"Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 24 Date Sent: July 13, 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. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ATTENTION ONLINE AUCTION USERS 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: Potato masher basket Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 22:50:13 -0400 From: Chris & Melissa Kile To: David Collins I am interested in directions for the potato masher basket, too. I collect red-handled antique kitchen utensils, and have about 3 dozen different tools hanging on the soffit over my kitchen cabinets. Thanks! Melissa Kile in humid Riner, VA %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: Swap Basket!! Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 22:03:17 -0500 From: Lynn A Montgomery To: davidc@iei.net Hi, Everyone! Just had to tell everyone what a wonderful Patriot Bowl (8" solid base, red, white & blue spokes with a twill weaver) I just received from my swap partner, Adie Morre, Spring Hill, Florida! Not only is the basket beautiful, but it has a fun embellishment ...red & blue wooden stars on springy copper wires and raffia! This is my first "holiday" basket and I love it. This weekend I'm showing it off to over 100 people at a surprise party for my Mom in Chicago! Plus, Adie included a very nice letter about herself, her local newspaper, her guild newsletters, a miniature egg basket and tags! Loved the reading and ideas they generated. Thank you, again, to Adie! and to Faye for coordinating everything!! I love the basket swaps!!! Lynn Montgomery Sun Prairie, WI (just outside of Madison, WI) Where the rains have stopped, the mosquitoes are taking a break and the weather is beautiful! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Post Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 23:43:04 -0400 From: "William Campbell" To: davidc@iei.net Hi David & Everyone: Bert - Can you take "some" of the bark off a big Hickory without killing it? We ave a hearty population of squirrels that are very good at providing us with seedlings every year. Our home bumps up against the woods, and I would wager a guess there are probably many trees I could mutilate if I weren't so scared of SNAKES. I've seen a couple on my property (in my wood shop; driveway & yard) and each time I almost pee my pants I am so scared. Everybody tells me they are harmless, but I usually don't stick around long enough to find out. About the organization of weaving materials. I really think all you weavers need to seriously consider the consequences of organization. If you adapt and organize your stuff too well, you will never get any more space!!! Before you know it hubby's NASCAR collectables are taking up valuable shelf space. My "stuff" had become so overwhelming that hubby just went out and rented me a shop in town. IT IS GOING TO BE WONDERFUL. Truthfully, the property is far from prime and resides in one of the older shopping centers BUT WHO CARES, it's mine! Now I can weave, or paint, or stain, whatever I want. The lease is month to month and providing I sell a couple baskets each month I should be able to pay the rent. Now that's what you get from NOT being so organized! Mona Campbell in sunny and humid Havelock, North Carolina %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 22 Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 22:46:11 -0700 From: Sue Ann Boitnott To: David Collins References: 1 Greetings, Rowena, I belong to the Willow and Naturals list, but don't quote me on how to subscribe as my computer skills are very elementary. I THINK you write subscribe to the following address: baskets@maillist.ox.ac.uk If this doesn't work e-mail me privately and I will try and assist you. Kay in Florida, I live in the central lower part of Michigan and the only place I know to get supplies is at Arnie's in Houghton Lake on M-55. It is a large craft store the is open 6 days a week (closed Wed.). I usually order my supplies from Gratiot Lake in the UP or Royalwood in Ohio. Bert, you peaked my curiosity when you spoke of "needle-looping waxed linen. Where can a get a pattern of more info on this interesting project? I know, I know it is not even remotely connected with willow. But it does sound interesting. Thanks in advance. Peace filled days, Sue Ann in Weidman, Michigan where the willow patch is swaying in the breeze. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: EAST TROY BASKETRY Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 08:08:22 -0400 From: The NorEsta Cane & Reed Reply-To: sales@noresta.com Organization: The NorEsta Cane & Reed To: "COLLINS, DAVID" To Julie Shanks, et al. The name of the Wisconsin basket shop you asked about is "East Troy Basketry" and is located on Church St in East Troy. The Phone number is 888-424-9866. Good luck and Happy Weaving! The NorEsta Cane & Reed http://www.noresta.