Eric Taylor Workshop

I can't believe how time has flown and it has already been a couple weeks since Eric Taylor was here in St. Louis leading four wonderful classes. Eighteen people participated in the workshop and 48 baskets were woven over 4 fun-filled days. Eric brought lots of kits and molds and made a lot of weavers very happy. I picked up one kit and mold that I am going to be starting here soon. Eric definitely went home with a lighter load.

One of the baskets we made was a small 3" x 2.5" basket. It looked really difficult, but was surprisingly easy to weave. I always think minis are going to be hard to make, but they are so easy and quick to make. Everyone did really well and went home with a cute little addition to their collection.

Eric starts his baskets in a way I hadn't tried before.

Eric gives lots of hands-on help with the baskets.

Just a few of Eric's many interesting handle and basket designs.

The five baskets I made during the workshop.

Save the Date - 2011 JoAnn Kelly Catsos Workshop

Mark your calendars as I am very excited to announce that I have 2011 dates set for JoAnn Kelly Catsos' return to St. Louis. The workshop will be Saturday, October 8 to Monday, October 10, 2011. This year it will be all about choices. On Friday you will have your choice of either 4" Black Diamond or Diamond Reflections, and then on Saturday and Sunday you will have your choice of either the 6" quadrafoil captured lid cathead or 4" Cherub.

4" Black Diamond & Diamond Reflections

6" Quadrafoil Lidded Cathead & 4" Cherub

I should be sending out registration information in the next month or so. I hope you can join us to make these beautiful baskets. If you are interested in attending this workshop please send me your email and mailing address.

Let Them Eat (Nantucket Basket) Cake

Now I ask you, who wouldn't want a Nantucket basket cake? The entire baskets are edible, handles, scrimshaw, even the shells and some of the flowers.

Cakes by Calligraphics

Jodi's Cakes.

Nantucket basket cake by amateur baker Kim313

Bump Bottom Basket

8.5" dia. x 10.5" high

I made this basket quite a few years ago in Oriental, NC in a workshop lead by Eric Taylor. This was a different style basket for Eric, his baskets almost exclusively feature solid wood bottoms, but this basket features a radial spoke-woven bottom. The style of the base of the basket is called a "bump bottom" since it is raised or pushed up. The basket is woven of hand pounded black (brown) ash, nailed walnut rims and a notched walnut handle. This basket was challenge to weave. All 16 staves were each tapered from 5/8" to 1/8". The weavers graduated in size from 1/32" to 3/32".