"Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 62 Date Sent: November 11, 2000 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1511 David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Phone: (317) 899-5747 davidc@iei.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE "BASKETRY TRAVEL COMPANION" TODAY: http://members.nbci.com/dgcollins/ordercompanion.html %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 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: Extreme Mushing... Date: 7 Nov 2000 05:12:59 -0000 From: "J. Choate Basketry List" To: List Member J. Choate Basketry List - http://www.jchoatebasketry.com Extreme Mushing... In the daily mania of chores, details, plotting and scheduling it's easy to forget that just outside the door is the solution. Sometimes the solution comes in the form of dog chores. With a winter coverlet over the yard the routine responsibilities of cleaning the dog yard, hauling water and dishing out dog food become a reprieve from the custody of the house. Even though mushing right now is more like "stump jumping" it's still time on the runners. Similar to extreme skiing "extreme mushing" comes to those who either can't afford a four-wheeler to train their dogs or they just need to feel that "edge". I guess that would make me either cheap or "edgy", or a combination of the two. Off season "extreme mushers" have a few gospel rules to run dogs by. First, run a trasher sled as it will become more so. Second, run small teams. This enables you to hit trees with less impact. Third, use the drag pad. Slow is good, that is unless your drag pad grabs a snag and disengages. Fourth, remember that snow is an excellent cushioning device when losing control of your sled and currently there isn't any. Using these simple rules you can experience the exhilaration of running dogs and remain intact. Until the big dump comes to soften the trail you'll find me hitting the Spur Rd. and hopefully not to hard. If you'd like to join us for some trail hitting (of the right kind) the Alaska Bush Basketry Retreat is still a possibility. If not, we'll see you in the Lower-48 on tour this spring. If you'd like to jump on the tour schedule let me know and we'll see how we can fit you in. Until then... Jill Choate Talkeetna, AK %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 61 Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 06:20:17 EST From: Linhebert@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Re: Teacher Needed for May 4, 5, 2001 One of our teachers had to withdraw from War Eagle Weaving Weekend in NW Arkansas, so we're seeking one more. I won't place all the details here, but if interested, do visit our "Weaving Weekend" page on the website for more info and contact me at linhebert@aol.com. It's going to be a really fun retreat! http://www.basketweaving.com/basketry_workshops.htm Linda Hebert V. I. Reed & Cane http://www.basketweaving.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Funny Basket Happening Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 07:48:26 EST From: Wickrwoman@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Back in 1996, I made an antler basket and gave it away as a door prize during our city's annual Ripplin' River Daze celebration. Don't remember who won it or anything else, like what the value was, what it looked like, nothing... Anyway an old customer of mine came in the shop the other day checking to see if I had a particular type of wicker chair she was looking to purchase. I didn't, but as we were talking she mentioned that she had purchased one of my antler baskets at a garage sale for $10.00!! She had always admired them and wanted to purchase, but they were a bit out of her price range at the time. When she spotted the basket at the garage sale she snapped it right up and couldn't wait to tell me about her terrific find. When she got home, she called me and described the basket and read the sales tag that was still attached. It was made as a door prize for the 1996 celebration and still had the sales price tag of $65.00 on it. I then looked up the inventory number and found out who won it and was glad that when they finished with it, they recycled it thorough their garage sale instead of throwing it in the trash. My customer thinks she's died and gone to Heaven after making such a thrifty and wise purchase. Just goes to show you though, you should never get too full of yourself, it may come back to haunt you years later, as in my case. Hahaha! What's that old adage, "One man's junk is another man's treasure?" The Wicker Woman/Cathryn Peters/Zumbro Falls, MN Visit my website: http://www.wickerwoman.com/ Subscribe to my free ezine: http://wickerwoman.listbot.com/PhotoPoint Album Index: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=16796&Auth=false %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: The phrase made me laugh & more news Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2000 08:07:06 -0500 From: Dan Hautzinger To: David Collins The basket whoring made me laugh, laugh so hard I just about cried. I try to sell my work for a fair value, but there are some, that just won't sell, I have had to long you know the ones you think are neat but no one else does, well my next show is it, I have a captive audience, and I have about 12 baskets that are going at the w.... rate. I want my supply money back so I can make something else that will sell that will put more money in the tin for the next China trip. YES we are at it again. Our paperwork was officially logged into China October 17th2000. It should be about 8 months until we get our picture. Our church even said prayers for our next child, since we requested another 2 year old he or she is already born, we all prayed to keep her safe and healthy. Gretchen Hautzinger Pregnant with time again. Bless all of God's little angels wherever they are. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Baskets Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 05:39:12 -0800 From: "Nella Johnson" To: "David Collins" Hi David, Will you list my pine needle baskets on WW. I have some for sale my web site is www.nellaspineneedlebaskts.com my e mail is baskets@nellaspineneedlebaskts.com I really enjoy reading the WW, Nella %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 61 Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 10:54:44 -0500 From: "Betty G. Tripp" To: davidc@iei.net Hi David, When is the next basket swap and how does one join? -- Betty %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 12:10:26 -0500 (EST) From: LYNDA CROWE To: David Collins Hi David and Very Happy belated birthday wishes to you. Hope you made it a memorable day. I've sent this off to you once, but at the moment I hit the send key, my computer went on the fritz. Anyway, the site has been updated, which has been a long time coming with the luck I've had over the past month. I guess bad luck us better than no luck at all, huh??? Anyway there is a new free pattern, newsletter, and sales items page. Enjoy. To all I wish a Happy Thanksgiving, in case I get too busy to do so in the near future. To the person who was asking about the book-Bert, I think? 'country Baskets', it is published by Sterling Publishing. I contributed the section about Basket weaving in America (blushing) let me know what you think. Only if it is good things though-HAHA! Anyway, Happy Turkey Day toall and I mean you too David. This time of year, things seem to run by so fast and catch us off guard. It may be because we are spending days cooking and cleaning and getting ready for the holidays, weaving to get all those fall orders filled, or it might just be Christmas shopping. We should be especially mindful and take a special moment to remember the things and people that we are thankful for. Thanks for all you do for us David. I know many of us say it, but you are truly appreciated and will be in my thoughts on Thanksgiving Day. Lynda-in Indianapolis where it is a little more seasonable for this time of year, and where I'm buried in fallen leaves! Lynda 'The Crowe's Nest Basketry' crowenest@email.com http://members.nbci.com/crowenest 317-859-0920 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Pricing and fairs... Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 13:47:13 -0800 (PST) From: Joanne Howard To: David Collins Aloha all, I haven't been reading many WW's as I was weaving my fingers off for my first fair. Lois helped me price my baskets, which sold very well. I was very happy with the outcome and was excited that I made enough money for my plane ticket to NC convention!!! It will take a lot of work to make play money but it will be worth it. Lois and I are dedicated to making it to NC in March. Funny I should read about pricing in the last issue. My husband, the MBA, is driving me crazy to figure out exact costs per basket to come up with an exact profit margin. Ugh...how do you guys do it? I price according to what others might be willing to pay. How can you price according to time spent plus materials? Geez sometimes I spend far too much time on a basket just trying to make it unique. I would never be able to sell it here if I priced it the way my husband thinks it should. How can you determine exactly how much reed is used let alone how much the reed cost per basket? Seems like far too much work to me!!! If you all have gone over this already I apologize for not catching the answers in back issues. I would love to hear from those of you that sell. Thanks to Sharon James for teaching me how to make the Reindeer ornaments!! They were a big hit at the fair I just did. I have been asked by a few gals to teach this at guild. I will bring it up at our next meeting and see who is interested. Reindeer will probably show up everywhere at next years fair but who cares. I don't mind passing on the knowledge. They are real cuties. Well back to cleaning "the room". I made a huge mess while working everyday and now it is time to get reorganized. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to ho I go... Aloha, Joanne %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 61 Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 20:22:00 EST From: Linhebert@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net RE: Teacher needed. Cancel my previous request for another War Eagle teacher. We have all 3 teachers confirmed. Here are the details: War Eagle Weaving Weekend. May 4, 5, 200 13 teachers will teach three different workshops, each about 7 hours long. Classes will begin after dinner on Friday evening, and continue on Saturday till 2 pm., leaving you plenty of time before or after the retreat to go craft fair-hopping. Teachers are, from Houston, Texas, Lynn Gammon and Diane Lunow, and from Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, Diane Hermann. We're really excited about the wonderful baskets that they're going to teach. Lynn Gammon will teach a traditional Appalachian Rib Basket. Diane Lunow will teach either Knotless Netting Basketry on natural materials with reed & linen, OR, a gourd art piece, including gourd growing, preparation and all the details. We'll go with what the majority request. Diane Hermann will teach her Navajo pot basket. Each of the above classes will be limited to 11 participants. Accommodations (Friday night) and Meals (Friday evenings dinner, plus Saturdays breakfast and lunch) will be included in the registration fees, as well as all materials. Goody bag will include a War Eagle Weaving Weekend canvas tote bag, t-shirt and apron, plus the usual goody bag discount coupons for basket weaving supplies, etc. Accommodations consist of comfortable suites to house 4 students in each: pine bough bunks with a very nice bathroom. Lounge in each lodge, but we wont be spending much time in the housing lodges. The Main Lodge (a huge beamed, high-ceilinged lodge) is where well have meals, classes, and a place to socialize. Their weekend chef is going to keep us very happy with his menu choices and the generous portions! A really wonderful restful setting: the Ozark Natural Science Center & just about 15 miles from the War Eagle Craft Fair and about 15 miles south of Eureka Springs. Click here to go to our Weaving Workshops page to see photos and registration form. http://www.basketweaving.com/basketry_workshops.htm We appreciate the Weavers Words forum, which allows us this publicity. Thank you! Linda Hebert V. I. Reed & Cane http://www.basketweaving.