"Weavers Words" Vol. 3 Iss. 120 Date Sent: March 22, 2000 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1350 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-----Basket She Wove For Basket Swap Dolores Gatz's-----Gourd Fanny Pack Made For The Naturals List Exchange Dolores Gatz's-----Basket She Wove For Basket Swap Dolores Gatz's-----Japanese Flower Knot Marjorie Smoot's-----Basket She Wove For Basket Swap %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 23:38:34 EST From: Pweaver246@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net David, I don't write very often, but just have to express my thanks to Ruthanne Morningstar for endorsing the Monkey Business Twill pattern written in memory of Peggy Koch. Peggy was dearly loved by those of us on the AOL Basket Weaving Bulletin Board. Laura Lee Zangar wrote the pattern & it has been very well received. We have some members who wove the Monkey Business Twill for some of Peggy's Monkey Mom friends. Our current AOL swap is a celebration of Peggy & we are weaving that basket & making a donation to the Helping Hands Monkey organization in Peggy's memory. Thanks for your continued service to our weaving community, David! Pat Wilson Albuquerque, NM %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Carpal Tunnel Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 06:37:27 -0500 From: "Bren Miller" To: Hi I was having a similar problem several years ago. I discovered it was being caused by poor circulation in my arms/hands because I slept with my hand(s) sometimes only one slightly under my face/chin. It was a difficult habit to break as they just wanted to go there and my comfort was drastically changed without them there. I would wake up in the night and sure enough my hand was there once again! Sometimes it was slightly under my pillow. (Like a persistent child!) Once I broke the habit, no more carpal tunnel. It had nothing to do with my computer use which I had blamed it on. I too had gone to a few doctors over this. You might check this out. Bren Miller brenfm@tampabay.rr.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: router bases Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 06:14:43 -0600 From: "Tim Hall" To: HI Y'all, I looked in the archives and can't find an answer to my question. To use a router to make your own bases, how is it done? Is there a book or other instructions? How do you hold the base while cutting the slot? Is there a rounder and slot cutter in one? Many questions and no answers. Any help is greatly appreciated. Weavingly yours, Donna %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Carpal Tunnel Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 07:57:06 EST From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net, hds57@idt.net Helen Schwartz, We have discussed the problem of carpal tunnel many times here on Weaver's Words, but not for a while now. Guess it bares repeating because so many people have the affliction and need relief. I have been in the weaving business with my wicker repair and chair caning since 1975. About fifteen years ago, I started to have trouble with my wrists and hands, they would tingle and then actually fall asleep and hurt when the circulation came back to them. My fingers and whole hands would ache too, at various times of the day and night. It would be nearly noon before I could hold a pencil and write, or hold on to a coffee cup using only one hand. Since weaving has always been my profession, I was worried as hell. My mother-in-law had the same problem and she told me it was carpal tunnel. She had it so bad in both hands that she decided to have the surgery. Now she has limited use of her hands, nowhere near as dexterous as she once was, nor does she have the strength in her hands that she used to have. Granted, she is 15 years older too, I think she was maybe 55 or so when she had the operations. I on the other hand, opted for making regular visits to my chiropractor explaining to him what the problem was and really working with him to correct it. He would concentrate on my shoulders, neck and wrists in each and every adjustment, plus line up my spine. He told me that all these muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper arms and the bone alignment, all contribute to carpal tunnel if they are out of alignment or adjustment or overworked. Another thing that he and an aunt of mine said to take was massive doses of Vitamin B6. Each and every day, I take at least 250 milligrams; if you search high and low you can actually find 250-milligram tablets, most of the time they are in the 50-100 milligram though. On especially bad days, or if it's been a while in between chiropractor visits, I boost my intake to 600 milligrams. To my knowledge, you can't overdose on Vitamin B6 and it does not cause any adverse reactions with anything else or wreak havoc with any organ of your body. I also have wrist braces that I use on occasion, if needed at night. I find that I curl up my wrists (don't ask me why) in my sleep, which cuts off the circulation, so wearing the braces helps to keep my wrists in proper alignment. You might