Contemporary Basketry
Hi Basket makers!
Watch video one and two the refresh how to get started. Video 3 shows how to add a weaver. See you Tuesday!
Welcome to Contemporary Basketry. You’ll find class materials on this page, some tutorials, suggestions and inspiration to make the most from our online experience. Making baskets in the company of others is one aspect of the craft that is so enjoyable. Please take the skills you learn and share them, make baskets in the company of family and friends. Now for now, let’s get started!
Before we begin I want to honor the original basketmakers from the Santa Cruz Region, Ohlone Basket Weavers. Let’s watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPBuGZ6sbKw
Amazing. All of our ancestors used plants to make baskets, though the Native People of what is now California had an exceptional gift and connection to the ground right under your feet!
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FAST FORWARD TO NOW
Contemporary Basketry is overflowing with wonderful, prolific artists these days. Do not take my word for it. Basketmaker Carol Ekert has been posting weekly updates on her wonderful blog Contemporary Basketry for years! I’ve even been featured once or twice! If you’re ever in need of inspiration scroll through it for a while and I bet you’ll be surprised by the breadth and range!
TWINING TECHNIQUE
FIRST
What you’ll need:
bucket 1/3 full with room temp water
snips or scissors
waxed linen or floss
12 long pieces of #3 round reed
towel or blanket for working over
spray bottle with water
comfortable place to sit
Pull 12 pieces of #3 round reed from your bundle and put them into your bucket to soak for 10 - 12 minutes. Take the reed from the water and let it relax on a towel for 5 minutes. Ahhhh. Then separate out 5 long pieces. Cut 5 pieces at 24 inches. Cut 5 more at 24 inches. Then take 2 long uncut pieces and set aside.
Link to a short article on where reed comes from.
OUR SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)
4/20 Intro to Cont. Bask.slideshow, Tool talk. Lessons: twined basket techniques. Homework: Practice one of the twining techniques to make a basket. Optional: add color by weaving in found materials. Go to http://contemporarybasketry.blogspot.com/ and find one or two artists that inspire you!
4/27 Review of twining. Lessons: Twining in found materials. Homework: make rims.
5/4 Work on “fish-traps” baskets. Preview coiling with textiles.
5/11 Studio day. I’ll be taking requests for what techniques to revisit and review.