"Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 37 Date Sent: August 06, 2000 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1446 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 in 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 NONE %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Vacation Date: Thu, 03 Aug 2000 23:17:05 EDT From: "K A" To: davidc@iei.net To Sharon: Are you sure you're leaving for vacation July 7th??? Your post is dated Aug 3rd!!! I got a kick out that!! Hope you have a safe and fun trip!! Kathie A. from Macomb, MI. Today Aug 3rd, Thursday, it did not RAIN!! Wow! But it was only 60 degrees - too cold for August. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Amazon & bonus Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000 22:40:16 -0500 From: "Fleming" To: I, for one, am glad to purchase books through Weaver's Words and letting David earn a bonus. It is small payment for the amount of work he does to maintain this site, which I appreciate so much. Thanks, David. Lynne %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Wombat basket, prices, etc. Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000 23:54:01 -0400 (EDT) From: mdcamcd@ix.netcom.com To: davidc@iei.net OK, gang! I'm rolling on the floor, grasping for breath laughing, never DREAMED anyone would take the 'Grecian tiered wombat basket' seriously!! (Although, thinking back on it, I guess I should have known... LOL) My concept for it: A #2rr basket, with an extreme flair-out at the top (A la the optical illusion of "Is it a vase or two faces?) with 3 'tiers' each a little larger as you come from the bottom up...(triple hourglass shape...) sized to hold a cute grinning stuffed (TOY) wombat.... I don't have the wombat, but I did make the basket... will try to scan it this weekend and send it in... Although David knows how horrible I am at transmitting photos to him! LOL Regarding the prices of baskets... Consider paintings... You have levels from your 5 yo's kindergarten finger-painting (which of course to a parent is priceless), to the mass-produced 'starving artist sofa paintings' (NONE OVER $50.00!!!) all the way to Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse, etc. Some baskets are in a league with the Mona Lisa, some with the finger-painting. Try telling Picasso that paint and canvas aren't THAT expensive.... Basketry is an art form, just as much as the Old Masters paintings, Michelangelo's sculptures, etc. There are outstanding examples of every art... (Of course there are also Grecian Tiered Wombat Baskets...) One of the joys of basketry for me is that unlike many other art forms, basketry provides the luxury of function as well as form, color, texture, and the usual elements of art. Not only can I enjoy my baskets sitting on the table or hanging from the wall, I can carry them with me and bring in the fruits of my labor from the garden, or carry along my crochet projects... BTW, does anyone else see a similarity between the starving artist sale paintings and "L" baskets? Having finished her sermon, Cass packs up her soapbox and retires to the sidelines... In hot and muggy Maryland Cass McDonald %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Storage/dye/price of baskets Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 00:22:48 -0400 From: "Mary Hooper" To: "David Collins" Coleen: Thanks for the deep closet idea! Better than the wider, shallow closet (1 coil deep) I was going to have built floor to ceiling. Also the shelf and rod idea is a good one, too. I figured on the shelf, but now you have given my husband one more chore to do!!! Thanks, he said. :-). To all who privately and on WW wrote their comments on my tirade on the price of baskets. Thank you. I appreciated hearing from all of you. And, Robbie Sykes: Tonight I finished that basket just for me. Aubergine, with navy and teal accents. It's my first "art" basket. Now, I'd really like as many suggestions as you all can come up with for keeping the Rit dye dark colors from running. What's your take on weaving a basket despite not being able to get the water to run clear, and would you sell such a basket??? Thanks for you all, you've been so helpful and David, thanks to you, too, for all you do. Mary Hooper in western NC mountains where the road washed out from so much rain, but today we dried out a bit and I have to cut the grass A G A I N already!!! mjhooper@mitchell.main.nc.us %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: This and that Date: Thu, 03 Aug 2000 21:55:07 -0700 From: Jane Milner To: davidc@iei.net Hi All! Billie in Va. Beach...I, too, hated pine needle baskets made with raffia...the raffia drove me nuts. Then one of our guild members taught a pine needles on raku pottery (she had made the pots and had put holes about 3/4" apart on the rim). She introduced us to the use of artificial sinew to stitch the