Miniature Baskets

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2s95Gul

I recently acquired a large collection of miniature baskets from well-known contemporary basket makers. Here are a pair of black ash Shaker-style baskets by June Patterson, one of Martha Wetherbee's first apprentices. The baskets are mini versions of the Mount Lebanon puzzle-cathead and carrier.

Baskets, baskets, baskets...

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2tzJz0r


My parent's are in the process of finishing up a major remodel in their house, so basically everything was displaced at some point. Furniture went back into their spots, glassware and china went back into their cabinets, but baskets, which basically festooned the house lost some of their homes. So, I got to be the primary decision maker on what should stay and what should go back where. I meant to count how many baskets we ended up culling, but it was a pretty hefty pile. If you are interested in purchasing any nice antique white oak and black ash baskets be sure to visit my Dad's antique shop, Coal St. Antiques in Mexico, MO.

Mold Weaving Woes

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2rZVLdc

I don't know how people weave on a mold in their lap. I always use an adjustable weaving stand when making a Nantucket basket or any other mold woven basket. Originally I just used a table top version that would clamp to the end of a table. At a basket weaving workshop in North Carolina I was introduced to a floor stand version and immediately fell in love. I used that stand for years and referred many people to the man that made them. One day though the gentleman fell off the face of the earth never to be heard from again. For years after that people always asked me about my stand and where they could get one. Finally I decided I need to make my own version to sell and a small cottage industry was born. I have made, sold and shipped hundreds of these crazy things over the intervening years. I never go to a workshop without mine, it is indispensable. Because it adjusts to any height I can even stand while I weave if I need to give my back a stretch.

More stamping around

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2t1MEpS

Playing with some ink and another one of my basket stamps. I was trying to see what I could do with just a single layer of overlapping images. I used Tim Holtz's new Distress Oxide ink for the basket image. I love the detail you can get with it. If you are a stamper and haven't tried the oxide inks you really need to give them a shot. I still love the original Ranger Distress Ink line, but for highly detailed images it is a bit too "soft". I used it for the overall background stamp on this card and the resulting image is wonderfully vintage looking, but for the basket I wanted it to be nice and sharp.

Designing Cards

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2rWLA9y

Playing with some ink and one of my basket stamps. Distress Blueprint Sketch really does look like an old school architectural print. Love how the water spots turned out.

Don't mind the mess...

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2r3tq1D

...I'm actually working in my craft room! I always have the best intentions. As I am leaving work and walking to my car, all I can think about is what project I want to work on. Then I get home and the couch looks so comfy, and that is all she wrote...