Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Alice Ogden 2019 Christmas Ornament - Bottom


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I should have included this pic of the bottom of the 2019 Alice Ogden ornament basket. It’s gorgeous on its own.

Alice Ogden 2019 Christmas Ornament


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2019 Christmas ornament basket from the very talented Alice Ogden. Merry Christmas, happy holidays and here’s to a wonderful 2020.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

My recent find.

via Instagram https://ift.tt/2ZYZtkK

I recently found this lovely small antique white oak ribbed basket. I am going to have to get a larger house soon to display all of these, but I just can't resist these cute smallish baskets.

Monday, August 12, 2019

2019 JoAnn Kelly Catsos Workshop

 Please join us this fall in St. Louis, Missouri for an exciting workshop with JoAnn Kelly Catsos.


Thursday-Sunday, October 17-20, 2019
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Teleidoscope
1.5" diameter x 7.5" long
This unique project begins with a teleidoscope (like a kaleidoscope but with no moving parts). Using basketmaking techniques, you will weave with precisely prepared black ash splint of contrasting darker heartwood stakes and lighter sapwood weavers. The math behind different twill possibilities will be discussed to create your own one-of-a-kind teleidoscope.


Medium Lightning Bowlt
6" diam. x 2.5" deep

The lightning bowlt pattern on this bowl is striking due to the contrast between the stained brown stakes and the lighter black ash weavers. In a previous workshop we made the original 9.5" diameter version and a special mini 4.25", this time JoAnn has designed a special 6" version just for us to complement the set. If you haven’t made the other two let this one be your start.


Vibrations
6" diam. x approx. 6" tall
You will start weaving the vibrating zig-zag twill pattern on a 6" mushroom mold using stained stakes and lighter black ash weavers. Once you reach the top of the mold you will remove the basket and continue weaving free-form, shaping as you go. The basket will be finished off with hardwood rims and lashed with waxed linen.
 
Workshop fee for all three baskets
$510

Class fees includes all materials, handouts and use of mold, weaving stand and tools.

Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Twill experience is required for this class and patience and attention to detail is helpful.

Instructor: JoAnn Kelly Catsos

Contact: Tony Stubblefield
if you would like to receive registration information

Sunday, July 28, 2019

A good day’s work


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A good day’s work. Now that all of the ribs are in it will just be weaving, weaving and more weaving.

While I used to almost exclusively make ribbed baskets, I really hadn't made any in the last 15 years as I was focused on Shaker- and Nantucket-style baskets. In preparation for my week-long class last year at the John C. Campbell Folk School I had to make new samples of the projects we would be doing. This totally rekindled my love of making ribbed baskets and I have really enjoyed getting back into that form.

I am very excited with how this rectangular ribbed basket is turning out.

Saturday, June 1, 2019

Alice Ogden as Featured in Martha Stewart Living


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I have the honor of saying that not only do I have many of Alice’s baskets in my collection, but I’ve also been to her home to take a class from her.

 Martha Stewart
The beauty in baskets is that they come in all shapes and sizes, for practical use and domestic artistry. 🧺 Start collecting heirloom baskets from our favorite artisans like Alice Ogden who fashions her heirloom-quality vessels. "Everything I make began with green leaves on it," she explains. πŸƒ She searches local swamps for a fast-growing black ash to fell and haul home. Then the self-taught artisan‘s works embrace form as much as function: Nested sets hold towels and throws; minis with attached lids keep jewelry and mementos ensconced. πŸ’ And exquisite acorns and open-weave tubs simply inspire awe in the beholder. ✨ Learn more about some of our favorite basketmakers at the link in bio!πŸ‘†πŸΌπŸ“·: @lennartweibull

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Hummingbird


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My Mom continues to impress with her beautiful bird photography. She loves these little guys and both she and Dad are kept busy maintaining all of the hummingbird feeders they have established in their yard.

Photo credit: Ann Stubblefield

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Tiny Trash Treasure


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My dad found this miniature white oak ribbed basket in the trash! I always wonder how many incredible baskets have been discarded because someone didn’t understand their value and importance as a piece of American Folk Art.

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Throw Back Thursday

Appalachian white oak basket maker Gertie Youngblood
via Instagram http://bit.ly/2IUPCZl


A little throw back to the mid-80s when I had the honor of learning from white oak basketmaker Gertie Youngblood. I also had the honor of purchasing the little rectangular basket she is holding.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Summer Tanager


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Another incredible bird photo my mom took while down in Jekyll Island, GA. This time it’s a summer tanager.

Photo credit: Ann Stubblefield

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

I love painted buntings


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I love painted buntings. We have so many beautiful birds here in the US, but not as many colorful ones like tropical parrots. This guy is definitely bringing it though.


Photo credit: Ann Stubblefield

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Lavender and Baskets


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I made this felted wool lavender from a kit by Wooly Pines. So cute and easy.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Inspector Jinx


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Inspector Jinx checking out the prototype. I’m teaching another workshop this summer at the John C. Campbell Folk School and have been busy trying out different projects for the beginner-level class. The title of the workshop is “Colorful Basketry Sampler”, so have been playing with lots of space-dyed reed.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Happy Easter!