needles to the pots, rather than raffia. The artificial sinew makes pine needle basketry, or pine needles on pottery/gourds do-able. The artificial sinew comes in several colors and I got mine from the Caning Shop (www.caning.com) in Berkeley, CA. Lots of suppliers carry the artificial sinew. Darla in Ft. Lee, VA...When I was in New Orleans for a meeting I too searched for basket and soap making places to no avail. However, New Orleans has soooooooo much to offer. The food is fabulous!!!!!!!! Try Cajun, try Creole, have beignets (a square donut) and coffee with chicory at the Cafe du Monde, visit the French Quarter, River Walk (shop till you drop), go on a bus tour of the city (it's not dorky, it's a wonderful overview of a very diverse city). Get a copy of a guidebook for New Orleans and do what interests your family. The kids may like a swamp tour (no, they won't be eaten by 'gators). There are several plantations open to the public and it is interesting to see them. Take a river cruise. There is an Imax theater down by the convention center/riverwalk/paddlewheel steamer dock. You can go across the river (I believe the ferry is free) to Algiers where they work on the Mardi Gras floats year round. So much to see, so little time! Ah yes, music. New Orleans is the music capital! Jazz, Cajun (Mulate's is great, down by the convention center). Have a great trip! Mona Campbell: Philodendron sheaths can be ordered from Judy Briscoe (http://www.judysbaskets.bigstep.com) and the Caning Shop (www.caning.com). Our guild recently had a branch basket class taught by Mary Lee Fulkerson who brought in all kinds of naturals including the philodendron sheaths. They are really pretty, kind of leathery, one end is kite shaped, the other end tapers down to a fine point. They are way cool when added as an embellishment to a basket. Jane Milner, in very hot Grass Valley, CA, and hoping that there will be a cooling trend soon! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000 07:22:29 -0500 From: merryob To: David Collins Dear WW, I hope this is the right way to respond to the list. If not, let me know. I have been a lurker (love that word) for a long time. To coleen bourgeois about basketry in wash. D.C. Just came back from there. We happened upon fabulous displays in the Smithsonian museum of natural history on the second floor. I took many nonflash pictures, which turned out well with asa 400 film. 800 or l200 would have been better. No flash allowed of course When I said we happened upon them, it was because none of the info people in any of the many museums knew where there were any baskets. Isn't that amazing and sad? Even the folks at the Castle - didn't know. The displays go back some thousand years--around 8,000 bce. The info accompanying them is concise--of course I would have liked more. Next year sometime, the entire collection from the Heye center in N.Y.C. will move to the national museum of the American Indian (under construction). and will contain exhibits spanning 5 millennia, ranging from everyday objects to fine art. Here is the Smithsonian web site - haven't looked at it myself yet www.si.edu. Hope this helps Merry O'Brien in perfect weather Seattle. Am sure glad to be out of that l00 degree stuff with muggy factor 99.9 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Ouickie Basket Dye Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 08:45:33 -0400 From: CLARICE E WEATHERS To: davidc@iei.net This recipe was given to me by someone that lived in an Airstream trailer, You know it's the silver narrow style travel trailer. I have modified it to suit the needs of most basket makers. Well we have a large trailer park of them about 5 miles from here. This is Florida and many people winter here. These are rather small, so you have to utilize your space very efficiently, that means everyone even apartment dwellers can do this.......... 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp any union type dye powder {like Rit, Cushing Deka, etc} 1 cup very hot water (I boil it) 1 tsp. salt or vinegar Mix ingredients in a throw away type container (I use a plastic margarine tub) Stir to blend thoroughly. Pour into freezer type zip lock bag. Add small coils of reed. Seal bag. Rock back and forth over a sink or pan to desired color. Remove and rinse. Hang to dry or proceed to use. Wipe with a sponge or paper towel if using right away. You can use a plastic milk jug as a mixing container. Just cut away top part of the jug, but don't cut the handle off. Clarice Weathers %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 36 Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 10:30:29 EDT From: Linhebert@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net To: Clarice E. Weathers, Thanks so much for your kind words. You made my day! Linda Hebert V. I. Reed & Cane http://www.basketweaving.