"Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 98 Date Sent: March 16, 1999 Web Page: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/ Subscribers: 972 David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 317-899-5747 davidc@iei.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Do You Like Weavers Words? Click Below To "Recommend-It" To A Friend! http://recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=210339 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% "Web Cards" - Create Full-Color Postcards For Your Web Page. http://www.printing.com/affiliate.asp?site=davidc For every free sample of "Web Cards" that you request from the above link, I will receive a $1 commission. It cost you NOTHING. Once you receive your free sample, you can purchase personalized "Web Cards" for your web page and/or business if you like. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% "Bare Walls" Basket Pictures/Prints If you are looking for basket pictures/prints, check out "Bare Walls" through Weaver's Words site. I will get a 15% commission from Bare Walls for every picture/print ordered. The address to check out the pictures is: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/prints.html %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Hi Everyone, To Signify at the IBA Convention that you are a member of the Weaver's Words Family, please attach a Red Ribbon to your nametag. It will be good to connect faces with names. If you would like to meet my mom, Norma Collins, she will be at the raffle table most of the time on Friday and Saturday. Before you meet my mom, I would like to state two things: 1. If she does anything embarrassing, I was adopted at birth! 2. If she does anything impressive, it runs in the family! Some people have inquired about how to add their item to Weaver's Words Classified Page. All you have to do is send me a picture of the item and the following information: 1.) Your full name and e-mail address. 2.) Brief description of the item. 3.) Price of the item (Including Shipping). The address to the Classified's Page is: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/classifieds.html Also there's been a bunch of basket pictures added since last issue. Be sure to check them out. The address is: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/pictures.html Take Care, David %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 18:48:21 -0800 From: "Kathey Ervin" To: "David Collins" Hello everyone, I'm just figuring out how to read WW's and respond here and there to different folks and continue on so here goes.. Kathryn Gromm - I love the willow tray picture you send in. The spiral is very nice and the rim is yummy! What kind of willows did you use and did you 'grow your own?' Anne in Sooke - where is Sooke? And I hope you can send some pictures in to David sometime. I'd like to try seaweed sometime and your information is appreciated. Pam in Michigan - My name is Kathey and I EBay. I don't know why you aren't getting any pictures of baskets. I rarely will bid on one without. The items with a little green "pic" at theend of the description should have a picture. Lyn Levan - I wrote about my cats earlier and should have mentioned my pet "Nanny" goat also. I'm 'harvesting' her beautiful white curly hair right now. I may have to send a very funny picture of her and "Oakie" eating cherries out of the tree... I also had carpal tunnel surgery in December and I can't believe the difference - I call my right hand my teenage hand now - it feels alive again. Can someone tell me if there is a way to do a search in the past issues of WW on a specific topic. I often remember reading something of interest, thinking about it later, and can't find it. I'm still in the learning faze of computer use and I to the point where I do realize a person never stops learning on this..this thing! I wrote the other day that I was goal setting to get some pictures shot this weekend and I did the job! It shouldn't have been that big a deal and for part of them I went to the beach and shot some cedar baskets on some big rock with the waves and horizon in the background. Hope they turn out and I will send some to David. Bye for now Kathey Ervin Sequim on the Straight of Juan de Fuca (WA State) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Loose ends... Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 22:16:07 -0500 From: "E.W. Clark" To: "David Collins" I envy all of you with the swap baskets.... I never have enough time to get through what I need to do, let alone any of the extras. I did manage to get two book cases and a file cabinet out of my spare room, and after a LONG day of stuffing and sorting, I can now proudly say I have a room to weave, not just to store all the junk in. We also took out about 18 of the boxes of my books and stored them under our kids bunk bed. Why did it take us so long to do THAT? I love it, as I will no longer be searching under the bed on laundry day! I am enjoying the tales of the first baskets. Fortunately, I saved mine and like to point out to some of my less confident students how I managed to lash the top 1/4 FO weaver into the rim a couple times. Dot- where in Maine do you live? I grew up in Auburn before I married a Marine and got transplanted into the warmer soils of NC. We are counting the years, months, weeks and days till we retire and move home. When I make a double wall basket, I will usually upsett ALL of the spokes before starting on the inside basket. Just be sure you only pick up the ones for the inside basket when you start weaving. I find that I can't get the spokes to upsett as well as I like on the second basket if I don't upsett them all at the beginning. For you folks looking for double wall patterns, I published two different ones in my book, Addicted To Baskets ( yes, that was an ad for it, ha ha) if you are interested. I told you about all those boxes under the bed, well I still have one wall in my weaving room that is nothing but cartons also! Thanks to all you Nantucket pros on the rim info. It will be interesting to try out different ways! I will be taking that Heart shaped one at NC Convention. Thanks for sharing the info from your tags too. I don't sell baskets, but give away lots as gifts. I know others would like it if I added something like that. You are all so clever! For those of you wanting to dye cane, if you have the time you can scrape the shiny side off with a paint scraper. I do this when I need the smaller widths in a basket, especially the minis. Who was it that talked of their trick for filling in a ribbed basket that was almost invisible? I'd like to know more about that trick! That's the one reed basket I have managed to do while travelling. Once I have the last of the ribs inserted and secure, I will bring a small spray bottle and keep it damp to weave while hubby drives. We travel and go camping a lot, and I used to read or do cross stitch, but once I started weaving baskets I never seemed to have the patience for X-stitch again. Took me 6 years to finish the last one because of baskets! It's fun to see reactions of other people at a stoplight when they see you are basket weaving on the run. I am excited about the convention soon, but need to re-make several of my baskets for the display in the pattern room. I don't think I will get all 20 done, so go easy on me will you when you see them.... I will be in the pattern room most of Saturday. Thurs I got into a couple seminars and Fri is back to back classes all day & night, but I am psyched for it. Look me up and say hello! I'll be the one pushing my book! Ha Ha! Till then, weaving like crazy in my new "space", Betsy Clark %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: me again... Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 22:22:42 -0500 From: "E.W. Clark" To: "David Collins" I even made a list this time, but managed to forget to add my 2 cents about the glue issue. I am with the folks that say if it is glue as a patch job or short cut, I don't use it, but I glue in fabric liners a lot, and for embellishments the method will depend on what I'm adding and how it will look. Some things are better tied or stitched, while others really do better with glue. It reminds me of my first quilts, I would never have used a machine, but then life got busy and if I was to ever finish a quilt, I HAD to machine stitch the top, but would hand quilt, then I had kids, and then would machine quilt the top in a heart beat, especially if making a baby quilt for a friend. I guess for me it is kind of a combination of gradual evolution and survival in a busy lifestyle! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Retayne Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 21:30:47 -0600 From: ROY LEA To: "David C. Collins, Jr." Retayne - OK, I did a little more searching, since I could finally get the computer to connect to another site. One can order Retayne from Pine Tree Quiltworks, but it costs $4.79, plus shipping of $3.99 on orders of 25 or less. Sounds kind of pricey if you have to mail order it. Well, the computer put an end to my searching again, server is too busy. Bother, as Pooh Bear would say. So, did the person who didn't have a quilt store nearby already get some Retayne? I'll keep sending info if you didn't, but I hate to use up space if you did. :-) You can e-mail me direct, too, if you want. Happy weaving, everybody. Diane in Kansas, where we had a beautiful day today. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 97 Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 23:51:29 -0500 From: "Donna Longenecker" To: "David Collins" Hi everyone - Will try one more time. Power just went down due to heavy snow on the lines. One more time, and I'll shut down till tomorrow. Lost everything I had already written. Sharle - Thank you, As retailer, we try to sell all books at "suggested retail" price with a quantity discount (6 books or more) for anyone interested. We hope to still be around after the discounters are no longer on the scene. Funny, I have never been in a Wal-Mart - kind of a personal statement (although the closest is 30 miles away and has only been in the area about a year) but personally I do not like the philosophy of the ownership "to undercut" everyone else! There are a lot of "ma and pa" operations I frequent due to the service and quality of goods available. Tony - Don't know exactly when you posted your message, but lucky you. We are in a shallow band through PA where 6 - 12+ are being forecasted. Looks like Currier and Ives picture around here. Absolutely beautiful. We managed to get Angie & Mike's party in today before the snow hit, only cause most were coming from the south. We are in an isolated belt where the worst is supposed to come. Will send this off before reading more due to power problems and I don't want to loose what I've already typed. Donna L. in not too cold but very snowy PA bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Waxed linen, dye ??s, etc Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 00:26:41 -0500 From: Larry & Amy To: weaverswords Hello weaving friends! Tony S-you mentioned that ash really swells when wet. How about the very narrow that's used for mini baskets/necklaces. I've done Patti Hawkins' Twill Baby necklace with space dyed spokes & was going to try to dye some myself. Anyone know how to dye it? Also I was the one that asked about Easter egg dyeing for reed. Jayna-you said the colors were very pale, so you HAVE done it? Do you still add vinegar &/or salt? And was the color washed-out pale or just pastel? Please let me know. Thanks! Lastly (REALLY!), those thinking about waxed linen should check up the new Royalwood page http://www.bright.net/~roylwood/linen.html . There are nice pictures of the patterns they offer. Kathy (HI THERE) Halter is a WW-er and has many nice patterns and kits. The "simply round" is nice and it really is quick! If you haven't done any linen, I recommend Kathy's booklet "Plain Pockets, from Bottom up and Top down". It's good basics for beginners and intermediates. We may have to start a new acronym though-WLAS-for waxed linen acquisition syndrome to go along with PAS & BAS....t can get addicting! Baskets forever..housework whenever! Amy from Ohio %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 00:34:37 -0500 From: Larry & Amy To: weaverswords Sorry folks, I guess I lied-I wasn't done. My first basket was a 10x10 based Amy basket, and as my husband says, the rest is history. ;0) I enjoy hearing of all the bascats- I love cats, but DH is allergic, so just enjoy those at my parents & wash my hands well before petting husband. (GRIN) Other than a fluctuating fish population in my 30 gallon tank, my livestock consists of my sons, ages 4 and 6. They may not curl up in my baskets, but they love having fashion shows with "Octopus Hats" when I weave bases for round baskets! Baskets forever.....Amy from OH %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: RE: cakes Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 05:41:14 -0100 From: "Jones Family" To: "David Collins" Hey fellow weavers, I just finished with our Spring Show and I had a good one. It was even better then the Christmas show! Cool! Joanne in Hawaii- You got me thinking about Yodels and do you remember "Funny Bones"? It's chocolate cake thing with peanut butter cream filling. They probably don't make them anymore. That was my favorite. Say hey to Wendy & Lois for me. My first basket was a market basket and my second was a French bread basket with roses on it. I would never give either of them away and I keep the French bread one to show my class a few things not to do. I have given many baskets away but the firsts belong to me. Our cat has taken to trying out most of the new baskets. As soon as they hit the floor, waiting to be rimmed,. She takes over and tries them on for size. I've taken so may pictures of her in baskets, laying in the coiled RR, trying to sleep. She even sleeps on the pile of spokes that I have