want to do a search under holistic medicine or alternative medicine to see what they recommend about carpal tunnel. There are many fine sites on the Internet, although I can't mention any right now. I have them in my favorite places, but I have too many favorite places to find them when I want them! Duh! I'm sure the operation has improved over the years, but what if you get a doctor that does not really know what they are doing and you lose the use of your hands? I personally, want to try every alternative to an operation unless all hope has been exhausted. The Wicker Woman/Cathryn Peters Wicker restoration specialist, basketmaker, teacher, and author. Visit my website, http://www.wickerwoman.com Subscribe to my free ezine http:// wickerwoman.listbot.com/ Email Wickrwoman@aol.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: NCBA Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 08:27:31 -0500 From: Fran Steidel To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone, Well NCBA convention is over. We will have to wait a full year for the next one. IT WAS GREAT! Thanks to all the people that made it happen. I put out about 100 red ribbons - just a few were left. Only 36 people signed the sheet though. It was nice to put faces and names together. I loved my classes. Made a beautiful black and white basket - chevron base and twilled sides with the nicest teacher, Betty Kourkounakis. Also made a quilted quaterfoil with Jenalee Frazier. She really got us to understand the pattern and my basket is sooo pretty. I also made Joel Simpson's Double Rim Field Basket. He is so patient and good with us. I loved the basket so much that I bought the mold. Now I have to start on the kits I bought - Antler basket, Rain Stick and a melon basket from the Gregory's. The basket swap was great, I was the lucky recipient of a mini Nantucket. I was also lucky at the raffle for Volunteers Only. I won a bag of goodies from "Basket-A-Stamps" My pattern "Aunt Sara's Lace" did very well at the pattern room so that me me feel good. I guess you can say I had a very good time. Fran in Eastern NC where all the spring flowers and trees are in full bloom. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers'Words - Dyed Reeds Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 08:37:01 -0500 From: ESTHER GRIGSBY Reply-To: sales@noresta.com Organization: The NorEsta Cane & Reed To: "COLLINS, DAVID" To Beverly, in answer to your question about dyed materials fading: The answer is that there is no such thing as a synthetic or natural dye any more that will not eventually fade. Long ago, some Native American tribes did have information on dyes that would not fade, but even that has been pretty much lost. No matter what claims that companies may make, the dye will fade no matter what, in a matter of time. The good news is this! A coat of clear spray will slow down the process significantly. Also, we recommend that the baskets are kept out of direct sunlight as well as reasonably away from fluorescent lighting. Choose a shaded or softly lit location for displaying. For storage purposes, keep a very dark room, a closet, or a room that the light can be turned off most of the time. Don't worry, there's more good news! A faded basket can be very attractive. I have customers who pick the older baskets to buy all the time. Or they ask me what color it is, and of course after a enough years, I don't have a clue anymore. Ha ha. Sometimes, if I don't like the effect of the fading, I overdue the entire basket, either as just a light wash of color, or an extreme change of color, by dipping the basket right into a dye bath. This gives an old basket a brand new life. And just one more note which I hope is good news! If your basket colors are fading real fast and you haven't had them sitting right out in the sun for days on end, then the dyeing process used, or the dye itself, was not good or proper. At The NorEsta Cane & Reed, we dye our own reed. We sell the dyed reed under our own brand name of TNE Hand-Dyed Reed. It will not fade for a long time with proper use, or bleed when weaving with it when used properly. I have many basket in my store that are not-for-sale samples that have been here for years and still look as vibrant as the day I made them. We stand behind our dyed reeds and highly recommend them to you. With over 65 solid colors to choose from, plus multi-color and space-dyed packages, you have so many design opportunities. We also sell Rit and Comcraft dye, Carmel Concentrate, Walnut Hull Concentrate, and Weaver's Stain in all the colors they have available including clear. So have fun with color today and don't worry. Shades of color, light, medium, or dark, they all make the world go round and can make your world color-full. Happy Weaving from The NorEsta Cane & Reed http://www.noresta.