"Weavers Words" Vol. 3 Iss. 126 Date Sent: April 06, 2000 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1370 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 NONE %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Hi Everyone, I received a fax from Linda Allen wanting me to let you know that she is in the process of moving. As of this coming Friday her phone, fax and computer will be disconnected. Her new address will be: Linda Allen Star Route Box 160 Lowville, NY 13367 315-376-8522 She will let us know when she gets her computer back up and running. David %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Hi Date: Wed, 05 Apr 100 04:00:18 GMT From: trekona@erols.com To: davidc@iei.net (WeaversWords) Hi, I'm new here so I probably ought to introduce myself before I start asking questions. My name is Judy Mitchell and I live in Maryland (between Baltimore and DC). I am also a Historical Re-enactor specializing in early medieval times. This and historical costuming keeps me *very* busy. I'm trying to work the basketry into the previous hobbies. I've been making baskets, now, for maybe a year and a half and having a lovely time - I just have no room! Mostly I've been working with reed, but in order to make baskets for and in my Living History camp, I can't use reed - so I'm learning to weave willow. I have tried it now, and I'm coming up with all sorts of questions! I've got a bunch of design questions that I'm hoping the willow people can help me with. Let's start with making the base: on a round base, how do you know when you should use 6 base sticks, and when you should start adding more? Also, in order to plan how many rods you need, how do you figure the number of weavers for a base? Perusing the archives on the web, I noticed there was a willow worker in MO that had studied medieval basketry. Is she still on the list? I'd love to learn about what you've found. I seem to be the only re-enactor in my area that is weaving baskets, so *I'm* becoming the expert - which scares the st*ff out of me! Thanks for any advice, Judy Mitchell trekona@erols.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: Colonial Basketry Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2000 23:29:21 -0500 (CDT) From: terrydegrave@webtv.net (Terry Degrave) To: davidc@iei.net Hello I have been reading for a while and this is the first time I am writing. Judy who is about 12 miles from me. The Brown County Library has a video on Colonial Williamsburg Basketmaking. That might be something you might want to see. I checked it out a while ago so I can't remember the details. I do remember deciding it is really ok if someone else harvests the material. Most people would consider me armed and dangerous with an axe in my hands. Nice to know there are others in the area. Terry from Green Bay %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Glue for Carolina Snowflakes Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 07:46:15 EDT From: HiLowJack@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net To Mary in IL My husband makes the Carolina Snowflakes and has found the best glue is Insta-Cure*. Stony Lane Basketry in Rhode Island sells it, as do others. A friend bought the snowflakes over 2 years ago, and has left them hanging up since, and they have not come undone. Ron & Bev Wood in RI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 125 Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 08:04:35 EDT From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net CC: lizotte@tassie.net.au Anna, I think it was probably me that mentioned Bobi Marshall Harris' book called, "Antler Baskets... Weaving Rocky Mountain Memories." It is the only book out on weaving antler baskets and is absolutely wonderful, great pictures and easy to follow instructions. The book was originally published in 1989 or 1990 and is now out of print. Bobi has authorized several suppliers to copy it and sell them, though. I know for sure that Gratiot Lake Basketry, Royalwood and The Caning Shop all have copies for sale. Possibly The Country Seat does too, how about it, Donna and Angie? http://www.bright.net/~roylwood/ http://www.countryseat.com/ http://www.weavenet.com/gratiot.html http://www.caning.com/ I had already made a couple of antler baskets before I purchased Bobi's book in 1990, but found it was an excellent book, it helped me a great deal in producing the antler baskets I made then, and continue to make. I used this book as a Bible for many years and still refer to it on occasion. Bobi and I keep in close contact, I want her to know how much she has done for the antler basket weavers and teachers. She was the first and in my opinion the best antler basket maker in the country! I only wish I had been able to take classes from her, instead of just reading and using her book. As I understand it, Jill Choate learned all about antler baskets from taking Bobi's antler basket classes when she lived out in Montana. Bobi must be a wonderful teacher to have inspired Jill to create the great baskets she now makes. Good luck Anna on your quest to find the book. Please take a look at my antler baskets on my PhotoPoint album at Wicker Woman's Antler Baskets-PhotoPoint Album 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: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 125 Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 08:16:37 