I've been working on smaller baskets recently but decided to do some bigger ones.
Here is a 12" tray basket that is set up and ready to weave. Preparing and inserting the staves is the most important but tendious part for me. There are 119 staves in this basket
I'm also in the process of preparing a 10 inch round. It takes me several days to get the staves done.
Weaving these will probably take me a couple of weeks but they should be beautiful.
It's been awhile since I added to this Blog. I've been busy making baskets and improving my skills (practice, practice, practice!)
At the end of 2017 I spent my time making baskets for Christmas presents. They make a unique gift and look beautiful. We made single and double wine baskets and round ones filled with popcorn or candy. We decorated them with ribbon and tags and they were very festive.
I found a weaving stand that makes it much more fun to weave (and a lot less stress on my shoulders and back!). I can't live without it now.
Recently I have been making canisters using Tall Boy molds. They are so useful and attractive. I use them to hold the K-cups beside my Keurig machine on the kitchen counter as well as coffee stirrers and Sweet-and-Lo.
I've been busy working on new baskets!
I finished the tote which I will use as a purse. It's made with cane staves and a cherry rim and base with dual lashing and leather handles. I added a leather insert to make it more useable.
I've also made a dual wine basket which works for growlers from Richmond craft beer makers. It's made with cane staves with a cherry base and dividing insert and a braided leather handle.
My new mold finally came! It will be a tote basket with an insert for carrying two wine bottles.
This is a difference weaving experience - it's oval instead of round. You need to shape the corner staves differently to make them fit and be vertically straight.
This should be beautiful once I finish (but it's slow going!) I'm still deciding what type of handles to use.
One of the reasons that inadvertently led me to making Nantucket Baskets was an effort to make a basket for my son, who is active in the Richmond Craft Beer scene. He wanted a sturdy container with a shoulder strap for carrying a growler. I made many "regular" baskets but couldn't get it right.
Once I learned how to make Nantucket baskets I was able to find an old mold on Ebay that was the right shape and size. The cherry bottom and the tight weave (as well as the strength of the Polyethylene finish) made it work. I added a long braided leather strap attached with bone knobs and I finally achieved what I was trying to do.
This one basket was a long time coming - but it was worth the effort! (And my son loves it!)