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: The finale..... Date: 21 Mar 2000 15:46:48 -0000 From: "J. Choate Basketry List" To: List Member J. Choate Basketry List - http://www.corecom.net/~choatepp Thanks to all the women that came up and introduced themselves at the North Carolina Convention. It was great to finally get some faces with those names. It was also lovely to sit in green grass and smell the spring posies popping up. It sure beats what I'm smelling here now. Break up in Alaska, a time when the snow slowly melts to reveal all the dog droppings that were covered during the winter... It's snowing again this morning! A good thing as my last endeavor to the bush is fast approaching. If you thought taking a sixty-six year old out in the bush was a tale lets try a nine, a six and a four year old. Grandma Jill is hitting the trail with Jennah and her two nieces. I know what your thinking, "Grandma Jill?". Yep, I've got eight of 'em. The youngest one has decided that her true vocation in life is to be a dog musher and I'm not one to discourage her. Off we go this week to Pirate Lake once again for a trip of a lifetime - at least for the little one. A couple more stops in the trail are in order for this summer's tour. In Kalispell, Montana, May 27/28 contact Chrystal Higgins at dragnfly@digisys.net, in Sarnia/Windsor, Ontario, Canada, June 25 contact Linda Dobinson at l.dobinson@sympatico.ca and in Bemidji, MN August 5/6 contact Eve Sumsky at epbensum@mail.paulbunyan.net. Well this years season of the sled dog is fast approaching but next years is awaiting with your name on it. The Alaska Bush Basketry Retreat will take place next March. We've already been accepting reservations for this gala event. Participation is limited to twelve students so if you are interested please don't hesitate. Over the river and through the woods to Grandma's bush cabin we go.... Jill Choate Talkeetna, Alaska %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Response to Roberta's question Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 08:07:46 -0800 From: "Brewer, Heidi" To: "'David Collins (AKA Weavers Words)'" Roberta Comstock-you asked which basket I wove at the WWW calm 2000 - take a look at the photo titled "Cedar with roses basket" The photo with multiple baskets is from 1999--I didn't get my basket in that shot, but WW Member Kay Harradine's flower gathering basket is in the back (it is the pretty one with the basket on the staff--handy for gathering)! WW Member Kathey Erwin's cedar basket is behind the bear--notice the mud dyed cedar (black color--really soaked in mud -a method used by the NW Coast Indigenous people). I can hardly wait until Jan. 2001 when we do it all again! Heidi Brewer-Peters hbrewer@baughent.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 11:44:37 EST From: SUSANRDGRS@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi to all, I spite of the St. Patrick's Day snowstorm of 7" in mid coast Maine, I am convinced spring will be here SOON. I am looking for posters from Baskets conferences, Museum shows etc. Please let me know if you have any type. I am doing a whole outbuilding (my weaving workshop) in basket themed works. Thanks for any help Suzi O'Brien Rodgers West Bath, Maine - where at least the sun is out! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 08:53:18 -0800 From: helen schwartz To: David Collins References: 1 Many thanks to everyone who took the time and trouble to reply to my cry for help re carpal tunnel etc. It was a great help and a real comfort. I have a major and painfully earned distrust of Drs. and much of the info I got helped me to make constructive decisions about the course my treatment that would keep me out of a Drs. office. It also cheered me up because I was beginning to fear that my life as a basket maker was in danger and all my mail was impressively positive and constructive Helen Schwartz %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "dyed reed - Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 12:49:42 EST From: BODBASK@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Beverly: when I dye my reed, I use 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the water/dye. Like an Easter egg, it seems to "set" the color. Of course in Florida anything that stands long enough in direct sunlight will fade, but my baskets have seemed to endured 7-10 years with same coloring, no adverse striping or harsh fading. I also for luck add salt. Hope it works for you! Jill from sunny Orlando where the skies are a blue to dye for and the breezes are balmy. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 13:50:34 -0500 From: martyhln@juno.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and World Basketmakers, As Ruthanne, has already said the Monkey Business Twill, is not only a great pattern in memory of Peggy Koch. I thought it was a great cause, I ordered 5 patterns from Kathy Westphal, I had a time trying to keep one for myself, contact Kathy at (kweaver3@aol.com) She can get the pattern for you or put you in touch with someone who can. I don't know who knows or how much you know about this, great cause, but Helping Hands for where the money from the sale of this pattern, will benefit is an organization for monkeys to be trained to help people who have lost the use of their legs and arms, they are unable to feed or dress them self so the monkeys are trained to help the people in their daily lives. I