cut. I think she's a junkyard cat. Well, back to the weaving table to finish, so I can start quilting for the International Red Cross to send them to Russian orphans. Take care all. I'm still trying to catch up on my reading. Darleena in the Azores %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: basket bases Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 08:59:48 -0500 From: gatsby@larck.net To: davidc@iei.net Joanne: You wanted information about making your own wooden bases. I make mine using a ban saw for the round ones. I use a jig (a piece of plywood with a 1" slot cut out and a screw above the slot) to cut the circles. I tap the wood on the screw and adjust the distance from the saw blade. The squares and octagons etc. are cut on the table or cross cut saw. Then it's router time. I use a bit to make the edges of the base rounded. Then, I change bits, using a slot cutter, that I purchased from Woodworker's Warehouse. The slot cutter is $15. I think it is 3/8". I'm not sure. Take in a piece of reed with you. Then, you're in business. I don't have my own router or saws. I use the ones at school. I did buy the slot cutter though and leave it in the IA room for the students to use. I get the wood from my brother who is a carpenter and always has scraps that he doesn't use. Hope this helps. Good luck and be careful with your fingers. Dot in Maine, where school is canceled yet again because of MORE SNOW. Will it never end? %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 97 Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 06:19:30 -0800 From: "Kelly Anderson" To: "David Collins" Anna Lizotte: Hey! Thanks for the information on NZ flax. I weave with it all the time but I've never seen the plants flower. I slash the leaves down into strips and use them as weavers in ribbed baskets. Diane in Tulsa: Polyurethane tends to damage reed and other natural fibers in the long run. Many weavers, including me, will advise you to avoid it. I thought Weavers Stain came in clear, but you may have to special order it. You might also check out MinWax stains and varnishes at your local hardware store. They might have a neutral stain or varnish--be sure that the one you choose does not contain polyurethane. Another alternative for a "clear" patina is mineral oil. Unfortunately, mineral oil tends to yellow over time. Only 10 days till I board a plane bound for the IBA! Can't hardly wait. Happy weaving, Kelly (In Southern California where it is cloudy and looks like rain) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 97 Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 09:19:39 -0500 From: Joanne Jackson To: David Collins References: 1 Hi to Billie Dorris>>>yes it has been a long time since we were on the good ol prodigy BB. I am the "purple lady" and "purple grandma" to all of those grand kids that I made the cradles for! You have a great memory. For all of those out there in WW who don't know me I will explain the "purple">>>I wear purple exclusively and have for over 25 years. I write with purple pens and use purple garbage bags and purple saran wrap. Just my trade mark and I always say that I could be remembered for a lot worse. I read an article in the paper yesterday about a purple person who had painted the outside of her house purple and is being sued by her neighbors! I haven't gone that far but all of the flowers that I plant outside in the summer are purple! Pam I will send for the catalog thanks for #. I agree with you that Turkeyville has lost the quality and just gone for the quantity! They say that there is a waiting list of over 200 waiting to get in to the show. I did one Nantucket basket and that is my million dollar basket because I wouldn't sell it for less than that. They are beautiful when finished but they do take a long time but are worth all of the time you put into one. Hi Jean Cadmus-May>>>> I am sure you are busy getting ready to go to N C. Have a great time. Diane>>> Where is Sierra Vista AZ? We are going out to AZ next month to check out some of the retirement areas around the Sun Cities. We stayed out there a few years back and want to look at it again. There is a great bunch of weavers in Sun City West. Joanne from sunny Marshall MI waiting for spring to get here! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 09:52:38 -0500 From: "joym" To: Hello from snowy Maine where it's coming down as I write! Yes, I too am an ebay addict. I have found (not necessarily purchased) many wonderful baskets on ebay. The design inspirations are fantastic! Of course, some of them are junk; it depends which section you find them in. Also: buyer beware - in the Crafts/handcrafted items section you will see lots of Nantucket's by the same Seller. They are going at what would be considered cheap prices for traditionally made (oak or hickory & cane) Nantucket's. Upon inquiry, I found out they are mass produced in a piecemeal fashion, with several people from different locations in on the production. Pam T.: You mentioned that sweetgrass can only be found in S. Carolina. Not so! Though not easy to come by, sweetgrass is available through the Native tribes here in Maine. You can also purchase sweetgrass seeds through various gardening stores & try growing your own. Pam M.: Have you considered trying coiled baskets? Everyone sharing about their fist basket made me remember that my first basket was NOT the small berry basket I mentioned. Rather, it was natural wool coiled over rope core. It came out beautifully - unfortunately, I gave it away, as I do so many of my handcrafts. You might find the natural wool is something you don't react to? Denise: Have you tried Clear Weaver's Stain? It gives a nice satin finish over natural or dyed reed. Thanks to all who gave info. on my staghorn sumac. I "caught" such terrible (whole body) poison reactions as a kid, I didn't want to chance it till I knew. On day my Dad burned some sort of poison natural in the woodpile - thus, all over my body as the wind carried it! Ugh! Last but not least: I don't think we have to make a "free speech" issue out of a few comments. For me, the issue is that I joined this list to (again) PRIMARILY share my love of basketry. I do like to get to know a little about others. But, now that the list is 1000 (or whatever) it's easy to fill it with personal trials &/or the more flamboyant topics. Though Weaver's Words is not censored (and I would not want it to be), I joined to talk basketry. There are tons of support groups, religious & political forums on the Net, set up specifically for that purpose. If free speech were really the issue then we wouldn't mind when someone says, "I prefer not to talk about thus & so". Joy Moody in North Central Maine - where yesterday it seemed like "Mud Season", but now it's snow again. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Pink stain Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 10:00:13 EST From: YellowSnap@aol.com To: Hi everyone! This is my first time writing in to WW. I have been "lurking" for awhile and thoroughly enjoying every issue. I have a question about staining a particular basket I am trying to finish. A friend gave me back issues of a craft magazine. In one issue was a basket shaped like a pig and was used to hold a potted plant. I have a pink/mauve craft paint that I would like to use. Is there a way to turn this paint into a usable medium for coloring the basket? The paint is an acrylic. The reason for using this paint is that it is the ideal color. I don't want to start mixing dyes for one small basket. Any hints and/or comments are welcome. Thank you from Dawn in Greenville, WI Today it is sunny and in the forties. The kids where able to go off to school in lighter-weight coats! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 97 Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 10:19:33 -0500 From: "Carolyn S. Willoughby" Organization: Helicon On-Line To: David Collins References: 1 Greetings from Snowy PA, I have enjoyed getting so many Weavers Words lately. I quote you a lot it seems. :) My first basket that I remember weaving was done at our summer church camp. We took newspapers and folded them into strips, then wove a small square basket (no handle), gluing the ends together, then painted the whole thing with acrylic paint. I used mine in the car for awhile as a trash can, but I think it is on the basement steps at the moment. My first "real" basket I made at Bible School. One of the women in my church and her sister had gone to a class and brought their knowledge back and we spent our craft time all week weaving baskets, just the older kids and their teachers. I use my basket all the time. It is a tote basket and I keep my library books in it and call it my "library basket". I have one cat, a shorthaired black, called Picabo. I got her during the Olympics and wanted to give her an Olympic name and Picobo Street had the most "cat" sounding name. When I told my parents about her my Dad said, Oh, "Picabo Streak". It turns out to be a great name for her because she does love to peek around doors and from behind furniture, especially when someone she doesn't know comes to visit. She is very much a people person, though and it doesn't take her long to come out of hiding. Since I am moving next month, I have to decide whether or not to keep the cat, which means getting her declawed, or finding her a new home. It is a hard choice for me to make, since neither options is very attractive to me. So what's the opinion on declawing an adult cat? My basketing days have been very limited, but my basket partner and I are working on a double walled basket. Finding time when we both have a couple hours has been difficult, especially since I got bronchitis last week, and she has four small children. We are almost done with the first wall and are anxious to see how it goes with the second wall. This is our first attempt at a double walled basket and that is why we are doing it together. I am hoping mine turns out nice enough to use for my wedding to collect the cards people will bring. Speaking of weddings, I am hoping to weave my flower girl basket, any suggestions on what kind of basket a little girl of 5 would enjoy having after the wedding that would also work for the event itself? It snowed here yesterday and I have about 2 feet of the stuff in my sunken driveway. I better call someone to come dig me out before I have to leave this afternoon.... Peace, Carolyn Willoughby Farmington, PA %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 08:38:20 -0800 From: "Larry T. Boitnott" Organization: Larry T. Boitnott To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and everyone, I arrived home at 10 last night from Midwest Basketry Focus in Ohio. I am tired but it was a GREAT conference!!!! I am more than pleased with my willow baskets. Sandy Whalen was incredible - so patient and spending extra time with us so that we all finished our baskets. What a teacher!!! And what a conference! It was my first time there. The retreat center was so peaceful and the retreat was very well organized and there sure was some outstanding teachers. We had a chance to talk to other teachers and see their work. And for me, the hymn sing on Sunday morning before class was a bonding experience as well as a way to worship for those that wanted to come. To Judy and Lou and all their helpers, I say, a job well done. I think there is much to be said for small conferences. For my money, in the future, I will definitely consider these small conferences before going to the larger state conventions. I am not current on all the postings. But in skimming I want to respond to the planting of willow cuttings. But any of the willow teachers or Ron and Bobbie of Willow Dreams Farm would be glad to respond, I'm sure. I plant my cuttings as soon as I can poke a cutting in the ground after the ground has thawed. My cuttings are 12" long and I push it into the ground leaving 2 leaf nodes above the ground. I space the cuttings about 10 - 12" apart. The amount of space between the rows is personal. How are you going to weed the bed? By hand or with rototiller. My rows are 22" from plant to plant. But then my space is limited and I weed by hand. Harvesting, for me, is done after a hard frost and before the sap starts running. So, for central Michigan, that means Nov - March. April 6 is the latest I have ever planted. I want the cuttings to get all the spring rains. Roots grow best in cool soil temps and I want the root system to get going to support the leaves which will start budding early. I learned this from Sandy W. and Joanna Schanz. I cut the rods at the base, leaving 2 leaf nodes on each rod. There by allowing to plant to in theory double the number of rods each year. In reading, I have also learned that the rods should be cut on a slant with the slant being on the outside of the rod. The reason being so that water will not settle on the "stump" and cause rot or freeze in the winter. I have not practiced this yet. Well, it is light out and my willow patch is calling me. Peace filled days, Sue Ann in central Michigan where there is still snow on the ground. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: More thanks Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 12:50:36 EST From: AuntPattie@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who responded to my request for information on snowshoes. There are a couple of things in the mail on the way to me and I will soon be THE snowshoe authority in Metro Atlanta. That's going to make me a HOT commodity down her, let me tell ya. Animals: We have a female black cat named Charm (a pound purry) and a white fluffy female mutt named Pearl (a pound puppy). We are fortunate enough to have a pond in the back yard and are regularly visited by a 4' tall Blue Heron named Harry, a Belted Kingfisher named Huey, a pair of Canada Geese known as Homer & Marge and a family of muskrats known as those #&$^%*(&&*# aggravating critters that keep digging holes in the yard. Thanks again to you, David. Pattie Bagley, ooxx %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 12:59:05 -0500 From: "joym" To: Hello Everyone, I just spoke with John McGuire & he has lost parts of three fingers on his right hand. As misfortune would have it, he is right handed. It doesn't take much to figure out how devastated a fellow basketmaker would be, particularly for a professional who makes it his full time living. Joy Moody in Hampden, Maine http://www.signofthecrow.