"Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 49 Date Sent: September 12, 2000 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1458 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 Chrystal Higgin's-----2000 Blue Ribbon Antler As Feet Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----2000 Blue Ribbon Double Antler Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----2000 Blue Ribbon Lunch Box Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----2000 Blue Ribbon Moose Paddle Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----Antler Wall Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----Bathroom Towel Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----Bread Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----Cloverleaf Bread Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----Feathered Cornucopia Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----Fruit Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----Huckleberry Picking Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----Pentland With Added Rim Basket. Chrystal Higgin's-----Twined Antler Handle Basket. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 48 Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2000 22:27:28 EDT From: Linhebert@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Re: War Eagle Weaving Weekend I'm very excited to announce that we're planning to host a basketweaving retreat: War Eagle Weaving Weekend: May 4 & 5, 2001 here in NW Arkansas. Teachers, we invite you to submit class proposals and resumes. The weekend will be Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, leaving plenty of time for basketweavers to "fair-hop" in the area. The retreat will be held at the Ozark Natural Science Center- about 15 miles from the village of War Eagle. So it'll be really special: great teachers, great food and very comfortable lodging on premises in a beautiful setting. I'm especially enthusiastic about the location because I've personally attended a weekend meeting there, and it was So Completely Restful! Really a wonderful get-away. The center has a beautiful lodge where the meals are served- with a library, plus cozy furniture for relaxing in the evening. We'll be the only group staying there. Due to the all inclusive nature of the retreat, it'll be limited to about 36 participants. If you'd like to receive the complete info, visit our website and add your email to the "War Eagle Weaving Weekend" mailing list. Once the teachers, classes and other info are ready, we'll send it to you via email. This new Mailing List sign-up will be added to our website on Saturday morning 9/9. Linda Hebert V. I. Reed & Cane www.basketweaving.com http://www.basketweaving.com Teachers send info to: V.I. Reed & Cane, Rt 5, Box 632, Rogers AR 72756 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 48 Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2000 22:43:41 EDT From: Linhebert@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Re: War Eagle Weaving Weekend For teachers from far away: I should mention that we aren't able to pay travel expenses. But of course, teachers' lodging and meals will be provided. AND, teachers will certainly be paid during the weekend of the retreat. No waiting period. Linda H. V. I. Reed & Cane %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Stuff Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 00:34:14 EDT From: StarlaK@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Cyndi R.--- My daughters teachers love their baskets. She is going on 8 and has been weaving for 2 years. At first I helped her with them, but now she's quite efficient on her own. I stay close so that she can ask for help when she gets stuck. I try to have her do or help with the weaving, so the gift is from her. I ask the teacher the colors they have in their living room and then let Lauren pick out the pattern. It's very cute to watch her go to the colored reed bin and pull out a tail of this color and that color then reach for a different one, as she tries to figure out the combination she wants to do. As far as style, I go for the inexpensive wire handles or a D handle. A simple round basket, a biscuit basket (oval with a wire handle---modified a free pattern), a tea basket filled with homemade goodies, a cat head with space dyed reed is very pretty, you could do it in a continuous weave... This year she is going to do the mini-back packs, we will make the straps ourselves. I think they would be very cute on a teachers desk with pencils or treats in it. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 48 Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 08:09:56 EDT From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net, mjhooper@mitchell.main.nc.us Mary Hooper, I wonder if you did lose your connection with the Naturals list, because it's been fairly active the last few days at least. Everyone has been talking about the wonderful time they spent in Lake Cresent and in Salt Springs Island, Canada. Here's the email addy again for you. baskets@maillist.ox.ac.uk The Wicker Woman/Cathryn Peters/Zumbro Falls, MN Visit my website: http://www.wickerwoman.com/ Subscribe to my ezine: http://wickerwoman.listbot.com/ PhotoPoint Album Index http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=16796&Auth=false %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: BRAIDED BORDER BASKETS Date: Sat, 09 Sep 2000 08:16:03 -0400 From: The NorEsta Cane & Reed Reply-To: sales@noresta.com Organization: The NorEsta Cane & Reed To: "COLLINS, DAVID" Hi, Just wanted to let you know that The NorEsta Cane & Reed has "Braided Border Baskets" available for sale. Three braids are taught in this book. They are the Gretchen Border, the Rewoven Border, and a Simple Rolled Border. The book also includes seven basket patterns. Wholesale price is $8.24. Happy Weaving! The NorEsta Cane & Reed %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Some basketry sources Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 09:00:53 EDT From: StarlaK@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hello everyone: I've found some basketry businesses listed, you may want to save it to your favorites and check it out before you travel. Click here: Basketry Sources of Materials I had the pleasure of weaving a goose with Diana Macomber. I was nervous about how it would turn out but I DID IT! She's a great teacher. I'm going to weave up another soon and then I'll have a pair. My husband has volunteered to paint them for me. If y'all have a chance take the class...it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. (Thanks for sharing your tea Diana!) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Spacing stakes, staves Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 11:39:17 -0400 From: "Joe Conroy" To: "David Collins" Good morning David, I'd like to share a method I use to obtain even spacing of stakes, or staves, when using a solid wood circular bottom for a basket: Open up a spreadsheet on your computer such as Excel or MS Works. Assume you want to have 35 stakes in the basket. Type the number "1" into cell A-1. Next highlight cells A-1 through A-35. Press "Control"-D to fill all the cells in that range with "1". Now view a pie chart. You can format the pie chart as you like. I suggest no colors. This gives you a circle with 35 evenly spaced segments and no distracting colors. Saves ink, too. Print the chart. Make sure your wood base is evenly centered on the printed chart and make appropriate pencil marks on the wood to space your stakes. If you're not familiar with spreadsheets, you may have to spend a little time to get your first chart. It becomes easier each time you do it. If anyone has any questions you can feel free to e-mail me privately at bsktjoe@ids.net In the subject line put "Joe" so my wife knows it is my incoming mail. Joe Conroy Stony Lane Basketry Exeter, RI 02822 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basketmaking Creed Date: Sat, 09 Sep 2000 10:00:38 -0600 From: "Chrystal L. Higgins" To: davidc@iei.net I seem to have somehow missed Mary Hooper's "Basketmaking Creed". I have gone back and searched and just can't seem to track it down. Can someone either post it again, send it to me directly, or let me know what issue it was in? Thanks! Chrystal Kalispell, Montana %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 48 Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 17:20:25 EDT From: Caldesigns@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Cindy, Hope this helps some in your rib baskets...I never measure any of my spokes in any of my rib baskets. I decide the shape I want it to take the basket to take, then cut one spoke for one side, then one a little longer for the other side. I then "eyeball" them to get them matching. I do the same thing for each set of spokes. I have found that by just looking at the shape of the spokes as I incorporate them into the basket, my baskets sit much better. If, as you weave, the sides start to look a little uneven, you can adjust the spokes (pushing them further in or pulling them slightly out. It takes a little practice, but eventually this technique can work quite well. The main advantage is that you can then do any size basket and not have to know exact measurements. Carol in Carlsbad, CA (Usually a lurker). %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Kids Swap Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 16:24:03 -0500 From: "Karen D'Angelo" To: "David Collins" Hi everyone, My son participated in the kids swap and received a wonderful denim blue CD basket from L.P. She is a third grader and did an excellent job. She also included the ever important Pokemon toys, Gobstoppers and a nice note about herself and the things she likes to do. I only wish my son would write so nice a note. Thanks Chris very much for hosting the swap. Thanks also to David for WW. Karen D'Angelo in Wichita where we have had a 65-year record heat breaking summer. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 38, 39, 41 Date: Sat, 09 Sep 2000 16:24:22 -0500 From: Roberta Comstock To: David Collins Hello fellow WW Weavers! I'm just back getting back to earth after a week-long trip to UP Michigan (Ishpeming) in mid-August to participate in a wonderfully exciting and productive 3-day workshop on pounding and splitting black ash and processing such other natural materials as spruce root, birch bark, spruce gum, basswood bark cordage, and sweet grass. The resident expert and host was Daniel Nye. WOW!!! What a great time! About 30 people came from near and far to learn and play. I met several more weavers from Weavers Words. You've undoubtedly heard considerable high praise already, so I won't elaborate further. Daniel is talking about doing it again next year. (Oh Boy!) En route, before the workshop, I stopped at the Amana Colonies in Iowa for a brief visit with Johanna Schanz (and a bit of shopping at her Broom and Basket Shop). I spent two days in Waukesha, Wisconsin, teaching my new belt pouch basket at Kim Lepin's house, with a short drive down to East Troy Basketry (in East Troy, WI) during the day between the two evening class sessions. There I met Eileen Mirsberger - who purchased the shop several months ago (and did some shopping). After the workshop, I drove further north to visit Gratiot Lake Basktery and meet Carole Kaeding. Carole's business is primarily mail order, but she is glad to have traveling basketmakers drop by to say hello (and shop). She appreciates advance warning, so please email her or call ahead of time. I also had the pleasure of some traveling and staying with Sue Bakken, Poppy Hatinger, and Marty Houlihan, and a lunch stop with Barb Foster near Green Bay, WI. Great company and opportunities to see some of their work. It took almost a week to get the Lumina unloaded and I'm still not done sorting and putting everything away. What with stops at 3 great basketry shops, plus all my processed and collected natural stuff, it was full to the gills! In addition to the workshop items, I was able to gather some small rushes, equisetum, a fair amount of a large reed-like grass (haven't identified it yet), Lake Superior driftwood and beach pebbles, and some interesting sticks and stones from the area around Poppy's camp/cabin. I've been on the orad for most of another week since them that was mostly family visits, but did manage to replenish my supply of yucca glauca from western Nebraska and gathered a bag of weathered inner cottonwood bark that will go into hand made paper (and eventually into baskets). So now I need to do some catching up on all my email. "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 38 Jayna - Hope you've had Good Luck with the pattern swap. Susan in HOT Texas - I have just completed a pattern for BERT'S BELT BASKET that is essentially a fanny pack. It is woven of reed in 2 twills and had leather belt loops and a looped drawstring top of twined waxed linen. I am presently negotiating with a potential seller and will let you know when it is available for sale. Margie in Cameron, MT - I've been following the fire reports through friends in western states for some time now. Can't remember a year that's been this bad for forest fires. Hope you are clear of them where you live and that all you westerners get some good rains SOON! Pattie Bagley - Who was your oak class with? I hope you enjoy that as much as I do - it's one of my favorite things! Kathy Fullerton - Don't forget to give David the info on Lagniappe Weavers for his new directory! Billie - I like your guild's recruiting method. Do you mind if I share that with my guild? "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 39 Darlene Safrit - Good luck with your new shop! Joanne Howard - Sounds like you're having a good trip on the mainland. Be sure to let us know about the Southern Basketry Conference. Angelique Raptakis - I don't know why Longaberger Baskets get the prices they do, but they are considered highly collectable by many people. They are of consistent quality and easily recognizable. I have never seen river cane for sale by a supplier. I have seen it growing along streams in the southern Ozarks. I believe the natural range for it is mostly south and east of the Ozarks (southeastern quarter of the US). Maybe someone who lives in an area where it is abundant would be willing to trade with you for something natural that grows in your area (maybe black needle rush?). Mary - I don't think we are wasting our time when we try to educate the public about baskets and their history. "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 41 Thanks again to Lisa Carstens and Kim Leppin for setting up and hosting the belt basket class I taught on my basket trip last month. So long for now. I'll continue catching up real soon. Bert Comstock Lauderdale Home again in Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Soggy reed and stinky dye Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 20:49:04 -0400 From: "Mary Hooper" To: "David Collins" References: 1 Elaine Robson: Reed that's too wet tends to get hairy. It also increases the chance of mildew or mold before the basket gets dry. The dye I save sometimes gets mold on it, but I just scoop it off with my trusty wire strainer. If I leave one unused long enough for it to get rancid I send it to the landfill, but so far it hasn't happened often. Today at guild meeting someone mentioned using walnut dye that had mold on it and the mold made attractive patterns on the reed, but I have never had mold on my black walnut dye. So I guess it depends on a lot of variables, such as temperature, humidity, acidity of water, additives, type of dye, length of storage... Cheerio from western North Carolina where the first leaves are turning bright red and the mums are blooming like mad. Mary Hooper mjhooper@mitchell.main.nc.us %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 48 Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 