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 Happy Easter!

Sorry it takes me so long to actually write anything on these automated posts. I thought if I could link some of my Instagram posts to my blog I would actually be better at keeping content here fresh, but I that hasn't necessarily been the case.

Part of my lack of motivation is that a year ago Google/Blogger did something to the way their blogs are indexed in the search engine and it really screwed everything up. It isn't just me, it sounds like from reading the message boards that it adversely affected everyone. I went from my posts having 300 to 600 readers to now only 30-60 (if I am lucky). While I am not doing this just to have a big following, it is not very motivational to spend hours photographing baskets, editing them, writing about them, etc., only to have a hand-full of people even see them.

Anyway, thanks for hanging in there with me. I will keep plugging away.


Happy weaving,
Tony

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Playing with Mom's New Camera


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Playing with mom’s new Nikon CoolPix P900 this past weekend I snapped this picture of one of the many cardinals that visit my parents' bird feeders. I was sitting in the house on the sofa and shot this through the window to the feeders across the yard. I am horrible with distances, but it was probably 30-40 yards away I guess.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Playing in My Craft Room

Hand stamped card with basket image
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Playing with one of my stamps I redesigned so you could fill it with eggs. These colors reminded me of araucana chicken eggs

Did you know I have my own line of basket and basketry related rubber stamps? I have got to get my etsy shop open so people can actually order them. I will be at the Stateline Friends Weaving Retreat next month selling them if you want to see them in person or to just stop by to say, "hi." There will be lots of other basketry vendors there to shop at, so plan a road trip with your friends.

Kuhlman Center
Wayne County Fairgrounds
861 Salisbury Road North
Richmond, IN 47374
April 11-13, 2019

Sunday, March 10, 2019

2019 Eric Taylor Basket Workshop

Saturday-Tuesday, May 18-21, 2019


Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19, 2019

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Photo of Eric Taylor's City Pack Basket

City Pack Basket

11" H x 9" W x 11" L
I love this basket. We are so lucky to have Eric teaching this basket here in St. Louis. The pack is a nice size, not nearly as large as a big Adirondack backpack. Like Eric's Smith River Creel, the pack features cherry runners and latch, and leather straps. But this basket sports a beautiful solid cherry lid. Also like the fishing creel this bakset is  started on a small jump start mold, then free-woven to the rim.

$305

Monday - Tuesday, May 20-21, 2019

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Photo of Eric Taylor's Cottage French Bread Basket

Cottage French Bread Basket

20"L x 6.5"W x 4"H
You have been asking for this baskets for years and here is your opportunity. This basket is large and will make a statement on your table. Woven of hand pounded black ash, this big basket boasts a cherry base, rims and flared side handles.

$245

Class fees includes all materials, handouts and use of mold, weaving stand and tools.

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Eric Taylor

Contact: Tony Stubblefield
if you would like to receive registration information

Bunny Hop

Photo of SylvaC bunnies
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My SylvaC bunny collection is coming along. Still need some more colors and sizes. My other goal if to find one in person. So far all of these have been purchased off eBay and most have come from out of the country. The blue one on the base did come from a local antique mall, but I, pretty sure it is a knockoff. During the height of their popularity it seems like a number of other manufacturers made their own versions (either direct copies of the mold or with slight variations like this one). 

Monday, March 4, 2019

If it fits I sits


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Soon Jinxy’s going to be too big to fit in my Stephen Zeh French bread basket. She’s all tail and legs.

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Basket Stamped Cards


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Gotta love when you actually use the scraps you refuse to throw away. Made these from pieces leftover from 2017 Christmas cards. I’m really happy with how they came together.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Coming Soon


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Be sure to pick up a copy of the new John C. Campbell Folkm School catalog. It features not only an incredible assortment of workshops, from cooking and story telling, to blacksmithing and woodturning, but also one I will be teaching during Intergenerational Week, July 14-20, 2019!

I am very excited to be teaching this class. Here's how they describe Intergeneration Week:
The Folk School recognizes the need to expose today's youth to art, music, and traditional mountain crafts, while also giving families much-needed time together.

This special week is designed to provide youths, ages 12 to 17, the opportunity to take classes side-by-side with a parent, grandparent, or other special relative or guardian.


Saturday, January 19, 2019

Crossed Eyes


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Working on a pattern for my John C. Campbell Folk School project with JoAnn Kelly Catsos. My eyes have officially crossed. I was inspired by a Joanne Russo basket I have in my collection. Her baskets are woven single start and stop rows, I'm going to do mine in a continuous weave which creates some challenges as your pattern has a wonky side which you have to make as least obvious as possible.

I started out working on basket weaving graph paper I had drawn and once I had studied the pattern enough to know where it was going I switched to my computer. I use Adobe Illustrator as that is the program I am most familiar with as I use it for my medical illustrations.

Hopefully in a couple weeks I will be able to share with you how the basket turned out.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Smashing it in 2019


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So again this year I completed my 2018 Smash Book on the first day of the new year. While that sounds like an OK achievement, the reality is I was 7 months behind!!! It took me all day to sort and print photos, and assemble everything. Lord please don’t let me do that again in 2019.