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: antlers, wombats, guilds Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 11:32:50 -0400 From: "Angie Wagner-Country Seat" To: "David" Hi all, Nan Gorbics - What a great site! Thank you for sharing that with us. Anyone who's wondering about their state can see it at a glance and the address for the agency. That should make it easy for people. We did find out in PA that while it's not legal to sell antlers, you can buy them in Pa from someone who harvested or purchased them legally in another state. What contradictions. Pat in NM - thanks. You would think that with the high concentration of artists in NM that there would be guilds. Oh well, if I hear of anything I'll post it. Shirley - I brought back a stuffed animal wombat also! They are just too cute. It makes me smile when I look at it. Glad the rain is finally stopping for the weekend. Wish we could send it out west to those in need. Last year we had a drought, this year a flood. Go figure. Angie in PA The Country Seat http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket case Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000 09:22:05 -0700 From: Ruth Emberg To: "weavers words, David" This is a not so nice story on the origins of "basket case". My oldest brother worked all his life for the railroad. One day he came home looking mighty rotten, and when asked if he was ill, he muttered 'basket case' and ran from the room. That mooring a hobo had been hit by a train, and was gathered up in the big railroad yard basket. He said that such an event was always referred to as a basket case. This happened quite often during the depression years, and while he did not get used to it, he stopped coming home ill. True, but not a nice story. Sorry. Ruth %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Guilds Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 14:48:09 -0400 From: "Angie Wagner-Country Seat" To: "David" Hi all, This is great, we're down to only 9 states without guilds listed. Thanks to everyone who has sent me info on guilds in their area. Angie http://www.countryseat.com/guilds.htm %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Philodendron naturals Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000 15:02:12 -0500 From: "Rita Nardin" To: Regarding basketcase and her request for philodendron sheaths, Judy Briscoe sells them. She has a catalog that lists several natural items. She lives in Florida. Her email address is basketwman@home.com. She also has a website which is http://www.judysbaskets.bigstep.com/. Wow Bert, this is three months in a row that I have contributed. Actually twice in July. Wanting to weave more in St Louis Go Cards!!!! Rita Nardin %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 36 Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 22:44:25 EDT From: Caldesigns@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Mona, You probably do have them growing where you are. I know they grow out here in Southern California and in Florida. It the leaf sheath from the giant philodendron. It protects the leaf as it grows. After the leaf comes out, the sheath turns a beautiful rusty brown. The sheath must be allowed to dry, then soak it to use. In the winter 1989 issue of the Basketmaker magazine, Misti Washington did an article about it. The magazine is out of print, but you might know someone with that issue. Good luck. Carol in Carlsbad %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 36 Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 22:52:12 EDT From: Caldesigns@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Mona, You probably do have the philodendrons growing where you live. I know they grow out here in Southern California and in Florida. The sheath comes from the Giant Philodendron and protects the growing leaf. After the leaf comes out, the sheath will turn a wonderful rusty brown color and looks a bit like leather. You must let it dry and then soak it to use. Back in 1989, Misti Washington (who our guild is named for) wrote an article in the Basketmakers Quarterly for their winter issue. This magazine is out of print, but hopefully you can find someone with a copy. It is found on pages 18 & 19. Hope this helps a bit. Carol in Carlsbad %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap Basket #9 on tour! Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000 13:05:30 From: Margaret McKirdy To: davidc@iei.net Greetings from Northern British Columbia! Yes! My lovely basket from Leigh Ingram of Laurinburg North Carolina arrived safe and sound in the northern reaches of British Columbia! And an exciting trip it had! Before I left on my month long holiday visiting relatives and friends around British Columbia (B.C.!) I checked my mailbox daily for a parcel carrying my swap basket. No basket! I left on my holidays somewhat disappointed, but not without a plan. How could I possibly wait a whole month to see my new basket? Where was it from? What kind of basket... Little did I know. I made arrangements for my mail to be checked, and hoped I would be able to have it forwarded to my sister's in Houston (not Texas, but NORTHERN B.C.). I phoned, and yes! a parcel had arrived. In bringing it through customs, it had to be opened and inspected. The basket and all the goodies it carried made it on it's first two legs. Laurinburg, North Carolina to Porthill, Idaho to Creston, British Columbia. One more hop!! It was rewrapped, and readdressed and resent to Houston, British Columbia! I asked one question. Where was the basket from? When they told me, I couldn't believe my good luck! A basket from Leigh Ingram! My new friend from Weavers Words! We had been germinating a new friendship through this most amazing technology - email. Thanks to Weaver's Words!! And our shared passion for Gourds! And now I had a basket coming to me from Leigh! A secret she kept so well in the previous months!! It arrived and I tore it open in the truck in front of the post office! An exquisite tote basket with my favorite colors. And the perfect size to carry with me as we travel around in our little RV. I am so pleased to have a basket that is new and so different from the ones I make. O Lucky Me!!!!!!!!!! This is not all! Leigh knows my passion for pine needles that grow in her neck of the woods, and sent some of those. They are so lovely and long and fat and the most delicate shade of brown. Perfect for the baskets I make! AND she sent a collection of precious little shells she gathered from the seashore. Something I used to collect and miss because I live far from the ocean! AND a can of Weaver's Stain for me to try. I kept asking her what it is and how it is used and where can it be purchased... Now I have my very own can to add to my artist's palette! I can't wait to try it! Such a generous woman! I thank you so much, Leigh, for your most thoughtful gifts and for a basket that I will treasure always! This was my first swap and I had so much fun! Thanks to Faye for all the hard work, and for such mindful encouragements to all of us. Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello to Margie Reck from Valemount British Columbia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Margie (from Montana) used to live in Valemount years ago. We discovered this quite by chance in an email encounter through WW. I grew up in Valemount. My parents still live here and I'm still related to half the town! We are having a lovely visit! I have much catching up to do. I haven't read a WW since I left home, so I will have lots to read when we return. Greetings from the North where everyone is haying and it is hot and sunny. Glennie McKirdy %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: This and that Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000 08:22:38 -0400 From: "Nancy Carlson" To: Hi, First of all I would like everyone who responded to my plea for information on how to contact Stephen K. Really appreciate your taking the time to do this. Also, especially appreciate receiving his web site - was really curious as to what his work was like. There has been a lot of discussion regarding potato masher basket - Baskets of Joy - has a pattern available. Nancy - wet drippy day in Michigan %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Aloha Date: Sun, 06 Aug 2000 08:32:25 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha from sunny Honolulu, Just wanted to post something that happened yesterday. Our guild is given a booth at the Craft, Sewing, and Quilting Expo every year and those of us who volunteer (ahem, not enough--hint, hint) sit and weave and talk to people who are fascinated to see baskets actually being woven. It is a neat time for those of us who do participate as we can sit and weave without the day-to-day interruptions (answer the phone, let the dog out, let the dog in, fold the towels) and can share with each other. Yesterday an older woman in a big straw hat approached me and said "Bless you, girl. I*m from New Zealand and this wonderful art is fading fast as people want to buy nothing but those cheap imports. Keep this art alive!" Wow, that was a definite upper! Aloha, Lois %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Carol Antrim class Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000 17:52:17 -0500 From: "Carol Antrim" To: Thank YOU, Chrystal, for those kind words and for providing the space for this class. My thanks to Faye Stuckey, too, for organizing it (at the same time she was organizing the swap...what a wonder-woman!)... We did have a wonderful time, Montana has basket makers to be proud of...