"Weavers Words" Vol. 7 Iss. 19 MADE IN AMERICA BY A PROUD AMERICAN!!! Date Sent: February 22, 2004 Back Issues: http://www.angelfire.com/art/weaverswords/ David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Phone: (317) 899-5747 davidc@iei.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ATTENTION NEW SUBSCRIBERS: 1.) Back issues of Weaver's Words can be found at: http://www.angelfire.com/art/weaverswords/ 2.) If you are new to Weaver's Words, 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.) MAKE A DONATION TO WEAVER'S WORDS AT: http://www.paypal.com/ (Send Payment To ka9zre@yahoo.com) OR Via money order / check at: David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% BEFORE POSTING VIRUS WARNINGS TO WEAVER'S WORDS!!! Check The Following Link To Assure The Virus Isn't A Hoax: http://urbanlegends.about.com/ %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Cleaning Baskets Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2004 22:17:03 -0500 From: "Karen M Johnson" To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com I've had good luck with the ol' hose in the front yard!! :) Sprays the dust right out. Karen Johnson %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: 2004 Stowe Basketry Festival Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 08:55:48 -0500 From: "Grady Vigneau" To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com February 16, 2004 Hi David, As always, thanks for sending "Weavers Words" along to us. During the cold winter up here in Vermont, it helps to keep us focused on the warm month of May and the advent of the annual Stowe Basketry Festival. Regarding the upcoming 13th annual Festival (May 17-23,we've had a GREAT response from previous year participants. Brochures have now been mailed to everyone on our mailing lists. If you haven't received a brochure yet, please give us a call at anytime: 1.800.344.1546 or email us at info@roundhearth.com Also, the entire 2004 SBF brochure (along with all 35 workshops) is on-line along with the option of secure on-line registration. Full workshops are also identified on-line so you can avoid bad surprises after enrolling. You can enroll by logging onto www.roundhearth.com. Hope to see you in May! Merry & Grady Vigneau The Stowe Basketry Festival 39 Edson Hill Road Stowe, VT 05672 802.253.7223 info@roundhearth.com www.roundhearth.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Farmers Wives Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 08:16:51 -0600 From: "David & Dianne Walbeck" To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com Claudia, Yes they are still in business. I just ordered some bases from them a few weeks ago. I too have noticed that their web site is not up and running but here is there phone number, 1-877-584-7290. They have an answering machine that they check daily and they are quick to help. Also they have specific store hours where you can call and talk to them listed on the answering machine. Dianne Walbeck Recently transplanted in ND %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Anybody In North Dakota???? Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 08:33:53 -0600 From: "David & Dianne Walbeck" To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com Hello Everyone, I am finally back on WW and enjoying every minute of it. We moved last January from Okinawa Japan to Michigan for 5 months, then California for 5 more months, and finally to Minot North Dakota. Talk about your big changes!! We are currently enjoying the coldest winter in 5 years and the most snow in 5 years. Me I have never really driven in snow before so you can imagine the fun I am having. It really is not too bad but I have a hard time getting the kids to understand that the time I spun out the car was not a "Cool" trick and I will not do it again on request! I now understand what Jill writes about when the temps hit 40 and everyone starts to bring out their shorts and lawn chairs! After having highs of negative 30 degrees and lows negative 60, I too thought we were having a heat wave when the high was expected to be in single digits. I do miss having other weavers to weave with and was wondering if anyone is weaving in ND? I cannot find any guilds but there might be one lonely weaver? I am looking forward to possibly going to a convention sometime next year. This year is out of the question since my wonderful husband is going to be gone for 6 weeks during the summer and then he is off again in the fall for an annual fishing/hunting trip with his dad and best friends back in Michigan. This is the first one he has been able to go on since we did not live in the states for a few years. I Hope Everyone Is Keeping Warm, Dianne Walbeck Sunny North Dakota %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Mellowing Pouches Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 09:02:48 -0800 From: "Letitia Kendrick" To: "David G. Collins, Jr." I thought that I would contribute a hint. I miss reading about clever ideas and hints that people used to post. If you mellow your reed to make it easier to weave with try this idea from my friend Sarah P.: From an bath towel sew some pouches. Putting each sized reed and each color in a different dampened pouch saves rummaging through a folded towel looking for the correct reed to use with the