"Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 20 Date Sent: July 06, 2000 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1434 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 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 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 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. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Make Auction Payments Thru PayPal Plus Get $5 - FAST, FREE & SECURE: https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=ka9zre%40yahoo.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Picture('s) Added To Web Page Since The Last Issue NONE %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 19 Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 23:59:05 EDT From: StarlaK@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hickory/Walnut Nuts Question. I've learned that they nuts have to be green. Does this mean before they fall off the tree? Do you remove the nut from inside before placing them in the nylon into the ammonia? How long to you keep the nut/hull in the solution before removing? I have several patterns. I've put myself on restriction, I'm trying not to buy any new patterns for the next 6 months. I don't know if I'll make it, I know that many of you share this "problem" of seeing a basket that you've just gotta try...never mind that you have 20 or 30 other patterns waiting to be tried. GIVE ME STRENGTH ha ha ha Wishing y'all well from Virginia where the fireflies are dancing and the cicadas are chirping. Darla %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 10 Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 01:27:08 -0500 From: Roberta Comstock To: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 10 StarlaK@aol.com (name?) - My latest pattern-in-the-works is a belt basket that is much like a fanny pack. It can be worn on any belt (up to 1.5 inches wide). Julie K. Shanks - I see you figured out that all you have to do to talk to people on 'Weavers Words' is select 'reply' to the incoming message. You're welcome to any of the tips and suggestions we make here. It's nice to have you with us. Bert Comstock Lauderdale Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 19 Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 06:44:00 -0400 From: Pamela Woodbury To: David Collins References: 1 Hi Weavers, Mona, your post was just too funny. Too bad when those hickory trees got cut down you didn't know that you could actually weave with the hickory bark. Now I'm not a hickory expert and I think it is the inner bark that we wove with, but I took a basket class several years ago with Alvin and Trevel Wood and I made a hickory bark basket. It felt like leather when it got wet. Maybe anybody who actually knows a little on harvesting the hickory bark could write in and let us know how it is done. The finished basket it beautiful and when dried it no longer feels like leather, but a nice strong wood, nothing like reed. I think I wrote about this experience before, but it is still worth repeating. Antique stores very often have nasty old reed baskets that either the dealer thinks are antique or stored them away in a barn for a while til they look nasty enough to pass as antiques. After weaving for as many years as I have I can spot that. Anyhow when I was a very beginner an antique shop near me had what appeared to be a Nantucket Purse for $10. I could tell the basket was older, but as I had never made a Nantucket and merely seen a couple at a convention I wasn't any too smart about them. I did know they were desirable and very expensive. I figured at the time every thing else was an import so why not Nantucket's. Anyhow to make a long story short it was indeed an antique Nantucket because the next time I went into the shop the owner who knew less about Nantucket's than me told me a lady came in who knew about them and snagged it quick. I guess it had been found in an attic. Now whether it was an old original Nantucket actually made on the island or by lighthouse keepers, I don't know, but it was stupid not to have spent $10 to find out. Also as far as Nantucket's and imports, I visited the island a few years ago and one shop was actually selling Nantucket imports with tags on the bottom that said made in China. Of course the prices were wonderful and the workmanship wasn't bad. I have to say I was even tempted to get one, but stuck to my ethics and resisted. Pam %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Michelle's Christmas Cookie Basket Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 08:34:51 -0400 From: Winnie Organization: @Home Network To: David Collins References: 1 Hi Weavers, Carol, I haven't seen the pattern that you are asking about but I think the "10" sq." handle is a 10" square hoop, "true the base" means to make sure the base measures 7 1/2 by 7 1/2, and "going across the handle" means the first row of weaving goes over the handle. If you have a picture you could look closely at that to check the handle. Hope this helps. Winnie from Connecticut %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 19 Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 09:03:09 EDT