"Weavers Words" Vol. 3 Iss. 113 Date Sent: March 06, 2000 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1333 David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Phone: (317) 899-5747 Fax: (520) 222-0391 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 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% The Basket Bookstore Stop by "Weavers Words Basketry Bookstore" for a great selection of basketry literature & save up to 40%. Over 40 titles to choose from. The address is: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/book.html %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Earn $0.50/Hour By Surfing The Net From AllAdvantage.com: http://www.alladvantage.com/home.asp?refid=BOK567 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Attention New Subscribers You can search Weaver's Words web page and back issues by going to Weaver's Words web page (http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/) and entering your search criteria into the PinPoint search box. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Attention AOL Subscribers For some reason some AOL subscribers haven't been receiving Weaver's Words through email. If you are one of these subscribers, or know one of someone who has not been receiving Weaver's Words, you can get all of the issues on the Weaver's Words web page. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Picture('s) Added To Web Page Since The Last Issue Dolores Gatz's-----Japanese Flower Knot Basket Learned From Keiko Tadeka %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: AT LAST!! Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2000 22:43:13 EST From: "K A" To: davidc@iei.net YIPPIE !!! AT LAST EVERYONE HAS THEIR SWAP BASKETS!!! This was a long hard swap, but in the end it worked out just perfect. Delores you should pat yourself on the back!! JOB WELL DONE!! Now if I could only get up enough nerve to enter one of these swaps!! Soon - real Soon!! Kathie A from Michigan where it's getting a "little" warmer this coming week. It'll be in the 60's when we leave for Florida - never fails. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" swap Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2000 21:27:51 -0700 From: "Rae Hunter" To: "David Collins" References: 1 I got a parcel card in the mail today and I was too late to go into town to see if it is my swap basket. Since I am not expecting any other parcels I really think it is and now I am excited. I have to wait until Monday to get to the post office. I'll let you know for sure. Just too excited to wait to tell someone. So now you get to wait in anticipation with me. Cheers Rae %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaver's Words 31.112 Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 07:58:13 EST From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net, ccuppbaskets@rica.net Cathy Cupp, Interesting that the Smithsonian is doing a hands on weaving caning exhibit for the children and I can certainly understand why they don't want to use water and real cane for the weaving. As you adeptly explained, this weaving material is to be used over and over. It's terrific that you will be doing a similar program at your historical landmark. H. H. Perkins is the only supplier of plastic cane that I know of. Here is their address and phone number H. H. Perkins 10 South Bradley Road Woodbridge, CT 06525 1-800-462-6660 Email: hperkinsco@hhperkins.com Website: http://www.hhperkins.com/ The plastic cane comes in a cream color, in medium and narrow medium, and possibly other sizes. My recommendation would be for the larger medium size for use with the children. It does not require water and can be pulled apart fairly easily, although it will leave marks where it has been woven or completely bent over, nothing major though. The major use of plastic cane is in weaving cane seats for canoes. I have woven several of them and also showed canoe makers how to do their own weaving. It's a bit tricky when it comes to tying knots, because it is slippery, but other than that, a very nice material to weave with. I don't recommend using it when you want to reweave an antique chair though, because it is not authentic and would stand out like a sore thumb on a beautiful antique piece. The reason it is used on canoe cane seats is because it is a very elastic material, impervious to water and mold, so on the canoes, it's a perfect material. I always keep several hanks on hand in my shop, because there are a lot of canoe makers around here in southeastern Minnesota. Happy Weaving! The Wicker Woman Cathryn Peters/Zumbro Falls, Minnesota Wicker restoration specialist, basketmaker, teacher, author. Visit my website http://www.wickerwoman.com/ http://wickerwoman.listbot.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter on wicker repair, seat weaving and basketry! Email: Wickrwoman@aol.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 112 Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 14:01:49 EST From: Caldesigns@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Linda, was nice of you to compliment me on Weavers Words. I could tell from your first class with that you were a "natural" when it came to basketweaving! Good to hear you are now teaching too. The best compliment this teacher can have is to know she has passed on her love of baskets and teaching to one of her students! Carol in Carlsbad :) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: NCBA Convention Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2000 22:07:18 -0500 From: "Sidney W. Safrit" To: "Collins, David" Hello to Everyone! I have been a lurker for about a month. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts, tips and wisdom. Thanks David for putting this all together for us! To Fran Steidel: I will see you at the registration desk to get my red ribbon to wear at the NCBA Convention. Is there any way that all of you who will be attending the convention could send a message through WW so we will know who we will be looking for with a red ribbon? This will be my first basket convention. (I'm getting excited!!) Since I have read your names here, I would like to meet as many of you as possible. Who knows, we may share some classes together. I will be at the convention from Thursday through Sunday. If anyone is interested in sharing schedules with me, you may e-mail me directly at ssafrit@ac.net or through WW, whichever you prefer. The only person (besides Fran) I have seen who has confirmed she will definitely be at the convention is Marianne Barnes from SC. Looking forward to meeting some of you! Darlene Safrit Troy, NC (It's been a cool rainy day with sunshine peaking through in the afternoon.) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Curry baskets Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 21:06:53 -0800 From: "M. L. Ames" To: "Weavers Words" Welcome back Jayna, hope you continue to get better each day. I attended and taught at the Missouri convention last year, and squeezed in as many classes as possible in my free time. I took two from Betty Curry. I was not offended that she branded my baskets, as I felt it added to the tradition. She told us that her family has been making the same white oak baskets in the same way for three hundred years (I hope I have it right.) And the materials were all completely prepared for us. I am not used to that at all, as I gather and prepare my own plant fibers for the most part. It was an honor to be in her classes, I am thoroughly enjoying my two baskets, and I would recommend the experience to everyone. Kay Harradine %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Question Date: Tue, 02 Jan 2001 16:45:12 -0500 From: Ruthanne Morningstar To: davidc@iei.net Hi All Weavers, To Phillip Allen - Yes, the question was directed to all WW's subscribers. Thanks for your answer. Basket Bash 2000 is filling up but we still have room for more if you're interested. We're going to have a great time. For more info. contact me. The Bash is set for April 7, 8 and 9 in Mayville, Michigan, which is in the Thumb Area. Ruthanne Morningstar, Dryden, Michigan where it's way too early for this Spring weather. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 20:27:44 -0500 From: " " To: davidc@iei.net Hello I have been reading WWW for some time now and decided it is time to introduce myself. I have been a basket weaver in the Norton Shores, MI area for the past 12 years. I have taught basket weaving in the Community Education Program of our local school system and in my workshop, designed patterns, and sell supplies under the name of Summer Meadow Basketry. Summer Meadow Basketry began 8 years ago as a means of offering quality supplies to my students at a local level and the business has grown over the years even though our hours were quite limited because I also had a full-time job. I decided to take an early retirement January 1, 2000...... my dream come true......all the time I wish to devote to basketry! The first 6 weeks of my retirement were spent learning web page design and designing our website. It is now up and running (even though there is much more to do on the site). We feature a free pattern to be changed periodically would love to have you visit our page and let us know what you think. The address is www.summermeadow.com Jackie Carlson Summer Meadow Basketry basketmaker@earthlink.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW/Stain Question Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 21:48:26 -0500 From: "mkoch" To: Hi everyone!!! To Answer the question regarding Stain & Food Use: If you use Weaver's Stain on your basket; once the basket is thoroughly dry, usually24 hours, the basket is NON-toxic. However, I always use a cloth in my basket if I am placing food in it. Mainly to protect the basket from, grease, fruit, etc.... Hope to see many of you in a couple of weeks in North Carolina at convention. Happy Weaving, Dollie Koch %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: False alarm Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 00:24:40 -0700 From: "Rae Hunter" To: "David Collins \(Weavers words\)" We are still going to have to wait in anticipation. The post Notice was for a book that someone borrowed and returned. That is also good. Basket still coming. I will be away from home from Wed. until Sat. I hope it gets here before I leave. If not, we wait until next week. I will let you know. Cheers Rae %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW - Devil's Claws Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 08:02:50 -0500 From: "Sarah Stoddard Watts" To: I was searching Ebay for some basketry related items, and I ran across some Devil's Claws up for bid. It reminded me of this forum since there was some discussion on this subject a few issues ago. If you're interested, just enter "basketry" in the search box, and you will see the auction. The listing has a lot of information on the plant and its uses, and it has a low starting bid. Hope someone finds this of interest. Sarah Watts in beautiful, balmy Savannah, GA ... %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: "Plastic cane" Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 08:52:21 -0600 From: Dianne Gleixner To: "'ccuppbaskets@rica.net'" , davidc@iei.net Hi Cathy, I just read your post on WW looking for "plastic cane" for a children's project. I wonder if you could use the plastic lacing that is so popular these days. Kids make necklaces, key chains, and other stuff with it. I've seen it at most craft stores, and it should be by the beads and other kids crafts type items. It's available in lots of different colors, and usually comes in hanks of about 5-8 yards or so. It's about 1/8" wide or so. I hope you know what I'm talking about. If there is something out there that is really called "plastic cane", I don't know what it is and don't recall ever seeing it in any suppliers catalog. Hope this helps. Dianne in SE WI where it is supposed to be near 70 today and tomorrow! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Stuff Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 09:13:01 -0600 From: Tony Stubblefield To: David Collins Carol - about "basket oil" - The basket oil that Nate's Nantucket/Martha Wetherbee sells, and the only kind I have ever used, is basically a mixture of boiled linseed oil and odorless mineral spirits. It is an approximate 50/50 mix, but it really doesn't matter a whole lot. I have used straight boiled linseed oil before and it just takes longer to dry. Tung oil, I believe, is much thicker and takes a good while to dry. I use the basket oil in my Nantucket classes for the bases and handles and it dries within a material of minutes. Phillip - Great description of Artist vs Craftsperson. I wear both hats sometimes. The waxed linen, knotted baskets I make and most of my pine needle baskets I would consider "non-utilitarian" and therefore art-pieces and in those instances I tend to call myself a "fiber artist". While my other baskets I don't really expect someone to "use" as I wouldn't use a $100+ basket to hold a potted plant, still have a utilitarian form. Sue - about the MO convention book and TV commercial - Thanks for the complements on the convention book, you should really thank Carol Matteson for all of her hard work in getting the color printing underwritten. It really wasn't much harder for me to do it in color vs. black and white. Oh, and the commercial is going to run during many different time slots and on all of the stations. As I remember from the schedule we were on during some of the really popular shows. We are going to be producing 2 more commercials for the campaign and I will have to see if I can work more of my baskets into them. I also can't remember who asked about signing non-splint woven basket. I have given this thought over the years and have come up with a number of ideas from seeing how other people have done it, yet I haven't actually utilized any of them. They are in the vein of what Dolores Gatz was talking about. Some of the ideas have been to have a custom leather tool made to emboss a small patch of leather to stitch to the basket; to use a stamp similar to one used in sealing wax to stamp a piece of clay, drill a hole and fire to again stitch to the basket; or I have thought about using a section of dear antler to sign and stitch. The only thing I have ever done is to used old, large bone buttons which I initialed in permanent ink. Well, I have the day off today and it is going to be a beautiful on. I think I am going to go out and play and maybe even drag some baskets outside to photograph. I also have to work on the second wave of brochures on my class with Martha Wetherbee. If you haven't received one and are interested, send me your mailing address and/or visit my website to see the baskets we are going to be making. http://www.tetranet.net/users/deanandtony/class.html Happy Weaving, Tony Stubblefield St. Louis http://www.tetranet.net/users/deanandtony/baskets.htm %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Basket Swap #8 info Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 12:51:25 -0500 From: "Jennifer Mulcare-Sullivan" To: "David Collins" Hello Weavers Words Weavers! I'd like to start by thanking Dolores Gatz for a wonderful WW swap#7 and all of her helpful coordinator tips!!! :) Here are the rules and sign-up directions for the 8th WW Basket Swap! As in the past, this will be a swap in which you send a basket you have woven to one person and receive a basket woven by someone else. Weave a basket you would be pleased to receive. Please DO NOT contact the person you are weaving for until you hear from them that they have received your basket. This swap is for Weavers Words subscribers only. You may sign up for this swap one time only. Sign up will be open from now until Saturday, March 25th, 2000. (I am not placing a limit on the number of people who can sign up.) I will send you a message with the name and address of the recipient of your basket. Your personally woven basket must be sent to that person no later than Saturday, April 22nd, 2000(earlier is fine!). Anyone who has failed to follow through on participation in a previous WW swap WILL NOT be registered for this one unless they are able to provide written proof from the recipient of their basket that they did satisfactorily complete the earlier swap! To sign up for WW Swap #8, send an email message to me at ZestfulWeavings@hotmail.com containing the following information: Your Name Your Mailing Address Your Telephone Number Your Email Address Favorite colors, birthday, or any other info you would like to share w/ your swap buddy! (Please try to keep the info in the above format......it will make it easier for me to process - thanks :) ) There has been some discussion about "fillers" in addition to the swap basket. My feelings on the matter are that the basket is the main focus of our swaps however, if you'd like to add something.....fine. If not, that's fine too! I was thinking about possible themes.............Spring & Gardening were the only things that came readily to mind. {The fact that my crocuses are blooming & I just bought tickets to the Boston Flower Show might have had a little influence there ;) } I hope everyone has a positive experience w/ this swap! Please remember to contact both your swap buddy & me when you receive your basket. Happy Weaving!! ENJOY! Jennifer Mulcare-Sullivan Massachusetts WW Basket Swap #8 coordinator %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: willow webpage Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 15:06:58 -0500 From: "Dolores Gatz" To: "David" I tried sending this to the Naturals List but it keeps coming back. I'll have to try again tomorrow. But thought maybe some WW's member might like it too. http://www.telecentres.com/Willow_Bank It has several photos of living willow fences with more coming. Dolores %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 112 Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 14:34:52 -0600 From: Roberta R Comstock To: davidc@iei.net "Weavers Words" Vol. 3 Iss. 112 Phillip Allen - Excellent answer to Ruthanne's crafts vs. arts question! I tend to think of myself as an artist first and then as a craftsperson. Part of this is because as soon as I have accomplished a certain skill level in an area, I am compelled to begin stretching my limits in that kind of work and inventing variations upon it. I sometimes make as many as 6 or ten of the same thing (or nearly the same), but any more than that is extremely rare for me. I simply can't bring myself to keep repeating one thing when there are so many more I want to try. Art without craft (as in skillful execution) is shallow and ineffective, craft without art (as in carefully worked out proportions, shapes and lines) is boring. Wendy Milne - I wondered why that was the first I had heard of your brother-in-law's accident. I'm sure I'm not the only WW reader who is wishing him a rapid recovery. Carol in Indiana - Thanks for the info about the Virtual Basketmakers Guild (http://home.sprynet.com/~cpantrim/). Don't know when I'll have time to check it out, but will try to do so before long. Cathy Cupp - Have you tried contacting the Smithsonian about who did the project with the plastic cane/reed? They might be able to put you in touch with whoever put that interactive project together. If/when you find out, pleas let the rest of us know. I've never run across anything like that as a supply, although I sometimes see baskets made of it. Marty Holihan - Can't remember exactly where I bought my copy of_Mountainman Crafts and Skills_, by David Montgomery. In case I forgot to include the publisher & ISBN data, here it is: 1980. Horizon Publishers & Distributors, PO Box 490, 50 South 55 West, Bountiful, Utah 84010, ISBN 0-88290-156-7. 7th Printing, 1984. Maybe it's going to be reprinted again! If I were looking for it again, I'd go to Three Trails Trading Post, here in Independence, MO. They cater to Black Powder and Fur Trade reenactors and people interested in Native American Crafts. The historic bookshop at the Jackson County Courthouse, also in Indep. MO, is another possible source, but I can't guarantee either one having it. Another place worth contacting would be James Country Merchantile in Liberty, MO, a few miles north of here. They have a lot of goods and references up to (and possibly including) the US Civil War era. Then there's the privately owned and operated Steamboat Arabia Museum in the old market of Kansas City, MO, and the Kansas State Historical Society Museum in Topeka, KS. I have a close friend who will vouch for my ability to 'pick things out of the air' - I can follow her down an aisle of a used book store and pull books she wants from the shelves she has already examined! LOL! It may be a special talent of mine, or just Luck O' the Irish (my maiden name was Gallagher)! Maybe you should contact the book & gift shops of historic sites and museums in your area. You might not find the exact same book, but could come up with something closely related. Jayna - I'm glad to hear you're home and feeling better. Hope you can keep the diabetes under control. Well folks, our trip to Branson over the weekend was both pleasant and satisfying. I had heard or read somewhere of a basket maker or shop in Galena, MO & decided to search for it on Saturday. I took an old 2-laneroad heading more-or-less northwest from Branson at the northern exit for Business US 65 Hwy. The scenery was gorgeous and the spring flowers were beginning to bloom - creeping phlox, daffodils, and crocus. Pastures were greening up and new calves were tottering around on their wobbly legs. A couple of miles before Reeds Spring, I saw an Oak Baskets sign and had to stop to check it out. At first I thought there was nobody home, but then heard tool sounds coming from an outbuilding. Carol and Don Long were both there working on restoration of some old-looking car parts. I bought an original design oak wall basket on a weathered branch that Carol had made (after agonizing on my choice between that one and a beautifully made flat bottom rib basket). Then as I was leaving she mentioned that they are moving and that she is giving up oak weaving for health reasons. If I'd had the funds, I'd have bought the other basket then & there, but it turned out that they were also selling the 'pull vise' (splint vise) that Don had made for himself when they were demonstrating basketry at Silver Dollar City a number of years ago. So I bought that instead of the second basket! Carol was unaware of a shop or weaver in Galena, but gave me directions to get to the Hess Pottery just past Reeds Spring. Lory Brown, who sells her exquisite pine needle baskets there wasn't in, but I had a nice chat with Tom Hess, the potter, and bought one of Lory's oval ornaments. It was a gorgeous day to be out puttering around on the back roads. I also managed to find a few good garden rocks and some nicely weathered cedar wood pieces. And I'm sure many of you can imagine the eye-rolling sigh that Bob did when I explained to him that much of the back of his pick-up truck was full of my new basket tool for the ride home! Happy travels and basket hunting to all, Bert Comstock, back home in spring-like Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.