Tag Archives: Basket Weavers

Metal & Cane

. Basket Weaving . , , , , , ,

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Unusual Melon Basket

Unusual Melon Basket

Occasionally I like to try unusual weaving materials.  This is a 6″ melon rib basket in which I used black cane and galvanized steel from the hardware store.

Instead of weaving a God’s Eye for the ears, I tied on 2 antique pressed tin medallions.  Weaving with the wire was not necessarily hard, but it was hard to keep from poking and scratching myself with the ends. Ouch!

Weaving rib baskets is not really my ‘thing’.  I find them difficult to shape and also tedious to weave. Using a different weaving material made it more interesting for me.

This little experiment worked out well, but I think once is enough.  Any comments would be appreciated.

Lid #3

. Basket Weaving .
Base Rim Finished

Base Rim Finished

Main structure Finished

Main structure Finished

Basket with Unfinished Lid

Basket with Unfinished Lid

OK, so I never went back to Lid #2.  I stuck with Lid#3 knowing I would not finish it by today.  But I have to do it right.

This is going to be an enclosed lid which I have never seen before.  Which is why I’m am struggling here.  It has a 4″ round slotted wood base which sits inside the basked rim.  It also has a lashed rim around the base to sit on the basket rim.   I admit it’s a little odd but it works.  This is shown in the first picture.

The second picture shows the lid with the main structure finished.  It will have a 3″ round slotted wood base attached at the top; in theory, because I have no idea how I’m going to do it.

Also, I made the lid the opposite colors of the basket.  Stakes natural and weavers grey.  I don’t like it!  So I’ll be ripping out the weavers and redoing them in natural.

The last picture shows the lid on the basket which gives you the overall shape.  I think it is pleasing.  Although the top will be flat, I plan on putting something on top.  It will need a handle.

If anyone has any comments ideas or opinions I would love to hear them.

Large Cathead

. Art, Baskets, Craft . , , , , ,

I have finished the basket I was working on. It came out a little smaller than I thought but is still quite large at 12″x13″x13″ and I am very happy with it. The others I have made do not have very prominent feet (or ears).
I used a pattern from a book of Billie Ruth Suddith’s. She is one of North Carolina‘s best known weavers. She designed the original Carolina Snowflake but is also known for her cathead baskets.
A member of the Toe River Arts Council, Mrs. Suddith was one of about 40 artists who opened their studios to the general public 2 weeks ago. Getting to meet her was an honor.
Mrs. Suddith’s instructions for the cathead base are the clearest and most comprehensive I’ve come across and I was able to make very deep feet (or ears) which I have been wanting to do. Also is she uses a much smaller reed than I’ve seen in other patterns.

So on to the next project!
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