"Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 13 Date Sent: June 23, 2000 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1428 David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Phone: (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 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 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 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Tea Stain Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 00:42:30 -0500 From: Tony Stubblefield To: David Collins/Weavers Words Laurie - about instant tea/coffee stain - I usually only mix up enough to do one basket at a time and brush mine on so I usually use one cup hot water and about 1/8 cup instant tea for a light golden color to about 1/4 cup for a medium color. I just start dumping some tea in and test a dab on the basket and see what I think. I add more tea or more water depending on what I want. I don't use much instant coffee anymore, but that is because I have a couple of big jars of the tea in the cabinet. I think the tea gives a slightly more golden yellow cast and the coffee a little more of a brown color. It is a pretty subtle difference. I have never mixed the 2 together as I don't really think it would make much difference. I have saved extra mix before in the refrigerator and heated it in the microwave when I wanted to use it again. Billie - about Nantucket rims - I space my pins every third stave starting from where the handle is going to go and just keep going all the way around. I usually don't come out perfectly on the other side, but the difference is where the handle is going anyway so it doesn't really matter to me. I often don't even use nuts on the end of the bolts if it is a small basket the handle isn't carrying much weight anyway. If it is a large basket I am using hard wood rims and they are very strong. If I am not using a nut I drill the hole smaller than the screw and have to actively screw it in creating a threaded hole. I either cut the bolt flush to the rim after it is in place, cut it to length first or cut the bolt a hair short and drill a hole just shy of going all the way through the rim. This is how my handles are attached to my 20" oval as we were taught in class and they are doing just fine. That's just how I do it if I am using a bolt, I know everybody has their favorite way of doing things. Bonnie - about the basket museum in TN - Are you talking about the book, "Baskets and Basket Makers in Southern Appalachia"? If so I was there on a basket trip about 15 years ago with my parents. It is basically a folk life museum with baskets scattered about the buildings. There is a room that houses all the baskets featured in the book. I wanted to climb over the rail so badly and dig through the piles of baskets, but I thought the museum police would have frowned upon that. Now as I said this was 15 years ago so I have no idea what they have on display now. That trip was the one where I met Gertie Youngblood and Estel Youngblood, who were sister and husband respectively to Mildred Youngblood (who is featured n the "Baskets and Basket Makers in Southern Appalachia" book). When you get back, let us know what the museum is like these days. Happy Weaving, Tony Stubblefield St. Louis, MO http://www.JASkets.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Gretchen border Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 08:20:16 -0000 From: "Vic & Darleena Jones" To: CC: Linda, I was reading your post about the Gretchen border calculation. I have never thought about a calculation but I do think that the size of the basket has a lot to do with the length of the reed. I don't look at the number of rows but rather at the spoke size. If you are making a basket with 1/2" spokes then your RR would be shorter than if you were making a basket with 7/8" spokes. The RR has farther to go in order to make the pattern on a larger basket. I use 30" RR for my wine baskets but I use 40" RR for my big floor baskets. I hate to waste reed but I hate to come up short as well. Darleena in sunny and humid Azores Portugal %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket people Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 06:27:19 -0500 From: "Tim Hall" To: Hello to one and all, Just wanted to share this story with everyone. Although our guild is small (only 6 so far), we are growing and thankfully the word is getting out we exist. One of our members' sons is getting married in August and our member offered to make baskets for the wedding. We are assured that the baskets will be appreciated by the bride and will make another gift for her. Anyway, our member is on vacation and she put in an order before she left, so the guild is going to start making the chosen baskets when the order comes in. Our member is a new weaver and wasn't sure she could get them all (6) done before the wedding, so the guild happily stepped in to help. How's that for sticking together? I'm sure there are plenty of similar stories out there that show how basket makers help out each other. Weavingly yours, Donna in San Antonio where it's been summer for 4 months already! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: bleach 'n' Tony's pix Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 07:41:18 -0400 From: "Mary Hooper" To: "David Collins" HI All: WW edition 41.12 is a gem. Loaded with good material and good questions. I look forward to hearing what other weavers use as a coffee-tea dye formula as I've never tried it and would like to. One question: does this stain watermark if the basket gets wet? If it does, do you put a coat of something, maybe polyurethane, over it for protection? I finished my swap basket. It had a little dye stain on the natural reed, so I used bleach on q-tips to clean it up. THEN I pulled an old discarded printer page from my scrap paper basket under the computer. I use this paper for bookmarks, note taking, etc. On the sheet was a two-year-old WW message about bleaching baskets. For people who missed this: dilute the bleach with water, as straight bleach will turn the reed yellow. Needless to say, I am going to have to weave another basket for my swap partner, and get it right this time... :-( Tony: What good photos and they loaded fast. Would it be giving away a trade secret to tell us what photo program you are using? This week is our local small town Rhododendron Festival. I won't have a booth as the folks mostly want entertainment and bargains. Would those WW weavers whose names are not household words--such as yours truly-share their experiences with selling baskets. In general, are your sales better out-of-town or at hometown events? David: Once again, we thank you for all you do for us. Without WW, it would be a much harder row to hoe while working toward mastery of our craft. Cheerio from the gloomy Western NC mountains, where we're finally getting the rain we need... Mary Hooper %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Chat Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 06:49:09 -0500 From: "Julie Shanks" Organization: Prodigy Internet To: To Laurie, I'm testing a new tea stain. It is 100 tea bags tied in 3 layers of knee-highs. Soak it in 3 bottles of ammonia in a plastic tub for 2 weeks. Then it should be ready to use. Another basket maker I know uses this and her baskets are beautiful. After dipping theme and letting them dry she either sprays them with Weaver's Stain or Liquid Gold. My Stain has been sitting for a week outside. I will let you know in a week how it turns out. I also would be interested in the instant tea or coffee formula if anyone knows the formula. Does anyone know any of any baskets shop around Cumberland Lake, Kentucky or along the way? I will be leaving from northwest Il.? Julie K. Shanks jshanks1@prodigy.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 12 Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 09:27:31 EDT From: RSTAU7251@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi Fellow Weavers, It's really been a long time since I have written. Linda, I asked the same question that you did about the Gretchen border last year and got no response. I finally E-mailed Flo Hoppe. She was great to help me. She said that the rule of thumb is 3" per row. She also said that she adds a little more to make sure you have enough. For example, if you are doing 5 rows of the border, you would probably cut 17 to 18 inches. I always hairpin mine in so I cut double that amount; i.e., 34 to 36 inches. I always cut the longer length because after all that work I don't want to chance being short. It doesn't matter how big or little the basket is around just how many rows that you want to do. It has always worked great for my. Good luck. Three of us went to the Misti Washington weekend last year. It was wonderful. I would really encourage any of you who can go to go. The best part is that it's in the West. Those of us that live out here can have a less expensive trip! Happy Weaving, Kris Stauffer in sunny, hot Arizona %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Beautiful Pennsylvania Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 10:21:07 -0400 From: "Mary Zeh Kuhr" To: "David Collins" Hello Everyone, My husband and I have just returned from a WONDERFUL trip to Pennsylvania. What a lovely respite from Hot and Sticky, USA (North Carolina). We spent several days in Amish country where, I swear, we saw every farm in Pennsylvania. The vistas were magnificent. On one of our day trips, we trekked over to Kempton, which is NOWHERE, albeit the prettiest Nowhere you've ever seen. Having read Angie and Donna's posts, I was eager to put faces to their names. Unfortunately, they were not there, but Doris was helpful and patient as I looked at and touched every single item in the shop. I managed to purchase SEVERAL MORE things I didn't need (you know the drill) and availed myself of their monthly special (1/2" flat oval reed at a great price). Then on to Bucks County and Doylestown where my husband had meetings for three days. We stayed at a truly divine Bed and Breakfast owned by a Swiss couple who really know how to make you feel at home. I spent much of my time out on the old brick patio with my new best friend, Barley, an enormous Bernese (sp?) Mountain Dog, weaving, listening to good music, enjoying the cool breezes and the brilliantly colored blossoms (most flowers "FRY" in the North Carolina heat-- except in the mountains) and, on occasion, sipping tasty Pennsylvania beer. I asked the owner to consider hiring a resident basket maker and, of course, that person should be ME! Now we're home for a day, just long enough to wash out the undies and color the now-platinum-blonde-from-the-sun-hair (it's supposed to be "champagne") before heading out tomorrow for South Carolina and the Weave-In in Greenville. I will be teaching one class and taking one. The folks there have put a lot of effort into the planning and I'm sure it will be a huge success. What a great way to spend the summer. Hope all of you are having as much fun as I am. Mary %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 10:41:17 EDT From: FosterBA@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net My swap basket left for the city noted for its "green jewel" and friendly "living room." It is the only city I know that has a 24 hr. church open for the "King." Thanks Faye for chairing the swap. Ruthanne, I wish I could find the treasures you do. Thanks for the picture of the ammunition basket. Enjoyed the Missouri convention and hope they can find enough volunteers to keep going. Off to Washington Island Sunday for a week of weaving. Barb from Wisconsin where my sweet grass is drowning from all this rain. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Musty smells Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 08:01:15 -0700 From: helen schwartz To: David Collins References: 1 I have inherited a big bunch of basket making materials including a trove of dyed reed and reed in unopened coils. They must have been stored in a damp place. While there is no visible sign of mildew there is a decidedly musty smell, I have been putting them out in the sun for several hours for two days and it has helped but hasn't cured the problem. Are there any sprays that anyone can suggest that do not use bleach? I don't want to ruin the dyed reed but don't want smelly baskets either. I assume that if I don't get it all it will return over time. Thanks for any info. Helen in too hot, too muggy and (believe it or not) occasionally too cold Princeton %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Michigan Lurker Here!! Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 12:46:09 EDT From: "K A" To: davidc@iei.net Hello to David and Basket Weaver/Readers!! I must admit I'm one of those hundreds of "Lurkers"!! I LOVE reading WW's and would miss it on my long rides home in traffic so I thought I better add a few lines. I'm not taking any classes in the summer and haven't made or finished the basket I last started in April. Just taking a break. I wanted to share a NON BASKET item with everyone who is out in their backyards and enjoying the wonderful summer days. Have any of you tried Grilled Pizza!! Yes Grilled. It's great and EASY. The big trick is to have everything ready and organized before going to the grill. (Now for us basket weavers that might be the first problem - I know from my basket supply area that I'm not too organized)!! Anyways, grate your cheese, have some fresh veggies like green, red or yellow peppers cut up, mushroom sliced, chicken pieces grilled or left over from the night before cut up in small pieces to use, sauce or salsa, green onions, fresh sliced Roma tomatoes, etc you get the picture have it all ready and on hand. Make a batch of pizza dough or use thawed bread dough that you buy in the freezer section. Stretch the dough out in a somewhat rectangle shape or round (thin, but not too thin) and after heating up your grill and spraying Pam on it throw the dough on. Watch the bottom until it starts to brown up. Flip over the dough and put your toppings on (cheese last) and lower the flame to low and SHUT the LID. It should take about 5 mins for the bottom to brown up and the cheese will be melted. This is a THIN CRUSTED PIZZA like you would get in Italy. The pizza we get from most pizza shops are thicker and have way too much cheese and sauce on them. I love this grilled pizza because it's much lighter on the tummy than regular style pizza. It makes a great starter for Bar-B-Q's or for supper. We had some last night and it was great. Experiment and put grilled sausage on it or seafood. I used salsa last night because that's all I had around and I just sprinkled it on top of everything before I put the cheese on (because I forgot it actually) and it was just perfect. Sorry this is so long and that it has absolutely NOTHING to do with baskets, but I thought all of you would like a new challenge for a change and we are on a SLOW period as far as basket news goes!! I am also going to take up more of everyone's time and give you a really QUICK Pizza Crust recipe. NO-Knead No-rise Pizza Dough This quick recipe uses the food processor so you can have homemade pizza dough ready to bake in less than 15 minutes. 1 cup warm water 1 teaspoon sugar 2 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 pkg dry) 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 Tablespoons OIL 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar Add 1 teaspoon sugar to the warm water and stir. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the water and stir again. Let sit for about 5 minutes. In the food processor (with steel knife blade) add flour, oil, salt, and sugar. Pulse off/on a coup of times to mix. with the food processor running, add the yeast/water mixture through the feed tube. Let flour mixture combine with the liquid and allow it to "knead" for about 1 minute, or until dough is smooth. Add more water or flour, if necessary to get a smooth dough. Let dough rest 5 minutes before rolling out. Makes 2 - 12" pizzas or 1 - 15" large deep-dish. I did it and it was the best!!! Have fun and now don't be screaming at me for taking up so much space!!! I was just trying to make sure everyone had something to read!! Enjoy and let me know if you try this and liked it!!! Kathie Anderson, From Michigan, where it is