"Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 82 Date Sent: March 02, 2001 Web Page: http://members.xoom.com/dgcollins/ Subscribers: 1564 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: Shari McMahon's ----- Flat Basket. Shari McMahon's ----- Grey Circles. Shari McMahon's ----- From The Root. Shari McMahon's ----- Seagrass Coil On Pedestal. Shari McMahon's ----- Woven With Seagrass Insert. Shari McMahon's ----- Detail Of The Quiver. Nanette Anderson ----- Gourd / Basket Project. Nanette Anderson ----- Gourd / Basket Project. Nanette Anderson ----- Gourd / Basket Project. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 81 Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2001 23:36:34 -0500 From: Pamela Woodbury To: David Collins References: 1 Hi Weavers, Cindy - I too have had some of the craziest suggestions for step baskets. I have been selling them for must be close to 10 years now and I would think everybody has seen them by now, but no they haven't. People love to guess and they really come up with some bad suggestions. I think the worst I ever heard was to carry a baby in. I might make a sturdy basket but I wouldn't trust it to carry a baby. Lots of people have guessed for a bicycle. I don't see the logic in that one, but to each his own. Kristen I have had two wishbone baskets eaten by pets. My cat just ate the top part off one I left laying where a cat could get to it. I also had made one for my son on a turkey bone he had made. His dog who I raised from a puppy and never even chewed one piece of basket reed in her life chewed the bone right out of that basket. Of course the basket is ruined. He even had it hanging on a peg on a shelf and she managed to get it down and eat the bone. After those two experiences and the fact that all my family have both cats and dogs I decided the wishbone baskets were best left to somebody without pets. Sue G. I too saw the article in the Flint Journal about the stolen antlers. My first thought was are people going to be thinking my antlers in my baskets are stolen. As you and I both do shows in the Flint area I would imagine we will both get asked about them. On the other hand as my husband was reading the article out loud to me the first thing out of my mouth was some crafter stole them to make chandeliers, knives, etc. or even baskets. I suppose as the price of antlers seems to have gone out of reach in the past couple of years it is not surprising that they are now something worth stealing. I doubt very seriously if I even make antler baskets any longer as the price of the antlers make it impossible to get a fair price for the basket. Pam %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2001 22:52:24 -0600 From: "Peg Weston Brondyke" To: "David Collins" Cindy in AL - I'm intrigued by the class you took, Mary Zeh Kuhr's "Simple Basket, Wicked Border." Is the pattern on the Internet anywhere so that I could see it? Or could you describe it? Thanks. Peg in rainy Iowa %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 01:29:52 -0500 (EST) From: LYNDA CROWE To: David Collins Margie in Montana, Lamp shade frames are usually available at some of your local craft stores. If you can't find one give us a call and I can get one to you. There are several you can choose from. Dianne in Japan, I have a rule of thumb that I do for my 'class organizer'. Between he/she and I if he/she organizes a class for 6 or more, I give her 50% off her class fee. If he/she organizes a class of 10 or more, I give them the class for no fee. This encourages the repetition of classes by this person. When I say organizes the class, they must secure the place with ample space, which I explain in advance, and collect the money and have it in his/her paws in advance. I hate to be a stickler about this, but over the years, I have found that if I limit the # in a class to a certain amount and I haven't collected at least 50% in advance, someone doesn't show up. Then usually if one says they aren't coming 2 usually don't come-friends don't want to weave alone. This leaves out someone who wanted to come and you have extra supplies cut and prepared that aren't used, and lose out on that slot. People are less likely to back out of a commitment if they lose $ because of it. I know it sounds like it is all $$$, but realistically, we all know it is true. Back to the original idea, usually your 'hostess' is more than willing to do this, or so I have found, for a discount or in most of my cases, a free class. Now I'm going to open a can of worms that when I spoke to my husband about mentioning this, he said, "Don't go there! Why would you go there? If you go there, I'm not answering e-mail for a week!" Knowing I would anyway. I have been seeing lots of free patterns on websites. I think it is great. We have them on ours as well. Mine says 'don't copy and sell them' and that is all the stipulation I put on them. My thoughts are if you don't want people making them and selling them at any -small/large craft shows, if you don't want people teaching them to others in a class, don't put them on there to be used for free. If someone wants to teach a class they shouldn't run off enough copies for their class, but each class member should be able to get their own copy and get together and weave it. I know you're going to yell and scream if you don't agree and you're entitled to your opinion-that is why it is called an opinion, everyone can have a different one-so keeping that in mind, don't send me personal e-mail about how I'm sooo wrong-it is only my opinion, just tell some of your thought on this 'can of worms'. Ok, now that I've stirred the pot and gotten off my proverbial soap box, have a great week and... Weave on! From warm and now windy Indianapolis, Indiana-Soon to be cold and rainy Lynda Crowe 'The Crowe's Nest Basketry' crowenest@email.com Visit us on the web at: http://members.nbci.com/the_crowes_nest %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Guilds Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 07:53:38 -0600 From: "Julie Shanks" Organization: Prodigy Internet To: "David Collins" What are some of the objectives for starting up a basket guild? I have many students who would like to start a guild up and I knew this would be the perfect place to ask for help. So could anyone please give me their suggestions on what makes a great guild? Any information would be most helpful. Thanks Dave Collins for all your hard work and time From the Windy City of Chicago Sincerely, Julie K. Shanks jshanks1@prodigy.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Cushing Dyes Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 08:15:16 -0600 From: Ken & Stephanie Funck To: davidc@iei.net Cynthia Ludholtz: Cushing dyes are commonly used for dyeing wool for rug hooking. Joan Moshimer's Rug Hooking Studio carries them. You can find all the information you need at: www.wcushing.com. Ruthanne M.S. Morningstar: We started a new basket guild in the Madison, Wisconsin, area in October. For our first meeting, we had everyone bring in the first basket they made and their favorite basket. It was a great way to get the guild started. We always have a "show and tell" session at every meeting. Stephanie Funck Wet & Windy Sun Prairie WI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 81 Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 09:26:44 EST From: Sandybsk@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Carol in Carlsbad: You can buy a bottle of Archival Mist $39.99, at your local scrapbook or Michael's store. It is used to preserve newspaper articles, magazines, etc. that you want to keep from yellowing. Sandy MS Creations %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 81 Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 14:54:34 EST From: SharWaters@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Thanks, Nancy...that is good to know about Lyn Siler. My daughter is doing her masters at Towson and I may get down there to check out the shop!!! I am in New York State. Appreciate the response. Sharon Waters %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Florida Trip Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 15:48:41 -0600 From: "Barbara Byrne" To: Hi all, Just returned a few days ago from a trip to the Sarasota, Florida area. A fellow WWer told me about a basket shop in Nokomis called the Woven Spirit, which I did visit. It's a neat shop and there were some weavers at the shop who were finishing up some Nantucket baskets from a class they had taken earlier in the week. I had a chance to chat with several people and the person working at the shop that day. She told me about a Basket Exhibit/Show that the guild in Venice was sponsoring, and since we were only 5 miles from Venice, we headed down that way. What a treat!!! The show was wonderful. There were several Nantucket's on display as well as ribbed baskets and gourds. The artistry was incredible! The guild in Venice certainly has a number of talented artists. Apparently John McGuire had been teaching some classes at Woven Spirit earlier this month and he was the judge or one of the judges for the show. I met some very interesting weavers at the show and was so impressed with what I saw that I went back to Woven Spirit the next day and bought some Florida pine needles and some palm inflorescence (sp?) to experiment with. I have never done a pine needle basket or worked with natural materials other than seagrass, so this should be interesting experimentation! If anyone will be in the area this coming week, try to get to the Art Center in Venice. The show runs until March 2 and is well worth seeing. Here's hoping spring will be here soon... Barb in Vienna, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Wire Lampshade Frames Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 15:36:56 -0600 From: "Barbara Byrne" To: Margie- There are two places online that I have found that carry wire lampshade frames. There may