From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Please excuse the error I made in the last newsletter about the contact newsletter person for the National Basketmakers Publication. I somehow mixed up the email addresses for Pat Steinmetz and Genny Gray! The correct address for sending information to the newsletter editor is, Genny Gray 905 Handlebar Road, Mishawaka, IN 46544 or send by email to basket@gauss.ce.nd.edu Actually, she said in the first contact letter that she would prefer to receive information via the Internet, if possible. That's basket@gauss.ce.nd.edu!!!!! Again, my sincere apologies to Pat, hope she wasn't overwhelmed with responses for the National Newsletter. On the other hand, maybe that would be a good thing! As was mentioned before in the last issue of this digest, send subscription/donation of $10 or more to Dianne Stanton, 365 High Street, Pembroke, MA 02359. The Wicker Woman/Cathryn Peters/Zumbro Falls, MN 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: WRAFFIA Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 09:14:22 -0400 (EDT) From: ebernier@webtv.net (Evie Bernier) To: davidc@iei.net Just came across some info about using Wraffia, a type of ribbon, for pine needle baskets. Checked locally but didn't have any luck in finding it. Would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance Evie in Mi where my porch looks like a disaster because of my basket projects. What fun!!!!! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 19 Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 08:22:54 -0500 From: Rowena Philbeck To: David Collins Hello Weavers, JoAnn, That's for the website with such great Basket Info. I was unable though to get a website for "Handweavers Guild of America" I was interested in the Video library that they had. Does anyone know if there website has changed??? I also love the great info on schools on basketry. That would be wonderful to take a trip and learn basketry techniques all at the same time. Since I also live in Texas and only 1 1/2 hr away from Houston. I am pleased to hear of the Basketry Conference in Houston in 2001. WONDERFUL!!!! Thanks and Hope you all had a Happy 4th of July!! "To touch a gourd, is to touch a little bit of history...." Rowena Philbeck rowena@archone.tamu.edu http://www2.txcyber.com/~rowena/ Home Email: rowena@cy-net.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Retayne & reeds Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 08:33:56 -0700 (PDT) From: Margie Reck To: davidc@iei.net Starla, What is Retayne? I assume it is a mordant, but I have never heard of it. Leslie, About organizing all those small pieces of reed that "you don't want to throw out because you know you will need them as soon as you do": I keep my reed separated into sizes in boxes. I simply bind the short pieces together with a rubber band and put them in the box of that size reed. Then when I am using that size for a basket, I first see if there are any short pieces that I can use. If you hang your reed, you could still band the short pieces together and place them all in a box (or basket). If you put a piece of paper with the size written on it under the rubber band, you can see at a glance what you have. Just sort through these before starting your basket to see if there are any reeds you can use. Hope this is helpful. Margie in dry Montana - we need your rain! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: RE: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 18 Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 11:34:45 -0500 From: "Adamczak, Shirley" To: "'David Collins'" In response to Tracey Gower's request for suggestions for organizing reed: I have 2 white wire shelves (from Menard's) and we installed them one on each wall about 5 feet from the floor. I have all of my reed (open coils, the unopened ones are on another shelf stacked up) in paper shopping bags with handles and I hang them with "S" hooks from the underside of the shelf and sit bags on top of the shelf. This makes it easy to find what you need and stores a lot of reed in a small space because you still have the floor space. I made labels on the computer such as "1/2" FO" and put a label on each side of the bag so if it gets turned around it's still easy to find. Somewhere I read that reed should be stored in paper so it doesn't mildew. I hope this helps. I can't believe the amount of "stuff" we collect when we have hobbies. Happy weaving! Shirley Adamczak in Minnesota on the shores of beautiful Lake Superior, God's country. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Organizing Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 12:10:30 EST From: "Scott Green" To: davidc@iei.net Tracey - I'm one of those people that everything has to be neat and organized. I use the cardboard boxes with 4 drawers that can be found in the "laundry section" of Ames/Wal-Mart etc. I store the opened coils of reed in the drawers with each drawer labeled with size and type. The unopened coils I hang from a dowel that is hung from the ceiling with chain. The only problem I find with storing the opened reed in the drawers is that the larger flat/oval and round reed fit very tightly in the drawer. I have 4 of these boxes and find it to be very neat. They are relatively inexpensive and keep the mess to a minimum. I put the scrap pieces of reed in the bottom of the drawer(s) and use up when I make small/scrap baskets. I've looked at the plastic organizers with drawers but they are too expensive (around $30 each). This seems to work well for me. Can anyone help me with this: I recently purchased a 8" Round Nantucket mold and need assistance with determining the number of stakes/staves. Is there a rule for determining this and can anyone recommend a book with patterns or individual patterns. I found several books but they didn't seem to give patterns, just basic instructions. I'm pattern dependent and need to know the type of supplies needed. I'm looking forward to starting and am also a little nervous. Thanks Tracey Warners, NY %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Base Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 15:43:33 EDT From: Corbettrj@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Several years ago I wove a tray using a laminate base. The particular one I used had holes drilled around the edges to insert the reed. Then you twine for several rows, finish off with a border. All of the laminated bases I saw had flowers of some type painted on. I have looked in several catalogs for that type of base, but have had no luck. I would like to make one or two more as gifts. I guess I could make a base, but I like the laminated bases because they do not stain. Does anyone know where I can purchase the bases? All help gratefully received. Carolyn Corbett Seaford, DE %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: basket screensaver Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 15:45:07 -0400 From: "Dolores Gatz" To: "Pineneedlegroup@Egroups. Com" CC: "David" I'm still working on it, so you'll have to visit it several times because I only have to first couple of pictures that I received so far. These are photos of baskets that are being exchanged in the Pineneedlegroup open coil exchange going on currently. Anyone can visit once, they know where to go and you can send the photos as cards or as download a wallpaper. When you download it as wallpaper it automatically becomes your screen saver too. It will download a program onto your machine while downloading the wallpaper. This is the screensaver workings. The more photos you download the larger the variety on your screensaver becomes. It all free. I've been using webshots are my wallpaper and screensaver for over a year now and love it. 'I've been using their pictures.' Guess I'm going to have to expand to include the baskets in it too. Thought it was an interesting site and that all us baskets 'nuts' can now have a basket screensaver. Of course, I'm sure everyone that has a non-basket cosharing computer partner will be happy to see yet another 'basket' accessory invading the home. Hope everyone enjoys it and would like to hear what everyone thinks of it. David and Pam have wonderful sites and have shown our baskets to such perfection. And they both have so much to offer on their websites. To give Pam so more freedom of time, when she asked if someone else would handle the photos this time. I thought it would be a good learning experience for me. Was totally lost where I would post them. Pam made some suggestions, which reminded me that my cousin and I where check out the feature of posting your photos on their site. For a trial we had loading up some pictures had them up there for 2 days and then deleted the page. An extra thought came to mind. The ones that have send me a explanation of their design along with the photo I posted it. If you send me your website too, I'll post that too. Who knows because its a public site maybe someone will get a sale as well. Happy Weaving and coiling, http://community.webshots.com/album/2775437nhrWIvrlxZ D. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: RE: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 19 Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 15:30:23 -0500 From: "Adamczak, Shirley" To: "'David Collins'" Does anyone have any suggestions for organizing basket patterns? I started filing them in a 3-ring binder by pattern name but then I didn't put them away when I was done so I spend lots of time trying to find the one I am looking for. I was thinking of cross filing them by pattern name or author, and then also assigning a number to each one. Any suggestions of what works would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Shirley Adamczak in Duluth, Minnesota %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Tea stain and ammonia Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 20:03:25 -0400 From: Polly To: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone... I am a lurker but wanted to add my bit to the ammonia and tea stain discussion. When I started using the tea stain I was told that you just needed a small amount ammonia (1/2 cup to a huge plastic garbage bag) to set off a chemical reaction with the tannic acid in the tea. When I use the tea stain that is all I use, actually I use much less because my baskets are usually small ones and I just use a splash of ammonia. If you use a clear bag (when dyeing