07:10:15 +0000 From: Laurie Burns To: davidc@iei.net Cindy in AL, I usually make a pencil basket for my daughter's teachers. Sometimes I fill it with candy or a jar of soup ingredients. I make it with 1/4" flat reed and do a matchstick rim. This a very fast basket to work up. Sometimes I even split a center stake so I can weave continuously and don't have to start and stop. When the basket is done, you can embellish it with a tied raffia bow of any color or just natural. I have also made cracker baskets, but filled them with tea, hot cocoa or coffee and some mints. Both baskets have been well received. Good luck. I would also like to thank both of my daughters swap partners. Both made great baskets and my daughters keep walking around the house with each of their baskets. It was such a thrill for them to get a basket from another kid. Both baskets were woven very well and even I would have loved to received them myself! Thank you's are being sent to each. Laurie in upstate NY! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Traveling weaver Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 19:42:32 -0700 From: "George Bissonnette" To: Hi I'm a member of the new. basket weavers guild and will be traveling to Landon; Holland; and France on the 15th of September for 2 weeks and wonders if anyone had any information on basket weaver or basket weaving group or persons in see in these areas... Thanks Nancy's pines %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: National Basketmakers Organization/Publication Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 08:53:45 EDT From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net It's been nearly a year since the formation of the National Basketmakers Organization/Publication, spawned at the Arrowmont Basketry Workshop in October 1999, could we please get an update from the powers that be, as to what is happening now? Money was raised, meetings took place, and two very nice newsletter issues were printed and distributed. There were even plans for the next workshop to be held in Texas in 2001, but to my knowledge nothing else on a positive basis has taken place. I certainly hope that this silence does not mean the demise of such a wonderful, cohesive, and innovative national basketry group. Please, tell me it just "ain't" so! The Wicker Woman/Cathryn Peters/Zumbro Falls, MN Visit my website: http://www.wickerwoman.com/ Subscribe to my ezine: http://wickerwoman.listbot.com/ PhotoPoint Album Index http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=16796&Auth=false %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Kids basket swap Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 09:30:02 -0500 From: "Tim Hall" To: HI basketweavers! I'd just like to thank Chris Carstens for coordinating the first kid's basket swap. My daughter Kailey signed up and was excited to make a basket for Chase Miller. She took great care in picking the pattern, color and embellishment. I only helped by lashing for her - she did the rest. Then, it came time to receive the basket. Daily inquiries if the basket arrived yet. Sounded so familiar; like me when my swap basket it due to arrive. Then "it" arrived. Inside was a round basket with a wrapped handle and curly q's in the shape of butterflies from Aimee Plourde! She slept with it by her bedside. Can't blame her for that ;) Thanks again Chris for your time. Weavingly yours, Donna in Texas where there is no sign of autumn %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: This is a long one! Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 10:50:23 -0500 From: Tony Stubblefield To: David Collins/Weavers Words Mary - about class in Oriental - I am surprised anyone has even heard of Oriental, NC before! It is a beautiful little harbor town on the coast of NC with the key word being "little". I very much enjoyed my stay last year and am looking forward to this class. JoAnn Kelly Catsos is going to be teaching your choice of either a #6 captured lid cathead or a small lidded sewing basket (similar to the large one I made with her featured on my web site). The class will be held over 3 days, Nov. 9, 10 & 11, 2000. The class site is one of the marinas, which houses a restaurant (for lunch), a hotel (for dragging back to after a late night of extra weaving projects) and a banquet room (for the class). Because this is off-season the room rates are quite reasonable, even cheap. There are also long-leaf pine needles all over the ground around the hotel. I am sure the neighbors thought I was nuts last year when I was outside picking them up all the time. Unfortunately I believe the classis full! You can check if you like with the class hostess, Becky Willi at (252) 249-2212 (she is going to hate me for flooding her with calls, but...) to see if there is a waiting list, any cancellations or to get on next years list. Becky and I go way back from our days as apprentices to Martha Wetherbee. Wendy - about moving to O'Fallon, IL - If you are only going to be about 20 minutes from St. Louis you may want to consider joining the MO state guild and one or more of the local St. Louis guilds. Membership is really low, like $10 - $20 a year and you get newsletters, opportunities to take classes and attend conferences, plus you get to meet a lot of other