be more, but I haven't researched further. And I have not ordered from either place as yet. Aro Wire Products www.arowire.com The Lamp Shop www.lampshop.com I have bought used wire frames on ebay a couple of times and they have worked well. I also have bought several at garage sales and estate sales, which has been an especially good source for me (and the price is right - I usually can get a nice lampshade for under $1.00). Good luck! Barb Byrne in Vienna, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Using PayPal Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 17:40:20 EST From: Wileypat@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi Everyone, Thank you David for your review of PayPal. I recently used PayPal for the first time to order your book on basket stores. For all of you out there hesitating, I highly recommend its usage. It was so simple to use as well as safe and efficient. I now am using it for my Ebay purchases as well. Thank you for suggesting it David and showing me how easy it was. Regards from Michigan, Pat Wiley %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 09:32:31 +0900 From: "David & Dianne Walbeck" To: I am working on a very large basket and I am dreading clipping the hairs. I have read about using a torch to singe the hairs off but exactly how do you do this? I understand NEVER do it after you stain the basket with an oil based stain. Do you wet your basket of do you allow it to dry first? Also what about black smoke marks? How quickly should you pass the basket through the flame? Dianne Walbeck Okinawa Japan %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Wood bases and Accounting Programs Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 09:57:05 -0600 From: "East Troy Basketry" To: "David Collins" Mary Jeanne, I'm not sure just what wood base you're referring to but my woodworker does a marvelous job and makes everything and anything for baskets that you can imagine. He does lots of custom orders for bases and lids in pine or oak, other woods depending on availability. I continually get raves about his work and I've never had anyone express disappointment. Let me know what you're looking for and he'll make it. Nan, Quickbooks and Peachtree are about the only accounting programs out there. Quickbooks is very good and easy to use according to so many small business owners I've talked to. I bought Peachtree and it's very cumbersome and complicated unless you're an accountant and used to all the accounting jargon etc. I'm going to cut my losses and buy Quickbooks. Eileen Mirsberger East Troy Basketry Co. basket@wcf.net www.easttroybasketry.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket as Baby Shower Gift Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 14:02:09 -0500 From: "Laurna" To: "David Collins" Does anyone have a suggestion for a basket to make as a baby shower gift? I just completed two baskets for my stepson's wedding on March 3 (the flower girl basket and another to hold the cards at the reception). Today I received an invitation to a baby shower for my niece on March 24. I also need to weave a basket for a shower on April 8 for another niece who will be married in June. My brain is on drain. Please help! -Laurna, in Upstate New York %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Morning glory Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 16:16:17 From: "Susan Barkley" To: davidc@iei.net Hi to David and all. David, thanks for doing such a great job with WW! Whenever I see it in my email, I usually leave it until near the end so I know I have that to look forward to. My question is about using morning glory for weaving. Does it require any special preparation or are there characteristics you need to be aware of before weaving with it? I have been pulling MILES of it from my lot, and keep wondering about using it for weavers. I will probably have an unlimited supply since it's on the lots on both sides of my house. Thanks for you input. Susan Sunny Key West Fl where we desperately need rain, but otherwise the weather is absolutely wonderful. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Class cost/Gourds Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 17:10:27 -0600 From: Elizabeth Bechtel To: David Collins Hello, Basketmakers! I am glad to see that others who teach classes find that they price their classes at about the same price as they sell that particular basket. That is pretty much how I charge students for classes. There are some variations such as a slightly lower cost for repeat classes and more experienced weavers. I really thought about teaching at a per/hour rate, but I wanted people taking the class to relax and make a good basket rather than be conscious of how long class was taking. It is also nice to be able to give a set answer when someone asks how much a class will cost. Since I teach beginner classes out of people's homes it seemed that the simpler everything was the better it would be. Dianne