EDT From: L2Jarvis@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net << Anyone have any ideas for lidded purses. I prefer to weave the lid instead of a wooden one. Thank you for any suggestions you may have. >> Marsha Ballweg - I know of two really cool purse patterns with woven lids. The first is "Emily's Pot Bellied Purse" by Gail Hutchinson. It's a regular woven basket. The second is Flo Hoppe's "Squarework Shoulder Bag". The construction on this one a bit different - English squarework, with the base woven on a screw block. It's next on my list to make. Both patterns are available at basketpatterns.com. Good luck! Linda Jarvis %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: patterns and glue Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2000 10:30:59 -0500 From: Chris Carstens To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone! Marcia Balleweg- I have three purse patterns (none of which I have made as of yet) that you may want to check out. One has a woven lid, called "Emily's Lit'l Pot Belly Purse" by Gail Hutchinson. I'm not sure where I ordered this pattern, but the author's phone number is (304) 743-5424 and email Weaveme@AOL.com. I think I may have ordered it through basketpatterns.com. Another pattern is "Deer Creek Fishing Creel or Purse" which was ordered from Baskets of Joy. That one has a wooden lid. The other is called "Darlene's Purse" from Feix Family Baskets, email . This purse has a wooden lid and wooden base. It also has Shaker Tape straps. Mary Mc Kinzie- I have never made the snowflakes, but some glue I have used that you might want to try is called "INSTA-CURE +. Unfortunately, I don't know where you could find this, but I purchased mine from a local basket shop. I have used it to glue wooden knobs onto wooden lids to make a microwave popcorn holder basket. Another product that is more readily available that I have used is Super Glue Gel. I have used this to glue small pieces of birch bark onto Ultra Suede. It works really well because the gel doesn't soak into the wood like the liquid glue does and it doesn't get all over your fingers if you are careful. This product might work the best for your snowflakes. You can find this just about anywhere. I think I purchased mine at Wal-Mart. Anna in Tassie- I purchased a copy of "Antler Baskets-Weaving Rocky Mountain Memories" from Gratiot Lake Basketry last year. It is an out-of-print book, but they have paid the author for permission to make a certain number of copies. I'm not sure if they have any copies left, however. Their email address is . Lisa Carstens in Hartland, WI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: re: glue, painting Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 11:44:51 -0400 From: "Angie Wagner" To: "David" Hi all! Mary in IL - I use Elmer's glue on all of the Carolina Snowflakes I make and they last for years as long as they don't get wet. The ones that we use on the Christmas tree go in tins in the attic all summer and winter long and they have never popped apart. Sandi Carstensen - re: painting - any wood strip will be smoother than reed and give you a nicer painting surface. Don't use watery paint or it will feather with the grain. You should paint on your basket before you stain or oil the basket. The less you have between the paint and your basket the longer the paint will last. If you use an oil based stain on your basket and then paint with acrylic paints, you will have placed a barrier between the basket and the paint. If using a natural walnuts for the stain - I stain the basket first, paint and then brush on mineral oil as a last step. There was a large discussion on this topic at one point - if you check the archives on David's site you should find even more information. Glad spring has finally arrived! Angie in PA The Country Seat http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 124 Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 14:50:14 -0400 From: martyhln@juno.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and World Basketmakers, Well I finally got over IBA, the thing, I couldn't get over is I won the great Gullah basket donated by Pat S. thanks Pat I love it, not only that I won all the hand spun wool made and donated by Ruthanne M, thanks Ruthanne I will never forget the great time I had there, as you know I wasn't going to attend IBA this year but true to form, a woman has the right to change her mind. RIGHT!!! So don't bug me. Now I am looking forward to the Basket Bash 2000 this weekend. I hope I win there too. I will win, as lots of people are attending, just so I can be my normal self and agitate, pester, and any other word you think of everyone, I am up to it. NOW to the important stuff EVERYONE, some years ago I had a talk with Dollie from Weavers Stain about the CFC's and HFC's being in Weavers Stain Spray, SHE assured me that it was 100% environmentally safe to use, as Weavers Stain Spray had neither of these in them. Now unless the formula has been changed, I believe you have nothing to worry about, Mark doesn't even wear a mask, but I would recommend that you do, to protect your lungs from breathing the spray. Dollie and Mark can tell you more about it than I can. I personally am concerned about what we are doing to leave a clean place for future generations. As for Rit and all the other dyes, I use my water over with dye in it, you only need to strain it each time, I never even put it in the refrigerator, it just seems to stay fine as is. Some of my water is more than 10 years old, has never been dumped, of course I add water and dye, to it whenever it is needed. OH!!! Have some fun go weave a basket, lighten up this is suppose to be fun y'all relax. I send you love. Marty Holihan---Flint, Michigan---martyhln@juno.