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 61 Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 09:58:09 +0100 From: Judith Spates To: David Collins It's been ages since I've responded to Weavers Words, although I have enjoyed reading each issue. In response to Kathi Calvert and Joy Moody, I totally agree with both your comments. Here's a perfect example of what they're talking about. I did a craft fair last Saturday at a local high school. Across from my booth was a lovely woman (probably in her early 70s) selling Christmas tree skirts, door hangings, wall hanging, stockings, etc. They were all handmade and stitched beautifully. The door hangings were approx. 4 ft. long with incredible detailing. I bought both a Santa Claus and Snowman. Her price on each was $15.00!! Customers were snatching up her items like crazy. I asked her about her low prices, and she told me she makes them all year long and then does a sale to get rid of them. She's not worried about getting her money back--she does these projects just to keep busy. For someone like me who makes a living from selling my baskets, this woman's pricing really hurt my sales. My prices were not overpriced by any means, but set in order to reimburse me for material as well as my time. I wish vendors would be more sensible when it comes to pricing. Although I was not competing with another basket maker, I was competing with a lovely grandmother-type who does beautiful handiwork. Her prices made mine look astronomical. Oh well, enough on that subject! Judy Richmond Spates Beverly, MA JSpates@hope.gordon.edu %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Selling Baskets Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 07:28:06 -0500 From: "Young, Donna" To: "'davidc@iei.net'" I have been reading the numerous postings about selling baskets that are priced too low and many of you feel that this is undercutting everyone. For those of you who live in a great marketing area and people will pay whatever price you put on your baskets, good for you -- we wish we could do the same. Unfortunately, some of us are trying to sell our baskets in a distressed marketing area because that is where we live and if we want to sell them and make any profit at all, we have to price our baskets so that people in this area can afford them. Otherwise, we take them home and have, in many cases, not even made back booth fees. So please give those of us who don't have any control over these pricing issues a break! We, too, would like to charge more for our wonderful handiwork, but there are economic factors to be considered. Donna, from Ohio %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Selling Baskets Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 07:28:06 -0500 From: "Young, Donna" To: "'davidc@iei.net'" I have been reading the numerous postings about selling baskets that are priced too low and many of you feel that this is undercutting everyone. For those of you who live in a great marketing area and people will pay whatever price you put on your baskets, good for you -- we wish we could do the same. Unfortunately, some of us are trying to sell our baskets in a distressed marketing area because that is where we live and if we want to sell them and make any profit at all, we have to price our baskets so that people in this area can afford them. Otherwise, we take them home and have, in many cases, not even made back booth fees. So please give those of us who don't have any control over these pricing issues a break! We, too, would like to charge more for our wonderful handiwork, but there are economic factors to be considered. Donna, from Ohio %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Soloing at shows Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 10:44:12 -0500 From: "Angie Wagner-Country Seat" Organization: The Country Seat To: "- Weavers Words David Collins" Hi all! Jayna in MA - you RUN to the bathroom and RUN back :) I admit, as much as I like the company of my husband and friends, esp. while setting up or tearing down, I prefer to be in the booth alone. If there are two of us, the booth becomes crowed and we chat. You don't want to fall silent as a customer walks in, then you make them paranoid. But if you continue to talk, the customer doesn't want to interrupt you. Everybody has to do what works best for them. Sometimes it's nice when my one particular friend is there, she tells everyone how wonderful she thinks I and my baskets are :) Angie The Country Seat http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: swap basket Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 12:26:30 -0600 From: "purrx3@stlnet.com" To: "David Collins weavers words" Someone in one of the 13 original colonies should look for the mail carrier to be bringing her a box from one of the Louisiana Purchase states! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 61 Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 08:33:42 -0500 From: Jane Ritter To: David Collins References: 1 Good morning WW, A friend asked me for information on Billie Ruth Suddreth. I know the name is familiar but can't place her. Thanks, Jane %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: website and abaca Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 15:56:52 -0500 From: "Mary Hooper" To: "David Collins" References: 1 WWers: I found a fabric/fibre website that includes basketry among its topics. If you have problems or questions, the designer and owner, Indira Bawa, is supportive and helpful. She posted my request for info on abaca fibre. Also, I am asking if anyone on WW works with this material? If so, would you describe it and how you use it? And, where do you buy it? I have an African basket to repair and thought that what I needed was abaca, but it turns out that the fibre is grown in the Philippines or thereabouts so is unlikely to be what I need. Does anyone have any ideas about what fibre to use to repair a twined basket with straw or stem (?) filled handle? I received this basket for repair from a third party and I don't even know what country it is from, but some of you veterans of the Peace Corps might remember red, green and yellow soft baskets with thick handles and maybe, please, give me some clues as to what I'm trying to work with. Here's the Indira Bawa fibre site address: http://www.fibreartsonline.com/ indira@fibreartsonline.com Thanks for any help you can offer. Mary Hooper, in Mitchell County North Carolina, where the Navaho firefighters have gone home and the woods are getting a gentle rain. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Pattern Swap #2 Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 17:23:50 -0500 From: "Joe Conroy" To: "David Collins" Hi David, Just a note to let people know that the pattern Swap #2 has been completed. My correspondence indicates everyone has sent and received a pattern(s). If anyone was not satisfied, or felt they were over-looked, I invite them to contact me by personal e-mail at bsktjoe@ids.net. If anyone would like to organize another swap they can contact me for any help I can give. Joe Conroy Stony Lane Basketry Exeter, RI 02822 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Christmas Gifts Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 23:23:39 EST From: Triples78@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Jayna Glemby wrote about Christmas gifts to have on hand. A Weavers Word friend (thanks Shirley) introduced me to this free pattern at www.basketclass.com. You buy a Renuzit candle and this site has a basket pattern called Valentine Candle Caddy. The candle fits snug inside the basket. I have found the candles at Meijers Stores for $3. The highest I've seen them is $4.50 at Kroger's. For a change, I twined 9 rows in the center. They make great gifts for teachers, friends or co-workers. Happy Holidays and Happy Weaving, Gay Holt Louisville, Ky http://www.basketclass.com/patterns.html %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 12:32:45 -0500 From: "Jayna Glemby" To: "David Collins" A few Saturdays ago I was watching a program on the House & Garden channel, called Collectibles. Had never seen the show before. Among the items they showed and discussed was a feature on a lady who collected baskets made by Native American Indians in the South West part of our country. They were beautiful. Then they had a museum curator who discussed storing and showing of fine, old baskets. Now these were mostly coiled baskets and fine woven baskets. (As on a loom). They showed a large coiled basket that was badly worn at the rim. The curator said you should never pick up such a large basket at the rim, but always by the bottom. Picking it up by the rim caused too much stress and wear and tear. Then she showed a small woven basket that was not finished and you could see how easy it was to just pull of a whole row by picking it up from the top. She suggested storing and showing fine, old, expensive baskets in a glass cased curio cabinet, to keep dust out. If the case is lighted she suggested fluorescent lighting and she also said to include a small saucer of water in the cabinet to provide moisture. Thought that was very interesting. The baskets were priced in the high hundreds and no one seemed to bat an eyelash or say that was expensive. That was pleasing too, as people should be aware of the importance of such fine, old, pieces of art. From Jayna in central Massachusetts, where we are having a rainy fall day. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Personal journey Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 14:34:59 -0500 From: "Ed & Sandra Kervin" To: "David Collins" Hello to everyone, It's been a long time since I've written in. I'm one of the lurkers! So to speak. I'm writing on more of a personal note. I just wanted to share with all of you my personal journey. It has been almost a year since my son passed away. He was 18 years old. This has been such a hard journey for all of us. We are making progress as time goes on. I have taken a break from basket weaving as to help heal myself from the trauma. I can feel the urge coming back slowly. As part of my healing I made a memory quilt out of my son's clothing and belongings. Each piece of the quilt tells a part of the story of his life. The quilt has already inspired so many people. We are thankful that we did have those 18 years to share with our son. Anyone who hasn't walked this journey could not even begin to understand, as I never could of either before this. Live life to the fullest. We never know when it will be our turn. Be a little more tolerant of each other as we never know what journey any of us are traveling. Wishing you all the best of holidays as they are approaching quickly. I am enclosing a picture of the quilt. Sandra Kervin, Maine http://members.nbci.com/dgcollins/jarodquilt2.jpg %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.