Walbeck asked about a gift for a person who is organizing classes for her to teach. How about offering the class for free to the person who organizes a class of 10+ students? .... or something along those lines. It is like when the wedding party all rent their tuxes at the same store, the groom gets his rental for free. A question: What/where is a good place to buy gourds? I am toying with the idea of teaching a gourd/basket class so I will need 20+ gourds. When I do gourd baskets myself I buy them singly at East Troy Basketry or wherever I can find them. I am just wondering if anyone knows of a good supplier. Thank you to Bob Lewis in Sarasota for the Rug Talk tip. That is exactly what I was looking for! I do have a rug loom. (And one nice looking new rug...and one not so hot looking new rug!!) Happy Weaving! Beth Bechtel: Waukesha, WI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket pattern Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 20:03:26 EST From: Gwbbaskets@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net I am looking for a pattern called "Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate" a friend of mine was telling me about it and we would like to purchase the pattern. I have looked on basketpatterns.com but it is not listed. We think the pattern was written by a Sandra Lyons. But have not been able to find any information about the pattern. Any help would be appreciated. Thank-you. Gwen Oliver (Mostly a lurker) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Swap Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 12:00:32 -0500 From: "Gatz, Dolores" To: "David Collins (E-mail)" I just wanted to let it be know that someone every more east the me is going to be received a package soon. Last night I finished my swap basket. Tonight I'll take home a box to package it up and send it on it way. Hint - the person receiving this package is surrounded by water like myself and knows me, although we haven't seen get other in awhile. Lois, Thanks for organizing this swap. As usual it's been great fun. It would have been even more fun if I hadn't gotten bronchitis for two weeks that stopped my weaving, so the deadline did sneak up on me. But I'm happy to say I've met the deadline. Happy swapping to everyone. Dolores Gatz Long Island, New York %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Newsletter & Web Page Address Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 08:17:51 -0500 From: "Patricia Yunkes" To: davidc@iei.net Dear Friends, I do not understand computers very well, but I understand less the services computer related companies give. I thought that once you bought a dot com address, you got hooked up to your web page. Apparently not so. Everything is done by computer and e-mail, and I can't seem to get thought to them to find out. At any rate, I was premature in sending out my dot com address. For those of you that tried it, and found the site "under construction", please try my old address, which is still good: http://users.penn.com/~patricia I apologize for the inconvenience. Patricia Yunkes %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 81 Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 12:38:55 -0600 From: Karen Booth To: David Collins References: 1 Please forgive me, I never intended my comments on making wooden bases to create any problems, especially for those of you who sell them as a part of your business. I must clarify my comments. Creating your own wooden bases may appear to be an easy way to cut back on the overall cost of a basket. Be aware that making your own bases is not necessarily in your best interest. Many small businesses are relying on you purchasing the exact base you need from your local supplier. Having the right base is one of the best ways to ensure that your basket is off to the right start! There is nothing more frustrating than getting halfway done with a slotted base basket and have several spokes pull out of the base, or worse yet get the whole basket rimmed and try to use it and have the spokes release. Poorly made bases without a tapered groove can cause this and other problems to plague you. Poorly seasoned wood can cause a base to warp or crack. If you are dealing with a good shop you can be sure the shopkeeper is aware of what makes a good base and has checked out the quality before you even thought to ask for that particular base. Even though I have the "know-how" and the tools to make bases, I continue to purchase wooden bases and have no intention of going into business making them. When I have a special basket in mind I have to make my own base first and then farm it out to a woodworker who is willing to meet the potential demand for it. Making your own wooden bases is not necessarily going to be cheaper, especially when adding in the tools and equipment needed to make them. The type of tools required to make a good quality base are much more difficult to use safely and well. Every time you deprive a local shop