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 23 Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 08:54:58 EDT From: Sandybsk@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Shirlet: I teach basket classes in Ft. Myers and sell supplies. Please e-mail me privately and I'll give you more information. Sandy Drexler, MS Creations, www.bewley.net/mscreations %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 23 -East Troy Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 09:00:40 EDT From: FosterBA@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi Julie, The shop is the East Troy Basketry Company. Address is 2082 Church St., East Troy, WI. Eileen Mirsberger is the new owner. e-mail: basket@wcf.net One of the Wisconsin Barb's %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: POTATO MASHER BASKET Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 10:08:42 EDT From: Redlou8821@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net I also tried to locate the instructions for the potato masher basket is past issues of weaver's words but had no luck. I would certainly appreciate someone sending either the instructions or where I can purchase the pattern. The end of July I will be making a road trip from my hometown of Lawton, Oklahoma to buffalo grove, Illinois. I plan to go through St. Louis and then on to Chicago. Please let me know of any "must see" basket shops, museums, supply stores, etc. along the way. Once I arrive in the Chicago area, I will have my days free to roam. Thanks in advance for any information you pass along to me. Lou Kuykendall, basket weaver/collector, from Lawton, Oklahoma where it's a hundred and ten in the shade! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 23 Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 11:17:46 EDT From: AngelBskts@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Lois you said that you noticed the baskets in "The Patriot". I haven't seen that particular movie - yet - but I do know that no matter what I am watching I always notice the baskets and now so do my husband and my daughter. That way if they are watching something I'm not then they call me in to see them! Maybe you are right - it's part of the addiction?? Melanie ^i^ It's easy being an angel if no one ruffles your feathers. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 23 Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 10:39:13 -0500 From: Rowena Philbeck To: David Collins Joyce - Do you know where I can get the patterns for the wax linen (small) baskets that you were talking about? Sounds interesting. I love using wax linen. Heidi - You live on a boat.... COOL!!! I can see where space would be a problem especially with all the basketry stuff that one can get!!! Rowena %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 22 Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 10:50:12 -0500 From: Rowena Philbeck To: David Collins Hi Basket Lovers, Lisa - Thanks for the Info on odd or even spokes. I have another questions????? I have had one person tell me even and one odd. Does it matter? I just didn't want to start a basket and at the top not be able to finish it right. I tried counting from a pic. In a book...but that really doesn't work. That is a good idea also putting the reed thru the inside to outside of a thinner gourd. I have done it from the outside in before and the number of holes were a diameter of 4. I used two different colors of reed and it worked out really nice. Thanks for your help, Rowena %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Arnies' Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 11:52:55 -0400 (EDT) From: ebernier@webtv.net (Evie Bernier) To: davidc@iei.net Spent last Sat AM in Arnies' picking up some basket supplies. Always, always find loads of unexpected goodies to bring home. Certainly recommend Arnies as a MUST stop for crafters, and if it is time for lunch or whatever, go to Rebecca's, a wonderful restaurant. Arnies will give you the directions. Enjoy Evie in Sanford, Mi where my screened patio is piled high with basket projects. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Swap #9 Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 11:56:12 -0400 (EDT) From: Ann Thompson To: David Collins Hi all, I am one of those lurkers, but I just had to come out of the closet to let everyone know about the wonderful cathead basket that I received from Dianne Gleixner. She did a superb job - it looks like she hand sanded each piece of reed before weaving. It is made of smoked and natural reed with a navy accent - just perfect for my kitchen. I love it!!!! Thanks again Dianne. Also thanks to Faye for all her work for swap #9. Thank you David for all your work and thank you to all of you fellow weavers for your great tips and postings. Now I will go back to my closet and lurk some more. Maybe I'll even come out again - it wasn't too painful. Ann from Dundee Mi - se corner just north of Toledo Ohio %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 23 Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 09:38:38 -0700 From: "Jan Putra" To: "David Collins" References: 1 Hi, NorEsta Reed and Cane sells a reed organizer that is really handy. You hang it up and it has loops that fasten with Velcro. You put coils of reed or handles in the loops to hang and get out of the way, yet easily accessible. I have three of them hanging in my work area and contemplating getting more. Jan Putra, in SE Wisconsin %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: re: dogwood branch Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 13:02:41 -0400 From: "Angie Wagner-Country Seat" To: "David" Mary Hooper and lichen on the dogwood branch - be very, very, very careful :) Angie The Country Seat, PA http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Swaps Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 13:56:35 -0400 From: "Craig Schmidt" To: davidc@iei.net Hello! I would really like to know how to be a participant in the Basket Swaps everyone is talking about????? Any info would be appreciated! Sandy Playing Outside in No-Humidity-Beautiful Weather Ohio %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 13:07:54 -0500 From: mlower@mail1.aeroinc.net To: David Collins Hi everyone, Was wondering if this has ever happened to any of you. I always teach one class each summer with reed