! I told the story at class last night and one woman said "Oh, I would have paid $40 to attend"--and we told her she might not win an L basket, she said it didn*t matter--at least she might have a chance. I cannot comprehend the fascination surrounding these mass made baskets. And speaking of class, does anyone have a suggestion about this? I have a weaver who talks continually. I have to check her rows, row by row..she needs to be reassured constantly. This is difficult to do when there are 11 other weavers, but I do try. However, chatting gets on the nerves of those who sit near her. Classes are very open and everyone talks about anything, but she never, never shuts up. How can I nicely tell her to hush? Bert, my trip to Molokai will probably be after school is out, but I*m working to catch up with my weaving (2 swaps, a swap and door prize for guild and class samples through August--and yesterday the ED of our council ordered another Girl Scout picnic basket) and have to concentrate on this GS training in July (so I can become certified)....and I*m wanting to open that neat table scroll saw I got for my birthday and cut wood!! (however, if I do it now, I will fall farther behind with those baskets).. Dollie--thanks for the idea of wrapping bells and stenciling strips in foil...I would have never thought of that. A few months ago, I wrote about some baskets I*d seen in a Better Homes and Gardens special publication. These baskets were (are) unique (lots have several pockets) and very, very expensive, especially for reed baskets. Gail Caron called to ask about having one made and was told there would be a $250 "set-up" fee (and what is that?) and $250 for the basket itself. Holy cow. In the latest COUNTRY LIVING, on page 25, she is selling a small round hanging basket (4.5" tall) with an very very rustic handle for $39. In the original article, it says she does a 7step finishing technique and since it is apparently a secret, she doesn*t say exactly what she does, but what I can figure is: she burns off the hairs with this large propane looking weapon (and the one she is burning is indeed scorched)--she then "paints" the entire basket by dipping it in a vat. When dry, it is dipped in natural walnut dye (which looks pretty dark), and then she rubs it off in spots to give it an aged look. Then she "coats the basket with a protective polyurethane finish". (that*s only 5 steps, so I don*t know what the other 2 steps are) So I*m thinking--since she is using natural reed, what effect does the paint have on the reed (and I*m wondering what sort of paint is she using? Oil? Acrylic?) and I*ve been taught to never using polyurethane on reed as it will dry out the reed. On baskets I*ve seen, the polyurethane seems to make the reed brittle. Does anyone use this? These articles are fascinating...especially the part where she sells these puppies for so much. But does anyone have some sort of intricate, multi-stepped finish routine? Although I disagreed with the weaver who wanted to be able to return the reed she opened (and found it was more 7/8 than 3/4), I do feel she had the right to question this on WW. It is weaving related and she did this in such a way that no one was condemned or insulted. I*ve never ordered from the company she named, but they did ask me to include them on the source sheet I give out at classes and I did. I*m a little confused about people who want to keep this list strictly "baskets", but yet fusses at someone who questioned a vendor. That seems to qualify as basket-related to me. I*m going downtown to see STARWARS at the biggest screen in Hawaii this evening...I*m excited (and I*ll be thinking of you, Darleena!) Lois %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW 31.05 Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 00:07:19 +0000 From: Tony Stubblefield or Dean Meredith To: David Collins/Weavers Words Billie in Va. - about clamps for minis - I am not sure if I know what suture clamps are, but I have seen vessel clips which are very similar to the mini (approx. .75") alligator clips I believe you can get at Radio Shack. I got my from Martha Wetherbee years ago and I assume Nate still sells them. Not to tease everyone, but I finally had a chance to take pictures of the "invisible" filling in on a ribbed basket. I have just started cropping the photos and I need to do a little drawing on them to highlight a few areas, I also need to write a text description to go along with the photos and I will be ready to post this on my web site. I will let everyone know when I have it ready. Thanks for being so patient. I am beginning to plan out my basket vacation route for the end of next month. I am going to stop at quite a few shops along the way. I am trying to make a list of what I am supposed to be looking for at each place so that as by the time I get to the last one I still have some money left. I am getting very excited. Later, Tony Stubblefield St. Louis, MO http://www.tetranet.net/users/deanandtony/baskets.htm %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: BASKET SWAP PICTURE Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 20:11:15 EDT From: DebGring@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone! Hope all is well with all weavers and list managers! David, the picture of the garden skep that Denise Beck sent me is hopefully coming with this e mail as an attachment. I took several pics and sent the one I thought showed off the basket the best. Finally rec'd information packet for the AMB convention and have been drooling over all the classes. This year (if I can go) will be the first big convention for me and I am defiantly looking forward to it. Of course I still love Winter Weave, and am looking forward to that too, but this is new and as yet untried! Who else is planning to go to AMB convention? Haven't been able to do much weaving this week. My husband and I cleaned house today....the down and dirty side of marriage! Got a lot accomplished, have more to do though. We put it off too long then do marathon cleaning. I do want to try a double walled basket this coming week and have some pretty space dyed reed to use for the inner walls. Also am going to try out the new driftwood stain I just got from Weavers Stain. Maybe Monday I can start. By then maybe I'll be done looking at the course book for the convention! I did finish up the basketmakers basket with the wooden partitioned base. It really turned out nicely. I stained it with oak Weavers Stain and it looks sharp. I didn't use smoked reed for the arrow weaving though, used aubergine dyed reed, then used the same color for the lashing around the rim. I like it. Please, lets control the complaining and fretting. Life is too short. This forum is basketweaving, doing it, loving it, talking about it. If you wouldn't say it out loud to the person, lets not say it here. If you have a problem with someone, talk to them, not to us. The problem will not be solved through us, but with open, honest communication with the person. Trust me, I know it is hard, but it is so good when it is resolved. A little sweetness goes farther than sour grapes and spreads better! Best wishes for all. Debbie Gring in NW Ohio, where it rained all day today, cleared this afternoon and if we are lucky may see the sun tomorrow. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Need your help Weavers! Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 22:52:29 -0500 From: "Kathie" To: Hi everyone! I've been in the background faithfully reading each Weavers Word and now I need some help from what I call my Web Pals. I love reading all your basket problems, questions etc. And I also learn a lot about everyone's personal life. Well now I have a personal request. My daughter had a beautiful baby girl last Thurs. 5-13 and today the doctors office called them and said her PKU Test came back in the above normal range and she would need to have another blood test done right away. It gets sent to the State Labs and results will be back in a week. I've read all about PKU in babies from the internet and I won't take up your reading time or space to explain, but I am asking anyone of over 1,000 of you to E-mail me direct if you have a child with PKU and tell me how to survive this so I might calm down about what MIGHT be ahead for my daughter, son-in-law and grandchild. The proper name is PHENYLKETONURIA. I know from reading WW that I really shouldn't ask this, but anyone who feels like it, add my dear grandchild to your prayers. I just hope the first test was done too early and the second test from today will show she is negative. Thanks everyone and keep up the happy thoughts on this web-site -- I look forward to each issue and wish I was more experienced at weaving to answer some of the problems that come up from time to time. Soon maybe soon.!! I've learned a lot here and can't thank David enough for all his hard work. I still think you girls should have kidnapped him and taken him to the convention!! Thanks again for reading this long writing. Detserb@hotmail.com Kathie A. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.