"Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 74 Date Sent: January 16, 2001 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1541 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: Grocery Bag Basket Pattern Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 21:06:16 -0600 From: Karen Booth To: David Collins References: 1 David, I found the following request for info in your last newsletter. I've never actually submitted an answer, so let me know if I'm doing it right. Hi everyone, I've been reading the newsletter but this is my first time actually submitting some information. Jean Inman was looking for a basket for plastic shopping bags. I have a wonderful one made on a wooden base that has a hole in the bottom. It is designed to hang on the wall. The pattern calls for a wooden bushel basket handle, but since I make leather ones, I used a leather one instead. I also make matching leather disks. Let me know if you are interested and I will dig out the pattern and find out who designed it. I've been meaning to send the designer a copy of this picture anyway to see if she likes the leather accents. http://members.nbci.com/dgcollins/nsmail8R.jpeg Karen Booth at Homestead Heirlooms kbooth@homesteadheirlooms.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: IBA Convention Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 00:16:39 EST From: Bskcreed@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net In response to Tony Stubblefield who wrote: > I never received my IBA 2001 convention book. I guess maybe my membership ran out. Does anyone know if they send out renewal notices or is it up to the members to send in their dues on their own. I am used to MO who always sends out at least one notice with their newsletter. Anyway with the convention falling on Mother's Day weekend this year I am not going to be able to even shop on visitors day :-(( Hi Tony, I just looked your name up in the database and I am sorry to say that your IBA membership has expired. The membership runs from June 1 - May 31. We do not send out separate notices by separate mailings, however we always tell members to check the address label on their issues of the Last Lash because it lists the membership year for which you are currently paid. We have also printed membership applications in several of the last newsletters to remind you that dues renewals were due. Dues needed to be paid by September 1 to automatically receive the convention mailing. It is still not too late to join IBA and come to convention. Anyone can send Lynn or Dollie an email if you are interested and we can give you an address to send in your dues and we will then send you a convention brochure so you will not be left out. First day postmarked registrations were today, however there are still a lot of class offerings just waiting for your selection. You can also visit the IBA web site at to look at the 2001 Convention photos. Here's a reminder about the IBA convention again - in case someone else is interested. May 10-13, 2001 Indiana Basketmakers Association Annual Convention 2001 Indianapolis, IN Imagine the Future...the Journey Continues will be held at the Indianapolis Sheraton North. The guest speaker will be Mary Schlick, author of Columbia River Basketry. Convention brochures may be viewed on line at http://www.indianabasketmakers.com. You must be an IBA member to attend, teach or vend at convention. Contact coordinators for additional information and membership: Lynn Pawley 330 Westminster Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060; Telephone (317)773-3063 or e-mail at Bskcreed@aol.com or Dollie Koch, 3910 Dundee Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46237, (317) 787-4335 or e-mail at mkoch@iei.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Baskets Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 21:27:30 -0800 From: "charlotte" To: Hi, My friend Nella said you knew a lot about baskets and that I should drop you a line. I have just started making baskets from reed. I live in Kentucky. I talked to Nella via email about her pine needle baskets. I have never seen a pine needle basket until I visited her web site. She thought you might have a lot of input on basket making. Cy %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Old W.W. issues Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 06:43:14 -0500 From: "Jill Woods/Herman Miller" To: davidc@iei.net I read about a subscriber's dilemma about saving all the old W.W. issues to keep for reference. Here is how I solved the problem of searching thru back issues for bits of reference info. I created an electronic notebook of sorts. Open up a new "Word" type document and when you find a bit of info in Weavers Words that you want to keep. Highlight the lines to save. Right click and chose "copy", then go to your new document page, right click and chose "paste". This should place the copied lines into the "notebook" page. Then you can safely delete the back issue. You can add to this one document almost indefinitely. When mine gets too long I will probably add a contents list at the top and number the entries to help find things. So far it is not so full to be a problem. I do put a "title" of sorts on each. Such as "dye tip" or "resource for ____" etc. This works for all the write in chats anyway. Not for all on the web page but that is still there the next time. I keep like the last ten issues and use this method just to save all the wonderful tips and such that folks write in that may apply to me without having to read thru all the back chitchat to find one thing. Hope this is helpful to you. Jill Snow up to my knees and loving it! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: BASKET CLASSES Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 07:02:25 -0800 (PST) From: Denise Burkett To: davidc@iei.net Thank You David for this wonderful web site to ask and receive answers to all our questions!!!! I have been asked to teach a basket class at a school in Northwest Oklahoma, grades 3 thru 9th and I can come up with one for the older children but am stumped as to what a younger child could learn. We only have 2, 45 minute classes and I need some answers. I thought about one with a wooden base as this would cut down on time. Anyone with suggestions PLEASE help. Denise from a cloudy dreary day in Northwest OK %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaving about the net Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 10:06:36 -0500 From: Janet Sorrels To: David Collins Elizabeth Bechtel, Yes Elizabeth go to weavingguide@ABOUT>COM or weavin@MCLIST.ABOUT.COM a free newsletter Weaving about the net. After you master the loom and it is easy, you should learn to spin and again it is not hard to do. I teach and also use my spun and unspun yarns in my baskets. You can spin any fiber even save your hair you take out of your brush each day, looks great in a basket. Have fun. Happy baskets Happy loom weaving and try Happy spinning Janet, missj2@yadtel.net Back Lake Studio %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 73 Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 10:20:18 EST From: ALROBISON@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi, everyone. Thanks to Nan Anderson for hosting the last kid swap. From what I understand it was a huge success. Last I heard, only one or two children did not receive their swap. Hopefully, by now they have, and all is well. I'll be hosting the next kid swap. Before I announce dates, I want to make sure everyone wants one now. So, please email me at bzyweaver@aol.com if you have a child that wants to participate. I think a good deadline to mail swaps out would be Feb 28th. Thanks for participating. I am looking forward to hosting! Martha %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Pattern Swap Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 15:18:06 From: "Susan Barkley" To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and all, I'm wondering if there's going to be another pattern swap. My patterns were packed up for the last one, but would really like to get into one now. I don't want to get the discussions started again, but was interested to read all the comments on pricing. Now the focus is on teaching and that's quite interesting too. Keep the great discussions coming. Since there are so many comments on the weather, I'll add my own. I'm in Key West Fl where it's supposed to be warm. Well, we've been very near record lows this week and this isn't the first time this winter. We usually have an ocean breeze, but when it's 20 mph from the north, it's a little chilly. They now tell us of the wind chill factors. They range from the low 30s to the mid 40s. I know that doesn't sound like much to most of you, but we don't have coats down here. But, we will survive. Susan Barkley from sunny (today at least) Key West %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: L. L. Bean Catalog Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 13:49:14 -0800 (PST) From: Margie Reck To: davidc@iei.net Hello, Have any of you basketweavers noticed the baskets on page 46 of the latest (Spring 2001) L. L. Bean Home catalog? They are "Lightship Nesting Baskets" designed by Nathan Taylor. Yes, they are advertised as "handcrafted from imported rattan with New England white ash wood staves, handles and bottom. Imported." The sick part is, the 8" diameter basket is $38 and the 10" diameter basket is $55. Thanks Nathan for helping undercut the hardworking, American basket artist! Margie in Montana %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Wine basket Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 17:23:14 -0600 From: "Karen D'Angelo" To: "David Collins" Hi everyone, I have been asked to make a basket that will hold a bottle of wine laying on its side, open so that it can breathe. I'm sure I could figure out something, but I was wondering if anyone has seen a pattern for a basket like that. Looking forward to the next swap, gotta get weaving again. I haven't made anything for a month, the withdrawal symptoms are getting really bad. I may have something to help with that though. Something new to learn. My husband and son gave me glass blowing classes for Christmas. I start tonight and I can hardly wait. Karen D'Angelo Wichita, KS %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Chair webbing Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 23:17:46 From: "Mary Abernethy" To: davidc@iei.net I have not been reading my message lately, and had you in my cancel area, without knowing it. Now, I think I will stay for a while. I have a small problem. I am looking for a company that may be out for good. I picked up a package of lawn chair webbing and an antique mall and used it on a chair and footstool I had. The stuff works great, but the package was dated 1964 and I have had no luck in any searches I have tried. Maybe you or someone out there can help me. The company's name is RU/SON Products out of Kearny NJ. subsidiary of Chelsea Industries. I would love to have more of this type of webbing as it stretches better than some webbing I have used, and my hands like it too. I am usually a chair weaver, but plan on starting to work on making baskets this winter. I have repaired several already, including an Adirondack pack basket that the lady uses as a grocery cart turned plastic bag keeper. Thanks for the info, and will stay in touch. MARY Bartlesville, OK %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW: IBA 2001 Convention "Imagine the Future....the journey continues" Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 19:21:09 -0500 From: "mkoch" To: Hi Everyone!!! A BIG Thank You to those that have contacted Lynn & myself regarding volunteering a few hours at convention this May. And YES, you heard right, we treat our volunteers really good. Pulling together an event this big requires a lot of volunteer hours, and since we can't pay you for your time, we do the next best thing... Perks. We try to see that you get some of the classes that are listed high on your list (this is not a guarantee, because if the class is already full we