weavers in the area. I don't really know about guilds in IL, but we do have quite a few active ones here in MO. Also there are quite a few classes that go on here too (I even teach a few of them). There is a great basket shop, St. Louis Basket Supply (314) 843-5005 or (800) 370-0664 on the southwest side of the metropolitan area. For guild information you can call Carol Matteson at (314) 434-2730. Elaine - about soggy reed - I will be interest to hear what other users of reed say, but I always think over soaking is bad. Really good quality reed can probably handle a fair amount of time in the water, but if the quality is borderline over soaking can really make it even more hairy and even it almost seems to shred. You really only need to soak reed or any material just long enough so that it is pliable. The less water the material has absorbed the less it has swollen and thereby the less it will shrink when dry. There is definitely a happy medium to how damp reed needs to be to make it easiest to work with. When your reed is dry it will slide over itself easier making a spoke easier to move or a row easier to pack. On the flip side, at this magic point, a drop of water will act like glue to hold that wiggly peace in place until you can upset that base or add that next row. It is kind of like walking along the shoreline, one step to the right and you are in the surf, one step to the left you are on the beach. Cindy - about Mini Oval Basket - OK, first of all what kind of "mini" basket uses 26" x 12" hoops! That is huge!!! I wouldn't even want to attempt something that big and I have been making ribbed baskets for over 15 years. Surely that must be a typo :-O Anyway, this may be silly, but do you have the hoops crossed the correct way for the pattern? Are they crossed on the short way so that the basket will be deep and have a tall handle or are they crossed on the long way so that the hoops look like a "watermelon" and the basket will be long and shallow? If they are crossed on the short way, possible the "rim" hoop needs to be pushed down so that the handle is considerably longer than the part that will become the center of the basket. There isn't any rule that the hoops have to cross in the center, even when using round hoops. Probably the best advise I could give you for your first ribbed basket is to start with something like a 10" round. It is going to be much easier to handle than something really large and less frustrating than something really small,. I am also a firm believer in never using written measurements for ribs on a round or oval basket. You can eyeball them much more accurately, as ever ribbed basket will take slightly different length of spokes depending on how they sit in the basket. To measure spokes always hold the basket at eye level while looking at the god's eye straight on. Hold the spoke where it is going to be inserted on the side closest to you and bow the reed around to where it will be inserted on the far side. While looking at the baskets profile adjust the length of the spoke until it is the desired length. Hold your finger along the reed at the point were the spoke should end up and let go of the basket and cut the spoke. Now, here is a key point, cut another matching length spoke using the new one as a measurer. You will now have2 spokes to go on each side of your basket that are the same length and if you do this each time your basket should be symmetrical. At this point you should go ahead and sharpen and insert the spoke in place so you don't forget what spot you measured it for. As you add more spokes it will be easier to determine the length of the next because as you add each spoke you are slowly defining and refining the shape of the basket. If a spoke is way too long or way too short you should be able to see if as you look at the basket in profile. Each time you add more spokes during the weaving process you are going to do the exact same thing again and each new spoke should make the curve even more defined and smoother. Also, as an extra note, I never use a true "god's eye", while it may look pretty it is much harder to work with than the kind of "ears" that I use. With a god's eye the spokes are not secured in place until after a few rows of weaving. This makes those first few rows really difficult, especially for a beginner. I have a diagram on my website that shows one of the "ears" (I really don't know why I call them that, I must have head that somewhere) I use myself and teach in classhttp://www.tetranet.net/users/deanandtony/ear_diag_1.html. With this type of handle lashing you actually poke holes in the reed to insert the first spokes. This holds them much more securely, especially when you are weaving the first rows. I also demonstrate on my web site how to "fill in" the odd spaces you have when you weave a bulbous shaped ribbed basket http://www.tetranet.net/users/deanandtony/filling-in.html. It is impossible for me to explain all the steps for weaving a ribbed basket here, but if you have any specific questions you can email me and I will try to be more specific. In the mean time take a look at my diagrams and see if they help. Wow, I haven't written one of these super long responses in a while. Sorry for my ramblings. You know I think I talk more than I weave, I am just finishing up a wedding gift from this April!!! I also have a Nantucket class next week that I have to finish getting my supplies ready. Take care, Tony Stubblefield St. Louis http://www.JASkets.