of sales you are also supporting their demise. Loyal customers are what keep shops open. It is quite a privilege to be able to walk into a shop and actually see the reed, browse the patterns, and be inspired by the work of others. It would be a great loss if the only source of supplies was through mail order. Mail order is a God send to those of us who live too far from an actual shop or are too short on time, but nothing beats seeing the products first hand. Basketry Shops and the resulting gathering of weavers for their classes, are an integral part of what makes basketry so popular today. Karen %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: BASKETS Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 1:26 PM From: CARPENTER, BARBARA [BARBARA.CARPENTER@aei.com] To: David Collins Good Afternoon! I was wondering if there was anyway possible I could order baskets from you. I am looking for 2 or 3 wicker heart shaped baskets and a small wire heart shaped one. I really would like these for my wedding and cannot find anyone who has heart shaped baskets (with handles) can you help or refer me to someone who can help me! Thanks so much for your time! Barb Carpenter %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: horsehair in baskets/teaching Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 12:57:42 -0500 From: "Mary Hooper" To: "David Collins" References: 1 I recently was given combings from a friend's horse's tail. The hair is long, thick, and black. Has anyone worked with horsehair and do you have suggestions on how to use it? Thanks to those who sent greetings when I had my accident with the pickup truck that hates me. The truck is all repaired, but I am still recuperating. At least I am off crutches and getting around on my own feet. I taught Dianne Stanton's Penobscot tote to four women who didn't mind that I hobbled around the table to answer their questions. They were allbeginners and all own baskets I have made. After the class, all declared that now they know how much work goes into a basket the price they paid for the ones they bought was more than reasonable. I told them to please tell their friends about their enlightenment... Mary Hooper, from sunny western North Carolina where the daffodils are straining at the bud... %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 81 Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 15:44:14 EST From: SharonKlusmann@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net CC: SUNURON@aol.com Hi David & Weaving Friends: I recently received a call from someone who found out I was a basket weaver asking me questions I could not answer! The girl's name is Susie Webster and she lives here in OH. She will be leasing a farm and is interested in growing natural crops for basket weaving, such as willow, etc. She is in need of information about weaving with naturals, pricing, etc. and would appreciate any help we can give her. I was not much help, because I do not work with natural materials but knew where to go for help at least! Anyone who would be willing to share their knowledge and some useful information with Susie can directly e-mail her at: SUNURON@aol.com Thanks, Sharon Klusmann Cornerstone Baskets %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Newsletter Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 15:30:56 -0800 From: Joyce Shannon Organization: Coiled Baskets To: David Collins Ruthanne, thank you. I use cane, #6 for that basket, and raffia. I keep track of my hours by randomly sampling how long it takes to sew 3 feet. When I finish I average that and multiple it by the overall length of foundation. The foundation on that basket was 1,224 with an average speed of one hour per yard for an approximate time of 408 hours. It took me 9 months to complete but I was also learning how to use Windows and surf the Internet at the same time. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: My first Gourd Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 12:07:29 EST From: NanoAnd@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hey weavers, Something new for me...I'm sending a couple picture of my first gourd/basket project. Take a look and email me. I'd love to hear what you think...be brutally honest please! And a BIG thank you to all of the wonderful WW members who responded to my Quicken/ Quickbooks question. Sounds like most of you agree that these programs are worth while for anyone in the basket selling community. I appreciate all your correspondence. Now, to find a good coupon or rebate for Quickbooks, the hunt is on! Nanette Anderson, South Haven, MI (were at least the sun still shines at a mere 20-something degrees) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 4 I. 81 Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 22:58:54 -0600 From: Roberta Comstock To: David Collins "Weavers Words" Vol. 4 Iss. 81 Carol in Carlsbad - I like your idea of getting all the old Newsbaskets republished as a book. Maybe we should