About Richmond Baskets

Richmond Baskets is owned by Kathy and Richard Gorman of Richmond, Virginia.

Kathy began making baskets over thirty years ago after taking a class at a local craft store. These were the days before the internet, so, with the help of available books, she taught herself. She made hundreds of baskets for fun and for gift giving and in the late 80's was designated as a Virginia Craftsman by the Virginia Museum and sold them in their shop.

In early 2017, Kathy realized that she'd made every type of basket, but never a Nantucket Basket. She ordered a kit from H.H. Perkins and her life changed forever!

Since Nantucket Baskets require a lot of woodworking, she enlisted her husband's help. She does the stave preparation, weaving, and lashing and he makes and installs the rims, sands the wood, applies the finish, and attaches the handles. Together they produce a beautiful basket.

Richard is a practicing attorney for over 40 years but he now spends his free time at a workbench helping Kathy make Nantucket Baskets! They are the parents of two adult sons, Mike Gorman and William Gorman, who are also helping them with their new venture.

Since one CAN have too many baskets, they have started a business and are exploring ways to market their Nantucket Baskets. 

Building a Nantucket Basket

It takes several steps and different skills to build a Nantucket basket. Here is an 8" round with a cherry base, rim and handle under construction.

• Mold, cherry base and stavesMold, cherry base and staves
• Staves in moldStaves in mold
• Starting to weaveStarting to weave
• Continue to WeaveContinue to Weave
• More weavingMore weaving
• Finished weavingFinished weaving
• Attaching the rim and lashingAttaching the rim and lashing
• Finishing the basketFinishing the basket
• A completed basket!A completed basket!
• The basket is signed and datedThe basket is signed and dated
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