smaller baskets) you can see the ammonia turn black almost immediately. This particular "recipe" didn't say how long to keep in the bag but the "depth" of color was determined by the time in the fumes. I can't imagine immersing a basket in ammonia. Enjoy reading the Weaver's Words, one day I'll be braver and really get into the swing of the conversations. Polly, Southampton, NY %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words v.14.18 and v 14.19 Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 22:00:03 -0400 From: "Nancy Carlson" To: To Tracey Looks as if you have gotten quite a few suggestions regarding how to organize your weaving area. Here are a couple more. Your drawer bins may be perfect for storing your round reed. I take a pound of reed at a time, soak it for a few minutes, put a rubber band around the end and hang it. Then I coil each piece up and let it dry. Once it is dry, I store it in bins. When I need a piece of round reed, all I have to do is reach into the appropriate bin and pull out apiece or two. Each size is in a separate bin and I can tell by the number of coils how long it is. I also have two 20"x28"x20" plastic bins with rope handles that I store my reed. One bin is for flat reed. Each plastic bag (20'x20") has the size reed marked on the outside. The reed's coiled and filed in the bin (it is like a giant file box (ll/64 flat, 3/16 flat, 1/4 flat, etc). The other bin has flat oval and the larger round reed (sizes 6 and up). Uncoiled reed is stored on an entertainment type unit ****************** Have to agree with Tony regarding Antique Baskets. A friend and I do a lot of scouting around for old baskets and as a general rule they are not very knowledgeable. If that is not enough, a couple of years ago we picked up a small book at an antique shop on how to identify baskets. Lo and behold some of them were definitely incorrectly labeled! Last weekend, I was in a shop and picked up something for my son-in-law. When I was paying for the item, the shop owner told me that she did not know anything about the item that I purchased. Was she ever impressed that I could tell her when and where the item was made. ***************** To Mindy There is a person who lives in Florida who is a very well known Nantucket Basketmaker. Whether or not she can help you or not she should be able to steer you in the right direction. Her name is Elizabeth Geisler and her e-mail address is egeisler@gte.net. ******************* Now I need some help. Received a message a few days ago from a basket collector that saw some baskets by Stephen Kostyshyn and she would like to contact him. Can anyone out there help me? ***************************** To Craig There are guilds in Ohio! Try contacting Barb Honecy, secretary for the Wildwood Basketry Guild. She should be able to steer you in the right direction. Nancy - Mt Pleasant, MI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Swap Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 21:08:20 CDT From: "Betsy Greener" To: davidc@iei.net Hi, I have never written in before -- avid reader though. I just wanted to brag about my beautiful swap basket I received from Martha Robinson today. It is a sunflower tote complete with sunflower and a crow. It has one swinging handle and absolutely gorgeous. I also received a Pat Rickter note pad and a basket weaver pin. It was truly a wonderful treat! Betsy Greener %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Reply for Volume 4, Issue 19 dated 7/4/00 Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 22:33:38 -0400 From: Darlene Safrit To: David Collins Hi All! To Cathryn Peters - Congratulations on your grant money. I think the lucky person is the one who gets to work along with you and learn your tricks of the trade. To Barb Byrne in Vienna, MO - I purchased a book with basketry lampshade patterns many years ago at a craft shop for $4.00. The name of the book is "De-Light-ful Basketry Lampshades" By Sue Brewer. The book contains 11 lampshades you can weave. The book was printed by Plaid Enterprises Inc., P. O. Drawer E, Norcross, GA 30091. Copyright 1984, Plaid Enterprises, Inc. I am not certain if this book is still available. It is a great book & if you could get your hands on one I am sure you would be able to use some of the ideas for lampshades for your nature retreat. A couple of the lampshades are for oil lamps. The pictures of the lampshades in the book are in color & are very clear. That makes understanding the patterns a little easier. Hope this helps. Darlene Safrit In the central Piedmont section of North Carolina where it is very hot & thunderstorms seem to pop up occasionally to bring brief rain with thunder & lightning. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 12 Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 21:30:36 -0500 From: Roberta Comstock To: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 12 Well, Faye Stuckey has the 9th WW swap well underway, and I am trying to remember if I told WW folks about the basket I received from Lori Reeve in the 8th swap. (I'm sure I sent her a personal thank-you and let Jennifer know it had arrived.) So forgive me if this is a repeat, but I do want you all to know that Lori made me a fine oval cathead market basket and included some goodies from her shop. The wooden sunflowers got tied onto the side of the basket. I liked it so much I used it at my wedding to hold the guest book and cards. Thanks again Lori! Linda Cutright - Did you get the information you needed about Gretchen borders? Tony - I also bought a copy of Kari Lonning's book at MO convention. I've always wondered how she did her baskets. And I Love the gallery pages and intros to other contemporary weavers. There's a good picture of Leon Neihues included. Congratulations on winning with your ash quadrafoil cathead! Billie - I haven't seen a right-angle drill, but it sounds like a tool I need to put on my wish list. Thanks for sharing that info. Susan Reed-Fanfoni - I wasn't aware that you were in the Shenandoah Valley. The last time I was there was for a natural dye and plant fiber spinning workshop at Priscilla Bloser-Rainey (sp?)'s River Farm near Timberville, VA, in 1987. It's beautiful country! Haven't been to the Cape Fear area since fall of '79 - wasn't doing baskets then, but was on a work related environmental training course that took us into the swamps on foot and down the estuary of the Cape Fear River on a former shrimp boat converted to research vessel. I especially remember the close-up study of the little 4-inch squids that came up in the nets as we got into saltwater. They were delicious rolled in cornmeal and fried golden brown! The guys who refused to taste them will never know what they missed! No bones, no shells (just one little cuttlebone), succulent tender meat & delicate flavor. Would love to get to a basket workshop down there some day. Bonnie Hauser - Where in Tennessee is the basket museum? I look forward to reading your comments about the collection there in WW. Bert Comstock Lauderdale, back to weaving a lunch basket for the Woven Circle auction this Sunday. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Marianne Barnes Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 21:40:21 -0500 From: Chris Carstens To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone, I just finished a very busy and fun day making a gourd basket with Marianne Barnes and three of my friends! Marianne came all the way to Wisconsin from South Carolina with her husband, Jim, to visit relatives in Sheboygan. I wrote to Marianne after reading her post about coming to Wisconsin and asked if she would be willing to come to my house to teach her beautiful gourd baskets. She agreed! Sheboygan is about a 11/2 hour drive to my house and her husband was willing to drive out here so we could get together to weave! Marianne brought several kits she had made up for us and we all had a great time creating some real works of art. I haven't quite finished my basket yet, but I am on the last step, which is stitching a Philodendron sheath around the rim with waxed linen. If you get a chance, look on WW pictures at Marianne's gourd baskets and you will get an idea of what we made. The ladies at the basket guild are going to be so jealous! Thank you so much Marianne and Jim for spending the day with us! Marianne's husband made a great babysitter for my son and my friends' children who were also a part of the festivities! I will be sure to send the pictures I took in to David after I get them developed. Now I have to get a start on my swap basket before I leave on vacation. I won't make the first deadline of July14th, but will definitely have the basket sent out by July 21st. So, don't worry swap buddy, you will get a basket! Hope everyone had a great 4th! Lisa Carstens in SE WI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 20:45:45 -0700 From: Lynda Crowe To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and continued thanks! Hope your 4th was happy and festive! Starla@aol.com: I was wondering what you use to achieve 'black plum'? I use rit and have had a lot of success, and have never had our colors to do what you described. Leslie: Before weaving became my life and I started the business, and I worked in the house, I put a pretty decorative hook in the ceiling and kept a silk hanging pot there, until I needed to hang my reed from it and the plant went to it's home in the closet. I opened the coil and where the end is bound to keep all the pieces together, I wrap it tightly-very tightly-with a thick rubber band. Then remove the reed, or tie holding it together. That way as I remove pieces, it stays in place to hold the remaining pieces in the bundle. The person who is in base housing: I at one time had a storage problem, if you ask my husband, he would still say I have a storage problem. Anyway, when I had limited space, I kept a grocery store bag for each of the sizes of reed I used. Whit is better for the following reason, I used a permanent marker and labeled the bag with the size of reed inside. I used 3 storage totes to store them in. One for flat, one for flat oval and one for round. I kept them in order size wise, like a file system, each stood on end against the next one, so it was easy to see if I had one already opened in that size. Unopened coils were stored in the least full box. These are easily slid into closets, or under beds. Footlockers were another of my favorite storage places. Keep one at the foot of every bed with doilies on them and pull it to your weaving area and no one is the smarter when it all back in it's box. Hope this helps. Dying is easily done outdoors on a gas grill in old pots and get a large buck to rinse and transfer the reed. Get an 'umbrella clothesline', if you're permitted and hang it to dry there. Lynda Crowe 'The Crowe's Nest Basketry' crowenest@xoommail.