baskets to my sister and a group of her friends. This year we were making a tote basket. They cut their 5/8" flat reed and were weaving up their bases when we noticed that several of the spokes were turning pink. We got to laughing about it, but as they bent up the sides and started weaving, several of them starting breaking completely off. They were bad! So I had to quickly help several of them cut new spokes and start all over again. Have you ever had reed that has done that to you? As the spokes dried they didn't return to their original color, they just stayed pink. Only 10 days till my daughter's wedding. I delivered all of the Nantucket's to the florist yesterday for the bridesmaids and flower girl. We are going to use several Nantucket's throughout the wedding in different places such as holding the gift cards and programs. I'm ready to get this thing over because it seems like we have been thinking about it forever! Mindy in northwest Illinois http://www.aeroinc.net/~users/nantucket %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Oak Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 14:05:01 -0700 From: Helen Schwartz To: David Collins References: 1 A friend has given me a box of split oak weavers. I have never used oak before. Is there anything special I should know? How long should I soak them? Thanks for any info. Helen from Princeton NJ where the weather is surprisingly pleasant for mid-July %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 17:28:35 EDT From: FosterBA@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net I received my swap basket today from Ar Katris of Wilmington, DE. Ar stated she took her first class in April, and she did a nice job on this wine basket. She tied on a lovely shell right off of "rehoboth" beach as an embellishment. Ar revealed that she is know as the "Crock pot queen," and included a "Soul Soup" cookbook she published herself and a jar with all the fixings for a Katris family 10 bean family holiday traditional meal. I guess the pillbox and dosage spoon inside is because she knows what kind of a cook I am. Remember my grandson thinks a home cooked meal at my house is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He's going to be 18 in August so I must be doing something right with that menu. Ar also included a basket magnet, a handmade basket card, and a poem on my teabag. Thanks again AR and keep in touch with the board and the Delaware Basketmaker's association. Thanks again to Faye for her time on this swap. Barb Foster, one of the Barb's from Wisconsin %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers in Wyoming Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 17:56:40 -0400 From: "Bren Miller" To: I'll be vacationing in Wyoming the first two weeks in August. Are there any basketmakers out there? Are there basketsupply shops there? Are there any basket conferences happening? Thanks. Please let me hear from you! Brenda Miller from sunny Seminole, Florida brenfm@tampabay.rr.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Pine Needle Basket Patterns Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 19:53:46 -0400 From: "Lewis & Carolyn Megginson" To: "David Collins" Hello Fellow Weavers, I have a 75-year-old friend in North Carolina that is working on Pine Needle baskets, has some books but would like to have some patterns. Does anyone know where I could order some or maybe some newer books with patterns. I am not familiar with this form of basketry. She needs something new. Please send information at cabcar@erols.com or WW. We are going to Beach Show this weekend. Hoping for a nice windstorm to knock some Hickory Nuts off trees. Most of baskets now are a dark walnut because of lack of Hickory Stain. Friend has seedlings coming up, unsure whether I should pot and wait until this fall and plant. Talk again soon, Carolyn of Suffolk, Va. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Away too long! Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 19:52:34 -0500 From: Tony Stubblefield To: David Collins/Weavers Words Hello again! Boy, am I far behind on my responses. I have been keeping up with the reading, but not the writing. Some of these have already been answered in one form or another, but you know I always have to put my 2 cents worth in. Tracey - about Nantucket patterns - The reason you don't see many "patterns" for Nantucket baskets is that each mold is going to require slightly different number of spokes, different tapered spokes, different bases, different size rims, etc. The reason for this is that every mold maker has their own shape or profile to the molds they make. Some molds have a very rounded profile while others have sides that come up very quickly so that the curve on the bottom is much sharper. Also what one person calls an 8" mold is not always 8" in diameter. Sometimes the finish basket, with rim, will measure 8" so the mold ends up being more like 7.5". This is why if you are planning on buying a nesting set of molds you need to get them from the same maker. Instead of patterns what you can find, and what I think is better, are "directions" for making Nantucket's. Two good books are "Lightship Baskets of Nantucket" by Martha Lawrence and "Basketry: The Nantucket Tradition" by John McGuire. Both have lots of color pictures and step-by-step instructions for making "a Nantucket" not exacted measured patterns. There are other books by Maggie Silva and such. To get the most enjoyment out of your mold you are going to have to break your pattern dependence. Make one basket deep, make one short and shallow with out a handle, make one with side