"Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 30 Date Sent: July 23, 2000 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1437 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 1.) 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. 2.) If you have recently subscribed, more than likely you will read messages about a basket swap in progress. Basket swaps are organized by other weavers approximately every 2-3 months. So if a swap is progress when you subscribe, be patient and a new swap will begin before you know it. Every subscriber is eligible for each swap as long as you fulfill you obligation from the previous swap. 3.) If you are looking for basket shops across the country, there is an extensive list on Weaver's Words web page. The shops are listed alphabetically. If you know of a shop that isn't listed, send me the shop's information for addition. Include all of the following if applicable: Shop's Name; Web Page Address; E-Mail Address; Street Address; City, State, Zip Code; Phone Number. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 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 Carol Miller-----Basket She Wove For Basket Swap #9. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 27 Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 22:27:36 EDT From: CHobbsNANA@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net I am writing to answer some of the questions presented. GH Productions, which has oak splints and many other basket related items, is an excellent place to buy oak, or basket supplies, or cane. They also teach classes, if you are in the area. I have taken some classes, and visited their store, and am very impressed. I believe they also have a shaving pony, as does Nate's Nantucket shop. A double-wall basket is one which you weave an inside wall, and then weave an outside wall, bringing the 2 together at the top or bottom and putting on a rim, or weaving the bottom together. You should be able to get a pattern from any of the web sites, which has patterns. Happy weaving everyone! Clare, in Indiana %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 28 Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 22:59:45 EDT From: CHobbsNANA@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Just have a couple of comments after reading the latest WW. One question is how to make stain out of walnuts. I'll tell you how I do mine, and it works for me. I get a 5-gallon bucket (pickle bucket from White Castle Hamburgers). I fill it with walnuts-green skins or black, and this includes the nuts themselves. I cover them with water. Then, I take a jug of ammonia, and I go "glug, glug, glug." I cover them, store them in the garage until I am ready to make my stain. - It could be 1 or 2 years, winter or summer. When I am ready, I pour off the stain, straining thru old hose, or a paint filter, into another container. I usually strain more than once. Then, I put in some scraps of reed, and check to see if it is too dark. If so, I add water until it is the right color. Then, I cover the walnuts with water again, more ammonia, put the top on again, and store them until ready for more stain. The stain that I have made I store in the basement, so I can use it all year. I put a tight lid on it. The container I use is one that I got at K-Mart or Wal-Mart. It is tub size. On another subject, last year I dried amaryllis leaves for weaving. They work as well as day-lily leaves. That's the end of my comments for this time. Clare in Indiana %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 29 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 00:12:32 EDT From: Baksue@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net I would like to find out about the basket swap that so many of you have mentioned. I have just started reading WW and this sounds like lots of fun. Sue Bakken %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Earth Basketry Book Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 06:20:27 EDT From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: zendava@gte.net, davidc@iei.net Cynthia Ludholtz, I purchased the Earth Basketry book, by Osma Gallinger Tod many years ago and have used it as my Bible for years. It was from that book, that I learned the flat braided border, which was so popular in the 1920s and 1930s. If you look at old wastebaskets, serving trays and lots of wicker furniture, you will find that border was used almost exclusively. Now, I use it on my serving trays, my baby and doll cradles and bassinets and salsa & chip tray. It was hard to understand at first, but now I can do it in my sleep! Her directions are very clear, and well written for all the basket patterns featured in the book. Have you made any of the birdhouses, or sewing basket she features there? I am always surprised when I hear that no one knows of Osma, because she was such a big influence on me, although we never met. The reason I liked her books so much is that they were some of the first I ever purchased on basketweaving, I suppose. That was way back in the early 1980s when I had no idea there were separate patterns for baskets and such, I always bought books, the older the better. Funny you should mention Osma Tod, because Linda Hebert and I were just talking about her on the AOL basket bulletin board. Linda had the pleasure of taking classes from this fine woman when she was in her 80s. Linda, could you relate some stories about Osma here for everyone? Take care, happy weaving! The Wicker Woman/Cathryn Peters/Zumbro Falls, MN %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 29 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 07:51:39 -0400 From: Pamela Woodbury To: David Collins References: 1 Hi