t is for a great cause. Those of you who attending Basket Bash 2000 can buy the pattern from Ruthanne. Others Kathy is only one source to get the pattern from, there are others here on Weavers Words who can get them for you, but I am not sure who they are. Now from monkey business to the Rain Forest. Anne, your friend is worried about the Rain Forest, if none of the Rattan was taken, from the Rain Forest, the Rattan would kill all the trees and everything else there, as this vine grows from 300 t0 600 feet in length and I am told about 1 1/2 to 2 feet each day it would not be long until the trees would not be able to get the sunshine it needs to live so everything in its wake would die off. There would only be Rattan left. Weave away people you are helping the Rain Forest survive. Sharon, to make you feel at ease about joining the Swap. A few years ago Fred Ely and I were talking about first baskets, I said to him it would be so neat to see your first basket. Now I don't know if I influenced him or not but a year or so later he brought to AMB his first basket and put it in the exhibit next to the last one he had just finished, to share with everyone, what a thrill for me to just see his first basket. What a difference. I ask him if I could buy that little basket, he said no it is my first basket, now if I could have one of his first baskets that would be something. (For those of you who do not know, his baskets have turned into an, articulated form and just perfect) Now for those of you who think you do not measure up, there are people who get your basket who will treasure it and when you make the big time what a thrill for them to say I have one of their first as it was a thrill for me to even see Fred's first. There are lots of people who I know that it would be a thrill for me to have a, beginning basket of theirs, don't take things too serious basketmaking is suppose to be fun, so go weave a basket and have fun this time I send you all love Marty Holihan---Flint, Michigan---martyhln@juno.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 14:19:33 EST From: Frbasketsc@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net << I'm sure this question has been answered somewhere along the line but I would like to know how to keep colored reed from "fading". >> I use Retayne found it at the quilt shop. Some use it in the cold rinse others use it in the dye bath. I do both using only a cap full. On another topic I would like to Thank Valerie Miller for her help. And Let her know how much her extra effort was appreciated. Thank you Valerie A Friend in weaving, Carolyn %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 21:26:05 EST From: NitaCprn@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net A big thank you to Angie Wagner for the information on Bonnie Gale's upcoming classes this summer. I went from countryseat site to Bonnie Gale's site and spent a good hour just reading her site. She definitely makes growing willow sound easy...from all I've read it really is easy! I just have a concern about city water pipes and willows. I'll just have to find a friend with lots of land in the country and mooch a few feet of land from her. Roberta Comstock...The name of the book with the directions for willow arbors and fences is..."Creative Vegetable Gardening: Accenting your vegetables with flowers" by Joy Larkcom. Abbeville Press, 488 Madison Ave., NY NY 10022. 1-800-ARTBOOK. Should be available wherever fine books are sold. This book has given me a new burst of excitement about this year's garden. I went to a Garden show this weekend and two of the displays had BEAUTIFUL big willow baskets being used as container gardens for herbs...what a natural! Thanks to all of you for all of your helpful tips about obtaining good quality kits. As someone who didn't come into the basket fever until I was 55, I figure if I ask experienced weavers it will save me 5-7 years of trial, error and reading time. I appreciate your help immensely. Nita Campbell, East Lansing %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Indiana Basket Convention Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 23:15:01 -0500 From: "Sheri Van Duyn" To: "David Collins" From: sheri@justpatterns.com These 2 songs say it best-- "Indiana wants me!" and "My bags are packed and I'm ready to go!" Yes, it is time to head to Indiana. I am really looking forward to attending the IBA Convention again this year! I will be wearing another hat as I will be vending as the new owner of the Magazine-Just Patterns! If you are attending this year, please stop by my booth inside the Ballroom and say "HI!" I am also giving a lecture on glass beading; I will be demonstrating how they are made. Beads are the number 1 embellishment on many baskets, so I am sharing my knowledge of how these unique beads are created! Please check your schedule or the board when you arrive as they have changed the time when I am presenting after the book went out! I will be wearing a red ribbon and I will definitely look for others wearing those red ribbons! I took a break as I was writing this and went into my craft supplies; I found red ribbon and will pack this into my boxes. If you don't have ribbon at home or you belong to Weaver's Words and forgot your ribbon, please stop by Just Patterns Booth and I will have red ribbon to add to your nametag, so we can spot each other!! Remember~it is Visitor's Day on Saturday, March 25! Well, I better sign off. Safe travels for those coming close and far away! Happy Weaving! Sheri L. Van Duyn Just Patterns www.justpatterns.com sheri@justpatterns.