Well another wonderful workshop with
JoAnn Kelly Catsos is over. While I am sad about it, everyone made some beautiful baskets and equally beautiful memories.
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| Three of the talented basketmakers get to work. |
Our first basket was a full-size (approximately 9" dia.) Lightning Bowlt of natural and dyed hand-pounded black ash.
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| Lightning Bowlt Basket |
The basket is woven of basically a two-two twill pattern, but it is the reversing of the pattern that creates the dynamic lightning bolt pattern.
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| Lightning Bowlt ready to have its rims lashed. |
The baskets are finished with a dyed rim to match. While traditional Shaker baskets do not have any type of rim filler, this contemporary basket uses a twisted piece of waxed linen.
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| Miniature Lightning Bowlt Basket being woven. |
After completing the full-size basket we are set to make a miniature version using hand pounded black ash expertly prepared by JoAnn and her husband Steve Catsos.
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| Full-size and miniature Lightning Bowlt Baskets. |
The contrast between the natural and dyed ash makes for a striking pair of baskets.
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| Instructor and basketmaker JoAnn Kelly Catsos. |
On the third day of the workshop JoAnn introduces the next series of baskets, the Diamond Twill Bureau.
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| Full-sized Diamond Twill Bureau Basket ready to be lashed. |
The color contrast in this basket is achieved from the natural color difference between the sap and heartwood of the black ash.
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| Miniature version of the Diamond Twill Bureau Basket ready to be lashed. |
The miniature version of the Diamond Twill Bureau basket is a perfect companion for the its big brother.
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| The four baskets I wove in the 2013 JoAnn Kelly Catsos basketry workshop. |
Four days and four baskets makes for a perfect long weekend. Now to find the perfect place to display these treasures.
