Feature a Friend Friday - Bety from Deep End of the Loom and Think Pink

Dear Friends,
Today I would like to introduce you to Bety from Deep End of the Loom.

Bety has donated this luscious scarf for our "Think Pink" raffle to be held this October. Money raised will go to the Susan G. Komen fund towards the cure for breast cancer.

The pictures are pretty but let me tell you the scarf when seen in person takes your breath away. It is gorgeous!!!! Not only is it pretty, it is soooo soft. I am simply in awe at it.

Betty states:

I'm a wife, mom and child of Christ living in South Florida. I enjoy
weaving, knitting, some crochet and really love to help others learn a fiber
hobby. I've been a weaver for 3 years and am still learning and growing. My
newest adventure and challenge for this year is spinning yarn and I'm having fun
with my disastrous results.

Well Bety, I must say, I don't consider your results disastrous at all. I asked Bety how long it took her to weave this scarf. She said it was about 6 hours in total from wrapping the loom to twist fringing the ends.

Below are some other photos of Bety's work.

Please be sure to stop by Deep End of the Loom and say "hello". Bety really has some pretty photography of her work on her blog.

As a reminder, all information about "Think Pink" can be found HERE. I am encouraging all of my readers and fellow basket weavers, crafters, and scrapbookers to donate an item to my “Think Pink” efforts. Whatever you can offer would be much appreciated! It does not have to be handmade. It can be any item that promotes “Think Pink” for breast cancer awareness. if you have a prize you would like to donate, please e-mail me at basketmaster_nancy@yahoo.com .

Remember, more prizes will mean more money for the foundation. I'm so thrilled as thus far we have my Pink Pot of Hope basket, beautiful and fun Stampin' Up supplies from CJ , a Sentsy candle warmer and fragrance set from Naomi, and now this beautiful pink scarf from Bety.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you ladies!!!! Your contributions are deeply appreciated.

Blessings,

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday - Alexey from the Ukraine

Good Morning Friends,

I'd like to introduce you to Alexey who is basket weaving in the Ukraine.

Alexey and I have been corresponding about weaving. I want to say right off the bat, Alexey's English is pretty good, but there are a few words that occasionally do not translate well so I am writing this with the hopes that I have no factual errors.

He weaves with a material which he calls packaging flax which I believe to be a packing tape and he uses a linen cording for the twining. Alexey has been invited to be on television in his country as they are interested in his weaving!

His current project is a very large laundry basket woven on a wooden frame for stability.

Alexey says he doesn't have a website or a blog. (I think Alexey, with you becoming a TV star you will need to consider a blog!) The other thing Alexey mentions is that his wife does get tired of the debris created by weaving. I think we can all relate to that.

Thank you so much Alexey for letting me share your photos and for letting us know a little about you. We all wish you much success with your weaving. Perhaps if your TV segment becomes available on YouTube we can all see your show.

Blessings Everyone,

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday - Kelly Lynch

Dear Friends,

I'd like to introduce you to Kelly Lynch from Mexico. Kelly found me on YouTube and decided to weave her very FIRST basket and it is made from cereal boxes and grocery sacks. She says they don't have recycling in her country so she is glad to find a use for items that would get thrown away.

Kelly finds this to be relaxing and states that she likes how it makes her feel connected to women who have gone before her.

Thank you so much Kelly for sending me your photos to share. I LOVE this recycled green basket. I think your first basket is fabulous!!!!

Kelly has a website over at The Rabbit Hole which is a treasury of Alice In Wonderland items. My children have seen the new movie and loved it. Be sure to visit her site to follow the rabbit and enter into the hole.

Baskets of blessings everyone,

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday - Colby Hart

Dear Friends,
I'd like to introduce you to Colby Hart. He is a new weaver and has been weaving with reed for only three months now. Take a look at his work here! Colby and his wife enjoy crafts and making things with their hands. He started basket weaving as a way to make some Christmas gifts this past year while his wife made soap. Colby doesn't have a website or a blog....yet...but when one is started I'll be sure to pass the link along.
Thanks Colby for sending me your photos to share. I'm sure the recipient of the gift basket was thrilled because it looks great!

Readers, please feel free to e-mail me with photos of your baskets. I'd love to show off your work!
Happy weaving everyone.
Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday - Pam Kurkowski

Dear Friends,
I'd like to introduce you to Pam Kurkowski who blogs over at Baskets N Prims and Primitive Basketcase. Pam does some beautiful weaving and on this coming Tuesday, watch my blog for a technique that Pam uses to make a fun primitive basket handle.