Weavers, Lisha I just had to add my 2¢ worth of crankiness to the antler issue. When animal lovers start on me I tell them that the deer was long dead before I ever got hold of the antlers anyhow. Besides I live in the country and we have hit a deer before and I don't feel any quilt about hunters killing them for the meat and then somewhere down the line me buying the antlers. A few years ago I found a taxidermist that sold me 23 lbs. of antlers. The price was reasonable if I took everything, but if I picked out the ones I really wanted then the price was much higher. Of course I ended up with at least 100 spikes or not much bigger along with the nice big antlers I wanted. I had no idea short of making tons of antler buttons or cutting off the tips what to do with so many of them. I decided that other people like to use antlers for different things so I would sell a few of them at my craft shows so I filled a basket with them and put a sign with the price on it. I sold a few, which I highly regret now. Anyhow I finally decided this was a bad idea when all the women would walk by and get all grossed out by antlers. They would scream and step back and yell antlers ughhhhhh. Well they should have seen them when I got them, they were mostly all bloody still. I had washed them all in bleach water and they were all nice and cleaned and smelled good. The smell was more than I could bear when I first got them. I have to add I'm not a particularly brave woman but to act like this over some little spiked antlers was ridiculous. Anyhow I was back to what to do with these spikes so I invented 2 of the cutest little antler baskets on them, which I have taught several times and brings me back to my regret for having sold a few of them in the first place. Pam in freezing MI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 29 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 08:12:48 EDT From: JandCPOST@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Someone in the vicinity of our Nation's Capital needs to be on the lookout for a red, white & blue truck bearing a box. Sorry it didn't get out until "deadline" day, but that is par for the course for me! On time, but not late. Carole in GA %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap basket Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 09:06:06 -0400 From: gatsby@larck.net To: davidc@iei.net I received a wonderful, round basket from Sarah Watts in Georgia. The weaving is beautifully done and I love the color of the dyed reed - a deep burgundy. The interesting thing is, I sent her a basket in the last swap and included a wooden base I had made. She used the base in the basket she sent to me. Very cool! And what a coincidence. I love the basket Sarah. Char, I would go by the Country Seat on my way from Ohio to New Hampshire. We stop by every year when we go in that general direction for vacation. With the map on the catalog, they are easy to find and the drive in is beautiful. Dot in rainy and cool still, Maine %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 29 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 09:11:46 EDT From: Linhebert@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Re: Osma Gallinger Tod and Sue Stephenson books Angelique, As you saw from the reference in my honeysuckle post, I do have Earth Basketry in my basket library. Osma is the person who taught me how to weave 20-something years ago, when she was in her 80s. Her book is a fine source of traditional basket elements: borders, base patterns etc. The book is probably not in as great circulation as one would expect because she is deceased. Naturally people tend to buy newer books by currently teaching authors. I always recommend Sue S's Basketry of the Appalachian Mountains to those who ask about weaving baskets from the Civil War period- since she has photos with a lot of references to dates and uses of the baskets. Linda Hebert V. I. Reed & Cane http://www.basketweaving.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap #9 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 08:35:14 -0500 From: pcole@mocc.com (Cole, Paul) To: I wanted to post a BIG THANK YOU to Diane Begeman (Michigan) for the swap basket she sent me. Diane made me a beautiful modified version of Kim's carry on basket by Debbie Richard's. It has found a place in my living room, where I can really enjoy it. Thanks so much Diane. Looking forward to Swap #10. You did a wonderful job Faye and we really appreciate your hard work. Cathy Great Falls, MT %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Mouse Pad Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 07:40:54 -0700 (PDT) From: Margie Reck To: davidc@iei.net My mouse pad is falling apart, but I have not been able to find one I like to replace it. Does anyone know where I can find one with either a basket or a horse on it? Thanks, Margie in hot, dry Montana %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: (No subject) Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 11:13:01 EDT From: BODBASK@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Re: WW forum I don't normally post, don't normally have time and have a computer that doesn't work half the time and have to use the office one. So much for communication. Anyway, being a basketmaker for 15 years and soon to be a Grandmother for the first time, I have done a lot of thinking about "what to do it" and can settle everything except what to do with 1,000 patterns, assorted collected oak baskets (antique), a basketmakers quilt, large quantities of reed and supplies, approx. 