have no control, but we try), free raffle tickets, basket bucks for the auction (something new this year), a special raffle ticket for "volunteers only raffle". This year Betty Curry is donating another beautiful Curry basket to be given to the volunteer raffle. And if its the basket I think she is donating, you will want to be in on this raffle. If you have any questions regarding volunteering and the "Perks" please contact us today. Once you are at convention and find yourself with some free time and would like to volunteer a few hours, there will be a "volunteer sign up list" at the registration table. We still need volunteers, so please give a call. If you haven't sent your registration form in yet, I'd DO SO TODAY. We are so excited about convention this year, we are doing a few new things and as usual have some really great classes. We did miss out on a few really great teachers this year due to their commitment to Stowe this year, which starts the Monday after our convention ends. But we look forward to having them back in 2002. Happy Weaving, Dollie Koch 317/787-4336 mkoch@iei.net Lynn Pawley 317/773-3036 bskcreed@aol.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 73 Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 19:33:58 EST From: VLBLOMBERG@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net To Joanne regarding teaching classes. I think there is a lot of advice all of us could give you. It sounds as though you have some very specific ideas already and will need to look at the time constraints you may have. Personally, my goal is to develop independent weavers.... so they learn the concepts of basket weaving. You may want to think about what your goals are as a teacher first and then tackle the set up of the class. It certainly helped me develop the 4-6 week class I teach and have expanded upon. My students are now members of the guild I founded and we have added to our numbers by the students becoming the teachers also. Independence is wonderful and your seeds really blossom! If you would like specifics about my classes I would be very happy to share with you, just e-mail me. To everyone else. It's good to be reading WW again after a year away due to the designing and building of my new home. I even have an unfinished exposed basement for a studio and classroom (lots of space). Now all I need is to dream and finish. Vicki in WI...we finally have a real winter and I am loving it (although it seems that we are having a thaw for a while). %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Milk Paint Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 21:04:27 +0000 From: alenem@juno.com To: davidc@iei.net Hello very one and Happy New Year. Thanks David for all of your hard work. Anne Jackson - To reach The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co., Inc. they have a web site at www.milkpaint.com or 918-448-6336. They are located in Groton, MA. I have taken this info from a product bulletin I picked up when I was in the northeast last fall. I have not used this product before, but saw a posting about it at a much earlier WW, so I picked up the bulletin. If you do contact them, it has a lot of useful information. Email me if I can help you some more alenem@juno.com or alene_miller@hotmail.com Happy weaving Alene Miller SW Missouri %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Ref: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 73 Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 23:39:30 -0500 From: "K A" To: davidc@iei.net Lois: I've been sitting at the Airport waiting for you to pick me up for the last week and half and decided I better get back home before my husband sends out the FBI!!! Actually, it's not a "Healthy" idea to come to my house right now!! WHY- you may ask???? We are in the first stages of replacing 2 ovens, a stove top, a counter, a sink, 2 cupboards and a entire kitchen floor!! So far, we are still civil to each other and watching our "P's" and "Q's"!! Not sure just how long that will last. So take a rain check and wait for the remodel job to get done first. I find myself "praying" so much more than usual lately!!! Glad to hear you are going to the NC convention, should be fun. I just got the info on Stowe and would love to go, but not sure if I can afford it with all that's going on in the house right now. I haven't ruled it out, just need to work around a few things first!! Take care, and thanks for the reply to my swap offer. Too much fun!!! Kathie A, Macomb, MI. Where we thaw one day and freeze the next 2 days!! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Hardwood strips/guilds & teachers Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 09:58:01 -0500 From: "Angie Wagner-Country Seat" Organization: The Country Seat To: "- Weavers Words David Collins" Hi all! Re stencil strips or any hardwood veneer strip - any time I need to cut a stencil strip lengthwise, I first wet the entire strip. If you try to cut it when it's dry, it has the tendency to split, not of course in a nice even line. When the strip is damp, you should have no problem cutting lengthwise. Remember all teachers and guilds - send us your information and we'll get you up on our website. There are still some states where we do not have listings for either. Please e-mail us the information or post it on our Open Forum page. Trying to keep warm in PA Angie The Country Seat http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 70 & 71 Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 21:46:09 -0600 From: Roberta Comstock To: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 70 & 71 Eileen LaPorte, Kim Leppin & Barbara McGeachy - Thanks for explaining about the German basket bases! (And where to find some patterns.) Happy New Year and New Millennium to all! Hope your Holidays were as satisfying as mine have been. Helene Meyer - Thanks for the Great News about the new NBO website! (www.national basketry.org) *** check websites Bert Comstock Lauderdale Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Using 'aqua