thinking about raining right now. (Thur. June 22) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: RE: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 12 Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 15:22:13 -0500 From: "Pace, Dorothy" To: "'David Collins'" Hello, I'm one of those people who have been enjoying all of the conversation and information at this site. The question regarding a stain made from tea brought to mind the recipe that I've used occasionally: Take 100 cheap tea bags and put in a large pot of hot water. (I use the blue granite canning kettle that would hold about 5 to 7 jars of tomatoes in a water bath.) Steep the tea bags for 20 to 30 minutes and then discard them. Let the tea cool to luke warm and immerse the basket 10 to 20 minutes. Turn the basket frequently to be sure that it is evenly stained. Then remove the basket and let it drain (not dry). Place the wet basket in a large plastic bag (I use a black trash bag) with 1/2 cup of ammonia---just toss the ammonia into the bag with the basket. Tie the bag shut and let the basket sit in the bag for 20 to 30 minutes. Be sure to use the ammonia in a well-ventilated area. The times mentioned are approximate. By varying the amount of time the basket is in the tea bath and in the bag with the ammonia, different degrees of stain are possible. Lengths of reed may be stained in this manner before being woven. I've also used walnuts and pecans (separately) to make stain. Both types of nuts are collected while the green hulls are still on them. Fill an onion bag with the unhulled nuts and put it in a container with a tight fitting lid. (A Rubbermaid tub with lid worked well.) Add ammonia until the nuts are covered. Let sit for a week or so until the ammonia is a nice dark color. By using ammonia, not water, the stain will not develop mold. Of course, the basket must be aired thoroughly to allow the ammonia aroma to evaporate after staining. I was able to store this stain in the unheated garage over the winter months without it freezing here in southern Missouri. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Aloha! Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 12:12:37 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha from Honolulu where the breezes seemed to have picked up, thank goodness, A couple of comments-- I ordered a pattern from the Internet and when it arrived, I was so disappointed. Not only did it cost a whopping $4.00, but it is a 1 1/3 pages long/short and the picture is a very poor scan. In fact, half of the basket is in a dark shadow. The pattern is vague and is not tested. I do think that those who choose to sell patterns (and I*m talking not about the creator, but the middle man/woman) should give more info on the pattern--like whether it has a clear glossy picture or a poor scan. And a question for guild members. Do you have a policy about bringing children to guild meetings? Do you allow this--or discourage this? Joanne and I are planning our trip to the NC convention next year and we are thinking we*ll fly into Charlotte and rent a car and drive to Raleigh. We want to stop and stop frequently at interesting places (craft stores, antique shops and so on) so can anyone give us an idea of what*s out there? This is quite and adventure for two women who are currently island bound and we want to make the most of it. Any advice or info would be most welcome. Aloha, Lois %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: New venture Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 19:21:22 EDT From: Corbettrj@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net I hope no one minds if I share something - since I have retired I have been trying to fill up some empty time. I have started a cottage business. I would like those of you who are interested to check my new web site. It is in the building stages and not quite complete, but I am so proud of it. Our daughter was nice enough to do this for me. It is sort of basket related because I am making 12 baskets to tote my 12 different soaps. The website is: westrosecottage.bizland.com Thanks for looking, Carolyn Corbett, Seaford, DE %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Swap #9 Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 20:26:35 -0600 From: "Faye Stukey" To: "David Collins" References: 1 Hello Weavers! I hope everybody is busy weaving their swap baskets... I've decided what I'm going to make for my partner... and will be getting to it as soon as my materials are ready! I have had a couple of weavers write to me since my last letter who were vacationing during the sign up period for the swap. I'd hate for anybody to miss out... so if you fall into this category and would like to participate in the swap... write to me NOW and let me know! Thanks ya'all! (I may consider myself a Montanan... but I'm a Florida transplant. Sometimes that southern accent just won't go away). Faye %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Reminder to NCBA Members Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 22:51:02 -0400 From: "Sidney W. Safrit" To: "Collins, David" Hi All, Like many others, it has been a long time since I have written. There always seems like there is something pressing. I enjoy reading each and every one of the WW's. As a matter of fact, when I check my e-mail, I am disappointed if there is not a WW to read. Thank you David for providing this link to the basket world. When I read Dollie Koch's