handles, make one with lots of narrow spokes, make one with fewer side spokes, just try. The books I mentioned will tell you what kind of materials you are going to need and just start playing. It will be really fun I guarantee you. Being nervous is part of the excitement. As far as determining the number of spokes, Joe Conroy does basically the same thing I do. I never can remember the calculation with PI so I just use a fabric tape measure and determine the circumference of the mold in millimeters. I then take the width of the stave material and add 2 mm for spacing (much less than that and the rim will get hard to lash and if your spacing isn't perfect the spokes will start running together at the top). So lets say you have 6 mm staves (what I would use for a 8" basket), you add 6 + 2 and get 8. Your mold probably measures around 643 mm. If you divide 643 by 8 you will get 80.375. I would round that down to 79 to get an odd number. Now 79 in the MAXIMUM number of 6 mm spokes I would use. For the first time I would use something like 4 mm spacing or about 63/65 spokes. That should still look fine and you could probably drop a few more if you needed too. You need to weave on a mold at least once before you get to know it. Now to get really tricky you can calculate how narrow the spokes need to be by measuring the circumference of the base and dividing that number by the number or spokes you intend to use. From the resulting number you will need to subtract the amount of spacing you are going to use and this should give you how narrow the spoke should be. It will probably end up being about 3 mm or so. To determine how long the taper needs to be you will need to look at were the sides of the mold start going straight up or where the curve of the mold ends. Just lay a spoke along the profile of the mold and mark with your finger where the curve ends and the straight sides begin, probably about 2 -2.5 inches. This should get you started and the books should help with the finishing off and the rims. Good luck and remember to have fun. Wow, this was a long one. I think there was still another question I was going to answer, but I will have to wait till next time. Take care and happy weaving, Tony Stubblefield St. Louis http://www.JASkets.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 20 Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 20:48:43 -0500 From: Roberta Comstock To: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 20 Rowena - Try again on the Handweavers Guild of America website: www.weavespindye.org Tracey - The number of staves you need for a Nantucket style basket depends on the size of the staves. Wide staves will fill the space with fewer than you need for narrow ones. The main thing to remember is that to have a smooth continuous weave, there must be an ODD number of staves. I believe the staves are generally tapered at the end that goes into the slot in the base. This makes the curve smoother as you turn up the sides. Carolyn Corbett - Were your drilled bases made of plywood? Or some other laminated material? I have seen drilled plywood bases in several catalogues. For the best finish, stain and seal the base before you begin to weave the sides. Shirley Adamczak - I have my patterns filed in a ring binder by author's last name. I am considering doing a cross-reference index by type, shape, primary material, wooden base/woven base, etc. Lynda Crowe - Black Plum is a fairly new addition to the array of Rit Dyes. It's wonderfully dark & rich. Arlene Katris - A Gretchen border is a lateral braid that rolls itself over the edge. Since I'm not caught up with my reading & answers yet, I won't go further into it until I see what others have already told you about Gretchen's. Tammy - When you say cloth baskets, do you mean the ones that are crocheted from strips of cloth? Lynda Crowe - Well, at least you survived the move. Hope the chaos is getting a bit tamer by now. I remember one move when the professional packers packed a honey dispenser half full of honey but without its lid. Naturally they turned it on its side. Was that ever a sticky mess! Just think of all the funny stories you'll have about the move after you recover from it. Bert Comstock Lauderdale Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Storage, etc. Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 21:31:41 -0500 From: "purrx3@stlnet.com" To: "David Collins weavers words" Hi to all of my fellow weavers, and of course, our 'patron saint' David, I haven't written in quite a while and have also done very little weaving. My mother (in AZ) has developed mental problems and my sister (from NY) and I have visited and made alternate living arrangements for her there. She refuses to move near either my sister or I. Shortly thereafter, my father died. Dad was always very athletic and interested in anything new, but he had pretty advanced Alzheimer's. I'm sure he's in a better place. He would not have liked becoming so helpless and unable to communicate sensibly, so I know he is happier now, although we miss him. Between some of the visits to AZ, I had arthroscopic surgery for torn cartilage in one knee and less than two months later had it on the other. I'm much better now, thanks to (painful) physical therapy. Due to all the above plus the usual hectic end of school, I've done very little weaving lately. I did get to hobble into the MO convention with my cane and very much enjoyed the two classes I was able to take. I have now made two baskets with cedar - one also using birch and the other was a necklace. I'm addicted - wish I had a way to gather cedar here in MO. I