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Using seaweed in baskets Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 14:24:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Lorene Foster To: David Collins Hi David. I've been reading back issues of Weavers Words Mar 14 1999 and saw an e-mail from Kathey Ervin thanking you for info on seaweed basketmaking. I've been searching for quite a long time for any info onthe preparation of seaweed or bull kelp. Also if there was a certain way that was best to weave it? I did put a posting in Weaver's Word but have had no response. Can you help me? Thanks Lorryfos@yahoo.com {Lee] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: Egg baskets Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 16:53:48 -0700 (PDT) From: M Balleweg To: David Collins Cindy - I learned to cut my spokes for egg baskets at the length to produce the shape that pleased me. I have done quite a few that way and although they sometimes come out a little different than I envisioned, I have always been pleased with my results. Just recently, I decided to follow a pattern with definite measurements for cutting ribs and I found that I still had to cut and trim every one to make them even on both sides and fit nicely. So, the moral of my story is...just cut a spoke the length you want and try it. See what size and shape develops from your own design and have fun. Marcia Balleweg, Wellston, OK where it is still 100+degrees. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 48 Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 22:47:39 -0600 From: "Rae Hunter" To: "David Collins" Naturals list??? We are still here, the possibility of the lull may be that a number of us were in heaven, (Salt Spring Willow Week) and many others may have been anxiously waiting for us to send out envious accolades so we could all feel inspired to new challenges and forms of basketry. Check us out on Werners pages. http://www.basketry.ch/ Click on Kursfotos von Saltspring Island. They may be on the German pages. Cheers Rae. (Slowly catching up on things since I have been in heaven.) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Bits and Pieces Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 09:39:18 -0400 From: "John W. Dorris" To: "Weavers Words" I have just returned from a 5-day reunion in Colorado Springs with a group of people we were stationed in Germany with 25+ years ago. What a great time we always have. If you see folks walking around with the right side (only) of their neck and face sunburned (and any other uncovered portion) know that they were sitting in the hot sun at the Air Force/BYU on Sat. IT was a great game but I had forgotten how hot and unforgiving the sun can be at that altitude. The game started at 11 am as ESPN broadcast it. We had a tailgate party before the game and must admit it's the first time I've had barbeque chicken at 10 am. If you really want to know how out of shape you are trying walking up the steps in a football stadium at 7000 ft. Had to stop and take a couple of breaks along the way. While there I looked for baskets and supplies, I saw some interesting baskets in Old Colorado City. In the "Flute Player" I bought a couple of mini horsehair baskets by Linda Aguliar (sp.) that are great. I had gotten a couple in the same shop when we there 6 years ago. Also "The Squash Blossom" had some most unusual pine needle offerings by a guy name Ken Peterson (I think I'm remembering right) from Loveland, Colo. The base was a terra cotta colored clay/pottery with holes around the edge. The needles were inserted in the holes and then coiled in the normal manner. He had left the "thick ends" on the needles and they formed a spiral around the basket. The bases looked almost like leather. Some were embossed with a design. The prices were reasonable (aver. $150) considering they were in a shop. The only reason that I didn't buy one was that I'm trying to restrain myself. I look around my house and wonder what I'm doing with all this "stuff". I did buy some bone beads that I'll try to use as knobs on the smaller Nantucket's. Also found a neat leather shop. A real working warehouse. I bought a "spliter" for cutting leather as I'm going to try the mystery braid straps. This ought to be an interesting project. Must wait until Oct. and my shows are over before I start "playing" with it. Enough for now. Billie in sunny Va. Beach %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: (No subject) Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 12:13:26 EDT From: GARJOSBASK@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hello Everyone: Just a reminder that we still have a few spots open in Flo Hoppe's class on Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 15. She is teaching her "Zephyr" basket on Saturday and her "Madrigal" basket on Sunday. Cost for one class is $62, which includes your kit. If you haven't taken from Flo you are in for a treat plus having the world's finest round reed teachers. If interested, please email me privately for more info. Thanks! Joanne in cool and cloudy mid Michigan. GARJOS@aol.