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 96 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 23:11:23 -0500 From: "Donna Longenecker" To: "David Collins" Chris - I find it just amazing the scams that are around - and the people who fall for them. Last fall already, we got a letter from our bank telling us that they were completely Y2K ready! Guess, that's not too hard for a bank that still uses passbooks (they say farmers like to still see an entry each time they make a deposit - they just don't trust these "new fangled" machines!) Local foods - it's kind of funny what you take for granted. 35 years ago, the man I worked for used to send a case of Tasty-Kakes to his son in TX once a month since they weren't available there. My aunt in NV always takes beer pretzels and Lebanon Bologna home with her. (L.B. is a local smoked lunch meat, unlike the packaged bologna you buy any place else - keeps for a long time, but please, don't ask what's in it - you really don't want to know) Wanda - what is it that you want to order? Joanne - that's probably the pattern we've been talking about - Triple Braid Cradle - it's beautiful, and after today, we have just one copy left as Sharon is no longer publishing. I've always wanted to weave one, but seems kind of silly since we have a beautiful antique cradle on a pedestal that's been passed down through the family. Pam - ebay-anything with a "pic" in the description has a picture. I haven't seen too much hand made stuff. Dolores - I read WW's in the "reply to sender" format. I type my replies, and delete down the page as I read. My "signature" is automatically set on the page this way and I just type above it. When I get to the end of WW, I've deleted everything except what I want to send, and just hit the send button. That way I don't have to go back and forth between screens or make notes which I can never locate later. If I don't have the info at home, I'll copy the segment and mail it to myself in the office and answer via a private e-mail if not relevant to the entire group. This seems to work best for me since if I don't answer when I read, I probably will never get to it later. (I use the Microsoft e-mail program). Give your pattern to a relatively inexperienced weaver along with the material they need. Tell them they may ask you NO questions unless they are really stuck(make notes on their problems) but ask them to keep notes on things they did not understand or had to look elsewhere for the information. Then you can add to your instructions accordingly. You have to remember, once you publish a pattern, you have no control over who purchases it. It is also helpful to put the "weaving skill level" required on the pattern. Frankly, I enjoy questions like this as we have definite ideas on what we like to see on the patterns we sell. The more information, the better. More experienced weavers can always skim over it, but the novice needs all they can get. PLEASE, do not put in your pattern that instructions for a certain step may be found in a particular book. Think of the poor weaver doing a pattern and gets to the end to be told to look in a book for the instructions for the XYZ border. Yes, there are patterns out like this. Donna in PA, where, I usual, I was probably too wordy. (Still waiting to see what kind of weather we get) bordlong@fast.net http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Bits & Pieces Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 10:17:42 -0800 From: "moonweaver" To: davidc@iei.net Hello fellow weavers, My heart goes out to all of you back on the East Coast and others that are getting the last blast of old man winter. Here in northeaster Washington we still have snow on the ground (at least where we live) - but it's melting. Thought I might share this with everyone - our neighbor used an old method of predicting the winter weather this year. When he butchered his hogs last fall he took the splen and spread it out on the ground - it was big at one end and tapered down to almost nothing at the other - meaning that winter would come in as normal but no bad storms would come in spring - strange but that is just what we've had here. I wonder what the pig splen would have told on the eastern coast. Judy- congrats on your first class!!! Sounds like you've got some very eager students. Joanne - I believe you asked on what type of router to purchase. A plunge router is what you're looking for. A good on will run around $55.00 or less (at least in our area). As for bits...well that would be a question to ask your hardware dealer, as I'm not quite sure. Anna - thanks for the tips on my tags. I could certainly embellish a business card folded in half with birch. Thanks again. Also you said you had 4 goats - do you raise for milk or meat? We are starting our herd this spring (Nubians) and would like to share info with anyone out there who has goats. Dolores - to keep track of what all the posts are I take notes as I read. Guess old habits never leave us. Well enough for now - it's bread-baking day here, so I best get with it. Hope everyone is doing well, my thoughts are with all. Chrys in Northport Washington MoonWeaver Basketry %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Thanks Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 13:36:47 -0500 From: "Angie Longenecker" To: "David" Hi all, Thanks for the info Anne! I'll have to give it a try the next time I'm at the beach. Angie The Country Seat http://www.countryseat.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Bill Dunning Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 15:16:43 EST From: CHobbsNANA@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone, Last issue I recommended Bill Dunning for Nantucket supplies and molds. I found out definitely that he will be vending in one of the rooms at IBA convention. Be sure and take time to look him up! Clare %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: General Posting Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 20:02:34 -0500 From: martyhln@juno.