200 books on the subject.... Get the picture? What does a basketmaker do with the basket stuff when she (he) goes to reed Valhalla? My family would not (trust me) be interested in any of this, and I shudder to think what my son would get a garage sale for it!!! What would you do? I am not a member of any guild (except NCBA) and thought maybe a school like John C. Campbell or Arrowmont or something might be the ticket. Anyway, it is an interesting question (don't get me wrong, I don't plan to go anywhere anytime soon) but I do like to plan ahead as it were and keep things organized. Would welcome the thoughts either posted to WW or personally. Thanks.... %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Deer antlers Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 11:30:44 -0400 From: "Mary Hooper" To: "David Collins" Lisha Kimball: I doubt that the North Carolina Fish and Game official, or the judge, would accept "they drop off anyway" as justification for breaking the law. It's not Bambi attitude, but the NC legislature, that controls our antler activities. I thought your apple crate idea an excellent one. They would be good for shows, pack baskets in 'em than use them for rustic displays. Now, to find some the local orchards aren't using for apple picking, Mary Hooper mjhooper@mitchell.main.nc.us %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Antlers Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 08:48:16 -0700 From: Helen Schwartz To: David Collins References: 1 Does anyone know in which states it is legal to sell baskets and other objects made with deer antlers? Considering all the problems with burgeoning deer population and the spread of deer = carried Lyme disease you would think there would be an incentive instead of a penalty. Helen in Princeton where there weather is still surprisingly pleasant %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: RE: Group Reed Dying Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 08:51:39 PDT From: "Kay Janke" Reply-To: abuse@msn.com To: davidc@iei.net Sallie: I recently had one of my older 4-H girls come and help dye reed for her project. When I suggested that it was time for her to do the project, including the colored reed, she said, "Oh, I thought that you just bought it that way." Now she knows the time spent in dying the colors and I am sure appreciates them even more now. I had asked her to bring her own colors and a couple buckets. I heated water, and made up 3 colors before she came. Then heated water for her two colors. I had the reed as each one that makes a basket pays only for the supplies used. We each dyed reed in color and sizes that we wanted. I had brought other sizes of reed out & told her to dye what she wanted in any of the colors. We did that and then I showed her how to dye rainbow reed & we both came up with some great colors. She spent several hours here & now knows the work it is to dye reed. For adults, if everyone brings the colors they want to dye, own supplies (buckets, salt, vinegar) newspapers if that is what the dyed reed is going to be put on to dry. Also after rinsing the reed, I put newspapers on the patio (farther away) and let the reed dry there. It has worked out very well. Each person should bring their reed in sizes they want to dye and extra if they want to dye other colors that someone else has brought. This way you have many colors available and you are all set up to make lots of rainbow reed with so many different pails of color. One note of caution. When I dyed reed for the first time on the lawn, at the edge of the patio, I put the pails of hot water on the grass thinking I would keep the color off of the patio. Not a good idea. The pails were so hot, that it burnt the grass and turned it yellow wherever a pail had been. Needless to say I then decided it would be much better to use the newspapers on the patio instead. The grass has since grown back. And don't wear anything that you don't want to get the dye on. Have fun & let us know how your day turns out. Kay in lower S. Western Mich. where the weather has just been beautiful almost all month long. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 29 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 09:50:37 -0700 From: "carav" To: "David Collins" References: 1 HI everyone.... this is Melissa. For those who have forgotten about me!!! (Former owner East Troy Basketry) I made it to Canada and am now a married lady!!!! I'm getting motivated to start a business here and am searching out my local contacts. Canada is a beautiful place to live. I do miss all my customers... and the hustle of owning a shop sooo...its time to get busy... hope everyone is well.... watch for me!!! Jill Choate- since I know how you check your mail.... "Hi" are you ready for our Canadian adventure?? %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap Basket Received! Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 11:03:48 -0600 From: "Chrystal L. Higgins" To: davidc@iei.net I returned home very late last night after a horrendous day at my store, to find a box waiting for me. Needless to say, I barely took of my shoes before the box was opened and I was digging into it. Barbara Nelson of Blountville, Tennessee, made a beautiful bean pot basket. She says the pattern is from the newest Lynn Siler book - I will have to check that out! The basket is done is natural and hunter green. It is perfect for my house- I have shades of mauve and burgundy with hunter green accents. I had it all over my living room last night trying to find the perfect place. It ended up spending the rest of the evening on top of our large TV, just so I could look at it constantly. I brought it to my store today because Carol Antrim of Indiana is coming to teach a basket entitled "Antler as Feet", and I wanted to show it off to all of the people coming. Barbara tells me that she is moving from Tennessee to Washington DC in the next couple of weeks. She was kind enough to not only sign up for this basket swap, but to take time from her obviously very busy schedule to weave a beautiful basket for me. Thank you, Barbara. I have never made a bean pot basket, so this is very special to me. The colors, shaping, and weaving are all perfect. It will have a place of honor in my home for many years. Chrystal Higgins Whitefish, Montana (Where it is still in the 90's, and I am ready for it to end. I am a girl (yeah, right!) who is outside barefoot in the winter on the snow and ice and never wear a coat. This temperature is killing me!) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 29 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 13:21:57 EDT From: Sandybsk@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Jayne Glemby: We carry a plastic license plate frame that says "Basket Lover". $3.95 Sandy Drexler www.bewley.net/mscreations %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Question? Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 14:03:44 EDT From: TBchewgum@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi, I recently bought Chasing In Your Dreams by Barbara clough Pedersen. Upon reading through the pattern I noticed a term I am not familiar with. My question is what is 1/8" split reed. Can I use something compatible? Thank you. I love reading Weavers Words, everyone is so eager to share their knowledge. Elizabeth %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Stops in NC Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 14:55:52 -0400 From: "B&T Davidson" To: Hi! I have been lurking for about 6 months now, but have never written. I would like to find out about basket things to do in NC around Raleigh/Fayetteville. We are going on vacation in September, and my husband has offered to take me to any basket things that I want to see as long as I tell him in advance so that he can plan it into our itinerary...(at least he's willing to stop). We will be coming up through Lumberton, spending nights in Fayetteville and Raleigh, and then coming back through Charlotte (either down 64 or through Greensboro). Thanks for your information! Tonya %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap basket Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 17:26:25 -0500 From: "Ruth Shroyer" To: David, I received my swap basket from Margie Reck of Cameron MT. It is a beautiful Nantucket basket. Was I lucky or what in getting such a neat basket from my swap partner! I have the perfect place to set it. Thanks again to Margie for the beautiful basket. Can't wait until the next swap. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Swap #9 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 18:43:59 -0400 From: "Joe Szanti" To: Hello to all you fellow swappers... I received my swap basket today - a wonderful 'Flag Basket' from my basket swapper down in Texas. What a wonderful surprise when I came home on Saturday to find a box by the door! I just knew it would be my basket. It will be put to use for our next backyard grill-out for utensils or napkins. Thanks to Helen for her great basket and for sending me the pattern as well. Just a quick note regarding draw knives - I mentioned to my husband that I was going to order a drawknife to scarf rims for my baskets. He quizzed me on just what it was and what it looked like. I showed him a picture and voila - he produced not one but THREE of them??????? Apparently his grandfather who was a barrel-maker from Hungary had used these and my husband had saved all of the tools. Not only did I not have to buy one - I had my choice of three different sizes! So, if you're looking for a special tool - check your husband's tool / workroom for a potential goldmine. Weavin' in Cincinnati... Andi %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Bits and pieces Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 21:10:53 -0400 From: "John W. Dorris" To: "Weavers Words" Nancy, I have a basket by some guy with an unusual last name so I went down to check if it was the guy you're looking for. I don't think it is but the last name is fading so I can't say for sure but the first name is just an initial which is S. He is from Virginia's northern shore. He works in Oak and Hickory and makes function baskets that he sells far to cheaply for what he puts in them. Leigh, am sorry to tell you I never made a basket on a Williamsburg handle that I was happy with. I just never could get the shape right. I finally quit trying. I know there are supposed to be ways but none of them worked for me. Our guild had our antler class with Jill Choate today and it was great. We all really enjoyed it and would recommend that everyone look for her class when she is coming to your area. But I do hate it when about the first thing someone says is "Oh you're Billie from Weaver's Words" think I'm becoming infamous not famous. Oh well I guess that's my personality. Actually the first thing she said was" hello Billie " (and we'd never met) as I walked thru the door a good 30 minutes late and everyone else was already there and working. I forgot what traffic can be like thru the tunnel, especially in the summer. For those of you not familiar with this area Va. Beach and Norfolk are on what they call the Southside while much of the area is on the peninsula, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg. and the way between them is a bridge tunnel combination that is notorious (?) for getting backed up and once you are committed there is no way to turn back so there you sit. Besides that's the only way unless you want to go WAY around. Of course I live so far south in Va. people say I live in North Carolina (I don't) so