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 22:34:59 -0700 From: "Rae Hunter" To: "David Collins" References: 1 Basket Swap #8 Hey Canada, I can't be the only Canadian to get excited about these swaps. It is good fun, motivational, exciting and I know you are out there somewhere. Beginner weaver are welcome, and I for one would be overjoyed at receiving a basket anyone made specially for me even if it did not turn out as expected. My first basket was the most "rustic" awful looking basket you could imagine. Some of the still turn out that way. Sometimes a few creative embellishments in the right place render the basket very unique. One of a kind is good Come on Canada give it a go! Cheers Rae, looking forward to the swap. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 22:42:50 -0800 From: "Lisha Kimball" To: "David Collins" Let me see... Weavers or Basketmakers... I think we've been through that before. But Hi to all of the above, anyway! Helen ...I'm sorry that your going though all the pain of carpal tunnel..I have it bad too but I don't want to go to the doctors to have it taken care of...Not sure if I 'm just stupid, stubborn or crazy... When it hurt really bad and I can't sleep at night I use a bottle of absorbine Veterinary Liniment. The bottle says.."aids in the relief of temporary muscular soreness, stiffness or swelling caused by exposure, overwork or exertion". I know it sounds crazy but it works for me...I know as we get older we're go'n hurt in places you can't imagine so I just trying tough it out..what else can you do???. I love to weave and make people happy with my creations and outside of my grandchildren it's the best joy in the world. I've been trying to make a living from this trade and some years I do make more money then my husband..but I think you sacrifice a lot along the way. Well we just got back from the town offices to see if the town will permit us our "Grandmother living apartment " over the shop...Thank goodness its ago after 3 months of meetings..etc etc. We've got the contractors chomping at the bit waiting to pull the roof completely off and get started. The town offices said this has never been done before so I'll excited to be the first one before they make new laws and tighten the old laws up. When we get done it will look like a Saltbox home with a new entrance to the shop and all my kids and grandchildren close by. ~All of my 3 boys have a piece of our farmland and the daughters in law laugh that they never thought they'd be happy living next to their mother in law and weaving too! But I'm the lucky one to have all these beautiful people near me! Does life get any better then this?? Happy weaving everyone from Webster, N H Lisha Kimball %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: new book Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 11:49:19 -0500 From: "Angie Wagner" To: "David" Hi all! Bert - The publisher for the new book "Making the New Basket" is Lark and yes, we do have it in our online catalog. You can use the search feature and type in the name of the book or go to the M's under books in the Table of Contents to see it. Some of the materials are recycled materials (such as paper, thread, colored wire, metal, etc) but others are natural materials. There is a twig and moss lampshade! Poor flowers don't know what to do in PA Angie The Country Seat http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 14:26:54 EST From: SharWaters@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi David. Regarding Sue Hosey. she is from Skaneateles, NY. And I am in Marcellus, NY. Just a few minutes away. I have written directly to her but also wanted to let you and your readers know that I have been weaving since the 80's and teaching since 1991, both privately here in Marcellus and at Onondaga Community College as well as our BOCES program. I am also a member of the North Carolina Basketmakers Association and have attended two of their absolutely wonderful conventions. Looking forward to attending the Abundance of Baskets Convention in April in Rochester. Thanks so much for Weavers Words! Sharon Waters Marcellus, NY %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Carolina Snowflake Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 14:33:57 -0500 From: "rnhaake" To: Hi David, I was wondering if anyone knows the origin/history of Carolina Snowflakes--do they have a Danish beginning? Do they go by another name also? I also have lost the potato masher pattern--what back issue was it in? Thank you for all your editing and organizing! Nancy (where we have natural as well as Carolina Snowflakes!) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: basket swap info..... Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 15:44:56 -0500 From: "Jennifer Mulcare-Sullivan" To: "David Collins" Hi again! We now have 135 weavers in swap #8!! Here are a few important swap rules repeated for your convenience. ********* You should be receiving your swap partner w/in the next week. PLEASE SAVE THIS INFORMATION! Cut & paste it into word........print it.....whatever works for you. :) ************ ******* When you SEND your basket please CONTACT ME zestfulweavings@hotmail.com. This way can keep track of who has sent one & who has not yet. ********* ******* When you RECEIVE your basket please CONTACT ME zestfulweavings@hotmail.com. This way can keep track of who has received a basket & who has not. ********* And Finally, it seems that there has been some confusion about mailing/sending the package. It DOES NOT need to be sent return receipt!!! This is not now, nor ever been a WW basket swap rule. Regular postal parcel service is FINE. FedEx, UPS, and RPS are other equally acceptable options. If you are unsure about the guidelines or rules feel free to e-mail me for clarification. If you have any question, concerns or problems during the swap (or as a result of it) PLEASE contact me. Keep an eye on you inbox weavers! Enjoy the swap!! :) Jennifer %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 119 Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 15:20:49 -0600 From: Roberta Comstock To: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 3 Iss. 119 Theressa Hamm - The basket pictures at the WW website generate a lot of inspiration, admiration and questions. Some of them are originals by the weavers, and many are woven from patterns. Asking about that is not a problem. Helen Schwartz - Sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel problems. If you decide to delay surgery, don't wait until the nerve damage is so bad the surgery can't help. I had surgery on both wrists years ago. They've never been as good as new since then, but most of the function was restored. Good luck with whatever treatments you pursue. I do find that regularly taking glucosamine complex along with my vitamins and minerals reduces the soreness in my wrists and other joints when I do a lot of work with my hands and arms. Sue Hosey - Have you heard of the Basket Festival at Stowe, Vermont? It's a wonderful conference/workshop event with excellent teachers. It might be worth your while to look into it as a place to meet more of the basket weavers of the northeastern US. There will very likely be some who live near you. Beverly Uebel - The most fade-proof way to color reed is to paint it or dye it with wood stain. Nearly all dyes, whether natural or synthetic, will eventually fade. Keeping them out of direct light, especially sunlight, will slow down the fading. Anything you apply to the basket before staining is likely to make a barrier that will prevent the stain from penetrating the reed. I wouldn't recommend that. You might consider using materials other than dyed reed for your color accents. Linda Newman - If you know the weaver's name, you might be able to find out about him by writing to the local historical society or newspaper in the town or county where he lived. Lisa Carstens - Sometimes I find heshi beads at garage sales or thrift stores. I also sometimes find similar flat beads in necklaces at places like Dollar Stores and import shops. I often buy cheap necklaces and take them apart for the interesting beads. You can also make a string slide using a two-hole button. Run the paired strings up through one hole and down through the other before knotting the ends together. It will slide to open and close the pouch, but not easily enough to come open accidentally. Carol Otten - Anna Lizotte lives in Tasmania. Check the list of subscribers at the WW website, and also take a look at her basketry pictures there. Are you lurking out there Anna? The easiest wonderful book for you to find, might be FIBRE BASKETRY: HOMEGROWN AND HANDMADE, by the Fibre Basket weavers of South Australia Inc., edited by Helen Richardson, Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst, NSW, 1989. ISBN 0-86417-265-6. Lois - I can see it now as you drive around the island looking at all those tropical plants and seeing 'baskets-on-the-hoof'. Your life will never be the same! Have fun! :=) Anne Kelly - Rattan grows extremely fast. The reason it is not cultivated is that it is such an abundant jungle weed. Harvesting rattan be hand is an important local industry in intact southeast Asian rainforests where the jungle is NOT being cleared. I don't know how much the drought and fires that have occurred in the past year or so in that part of the world will affect the rattan harvest in the next few years. Prices may go up. I do not believe harvesting rattan for making baskets and furniture poses a threat to the jungle habitat or environment. Bert Comstock Independence, MO - where Bradford pear and wild plum are blooming and the redbuds are budding out & the trace of snow we had a couple of nights ago was gone by 9 am. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.