also went to a Jill Choate antler basket class and thoroughly enjoyed that, as well as Jill's great stories. My materials storage is still not well organized, but is getting there. I use (re-cycle) empty copy paper boxes I get from work. A full coil of reed fits nicely in a box. In order to fit the open reed back in the box, I have to neatly re-coil them. The word 'neat' is a challenge to me at any time, but I try. I label each box in bold marker with the type of reed in it. I now have two boxes for most sizes - one for 'plain' and one for 'dyed' reed. I store my patterns in two 3" 3-ring binders (soon I will have to make that 3) and arrange them alphabetically by author. I have started collecting autographs of pattern authors - especially those I take at convention. It's also possible to buy patterns in the pattern room and often find the author teaching a class. If one times it right, the authors will almost always graciously sign them. Elaine in St. Louis where it cooled off today 89 (heat/humidity index of 103) instead of the 95 we've had for the last few days GO CARDS! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 23 Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 20:36:39 -0700 From: "Marge Smoot" To: "David Collins" Just a quick post to let all know that I received a wonderful swap basket in the mail yesterday from Cecilia Orr of Spiceland, IN. Cecilia made a huge lazy Susan w/ a wooden insert for napkins & salt & peppershakers. I'm thrilled w/ it and so is my husband Russell who couldn't get over the workmanship and turning mechanisms! A personal Thank You will be forthcoming by mail Cecilia.... just wanted to let you know it arrived safely and in one piece.... I love it!!! Thanks so much!! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket swap Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 12:57:22 GMT From: "Marilyn Thompson" To: davidc@iei.net Hi David, Thank you again for giving us this WW hotline. I would like to pass on to my basket buddy that lives East of Chicago that she should be getting her package by Saturday. But if the mail goes as it does, it might be Monday. Watch out for the postman or post lady for your large package...Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! Everyone have a great day and weekend. Got to enjoy this warm weather as the fall is quickly getting here. Marilyn from central IN where it's been in the 80's and sunny. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 17 Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 09:18:18 EDT From: LMBAUCH@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Sandi, I was going back through the stuff re; coffee/tea stain to print it all out on one page - so I'd look organized I think... anyway re: your question ammonia and black walnut stain. I have the impression that weavers use the ammonia with the black walnut stain to help stop the scum and odor. I got the impression - haven't done that experimenting that I said I would do - that the tea interacts with the ammonia to get a deeper/different color. That's why some folk use the 'dip the basket in tea then put it in a plastic bag with a cup of ammonia' method. Have you experimented to see if the stain is different if you don't use the ammonia? I have to admit that when I was a kid I busted a gallon of commercial strength ammonia in the house. We had to get the firemen to bring BIG fans to air out the house. Maybe that's why I am reluctant to use lots of ammonia? Lol I use the "walnuts in a pillowcase dropped in a plastic garbage can method of black walnut stain' but I put in a qt of white vinegar. That seems to keep it to a earthy smell that fades instead of the truly yucky smell of the just water method I used to use. The best ever batch I had though was when a farmer friend gave me a bag of just husks. What a beautiful DARK stain that made!! One addition to the reed storage ideas. I got a few packs of mini (3" or so) bungee cords from the camping section of Wal-Mart's. I use them on opened coils either to hang them from a basket tree by my workspace or hook the ends together to transport them. They can even help keep 1/2 round coiled and their easier to undo than tying. They can be used at shows, too to hang things or hold things together - almost as well as duct tape! :^) I keep ash and maple splint coiled in a bin though and use gallon zip locks to hold the smaller/finer stuff Helps keep it from getting mixed up or banged up. Laurie in Easton, PA. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Ft Myers, FL Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 11:20:59 -0400 From: "Nancy Carlson" To: For Shirlet, If you would contact me, I can give you the name and address of a basketmaker/teacher who lives in Ft Myers. You will have to wait until fall to get in touch with her as she lives in MI during the summer. Nancy %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: RE: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 23 Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 10:38:20 -0500 From: "Pace, Dorothy" To: "'David Collins'" David, Thank you for your efforts in maintaining this interesting and informative forum. Does someone living in the San Antonio, Texas area have information regarding any basket related events scheduled in that area in August or September? I hope to visit my daughter in that time frame. Since she will be back to work as a teacher, I'll probably have some time in which I will need to entertain myself. Thanks to all from Dorothy in Mid-Missouri where the humidity has finally let up. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 23 Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 14:55:31 -0400 (EDT) From: viroberts@webtv.net (Vivian Roberts) To: davidc@iei.net (David Collins) A basket left the Peach State today and should arrive in the Prairie State in a few days. Vivian Roberts From Georgia where its 99 degrees, humid and dry!!!!!!! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 21 Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 13:59:21 -0500 From: Roberta Comstock To: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 21 Judy Mitchell - If you have Internet access, you can go to the WW website and look at back issues. Claudia Hopkins - I am the author of the Belt Basket pattern which is not yet complete. The basket is about 8 inches wide, woven in two different twills (a good introduction to twill). It has belt loops attached at the rim and a looped drawstring top above the rim. Anyone who has written to me privately will get a personal response as soon as I finish the pattern. Nan Anderson - I like your pattern sorting method. It reminds me of taxonomy in biology. It may be time for me to reorganize my pattern binder. When I make a basket from a pattern, I try to remember to write the date on the pattern, and who, if anyone, was teaching it. I have separate binders for supply catalogs, workshop & convention announcements, basketry notes & clippings, Notes include correspondence with swap partners. Dee Johnson - For information about the Civil War period, browse through illustrated history books or talk to your local historical society. The first thing that comes to my mind immediately is that they were not woven of rattan reed. Most will be of willow or wood splints. If you are dealing with a specific geographic area, there may be a regional specialty, such as the beautifully coiled Gullah sweet grass baskets of the Carolina coast. Rib baskets may be more common as you move westward into the Appalachian Mountains. There would also have been baskets for many every day uses around the house and in the garden, as well as traveling baskets. If you look at historic baskets from other places, consider whether the settlers in your area of interest would have brought such baskets or the skills to make them when they first came to this country. Pat Steinmetz - Did you ever get your information on the NBO? Bonnie Hauser - Thanks for the museum information. Faye - I am not aware of there being any age restriction on our swaps. Does your daughter read WW? Bert Comstock Lauderdale Independence, Missouri %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Publications Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 17:16:34 -0700 From: "Shirley Shipley" To: "David Collins" Thanks David for waking up the weavers who post and giving the lurkers a push! We're getting some interesting stuff. I have a question for the weavers who subscribe to publications. What do you subscribe to and who would I contact to get a subscription? (Names, addresses, e-mails, etc.) I am secretary for our guild in Indiana and would like to put this information in the newsletter. Thanks a whole pound of reed! Shirley in Humid Northern Indiana %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap #9 Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 19:32:01 -0500 From: Chris Carstens To: davidc@iei.net My swap basket is finished and will be sent out tomorrow to a town about 150 miles directly south of me. Hope my swap buddy enjoys using it! Lisa Carstens in Hartland, WI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 22 Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 20:56:38 -0400 From: Kati To: David Collins Hello to all weavers! I agree with Susan about Faye's daughter participating in the regular swap. I certainly don't think that she could do any worse that my first few baskets. My 16-year-old daughter has made a couple baskets and really has a knack for it. She is able to do what it took me years of practice to master. I have enjoyed reading about everyone's storage ideas and habits. I change the way I do things every time I clean up my basket/craft room. I like to change things around. Just ask my husband! I have been painting rooms, putting up wallpaper, cleaning house, cleaning out the attic, moving furniture, and driving him crazy. Every day he comes home from work to see what the kids and I have dreamed up next. We did not go on vacation this summer, because my mom has been sick and I wanted to spend lots of time with my parents, but my husband swears that next year he will send me on vacation. He swears he'll come out cheaper!!! Gratitude - what can I say! Someone in WI can be looking for their basket to arrive sometime next week. I love the swaps and even though I don't write in to WW very often, I really enjoy reading the postings by everyone. Well, gotta' go - my grateful husband is waiting!!! Denise in North Carolina where it is finally raining!!!!! Kati@etinternet.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 20:20:03 -0500 From: "margmac" To: I just sent my basket to someone in the Keystone State, so be on the look out for a Red, White, and Blue Truck coming your way. A big Thank you to Faye for all the hard work and time you have put into making this basket swap such a success, and I can't leave you out David without you none of this would be possible. Sandi in 'Wet' Iowa requested particulars for the potato masher basket, I would also be interested in any info anyone would be willing to share. When does the next swap start? Happy Weaving, Margaret McCarthy, from the land of 10,000 lakes Duluth, MN %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.