Sunday, April 19, 2009

Pine Needle - Collection Archive



This basket was made by a person in the Toronto basketry group about 15 years ago. The maker specialized in pine needle and raffia baskets, and her work is very intricate. I am not sure if she is still making baskets, but I really treasure the ones I have from Nana.

Pine Needle Basket






Here is one of my first attempts at using Florida pine needles. The handles are wrapped around black walnut slices. The stitching is done with waxed linen.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Basket Archive #1




I want to make sure I have pictures of baskets I have made over the years, as well as one I have collected.
This basket is made of black ash that I laboured over, pounding until I got the layers separated. The weavers were processed through a little rug hooking cutter to achieve an even width. The rim is pine needles. It is about 4 inches high. It is typical of a "cathead" basket shape, and was made over a wooden mold that I constructed. I love the sheen of black ask, which is revealed when you pry a layer apart.