fortes' Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2001 08:46:24 -0500 From: "Daniel Nye" To: "David Collins" Recently, I have been experimenting with the coloring of ash with 'aqua fortes'--a nitric acid solution. Any scientific, historic, or anecdotal information would be very much appreciated. Contact me at; djnye@up.net. Thank you, Daniel in Michigan's U. P. A winter wonderland %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Those "Imported" Nantuckets Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 09:54:26 -0500 From: "Robbie Sykes" To: "Collins, David" Hello David! Hope the new year is proving to be a good one for you so far. Thank you so much for all the work you do for us. You deserve all the praise we can heap upon you. May God bless you with many riches. It has been discussed in many past issues, the imported Nantucket Baskets and Nathan Taylor's part in all of it. I received a new issue of the L.L. Bean Home catalog this weekend featuring these baskets. They can be found on page 46, listed as Lightship Nesting Baskets. They describe them as being designed by Nathan Taylor, handcrafted from imported rattan with New England white ash wood staves, handles and bottom, with a lacquer finish. Then it goes on to say they feature "Authentic" brass medallions and are "imported". Price: small, $38; large, $55. I'll have to agree with the majority of you that I think this is shameful. A couple of years ago, L.L. Bean offered for sale a mini version of the Adirondack Backpack handcrafted in this country by renowned basket maker and designer Lisa Nortz. It stated it was made in the good old USA! Bravo for Lisa as she made each and every one of them which, according to her, just about finished her off! But at least she didn't stoop to this! I don't weave Nantucket's myself, but I know several people who do and this is a slap-in-the-face to them! I know all the time and hard work that goes into each one of them, irregardless of size, and to think that someone is going to be able to buy one at these ridiculous prices, just infuriates me. And to add insult to injury, by someone who purportedly has been a supporter of handcrafted basketweaving in this country. You Nantucket weavers have a bitter pill to swallow and my heart goes out to you. Hopefully, your customers will understand about these cheap prices of these "imports" and respect and cherish the ones you make here by hand and "with love". Robbie in Edenton, NC, where the rain is letting up and the sun is "peeking" through to reveal a marvelous day expected to reach about 60 degrees! Ah, the pleasures of Eastern NC! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 23:04:13 -0500 From: "Joan Culler" To: Hi David, Thank you for giving us this great way to share information about weaving. My husband has asked me to see if anyone knows where to get brass tacks, 1/8" head and about 1/2" to 3/4" long. He took Jim Rutherford's class for the pie basket and would like to make another one but he can't find any brass tacks to use for the base and the rim. I assured him that someone would be able to tell him where they are available. The tiny ones used on Nantucket rims are too small. Thanks for any information any of you can give me. Joan in slushy NW Ohio %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Spring chicken Date: 16 Jan 2001 06:08:01 -0000 From: "J. Choate Basketry List" To: List Member J. Choate Basketry List - http://www.jchoatebasketry.com Spring Chicken... No one wants to be called "chicken" and especially when that refers to not being the "spring" kind. "Well you know", (given with a condescending look), "ya aint no spring chicken anymore..." It's the phrase we always want to give and never be on the receiving end of. It feels like the death sentence of your youth. A statement given when you must finally consider that you are capable of injury and it is possible that even you will make your way to the chopping block some day. Of course you never receive the "spring chicken" pronouncement until in some prominent way you've injured yourself doing something dumb. Different from glory stories where you rally your audience with tales of conquest and humor, "chicken pronouncements" are a result of the admission of your stupidity. The injury, which in no way may be serious, does put an end to engaging in the current folly you are involved in. Mine concerns the holding capacity of the belly. Once a powerful part of my anatomy, it has regressed in its ability to help me withstand the pulling aptitude of fifteen dogs and two sleds at one time. In fact, I'm not sure that it was ever able to give me that type of holding power (but once upon a time it did hold it's own on the beach). Of course, it wasn't just one instance of that deep belly resistance that gave me "spring chicken" status but several repeated occurrences of sled dumps, spring jumps and crack-the-whip thrills that required major muscle groups that were no longer sewn on tight. Now it appears that not only were those muscles required for major mushing moves but laughing, sneezing and coughing can only currently be executed while holding onto one's side. I wonder if there is such a thing as a belly sling? Moonlight, Musher's and mutts can combine to make a sort of madness. Night means nocturnal, clear means cold, cold means fast and fast means faith. As in, you better have some to be out there with just a headlamp illuminating your path. It's sort of like being the caboose on a runaway train. Even though you've got the light, you're at the end of the action and it's hard to anticipate what you can't see. I'm sure you can see the end of this trail clearly. So the "spring chicken" is on the mend and with much effort is attempting to stay off the runners long enough to regain her title of "Iron Belly" once again. Until the next "Chicken Run" finds me in the moonlight... The current summer tour schedule is posted on the website. If your interested in becoming part of the excitement give me a hoot and we'll get you scheduled in. Until then. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.