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Glue for snowflakes! Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 15:27:32 -0400 From: "rnhaake" To: Yes you can glue snowflakes! Of course I am referring to Mary's question about glue for Carolina Snowflakes! I have found either a GEL super glue (regular super glue runs too much) or a cyanoacrylate glue works the best. The cyanoacrylate can be found at some basket supply places or at a local hobby shop. Be careful in gluing so that you do not end up with the snowflakes attached to your fingers (weaving is then very difficult) and use adequate ventilation when making them (basket weaving is enough of a high). There are real snowflakes here in Northeast Ohio but they are melting thank goodness! The flowering trees are not happy about the snow. No more real snowflakes here please--at least until November! Nancy %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: casserole Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2000 20:10:26 -0400 From: nancy brandt To: Weavers words Hello everyone, Someone in the South should be on the "lookout" for a package; her post office has a very "stormy" name. This is fun!! I have requests for a basket to carry a casserole. Something sturdy. 9 x 13 or larger casserole dish. Some dishes have Pyrex handles and they are the problem also. Has anyone had success with a nice pattern? I don't think I want to go to the expense of a wooden base. Nancy in Glen Arm, Md. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Glueing Carolina Snowflakes! Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 15:32:17 +0000 From: Laurie Burns To: davidc@iei.net Mary, I purchased my first Carolina snowflake and it was hot glued. I hung it in my window and you can guess what happened on a hot summer day. The whole thing just fell apart. I re-glued it with tacky glue, using clothespins to hold it in place until it dried. This has worked for me. I have made all different sizes, using reed and cane. The tacky glue seems to hold up well also. Good luck. Laurie in SNOWING upstate NY! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 125 Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 20:35:36 -0400 From: "Donna L" To: "David Collins" Mary - When making Carolina Snowflakes, I've found there's just no substitute for patience. I use plain old liquid white glue, and lots of tiny rubber tipped clamps. I do two halves and let them dry completely. Then remove the clamps, flip one on top of the other, attach the points, clamp and let dry again. Whenever possible, I put them outside to dry as this speeds up the process. The only time I use a hot glue gun is if someone wants to use it outside. Donna bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 125 Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 20:58:55 EDT From: DebGring@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Mary M. I made quite a few Carolina Snowflakes this year, and have found that the glue gun did not work well for me, however, found the instant glue works well. (I like quick bond) just need a drop for each point, then a clothespin to hold for a few minutes. Have fun! Debbie Gring In NW Ohio %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Antler Basket booklet Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 22:28:54 -0700 (PDT) From: Molly Gardner To: David Collins Hi everyone. I've been lurking around for months, but always enjoy all the postings. I wanted to respond to Annie from Tassie about the antler book. It has been reprinted by The Caning Shop and costs $8.95. They have a huge selection of basketry books, along with all the supplies. You can find The Caning Shop at www.caning.com. Jim Widess is super and very helpful. I really like the antler book for all the ideas and the fact that you can adapt the patterns to driftwood or branches instead. I will be teaching a double wall Cherokee basket at the Caning Shop in Berkeley, CA on May 13th. You can see a picture of it on the photo page and also on The Caning Shop's site for the schedule of classes. I'd love to meet any other basket makers that may be in the area in May. Thanks so much to 'Wicker Woman" Catherine Peters who, through the magic of email, helped me with my photo page. If anyone would like to take a look at some of my baskets, this link should work: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=202144&a=1526040. If this isn't clickable, just go to photopoint.com and type in user ID for mollyg@mtrose.net. Photo point is a neat place to store pictures. If anyone ever comes to Reno, NV, try to plan your visit around the1st Thursday of the month so you can attend our guild meeting. Email me for info. Happy weaving and Happy Spring...from Molly Gardner in Northern Nevada where it is finally warming up and daffodils are blooming! Yipee! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 123 Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 08:09:59 EDT From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net, Basketkastoo@aol.com Denise Burkett, I was reading your post about trying to find the toilet paper basket pattern, and thought you might try looking on www.basketpatterns.com for one. I am sure I have seen one on there in the past, but I can't remember who the pattern author is, sorry. Then I read more of your post and wanted to encourage you about attending your first ever convention in Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO in May. This is the second year for the seminar and it is a real delight. There were some bugs that needed to be ironed out last year, being the first time event, but was still a lot of fun. The park people and organizers are a great bunch to work with and really do put on the southern hospitality. Last year I taught an antler basket class and a 7-step cane footstool, and will be returning as a teacher again this year. My classes are a tabletop antler basket, an antler wall hanging, and the 7-step cane footstool again. As I continued down your post, I realized that you were speaking about me teaching an antler basket class at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City for the OK guild on May 13th!! Hope you can join in and enjoy the class, be sure to introduce yourself to me. I will be doing my "southern tour" in the month of May, teaching first in Iowa, then OKC, possibly Tulsa, SDC and then maybe in Kansas City on the way home. If your guild would like me to teach antler baskets, traditional baskets or seat weaving items, email me ASAP to set up the class schedule. Take a look at all the classes I am offering at this time, they can be found on my PhotoPoint website, under "Class Samples" at http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=16796&Auth=false While you are at my album index, be sure to check out all the rest of the albums to get an idea of the wicker restoration work I do and my antler baskets, too. See you all in May! 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: Basket Swap Clue! Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 13:49:38 EDT From: Frbasketsc@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hello fellow weavers, OK here goes: I went to the park but did not sit in the dark I ate a sandwich And stared at the package yes it was the basket all wrapped and stamped I am trying to be witty because it is going near a city that can be very windy! Well, I tried Hope she likes it! A Friend in weaving, Carolyn of MI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 3 I. 125 Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 15:22:30 EDT From: Mkbskts@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Okay, so I can't resist adding my 2 cents worth to everyone else's... Regarding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: If you are having problems, there are many treatments to try before having surgery: use of splints, exercises and other therapy...TALK to your doctor! If s/he is not a hand surgeon, get a referral to one for further evaluation. Make sure you have an EMG to determine nerve function and possible damage before having surgery, and have the results explained to you so that you understand them. I had CTS in one hand, and put off surgery for a long time; by the time I finally agreed, my EMG was highly positive. My surgeon said I had 2 options: surgery, or permanent nerve damage! I went ahead with surgery, needless to say. 2 days later I was spray staining baskets, and 5 days after surgery I was weaving again [with my surgical hand in a rubber glove to keep it dry!] I had some other restrictions (lifting, etc) but could pretty much do whatever was comfortable. And surgery for CTS has come a LONG way from the days of 6" long incisions. About staining baskets: my favorite stain is made by General Finishes, and is called "Environmentally Friendly" [EF]; it comes in lots of colors [my favorite color is currently 'Country Pine', tho' I also like their Pecan and Walnut]. It is water based, rather than oil based, and has very little odor. I generally thin it down with the clear EF [they recommend against thinning it with water] to get my final color, and make it easier to spray. Since I haven't yet popped the $ for a compressed air system, I'm using bottles with replaceable compressed air made by PREVAL; I found it at my local hardware store. 1 can of air sprays about 16 oz. of fluid; I can usually get one really big basket [like a quilters tote or Autumn Leaves - giant market style] stained with 1 bottle of stain [6 oz]. Just another suggestion... Barb in SE WI, where it's finally sunny, but VERY windy and cool...waiting for open day at BasketFest, since I'm not taking any classes this year... %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Basket Swap #8 Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 17:50:36 -0400 From: "Jennifer Mulcare-Sullivan" To: "David Collins" Hello everyone! Well, we're well into the swap. I thought I'd remind everyone that your swap buddy needs to receive their basket by APRIL 22, 2000. If you are going to be late, please contact me! I will be sending my package out this weekend... Also, remember to e-mail me zestfulweavings@hotmail.com when you SEND OUT your basket AND when you RECEIVE your basket. This will help make the coordinating a little easier :) Thanks in advance! Jennifer %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.