December Newsletter

Basketmaster’s Weavings
December 2008 Newsletter, Issue 2

Dear Friends,

An early Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The holidays are in full swing with colder weather and Christmas music in the air. Have you finished your shopping for the season? Are you looking for just the right gift? How about something homemade from your very own hands. December’s kit of the month is a Mini Market Basket. This basket is just the right size to hold 6 mini muffins or 2 extra large muffins. It is also perfect for holding a coffee mug and a bag of gourmet coffee. You will have several choices of colors to use when weaving this basket so you may design it to coordinate in any room of the house. This is a beginner basket so no weaving experience is necessary. Cost of the class is $25 and this includes all weaving material needed to weave one basket. Additional kits are $10 and again you have your choice of colors.

I’ve heard from several of you who were unable to attend any of the November classes yet still wanted to make the November kit of the month gift basket. For this month, you will have a choice of baskets that you may make at any of the class times. Just let me know when you sign up if you wish to make the November kit or the December kit. Prices are the same.

I’m not someone who likes to send attachments with my e-mails so please look at my blog to view the picture of this basket. You can scroll back through the blog to see the November basket as well.

December Class Schedule and Kit of the Month
The approximate finished size is 4” x 6” x 6” high.

Class Dates and Times
Friday, December 5, 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Sunday, December 7, 9:00 am – 12: 30 pm
Friday, December 12, 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Again, I provide all the weaving material. What you need to bring are the following:
Tape measure
Dish pan or large bucket to hold water
Old kitchen scissors
Old bath towel
A dozen or so spring type clothespins
A small flat blade screw driver
A scrap of fine grade sand paper
A great attitude and a smile on your face ;- )
Please wear old clothing to class

Class size is limited. Please call or e-mail me early so I may reserve your spot. Reservations are taken on a first come first serve basis. I will form a waiting list as needed. At this time, all classes are held in my home in Cabezon, 5 minutes west of the church. I will send all students specific directions.

Question of the month:
Nancy, I would like to weave a large basket like some that I’ve seen in your home and on your blog. When will you teach a class for a big basket?
Answer: Great question because I love weaving larger baskets. Here is the thing. Bigger baskets take longer to weave. They can also be more difficult to manage and shape. 95% of my current students are brand new to weaving. I personally feel that new weavers need to weave a handful of easier baskets before moving on. That said, everyone advances at their own pace and I would never want to discourage anyone from stretching their wings and trying something a bit more difficult. At this time, my plans are to offer something more challenging and larger come February or March along with a different beginner basket. You will, at that time, have a choice of two or even three baskets to weave during class. Students desiring to advance in their skills should feel comfortable in the basic basket weaving techniques that are taught in beginner level baskets before moving on to something more challenging.

Please always remember, that if I’ve failed to mention something in this newsletter that you have a question about, just call or send me an e-mail and I’ll get right back to you with an answer. As I told you last month, I love weaving and I look forward to sharing my joy and enthusiasm of it with you. Here is my contact information:
e-mail: basketmaster_nancy@yahoo.com
blog: http://basketmasterweavings.blogspot.com/

May you use this season to bless others and in return have baskets of blessings,
Nancy