it always takes me longer to get everywhere. Anyway Jill is a most patient teacher and she really needed it with this group. Enough rambling for now. Billie in Va. Beach %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap #9 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 23:17:33 -0400 From: Kati To: davidc@iei.net Hello everyone! I am in my last few days before having to go back to school, still trying to finish painting, and of course, continuing to find things to clean. I received my swap basket on Thursday and was delighted to see a Plaid Picnic Tote woven by Judy Lindall of WI. It has a bag of wild rice in it, which my daughter stole immediately - she's the cook around here - and the basket is red, white and blue with a wooden divider. It is beautiful! I used it to put my extra candles in on my new white baking rack, which my husband had just put together. I had told him that I wanted a basket to store my candies in. I was very pleased. Thank you so much Linda for such a beautiful basket. Also, thanks David and Faye for everything you have done to make the swaps possible. i love them!!! I asked my 1-year-old daughter if she would be interested in participating in the basket swap. She was thrilled! So after seeing the rules and deadline, I need to make sure she is interested and get her signed up. I think it is an excellent way to encourage passing on the basket making tradition. Well, back to my painting! I'm getting really sick of painting, but it has to be done! See ya' Denise Pittman in NC Kati@etinternet.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Shaping Williamsburg Baskets Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 23:25:51 -0400 From: "Robbie Sykes" To: "David Collins" Hi David! It's been awhile since I posted on WW but wanted to send a warm and friendly "Hello" to our faithful leader! Hope all is well with you and thanks again for all the work you do for us. Leigh in Laurinburg: About those Williamsburg baskets--shaping is very important, even at the beginning. I find when you start weaving one, you need to let up on your tension. Starting with that very first row, don't make you corners sharp. Leave plenty of space at the corners. You can always go back and tighten it up when you're finished if it's too slack. This first row and the subsequent second row set the pattern for the basket. Also, as you're weaving up the sides, pull those spokes you are going OVER, OUT with a finger or thumb as you're weaving them. This is another way to keep the tension loose and spokes leaning out instead of in. After every couple of rows, stop and look at the shape and measure the diameter of the basket. You want the sides without the handle to be equal to the sides with the handle. In other words, if the last row you wove measures 10" from inside handle to inside handle, you want the sides without the handles to measure 10" from inside to inside. It may take a little longer to weave this way, but by taking your time to look and measure, it will turn out to be a perfectly shaped Williamsburg. And, I do this every time I make one. It doesn't matter how many I've made, if I get over confident and don't take my time, the basket is never shaped right, and I have to pull everything out and start over. Hope this helps. To Lois in the Aloha State: Thanks for the post. I've started reading the first Harry Potter and can't put it down! And you're exactly right. Wilson is on I-95, the major thoroughfare between Florida and Maine. So you've definitely been through here! Just about everyone who does remembers either Wilson or Rocky Mount. We won't be here very much longer though. We will start building our new home in Edenton, NC, (a bit further east) next spring and plan on being in it by December of 2001. Interestingly, my sweet husband is having my new studio built FIRST! Isn't he a dear? Thanks again for the tip on the "Harry Potters". Robbie, in Wilson, NC, where we're definitely in "the dog days of summer". %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Lyn Siler Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 10:20:18 EDT From: SharWaters@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net David... Does anyone out there know what's become of Lyn Siler? When I started weaving in the 80's she was a very popular designer/weaver, written books, etc. and it seems she has fallen off the face of the earth. Hope all is well with her. Met her once at one of the NCBA Conventions. She is probably just spending all her precious free time with grandchildren...who wouldn't? Would appreciate knowing though what she is up to these days. A fabulously creative weaver!! Thanks! Sharon Waters %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Shave Horses Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 12:12:47 EDT From: RoboTex2@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi David: I would like to find out who's selling shave horses these days. The kind you sit on versus the tabletop style. I heard a Mr. Geisler sells them but don't know how to contact him. Can you anyone lead the way? %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Art/craft auction Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 12:18:50 -0400 From: "Mary Hooper" To: "David Collins" If anyone is visiting in western North Carolina August 13, check out http://main.nc.us/TRAC for information on the Toe River Arts Council's 23rd annual auction. Basketmakers Billie Ruth Sudduth and Chris Rexroat have donated baskets for sale. There will be crafts from the studios of some world-class artisans, such as Rob Levin, Jane Peiser, William Bernstein, and John Littleton/ Kate Vogel. Hope to see some of you there wearing your red ribbon so I'll recognize you. Cheerio, Mary Hooper %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap basket Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 14:34:11 -0400 From: "hpweist" To: I received my swap basket! Kay Kibbel sent a wonderful wine carrier with burgundy accents and braided border. She furnished a bottle of wine and a towel and napkins to match. Just in time for my wedding anniversary, too! What great timing! I am thrilled with basket, Kay. Thank you. It is beautiful. You'll hear from me via snail mail. Angie in OH %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap basket arrived! Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 15:21:30 -0500 From: Chris Carstens To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone! I just wanted to let you know about the nice basket I received yesterday from Judy Powell of Oklahoma. It is a squarish-shaped basket with a twill pattern that uses yellow and turquoise colors and is stained alight oak color. It has cute little reed handles on the sides. I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for yet, but I know it will soon have a special place somewhere in this house! Judy also included some yummy "cashew brittle" from Oklahoma and 2-framed basket pictures that I can hang in my new weaving room (that I hope to have someday)! She wrote a nice letter too, telling me that she breeds Pug dogs, the same kind of dog we have and about some of her other interests. I think I told Judy we have a Pug a while back because I had her name for one of the last swaps. It's really fun to meet new friends in these basket swaps and find out all the things we have in common. Thank you so much Judy!!! Lisa Carstens in Hartland, Wisconsin %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 29 Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 17:21:01 -0400 From: "Donna L" To: "David Collins" Leigh - Try dropping a round hoop around your Williamsburg handle at the widest part. Temporarily tie it in place and clip your spokes to it. This is a bit time consuming to weave as you have to constantly reclip the spokes back as you weave, but it will force your basket to achieve the round shape that you want. You could even put the hoop inside the handle and fold your spokes over it at the top of the basket. Donna in PA - who needs summer with beautiful weather like this bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Williamsburg basket info for Leigh Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 19:57:27 -0400 From: Chris & Melissa Kile To: davidc@iei.net Leigh: The Williamsburg basket is one of my favorites to make--I use the 3", 5" and 7" bottoms mostly. I've never made one of the big ones. Anyway, there are directions for two sizes in Lyn Siler's "The Basket Book", page 54. She suggests 1/2" flat for the bottom/stakes of the 7" handle. It seems 5/8" would work for the 10" one. She uses 4 stakes under the handle, and 5on top of the handle. The 2 stakes at the sides of the basket handle are on top of the handle bottom. (Does that make *any* sense at all?). Then there are 4 stakes woven on either side of the handle. The basket starts out square, and rounds as you weave. It is tricky to get the shaping right, and I've unwoven many a Williamsburg basket and started over. You really have to work at making the rows loose as you weave up. It should "bow" out some, keeping in line with the handle, as you mentioned. The only help I can give you (and maybe someone else has a better idea) is to just concentrate on leaning those stakes out and weaving kind of loosely until you get the shape you want. As you know, it's easier to tighten it up than loosen it! Hang in there--you'll get it! Melissa Kile in rainy, non-summer-like Riner, VA %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 27 Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 19:33:14 -0500 From: Roberta Comstock To: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 27 Pattie Bagley - Thanks for the reed tree idea. I really like it! I have a rather short free-standing hat rack/hall tree I got at a yard sale that can easily be converted by drilling a few more holes and replacing the short pegs with some longer branches. That may actually inspire me to clear out some weaving and storage space in my upstairs studio. Billie - Your setting up spokes for several Nantucket's is an excellent plan. Thanks for sharing it. I need to go through my slotted bases and set up several of them on the few molds I've collected so far. I think I've got enough scraps of split oak to do a couple small ones with oak spokes and rims. Then maybe I won't feel so overwhelmed when the holidays roll around. Dee - The Woven Circle Guild here in the KC area had Marlys Sowers down from Iowa this spring to teach a couple of Nantucket's. She's coming back next year to teach one with a heart shaped base and mold. Several of us have some of her patterns and some of the molds her husband makes. Give me a call for more information. (Bert 816-836-9364.) Angelique Raptakis - There are several kinds of double wall baskets. The differences have to do with the materials and techniques used. Flat reed, wickerwork, twined cordage, plaited? Can you be a little more specific about what kind you are most interested in? Bert Comstock Lauderdale in slightly cooler Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Kid's swap update Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 20:50:56 -0500 From: Chris Carstens To: davidc@iei.net So far there are 10 kids signed up for the first KIDS ONLY Weaver's Words basket swap! Keep those names coming in! There are boys signed up as well as girls, so don't be shy!!! Lisa Carstens, kid's swap coordinator %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.