(I also saw others of Chrystal's, Faye's and Carol Miller's baskets while out there and I was waaaay impressed!) It's was a joy teaching this group. Another of the students in the class has a sister that lives only 45 minutes north of me here in Indiana...what a small world! If you couldn't join us for the Antler as Feet style basket in Montana but wanted to, I will be teaching it again in Mansfield, Ohio on August 20th. In fact, I'll be teaching there all weekend. You can see the three baskets I'll be teaching on http://cantrim.homepage.com/class_schedule.htm email Kathy Halter Roybilkat@worldnet.att.net for details. While in Montana, I attended the All 60's Reunion in Whitefish...what an incredible weekend. Since I graduated right in the middle, it was great seeing upper and lower classmen I had shared classes with or ridden the bus with as well as people from my own class. Lots of family and neighborhood reunions going on that weekend...Small school, only 1100 graduated in the whole decade but almost 600 returned - plus spouses and families...AWESOME! I donated two baskets to the silent auction that helped the scholarship funds along very nicely. Also hooked my two nephews on basket weaving I think...we sure had fun, weaving, coiling, looping, and twining. They want me to come back and teach the their scout troupes next year. I'm headed to Michigan to coil with the Thumbweavers Guild on Wednesday, Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, Carol Antrim http://cantrim.homepage.com/ %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Billie Dorris at VA Beach Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000 19:33:36 -0400 From: "Cynthia Ludholtz" To: I wanted to publicly say thanks to Billie Dorris at Virginia Beach for the lovely visit and time she spent with my friend Wanda and I 2 weeks ago. Sorry Billie it has taken me so long to say Thanks. The last 2 weeks have been wild, granddaughter's birthday, family reunion, etc. Billie was so nice to allow us to come. Here collection of basket and related items and her studio and all of her work was fascinating. I learned some tricks for weaving from her. Billie I cannot put into words how much I really do appreciate everything. I am already implementing some of the things I learned. Love and Prayers and Happy Weaving to you. Also while I am on line, can anyone give me some pointers on using glycerin in your water when you weave, it is an idea that came to me after reading somewhere that spraying a basket to clean and remoisturize one that you have had around for awhile. Would it help to put a little glycerin in the water as you soak you reed when weaving? Hope the last swap gets concluded soon as I want to get involved in #10. Are you given any ideas of what your swap partner likes, colors, etc? Would like to be able to make it to fit the person. Also am interested in trying an antler basket, and one using driftwood if any one can give me ideas. We have several oak trees that are dead that we are doing to cut this fall and I was wondering about using some of the smaller limbs for handles, etc. Can anyone give me pointers? All I have ever worked with has been reed and ready made handles but I am now at the point where I want more control over what I use and also would like to create instead of just following patterns. Also has anyone painted (and I am sure they have) baskets with the milk paint? I would like to try that too. I am going to be helping the arts and crafts teacher at the local high school with a section on baskets. Going to give a talk, maybe help them get started and finish up (rims, etc.) If anyone has any pointers I would appreciate it. I have helped at the school where my stepdaughter attended when they made baskets but feel I want to do more. Sorry to make this so long. Happy weaving to every one from Cynthia In Harrisonburg, VA where it feels more like late August/early September rather than early August. We've had a strange summer. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Downsizing a basket Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000 20:58:04 EDT From: Lewiscarolv@gateway.net To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and Weavers, Does anyone know a formula for downsizing a basket? The basket I want to do in a smaller size is a round basket using round reed. The weavers are flat oval. I want to make it approx half the size the pattern calls for. Any help would be appreciated. I enjoy WW so much and have learned so much from everyone. Thank you David! Carol Votaw %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Another Question Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000 21:23:13 EDT From: Lewiscarolv@gateway.net To: davidc@iei.net Hi David, Awhile back I was just looking at different basket web sites and ran across one that featured a basket maker each month or so. Now I can't remember the name of that web site. I think it was a supplier, but I can't remember for sure. Does anyone know which one I'm referring to? Carol Votaw %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.