item on the NC Convention, I remembered that I had not sent my membership dues of $25 in for the North Carolina Basket makers Association for the year, which runs from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001. I thought there may be someone else out there who might need a little reminder. Especially since it is so obvious that we are all so busy! OK - So now Gertrude Hundley, who is in charge of membership of NCBA, will be swamped with members paying their dues! Ruthanne Morningstar - Thank you for sharing your ammunition basket by posting the picture on David's web site. This basket brought to mind the history of baskets, that they were made and used for functional purposes. Our ancestors considered baskets a necessity to survive; Now we as basket makers survive and maintain our sanity because we are able to weave baskets. Darlene Safrit In the Piedmont area of NC where it's terribly hot in the 80's and 90's with severe thunderstorms which pop up, but still not enough rain! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket swap Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 23:07:25 -0500 From: "Fleming" To: I've started weaving and I'm excited. Last time was my first swap and I wasn't sure what to do. Needless to say swap #8 went well. I loved the basket I received (thanks Jennifer Mulcare-Sullivan!) and my partner seemed to like mine. This time I have much more confidence. What fun - it's like Christmas in July! Lynne %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 12 Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 01:24:55 EDT From: Birdzoe3@cs.com To: davidc@iei.net Hello Everyone, I saw David's comment, and thought well I have not written for a long, long while and maybe it is time. Yes, Lois is right, it is hot, hot, hot, here in Hawaii. I have not done any weaving for over 8 months and now I have an order for 3 quilters totes and I can't stand outside long enough to even separate the material. It feels like someone is holding a match to my skin and I perspire so much my glasses are a mess and slip off my nose. Unfortunately I don't have a place in the house where I can weave so I am going to have to rig up a fan and just go for it soon or I will never get those baskets done. Maybe I should stand in a bucket of ice water while I weave, hey that my be the ticket! Karen Awong In sun scorched Honolulu %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Responses Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 07:43:19 -0400 From: gatsby@larck.net To: davidc@iei.net David, you asked where we all were. Well, I was visiting The Country Seat and Royalwood while on vacation. I figure I get to spend equal time visiting basket places as my husband spends taking me around places of his interests. Laurie, In regards to tea stain, I have never used it but printed out some info from WW awhile ago. 3 cups water to 1 cup instant tea. Bring to a boil and dissolve completely. The tea will get stronger as water evaporates. Another suggested 6 tbsp of instant coffee and 4 tbsp instant tea mixed with a small amount of warm water. Yet another suggested large jar of tea to about 1/2 to 3/4 gallon to a gallon of water. Another used 1 jar tea to an equal amount of water. Sounds like you should just try it and see which shade you like best. Also, try and do a search on WW's to see what other info you can find. Pam, do you have information about how to contact St. Louis Basketry? Always looking for new places to visit. Pam, I've been to Gettysburg and didn't find any basket places. However, it's not tooooo far from the Country Seat. Ever consider a daytrip? Just looking at the countryside there is worth the trip! Happy weaving/vacationing all, Dot in Maine %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Coffee/Tea Stains Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 09:26:31 EDT From: GrayFelix@cs.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone, The recipe I use for coffee/tea stains is from Grace Kabel's book, American Baskets to Weave: add 2 Tablespoons of salt to coffee or tea and soak reed, up to 2 days is best. I save my coffee in the frig until a 2 quart bowl is filled. Georgia in WI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: hairpinning, bark cutter Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 11:08:22 -0400 From: "Angie Wagner-Country Seat" To: "David" Hi all, Linda - Hairpinning is the first step for a braided border when the spokes are not used for the border. One end of the round reed is taken down through the twining rows (leaving a tail sticking out of the top of the basket) on the outside of the basket. This same end is brought back up through the twinning rows one spoke over (depending on the directions) leaving a "U" or scallop hanging down below the rows of twinning. The term comes from the old hairpins that were "U" shaped. A very good book with nice illustrations and pictures is "Braided Border Baskets" by Genie Jackson. To everyone - I wanted to get an opinion from people who use Gerry Strippers or bark cutters. I know John McQuire has an expensive on on his site. Do you need to pay a lot to get a good one? What does everyone use? I cut some birch bark this weekend and boy did I do a bad job. Thin in the middle and wide at the edges. I def need something to cut bark uniformly. Thanks, Angie in PA (what a beautiful weekend it's sup to be!) The Country Seat http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.