My basketry

[Hostajunkie]

Hi all -- Basket weaving isn't exactly main stream these days, but I thought that some of you might like to see that it is still done. :O) Here's a smattering of samples of my work. The first is a large Appalachian-style buttocks basket, woven in reed -- I call it my "people's choice" basket, because it draws a lot of attention. lol! The 2nd is one of my miniatures, woven in 4-ply waxed linen. And the 3rd is a willow basket in progress, where I'm just finishing wrapping the handle and need to trim ends. And this reminds me that I should prep some willow!

 

[Artyczar]

Holy heck! These are impressive! I am drawn to the small waxed linen piece myself, but I'm sure the bigger ones were more work? I'm not sure--I'm guessing. I know nothing about weaving. The small one looks closer to Native American craft. I have bought a few things from Arizona that I love, small baskets. I think they are Hopi. Anyway, I love your work and you are blowing me away with what you're capable of.

 

[PSA3475]

Beautiful!

 

[joe1It]

wonderful

 

[E.J.H.]

Wow, that´s some great skill on display. beautiful baskets.

 

[Hostajunkie]

Thanks, Artyczar, PSA3475, joe1lt, and EJH.

Artyczar, re more work, the minis take a very long time to make because I can only work on them for about an hour a day before my eyes bother me. Something like the ribbed buttocks basket is very involved and takes a long time as well, but it’s hard on the hands and fingers.

 

[Artyczar]

Understood. I always need a magnifier light no matter what size thing I'm working on.

 

[Schuee]

Excellent. Basketry is a real skill. I loved seeing them.

 

[snoball]

Those are fabulous!

 

[Terri]

What beautiful, intricate work! I'm just blown away. The patterns themselves look complex, and you've made gorgeous art with them. Wow!!

 

[Hermes2020]

I think your lovely baskets are a first on Creative Spark. They got me thinking about using 20mm wide aluminium and other metal strips to weave a large outdoor sculpture. That's what I think is valuable about our forum: making connections and getting new ideas to explore.

 

[Hostajunkie]

Thank you, Schuee, snoball, Terri, and Hermes!

Basket weaving is such a useful skill. I always say that if you’re going to be stranded on a desert island, you’d be better off stranded with me because I could weave anything. Lol!

 

[ntl]

WOW. Just WOW!

 

[Hostajunkie]

Thank you so much, ntl!!!

What I'd like is to find people who do period reenactments, like Renaissance Fairs, and see if they need any custom-woven baskets!

 

[Jo Castillo]

Wow! Amazing and beautiful.

 

[Hostajunkie]

Thank you, Jo Castillo! This thread reminds me that I never started my willow prep.

 

[Schuee]

Have you every made a basket with lids that fold back, Hostajunkie?

Some years ago, friends attended a basket weaving course and came home with an apple picker - a little basket on the end of a long pole to reach into the tree branches and collect an apple.

 

[Joan T]

These are wonderful!

 

[Triduana]

I love these!

 

[Hostajunkie]

Schuee, I have made a fishing creel with a lid that folds back. Cute idea about the apple picker basket. I made an apple picker by attaching a hand cultivator and plastic container to my golf ball retriever. It works great because the ball retriever telescopes to about 12'.

Thank you, Joan T and Triduana!