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 19 Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 21:06:20 PDT From: "Alice Edwards" To: davidc@iei.net Hello David and Fellow Weavers, I have been meaning to write ever since the Missouri convention. I made the trip with Bert and Deb from our local guild and thoroughly enjoyed the convention, the trip and meeting some of the faces behind the names. I also wanted to add my two cents worth of 'storing the stuff' ideas. Most of my reed is stored in ten-gallon plastic storage tubs. I have both the Rubbermaid and Sterilite brand and find that unopened packages of reed store well, on edge, in the Sterilite tubs with the lids on. I have separate tubs for round reed and flat reed, and extras for overflow, handles, dyed reed, etc. The great thing about these is that with the lid on I can stack them. Once I open the reed I recoil it loosely and put it in a two-gallon zip type plastic bag. These I keep (again on edge) in a ten gallon Rubbermaid container that wasn't deep enough to store the unopened reed, and I can see them at a glance to check what I have open and how much is left. I have two sacks for 5/8 flat, since I frequently want only weavers, or only stiffer reed for spokes. Whichever I don't want just waits until I need it and I label the sacks with a marker so I can tell which is which easily. The bin full of open sacks can set right on top of the bins with lids, next to the table where I am working and I have everything close and handy. I also find the sacks handy to store 'kits' between when I cut them out and am ready to weave them. I can just tuck the pattern in with the spokes and include any extras that are just for that basket. WARNING - don't close the sacks if there is any chance of moisture that would lead to mildew of mold. In fact I find it easier to use the reed if I leave them open. Then, I just put extra pieces of the reed back in the sack. We have and use a dehumidifier because of my allergies, but if not and you live in a damp climate, I would poke holes in lids of the plastic tubs or vent them somehow, or use something to be sure moisture doesn't build up and cause problems. When I am using the smaller or round reed, I hook it to a curtain or closet rod with one of those ponytail holders with the round balls. This keeps it hanging where you can pull out a strand easily. In a pinch you can hook up a clothes hanger and then hook them to it. I haven't dyed reed in ages, it is worth it to me to buy it already dyed from Royalwood and Noresta. I have had very good luck with dyed reed from both of them. I am especially fond of buying the packages of mixed colors. This works great if you only need a few pieces of the color for just one basket and lets me have a much wider variety of colors than if I only dyed a few colors myself. I think it probably depends on how much weaving you do and what kind. Well, I have been rattling on and I'd better go for now. Bless you David for all you do for all of us. Alice Edwards in the hot and muggy Kansas City area. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: (No subject) Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2000 07:57:07 EDT From: LJBUTTKE@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi David, and all of you at weavers words. David, I really appreciate all that you do for us weavers. You are very much appreciated. I have been lurking about 2 years. I read all that everyone has to say and enjoy the conversation. I have been weaving approximately 5-6 years. I have a quick question. I will be in Madison, WI on the 14th of July. My daughter is transferring to the University and has orientation that day. I was wondering if there are any basket shops in the area that I could go to while my daughter is busy. It sure would be better that just sitting and waiting. Please feel free to e-mail me directly. Thanks in advance for your help. Linda Buttke from SE Wisconsin ljbuttke@aol.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Swap Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2000 08:44:19 -0400 From: "Arlene Katris" To: What a wonderful surprise awaited me when I arrived home from 2 weeks with my new granddaughter Molly in Boston! I came home sad at having to leave the family and there was this great package from Brenda Parker of North Carolina! It contained a great square shaped basket of rich hued colors and a wire handle. Also included was a terrific lampshade (with a basket weave texture), a photo album (perfect timing for pics of Molly) and a great handmade plaque which states "live well, love much and weave often"! Such great presents for a sad and exhausted grammy to come home to. The basket is superbly woven with not even one hair on it!! I have only been weaving since April so this will be an inspiration to be able to weave like you Brenda. My swap basket will go out this weekend so I've got lots to do. Thanks again, Brenda for the most welcomed and treasured swap! I have one question for readers - what is a Gretchen border? Ar in sunny Delaware, the first state, the blue hen state, the diamond state where the ladybug is the state bug! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Baskets of Joy Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2000 08:49:17 -0400 From: "Arlene Katris" To: Just a note to recognize Lisa from Baskets of Joy and the wonderful deed she did on Sunday, July 2. I was visiting my family in Boston and decided to take a quick spin to Brunswick, Maine. I didn't have the exact address and called from a rest stop and got an answering machine. Lisa answered and said they were closed on Sunday, then asked where I was and said "come on over, I'm working in the garden and will be glad to open the shop". I still haven't recovered from her graciousness and generosity for giving up part of her Sunday afternoon to let me stroll through the shop. She was so helpful to this novice, gave me lots of tips and ideas. I have only been weaving for a short few months but have come in contact with such great people. I think it is so important in this life to thank those who have made a difference in one's life - so Lisa and Baskets of Joy, this one's for you! Ar Katris in sunny Delaware, who wishes she now lived in Maine! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Red White & Blue Swap Basket Date: Thu, 06 Jul 2000 09:14:41 -0500 From: "Susan Laswell" To: davidc@iei.net Hi Weavers, I'm a fairly new lurker...and am really enjoying all your conversations. A huge surprise greeted me when I returned from work late last week - my swap basket had come and just in the nick of time. I was headed out the next day for my brother's 4th of July wedding, complete with a reception decorated for the 4th and a traditional BBQ. Imagine my delight to find that my swap buddy had sent me a 4th of July napkin basket, complete with stars and stripes napkins. It's a terrific basket, red, white and blue, with decorative stars (and a couple of techniques I haven't tried - so an inspiration as well). I took it with me to Florida, where it added to the wedding festivities and was admired by all. A great big thanks to Jolene Boggs for my wonderful basket, to Faye for coordinating the swap, and to David for being our fearless leader. Susan 2101 #A North Lakeshore Drive Chapel Hill NC 27514-2026 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2000 11:02:15 -0400 From: Tamara I Braunscheidel To: davidc@iei.net Hi- I am looking for someone who makes cloth baskets and someone who makes dried flower/herb arraignments to sell in a new store opening in South Lyon, Michigan in August. Sorry, at this time I don't have anymore details, but if you are interested in this possibility please e-mail me personally at BETBaskets@juno.com by Tuesday, July 11, 2000. Please send your name, address, phone number, best time to call and your e-mail address. Thanks, Tammy from Michigan %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2000 18:30:10 -0700 From: Lynda Crowe To: davidc@iei.net Hi David. I hope this finds everyone well and having enjoyed the 4th! Well, we think we are finally settled and ready to go. The Crowe's Nest Basketry has moved twice, so to speak! We moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, from Vienna, West Virginia. Which, for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of having packers, was a NIGHTMARE!!! First, we couldn't find anything. It took a full day and a half to get the kitchen in the house put together. They packed winter coats with the home canned goods, is there logic to this? I just can't figure that one out. If it weren't for my parents coming out to help us, I don't know what I'd have done!!! At one point when I lost it, and I mean lost it, Mom sent me off to 'take a break'. Which I needed one a week long actually. That NIGHTMARE seems a million miles away and it had better stay that way. Unpacking the business was another one. The stuff they packed together. Who trained these people??? I chose the one who came with the highest recommendations, but I guess that doesn't mean anything. Well, then after all that, with David's help, I got some info on the area that I needed and off I went. The website has moved for those of you who haven't visited us lately, I think all the pages are updated and there is a NEW FREE PATTERN! New items on the sales and limited items pages, and new newsletter. If you have any dates or show information that you'd like posted, e-mail me and well get it on. 'Click' by and visit us and see our changes. We are still processing orders within 24 to 48 hours. New address is: http://members.xoom.com/crowenest Our new e-mail is: crowenest@xoommail.com Stop by and leave a message on the bulletin board about anything you'd like to see on the site, or just what you think. Thanks and Happy Weaving! Lynda Crowe "The Crowe's Nest Basketry" crowenest@xoommail.com Visit us on the web at: http://members.xoom.com/crowenest %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.