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and World Basketmakers...I hope the people on the East Coast are faring better than it looks like on the news, I am thinking about all of you. I wish Cheryl Ryan much hope. I believe I know her she loves Bit Of Honey Candy. We will be looking for her at Spring Event. Bit Of Honey in hand, if I can find some. Someone said, actually several said, we were clicky, after much thought, I have decided it is true. First there are those who write words. Second there are those who only read every word. Third there are those who ask questions. Fourth there are some who think they know it all. Fifth there are those who complain. Sixth there are those who are complacent. Seventh there are those who try to answer questions, if and sometime, whether they know the answer. Everyone admit it someone was right we are, a very clicky group, same as families and neighbors, but we are not perfect we are after all only human's, with an interest that holds us together. Get out the glue, and bond our clicks together. Patients is a virtue after all. Peace and love to all. Have fun go make a basket. Warmest Regards...Marty Holihan...Flint, MI...dholihan@gfn.org (or)...martyhln@juno.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Clear Finish Suggestions/Weavers Words Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 20:03:46 -0500 From: "mkoch" To: Denise in Ok: We recommend for a natural finish on your basket that you try Weaver's Stain in Clear/Natural. Clear has no pigment, therefore, there won't be a color change and you will seal & protect your basket at the same time. We also recommend Deft oil in Clear/Natural. You can buy it at the hardware or your local basketry supplier. The only draw back is that you have to brush it onto your basket. We do not recommend that you use a polyurethane of any type on your basket. If you use a polyurethane on your basket it will end up what we call a "crispy kritter." Try to avoid products with polyurethane or lacquer finishes on your baskets. Stains designed for wood have heavy duty drying agents in them and take away from the life of your basket. We recommend that you use a tung oil base product with a urethane resin. The marriage of the two will seal & protect your basket. Another product you may want to try would be Watco, it is a tung oil base product also. We are not sure if it comes in Clear/Natural. And you would have to brush it onto your basket. If we can answer any other questions you have, please feel free to email us Direct at mkoch@iei.net or www.weaversstain.com Happy Weaving, The Weaver's Stain Family %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Bits & Pieces Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 00:24:15 +0000 From: Tony Stubblefield or Dean Meredith To: David Collins/Weavers Words Hello again, It is suppose to be 60 tomorrow and 65 on Wed, we will see. I sure hope so. Anna in Tassie - On "filling in" ribbed baskets - I keep no secrets about my weaving. I think basket weaving is like any folk tradition, it must be passed on for it survive. We all build on what we borrow from others as I did with this technique. Well, with that little bit of philosophy out of the way let me say that the filling-in technique I do is not hard to do, but it is hard to explain without seeing it done. I have a diagram I use in my classes that I will see if I can elaborate on and when I get something ready I will post it on my web site and let everybody know here on the WW. Sorry I couldn't give a you a simple answer. Diane in Kansas - On Nantucket kits - If you can't take a class, a kit is going to be your next best option, that way you will have everything that you need and won't have to buy whole bundles of material you may never use again. I would look for a kit that includes instructions. I would also look for a good hardback book with pictures. The 2 that I have are Lightship Baskets of Nantucket by Martha Lawrence and Basketry: The Nantucket Tradition by John McGuire. Both begin with a great overview of the history of this tradition and have many pictures of new and antique baskets. they also both have detailed instructions and photos. I don't necessarily agree with all of their construction techniques, but they do give detailed directions. Check your library and see if they can get them for you. Good luck and let us know how your basket turns out. Denise in Tulsa - On polyurethane - I would only use an "acrylic" finish on a Nantucket basket or a coiled pine needle basket (though I personally don't use any on this type myself). Both of these baskets traditionally have a finish applied to them. On other types of baskets a hard finish like polyurethane will seal the fibers and not allow the weaving to breathe or flex causing it to break more easily. If you do really want to use a finish I would use something like semi gloss Deft spray and even than I steel wool or lightly sand to knock off the gloss. Polyurethane's are in general difficult to work with as they take a very long time to dry and are usually very glossy. In choosing something I always look for a spray (I don't like to use a brush) that says "quick drying", "no sanding between coats" and "matte" or "semi gloss". I say don't do it unless it is one of the basket types I mentioned above. You know every time I tell myself I am not going to write very much and here I go again. You all are going to get tired of my long posts. Happy weaving, Tony Stubblefield St. Louis, MO http://www.tetranet.net/users/deanandtony/baskets.htm %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Misc. Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 19:45:21 -0500 From: Joe Conroy To: davidc@iei.net Hi folks! Today is one of those "snow days" and school was cancelled; I was able to spend a good part of the day weaving. Tony Stubblefield - I would very much like to read your hints for "turning back" on egg baskets. While I very much enjoy making them I frequently just do the trial and error routine. Any helpful hints would be appreciated. Also your web site is very nice!!! What talent!!! Annie in Tassie - When you do come back to visit your family in Rhode Island please look us up. My husband, Joe, and I operate Stony Lane Basketry in Exeter. We are about 10 minutes west of Wickford, RI. Someone mentioned recalling funny teaching experiences. After making about half a dozen baskets, I volunteered to teach basketry as part of a craft program at school. To my surprise, twenty -six seventh and eighth graders signed up to make a melon basket. Fortunately, one of the students was a member of 4-H and had learned how to make a God's eye. His help was invaluable!! What an experience! We eventually did quite well; however, it was a great learning experience. Anything that could go wrong - did. We put wet reed away in a plastic bag when the bell rang - and when we took it out the following week -- it was a sight to behold. MOLD!! I think I learned more than my students did that year! Another time, the principal asked me to extend Basketry Club to students in grades 4,5 and 6. One afternoon, 5 fourth grade boys arrived in my classroom. I later learned that Gymnastics was cancelled and someone misinterpreted Basketry as Basketball. Boy, were they surprised! Happy weaving! Kate Conroy %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 97 Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 20:21:53 -0700 From: "Rae Hunter" To: "David Collins" Bert etc. Just a bit of an add on for using willows, I tell my students the