lobby Dover Press to see if Shereen would sell them the right to do so. Dianne Walbeck - I think a hostess gift for whoever has you teach a class in their home is a great idea. It will be a fine incentive for others to do likewise if it is a basket you have woven. Get permission from the hostess to take your own woven baskets, patterns, and kits to have for sale. Good luck! Our annual off-season trip to Branson is coming right up this weekend (March 1-4). It has an added benefit this year, in that I will be able to scope out the site for the Silver Dollar City3rd Annual Basket Seminar. I may also get to meet Donnie Ellison. I sure hope my classes fill. I'll be really disappointed if they don't! Bert Comstock Lauderdale Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Loft Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 16:03:42 -0500 From: "Gatsby" To: Does anyone know if Christine Miller's Basket Loft is still around? I tried to go to the bookmarked site and it's not there. Any idea what is going on? Dot in below 0 Maine %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Handle question Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2001 16:50:02 +0900 From: "David & Dianne Walbeck" To: I have recently order a home-style heart D handle and when I received it had metal staples holding the wooden part to the D handle. Are all these handles made the same way? If so what is the best way to hide the metal staples? I thought of counter sinking the staple and using wood putty to fill in the holes. Dianne Walbeck LLL of Okinawa %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Storage Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2001 02:52:40 -0500 From: "Jayna Glemby" To: "David Collins" Do you know that old saying: Be careful what you want you might get it? It was one of my late mother's favorite sayings. Well, for years I dreamed of a studio, spare room, spare corner, etc. to weave in. Then, due to health reasons, my landlord and I had to swap apartments...he could no longer do stairs. For the past 2 years I've been upstairs in this wonderful old farmhouse and there is an extra room...finally a studio. It is a dream to be able to weave whenever you want...and not have to get out supplies, clear a space, etc. Sometimes, by the time I did all that, I didn't feel like weaving. But.... Be careful what you want you might get it! Your weaving space still has to be cleaned and organized periodically! That can be a chore. I recently bought an old quilt rack that has been perfect for hanging handles and reed. I just coil the reed into a circle and tie it to the quilt rack with leftover Christmas ribbon. Even tied up handles. Its amazing how much this little quilt rack holds in one space...and so easy to see and get to. Wood clothing drying racks would work just as well. Tried finding one at a yard sale all last summer and no luck and they have become very high priced in the stores. Happy weaving! Jayna in cold, central Massachusetts.... but the days are noticeably longer! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket swap Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2001 07:31:19 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha! The swap is chugging along, BUT, the deadline to mail baskets was 28Feb....and now it is the 2nd of March and there are still 18 outstanding baskets. If there is a problem, please email me AND your partner to tell them what the hold up is. I*ve had some weavers do just that (some in the process of moving, a dislocated shoulder, and so on) and that is understandable...we all run into problems here and there. So, if you have sent your basket and haven*t emailed me, please do so ASAP. If not, expect a email from me this weekend. (And to future coordinators--it was all going uphill until this snag.) Lois (Who is getting ready for the convention and can*t believe it is finally happening!) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Swap Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2001 15:13:26 EST From: NanoAnd@aol.com To: keenerfam@worldnet.att.net, davidc@iei.net Hello Lois and everyone, I just received my swap basket and knew you would all like to hear about it! It is a wonderful fruit bowl with wooden base, woven with dark green weavers in a spiraling twill pattern over natural colored spokes. It is rimmed in natural 1/2" FO and lashed with cane! The contrast is gorgeous! It was woven by Sandi Carstensen who claims this was her first twill and first bowl. She sure fooled me! I absolutely love it, and have already assigned it the "center piece" spot on my dinning room table! As if that wasn't enough she also sent a kitchen towel with cross-stitch so tiny I can barely see it. It is an apple pattern and just lovely! Thank you so much Sandi! And, Lois, Thank You for coordinating this great swap! Nanette Anderson, South Haven, MI %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any reason you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.