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: RE: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 48 Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 11:32:39 -0500 From: "Pace, Dorothy" To: "'David Collins'" David, You've again provided an interesting and funny few minutes at the computer. Thank you for your efforts! Peg in Iowa, my first basketry teacher was the wife of a minister. The phone rang one day and her young son answered. When the party asked to speak to his mother, he replied that she couldn't come to the phone because "she's dyeing". You can imagine the shock on someone's face when that message was relayed. All was explained and everyone reassured that all was well. Mary, I haven't tried the non-chlorine bleach on un-dyed reed except to try to remove dye from bleeding onto adjacent weavers. It didn't work. When I stopped to think, realized that the whole premise for non-chlorine bleach was to retain the color. So I have no information on the results of non-chlorine bleach on un-dyed reed. Sorry. Wendy, undoubtedly you will receive much information from the St. Louis weavers. Two or more active guilds in the area. St. Louis Basket Company on Gravois is a wonderful place to spend as much time that you can. They also offer classes although I haven't been able to take advantage of that feature yet. Received the brochure for Winter Weave 2001 and the baskets are so beautiful. Something for everyone. It's wonderful to learn of all the blue ribbons and other awards earned by this group of dedicated weavers. Congratulations to all! Jill, I hope you are filming some of the more interesting escapades of Satch. The mental picture you painted of his dismount from the porcelain fountain was hilarious. Have you thought of a film--something like the "Homeward Bound" movie? Enjoy so much each issue and that is due to the group participating! Dorothy in cooler (70's today) mid Missouri %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Checking on baskets Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 13:29:45 -0500 From: Chris Carstens To: davidc@iei.net Hello to all you fine basket weavers out there! I am once again checking on the status of the kid's swap baskets. There are several people whom I have not heard from regarding the receiving of their child's basket. From all of the emails I received last week, all baskets should have been sent out by now. If you HAVE NOT mailed your basket, please let me know right away because some of the participants are becoming discouraged as they watch the mail each day and no basket arrives. If you have received your basket and have not yet notified me, please do so A.S.A.P. If I do not hear from you by this Friday, September 15th, I will email you to find out if your child has received his/her basket or not. Thank you to all who participated! Lisa Carstens, 1st kid's swap coordinator %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Willows & Naturals Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 15:41:54 -0500 From: Sarah Hartman Organization: Fuchs Lubricants Co. To: davidc@iei.net Mary, I just had several messages come through last week while I was up fishing. Sarah in the northwest burbs of Chicago %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Teacher basket Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 20:16:53 -0500 From: "purrx3@stlnet.com" To: "David Collins weavers words" Hi to all WW! Cindy in Al - anything with apples on it would be appropriate for teachers, as would a tote bag. If your daughter's teachers are anything like me, a tote bag to bring home all those extra papers to grade would also be appreciated. Just make sure it has a sturdy bottom, is at least 5-6 inches wide, and long enough to hold materials larger than 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Now, with all those 'restrictions,' you might like to try something easier. There's a pattern called "homemade apple basket" that is fun and easy to make - it uses a 6" slotted base and 8" D handle, and is decorated with 10 apple halves, two rows of green for accent and tiny bows made of 1/4" green flat reed. The wooden base makes it a bit expensive, but you could probably substitute a base twined of round reed. I know I'm behind reading my WWs but just looked through the 100+ messages in my in-box, and found no un-read WW, my question is then Did I somehow miss info. about the next basket swap? Elaine in St. Louis There should be a law against the temperature being in the 90's after Sept. 1! Go Cards! Go Rams! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 22:02:28 -0400 From: "Joy Moody" To: Hi fellow basket makers. I have received a request from a high school art teacher looking for extra reed for her enthusiastic group of girls to weave with. I have already done my big annual clean out of the studio & sent all my excess to a kids summer arts camp. If anyone has any basket making materials that this girls group might use, I'm sure they'd appreciate whatever you can donate. The contact info. is as follows: Jennifer Martin, St. Teresa's Academy, 5600 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64113, e-mail jenm23@email.msn.com Joy Moody Sign of the Crow http://www.signofthecrow.com/basketgalleryintro.html In Maine where it is deciding whether or not to be Fall. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.