rest of the reed popping out here and there. It makes things much more organized and handy! Try it, it works! Letitia Kendrick Sparks, Nevada %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: washing baskets Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 09:14:50 -0800 (PST) From: "Darleena J" To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com Toribeth, Someone probably answered this for you but... Go ahead and wash it in warm soapy water. Then rinse it, shake it off outside and let it dry. It shouldn't lose its shape as long as you don't wrestle with it... The dye should stay... Never had one bleed while washing it. Darleena in sunny Florida %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Washing Baskets Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 11:25:22 -0600 From: "Craig and Anne Urso" To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com To ToriBeth, To wash baskets, I take a natural bristle brush and brush off any loose dust. Make sure that if the baskets are old, that the color doesn't run, then I use cool water in my laundry tub with a capful of Downy Fabric Softener. I immerse the basket and swish it up and down, then set it outside on a sunny day to dry. Hope This Helps, Anne Urso Middleton Basketry & Supplies 6517 Century Ave. Middleton, WI 53562 (608) 831-3252 caurso@chorus.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Posting A Messege Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:14:55 -0500 From: "Jayne L. Humphreys" To: ka9zre@yahoo.com Hello All, A lurker here- Jayne. David, I'm glad you have gone to a regular time for this I love this newsletter, now I know when to expect it and if I am missing it. I wish I had know about the exhibit. I would have like to have juried for it. How can I be notified of this in the future? I don't always have time to read this newsletter so I suppose I could have missed that. Now to some points below I would like to help with below. I have come out of lurking with a gusto. To: Toribeth To clean a dirty basket use cold water and use a soft paintbrush to gently clean the dirt out of the cracks. Or you can put it under a showerhead or use a garden hose. Again the use of gentle here and cold water. To see if the color might run or do otherwise, dunk your basket quickly first and let dry, then inspect. Then proceed with the first options to clean the basket. To: Carla Scheidecker I would never keep reed in a plastic container. I have had reed mold/mildew in one part of a cardboard box for some reason or another I couldn't figure out. It was one side of the roll but it was such that I had to dye the whole roll a dark color to disguise the little bit of mildew. Mary in NC I don't know how long reed keeps before it gets too old and becomes brittle. I have had some I had for some time before I got around to using it; it was given to me along with other reed and it was still good as the day I got it, so I don't know the life span. But it must be a long time, after all the basket last a long time. My understanding is, it is approximately half that of white oak if it is take care of. After all I'm sure we all have had new reed that was brittle we have had to just throw away. We don't want that in a basket. It just makes for a poor quality basket. To: Yvonne in Maryland Yes you must keep working with the rods as you go to shape the basket to the desired shape you want it to be. You can't just stick the rods in and they look right at that moment and just weave and think they will stay that way. Your tension and pulling and tugging will change the placement of them row by row. It is a process. Painstaking, yes but well worth it in the end. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Springfield IL Guild Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 9:46 PM From: Sarah Hartman To: davidc@iei.net Janet, Try the Basket Art Guild - Springfield. Meets on Sunday afternoons once a month. Contact info: Dolores Bently 217-632-2661 Or River Valley Weavers Guild - Eldred. Meet the third Monday of the month. Contact info: Diane Wolfley 217-983-2370. It's been my experience that cows can be down right good company... Best Wishes! Sarah in the Northwest burbs of Chicago where the snow is melting rapidly. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 8:04 AM From: mleppin@wi.rr.com To: davidc@iei.net To: Alene Miller I have also taught peyote to a few people and pattern writing is not fun. There are a few sites that have great illustrations and tutorials. This is one that I used for help when teaching. It's also great to use pony beads for first timers. http://www.angelfire.com/co2/beltana/peyote.html Kim Leppin in SE Wisconsin where I'm looking forward to going to Camp Tuck and North Carolina next month. Can't wait! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Farmer's Wives Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 12:13 PM From: East Troy Basketry To: David Collins Claudia, I recently purchased some patterns from Farmer's Wives by contacting Karen Griffith at 260-475-5556. Eileen Mirsberger East Troy Basketry www.easttroybasketry.com Toll-Free 1-888-424-9866 2082 Church St. P.O. Box 643 East Troy, WI 53105 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Bed & Breakfast Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2004 05:59:56 -0800 (PST) From: "Pam McMillen" To: ka9zre@yahoo.com I believe at one time one of our weaver friends owned and/or operated a Bed and Breakfast. I have been looking to purchase one with a group of friends and would like as much info. as possible. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. You can send an email to me directly at Pammymac@yahoo.com. Thanks, Pam BASKETS ARE LOVE MADE VISIBLE %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Basket Shops In San Diego Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2004 14:30:54 -0500 From: "Angelique Raptakis" To: ka9zre@yahoo.com I am going on a trip to La Jolla, CA the first week of March. Does anyone know if there are any basket shops in the area? Angelique %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Fiber Rush Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 14:51:21 -0500 From: "The Kellihers" To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com Hi, Does anyone know a supplier for fiber rush that is about the size of #2 round reed (it may even be a bit smaller). Thanks, Jill %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: HGA Certificate Of Excellence In Basketweaving Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:59:23 -0500 From: "Barbara McGeachy" To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com Hi, Has anyone pursued the HGA Certificate of Excellence in Basketweaving? I sent $12 to them a few years ago to get the information package, and the requirements to get the certificate are rather daunting - too much for me at this time. But I was wondering if other people had pursued it, and whether you feel it was worth it? I was interested just for personal growth. It's easy to just apply what I already know, rather than stretch and learn new skills. The COE certainly covers the gamut of basketweaving! Why would one pursue such a certificate? How did you go about getting a mentor - did the HGA help? How long did it take? I figured a year or two. For those who haven't heard of this - see the HGA web site: http://www.weavespindye.org/html/home_one.html Barbara McGeachy Raleigh, NC %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Using RIT Dyes Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 1:35 AM From: Jodi Gouwens To: davidc@iei.net Some folks have asked me about using RIT to dye small amounts of reed. RIT is the only thing locally available that will dye reed. Since I most often use MX fiber reactive dyes or Basketree dyes in larger batches, I don't seem to have kept specific directions for using RIT on reed. I remember seeing one suggestion to do this using plastic freezer bags such as those from Ziploc or Hefty. I would appreciate any hints on specific amounts of dye & water, water temperature, etc. for both small batches and for dyeing a full coil with RIT. Thanks for any suggestions. Jodi Gouwens -- from Fairbanks Where it's again above zero on most days. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 8:31 AM From: gatsby To: davidc@iei.net Thanks David for keeping this going. I appreciate it. I have a question for everyone. I bought some "Scandi" straw that has a jagged edge. Actually I ordered it and didn't realize it was jagged. Any ideas on how to use this in a basket? Also, does this stuff take stain well? Thanks for any ideas. Dot in snowy Maine. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Grace Kabel Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 2:09 PM From: "basketc" To: "Weavers Words" Grace Kabel passed away some time during the late hours of Friday night / early Saturday. They're not sure of the cause but she had been having some type of seizures every six weeks or so and the doctors weren't able to determine what was triggering them. She had had her 80th birthday in October. Grace played an integral role in the basketry world, especially in Michigan. Grace will definitely be missed and the AMB will surely be doing something to honor her memory and recognize her contributions to basketry as well as to the organization. As Grace is being cremated, here is the information from Grace's daughter, Mary Grace, concerning Grace's memorial service. The service will be on Friday, March 5th at 10:00 a.m. St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14591 Haggerty, Plymouth, MI 48170. Her family feels that if anyone wants to make a donation in Grace's memory that Grace would like it to be to St. Kenneth Church. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Shaker Cheese Baskets Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 8:46 PM From: "Paula Gulley" To: "David Collins" Hi Everyone, I have volunteered to show the members of our guild how to do a Shaker cheese basket at the next meeting. I have a book with directions, and I have made several of them, but was wondering if anyone actually teaches them and could give me some tips to make it pain free (for everyone concerned!). It's one of those baskets where things either click or don't, and I want everyone to enjoy the process. Thanks, Paula %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% That's All For Now Folks. To Post A Message Use: davidc@iei.net or ka9zre@yahoo.com To Subscribe Use: weaverswords-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To Unsubscribe Use: weaverswords-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com