time for gathering is from the Fall when the leaves fall off until Spring when they spring back on. Willows gathered in the spring can be stood up in a pail of water with dye in it and when they begin to leaf out , you can strip off the bark (which can also be used for weaving) and you will have a lightly colored willow. Without dye you will get nice white willow under the bark. It's great to work with, Loves to be cut so it can dress-up for the next season, comes in wonderful colors that you can't always count on to stay the same color. Splits easily into flat weavers. Do I like willoe??? Guess I also just wanted to try someone's suggestion to jot a note to David and drop it to the bottom of the screen then bring it back again. It works. Is anyone coming to Canada for Focus "99 in Naramata British Columbia. Love to meet you. It's a beautiful area between hills, orchard and Penticton Lake. It's listed on the mingco calendar for June. Got to go unfreeze some willows and get another basket on the go. I gather them in the fall and bury them in the snow to freeze until I need them and the spring willows come in. Winter here is not great for gathering, the snow is so deep I lose too much of the length. Chattin' out - Cheers Rae Hunter from the depth of snow in Alberta. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 19:52:27 -0800 From: "chas" To: "weavers words" Hi All: Boy, I don't get to contribute too often, but I'm out here and hoping that everyone is hanging in there.. Seems a lot of bad weather, illness, etc.. You all take care now** :) Sharle: I have used Kiwi vine trimmings to make lovely handles.. I form my hoops for handles as I am trimming. Then I do dry them before use.. Mine always dry out ALOT, so wrap them heavier than you think you need too. Make sense? Anyway, they dry out a lot and don't feel real substantial to me, but they look cool and always sell out first... I use them mainly for the egg type baskets.. The handle portion only, I use a regular hoop for the rim.. HTH I want to thank the person who forwarded the "Y2K bank scam" warning.. I've been waiting for something like this and I find it really scary.. I know it is "off topic" but I really appreciate you sending it on. I work with the elderly, and feel that this is a special concern for them.. They are so vulnerable We will probably see a lot more of this type of scam during this year, and all we can do is try to keep ahead of the "crooks"; lets help each other, by passing the word along.... It always pays to stay informed........ Ruth in WA state -- it is gray here, but we can go outside without a coat!! (Apologies for gloating) The daffodils are up and blooming at my house :0) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: thanks for the suggestions Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 23:32:05 -0800 From: "Dolores" To: "David Collins" Such good suggestions for answering - thank you. It looks as if your idea, Winnie, of opening the new message screen, writing and minimizing, is going to work the best for me. About the sweetgrass baskets: the market in Charleston is a good place to start looking and talking to the basketmakers. Do observe carefully. As I now look at purchases made over the years I realize that as I have developed as a basketmaker, so has my ability to analyze the products of others, both for artistic shape and skill. In the Charleston marketplace you will find superb artists. And others. Also, art and craft shows up and down the coast of S. C. are good sources. So are the road stands (which are not going to be plentiful any longer with the building of four lane roads). Just know what you are looking for before buying. Diane, the next best thing to the ruled cutting board is a checkered oilcloth. I buy the one-inch checkered ones and use them for teaching, for my own work, and for summer picnics! Good weaving, everyone! Dolores in S.C. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: new to weavers Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 12:46:52 EST From: CLAYART2@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi.....Nora Voss from Colorado here.....Have thoroughly enjoyed the newsletter and look forward to many more in the future..Have already gotten much info and tips to help me in my pursuit of weaving...A little hx for you....I was a nurse for 30 yrs.Got a cancer in my ankle resulting in amputation..Worked several yrs. following this but began falling on the "good" leg taking it out of commission. Can't save lives and stomp out disease if one can't stand up long enough. So, looked to the arts...started oil painting, leased a studio, got tangled up with potters, took classes, loved it, entered a few shows and actually got in some...Also had basket weaver at gallery studios and took class and "hung" out for couple yrs. Also loved it, so I now do both...Am not able to tolerated being present for craft shows to man a booth so since relocating back to Colo. from Fl. I rented a space at a local craft store and presently have baskets and pottery displayed. Also, presently, I am teaching a basketmaking class at the senior center.(First time teaching baskets)! I must admit my nerves were a bit frayed but all are doing very well. Didn't know if I would be comfortable with adults...Had only taught clay class to children at our galleries summer arts institute a few times....I found both are about the same, willing to learn something new or they wouldn't be there...we've all had a lot of fun. Glad to see there are a few other nurses out there weaving their hearts out....there has got to be something Freudian there!....I am 53yr old happily divorced lady with five birds (2 love birds,2 parrolets, and one Quaker parrot-AJ, Nugget, Mickey, Minnie and Harley in that order.....and one little dog called Gizmo .Part Poodle, part pomeranian...Had a shephard-rotti mix (Jake) and a 20 pounder cat(Leonard) that I had to leave behind when I moved....Wish dearly that I hadn't needed to do that....watching a twenty pound cat try to curl up in your lap after making fifty turnarounds a quite a sight.Love and miss them but they got good homes and I have visiting privileges! Guess you've heard enough hx....if I've forgotten anything you need just feel free to email me.....Nora in Colorado %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 10:17:23 -0800 From: hannah To: "'davidc@iei.net'" Hi all, I am trying to keep up, but am now responding to the last two issues that we received. Dolores: I print out my WW and read them later when I sit down in the evening to relax, or while I am eating my lunch. I take along a high lighter and when I see something that I want to respond to, or think I am qualified to respond to, I highlight the topic and the persons name. Then, when I am sending my responses, I just look for my highlighted paper and go from there. Sometimes I find that the names are not signed, as I mistakenly did not sign one myself. My e-mail name and my real name are not at all the same. My e-mail is hannah@infinet.com and my real name is Pam Feix. Hannah is my granddaughter's name!!! Vicky: I found a booth at the Ann Arbor arts and crafts festival in Michigan last year. I do not remember what time of year it was, but it was a huge fest. Actually it was like 3 or 4 fests together and boy was it awesome. There was another basket maker there, Steven something or another and he had awesome baskets. They are extremely expensive, I will tell you that, I couldn't afford any of them, but nice. However, the booth that had the sweetgrass baskets were very nice and very reasonable. There were some that were high priced, but they were very nice baskets. The lady with the booth was from South Carolina and was very nice. You might want to check that out. To all of you who make basket tags or business cards: Where do you get your business card paper and your tag paper and what is the brand. Is it expensive. We have Office Max to do our cards and they just don't do the graphics that I want on them. Can anyone shed any light on this? Tony Stubblefield: Thanks for wishing me well on making my Nantucket Purse at convention. I am sure it will be an adventure. Also, I went to your site and found what a quadrefoil looks like and I now know. Thank you very much. You truly have an awesome sight. Lyn Levan: Baskets that sell most for me are the middle price ranged baskets ($15-30) per basket. I also find that the baskets with a wood bottom sell a whole lot faster than the woven bottom baskets. I also try to use the colors in my baskets that seem to be the hot colors for home decorating at the time. I hope that this helps. I also set up sample baskets at the booth that show how the basket can be used, for example, like the napkin buddy, I put in napkins, salt and pepper, ketchup and mustard in to the baskets. Or a magazine basket I put in magazines, or a casserole basket, I put in a casserole dish. I do this to just a few, but it sets their minds into gear as to how they can use this basket. I hope that this helps. Diane in Kansas: Thank you so very much for the information about Retayne. It was me who asked as I had lost my information. I am going to check out the sites right now. Well, that is about all. I am getting ready to e-mail Sue to find out about the next swap. If she doesn't do it, I will, so need to get on the ball. Talk to you all later. Pam Feix in Southwest OH, where it is getting warmer everyday and I am anxious for flowers!!! http://www.feixbaskets-crafts.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" Swap #3 Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 16:25:23 -0600 From: Roberta R Comstock To: davidc@iei.net Just want to let everyone know that my swap basket arrived yesterday afternoon. It's from Kelly Anderson in Costa Mesa, California. (She had emailed to let me know it was on the way.) I was a great mood elevator after my lengthy spell in the dentist's chair yesterday. Kelley made me a fascinating three-ring rib basket woven with New Zealand flax (I think), lots of palm inflorescence, and sea grass. The frame rings are set in sort of an A-frame arrangement I had not seen before, which allow the basket to sit nicely on a flat surface. It is embellished with green yarn, jute cord and colorful (red-orange) dracena draco tips. The effect is wonderful! Thanks again, Kelly! And thanks again to Jan Hardt for coordinating this swap! There are several of you out there who have sent me private email messages. I haven't forgotten you. I should get those answered sometime next week. Bert Comstock in sunny and warm Independence, MO %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: replies Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 19:12:17 -0500 From: Maggie Silva To: David Collins You're very welcome, Tony. Fran in the office is a sweetheart. She will mail samples along with the catalogue, if you ask. To Anna in Tassie; Raynham is half-way between Boston and Providence along Rt. 24. Your family will know the area. Call when you get here. I'd love to meet you. Jayna: When I travel to Europe, I always pack the middle size suitcase and then put that suitcase in the largest one--so I'll have room to bring back whatever treasures that I find. Each time as I leave and pass through the x-ray machine, I get some comment about a suitcase in a suitcase. The time that my sister went with me, she did the same, and the security guard never lifted an eyebrow when she looked at Judy's luggage after viewing mine. While in Sweden we took a side trip to Finland. As we traveled in Finland, I nearly stopped the bus every time we passed a house with piles of shed antlers in the yard. I couldn't believe how many piles there were--just lying there waiting to be woven. Others on the coach told me that I wouldn't be able to bring antlers back to the US. Once we returned to Stockholm, I found a pair of antlers in an antique shop. I rationalized that antiques were different from regular antlers, so I bought them, packed them in the middle of my large souvenir laden suitcase and prayed until I passed through customs. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Various Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 20:33:54 EST From: Corbettrj@aol.com To: Davidc@iei.net Bert - Thanks for the concern about the baskets. I was beginning to hyperventilate. I love to weave Nantucket's, but I didn't want to lose the ones I had done. I still sound like a frog, but am breathing better. This upper respiratory problem is hard to get rid of. After many dollars spent on antibiotics I should be well. Pam - One of the things I miss about Florida is the Panhandle. Much of my time on my job was spent out there. If we had decided to stay in Florida we would have come your way. I love Woven in Time in Valpariso and that little shop in Lynn Haven. I haven't found any weavers or shops in Delaware yet. The closest ones are in NJ, but that is okay because our daughter lives there. I never ran into any people who wove sweetgrass baskets in Jacksonville. The only ones I have ever seen were in Charleston, SC at the old market place. Tony - thank you for the information regarding the peanut shaped baskets. I am better at it now than previously, but I will try the heavier rims. You all are my lifeline to the weaving world. Thank you one and all. Carolyn Corbett - snow one minute rain the next in Seaford %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: about baskets. Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 20:53:17 EST From: Patjc333@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi david I have a question. Do you have a place where you can post your e-mail address. I have an 83-year-old mother who makes hands made baskets. She would really like to talk to other basket people. I would like to get her address out so they might write her. She is not to good with the computer but does great on the e-mail I really think she would love to hear from other people. Thanks for any help Pat %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.