I'm a self taught basket weaver & made my first basket in 1989 from a kit that I bought. I have made well over 3000 baskets and used to do shows but stopped about 10 yrs. ago when the economy started getting bad here in Mi. My favorite baskets to make are plaited but do make the occasional ribbed basket. I love the primitive style so I make alot of shaker style baskets & one of my
best sellers are the shaker cheese basket & I offer them in 4 sizes. I make my own walnut stain from walnuts that I collect each fall which are abundant in our area. When I make painted baskets I use milk paints which I buy online then I prim them up with a method I experimented with a couple of years ago. I have numerous patterns that I bought years ago but seldom use them now. I also have several books that I have bought and I love to do research on antique baskets. Over the years I have also really gotten back into cross stitch and sewing as I wanted to fill our home with primitives. I've recently started needlepunch and making blackened beeswax candles and ornaments. There are just so many things that I enjoy & there never seems to be enough time. If any of you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at basketpam@gmail.com I am happily married with 3 grown children and 2 adorable grandsons. My family is my number one priority and I am so fortunate that I am able to be "keeper of the home."

Pam sells her work over at Early Work Mercantile where you can see some of her beautiful Shaker cheese baskets among other works. I hope you'll take a few moments and visit her sites and enjoy her baskets and prim creations.

Baskets of blessings,

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday - Katherine and Steve from Dunbar Gardens

Dear Friends,

We have another stunningly beautiful woven heart basket today. Can't you tell Valentine's Day is just around the corner?
I'd like to introduce you to Katherine and Steve Lewis from Dunbar Gardens located in the beautiful state of Washington. Katherine made this incredible heart shaped basket from their red willow and some buff willow. This basket is a traditional French form – a cheese tray in a heart shape and in French is "coeur a fromage".

Katherine is a willow basketmaker and has a small farm where she and her husband Steve grow much of the willow used in her baskets. Katherine started weaving baskets about 19 years ago and eventually chose willow as her material. After taking a few willow basketry classes with visiting European teachers here in the US, she traveled to the UK in 2004 and the UK and France in 2006 to take willow basketmaking courses and learn more about willow basketry. Katherine teaches classes as well as selling her baskets; while Steve grows the willow and sells cuttings for those who want to grow their own.
Along with finding them at Dunbar Gardens, you can also see some of their beautiful work on their blog, Willow Basketmaker.

Thanks Katherine and Steve for letting us see your beautiful basket and letting us know about your work and willow gardens. Katherine, your weaving is so pretty. I hope everyone reading this will take a moment to check out your sites.

Baskets of Blessings,

Nancy

John Toft Basketry - an amazing Woven Hot Air Balloon

Dear Friends,

I've received some lovely pictures from fellow basket weaver John Toft.  You may remember him from HERE.  Just take a look at this amazing woven balloon he did.  John informed me that The basket and balloon are woven in the English style of weaving, stake and strand.

 

John was first exposed to basket-making in elementary school in England. He took up the craft a few years before his retirement from teaching in 1998. His work focuses on pieces in the English style of basket making (stake and starnd) and others in North American styles. His English style baskets focus on sewing baskets as well as this fun piece, the hot air ballon. His North American style baskets focus on rib baskets and market baskets. His Etsy shop (http://www.johntoftbasketry.etsy.com/) uses sewing, rib and market baskets as category designators. He also has a number of vintage items on display and for sale there too.  You can also follow John's blog.

Thank you so much John for sharing your pictures with us.  Your work is truly amazing.

Baskets of blessings everyone,

Nancy

Feature a Basketweaving Friend - Deb

Dear Friends,

It is always a happy e-mail day when I receive a note from a fellow basket weaver. (hint hint my e-mail is on my left side bar)

Today I want to introduce you to Deb who has been learning how to do the braided rim. The top photo shows a double braided rim and the bottom a basket with a single braid. These baskets were given one as a Christmas gift and one as a bridal shower gift. (I think the recipients of these baskets are pretty lucky if you as me!)

Deb has been weaving for 7 years now and enjoys many hobbies with basket weaving being one of them.

Thanks Deb for sending me the pictures and letting me share them. The baskets are beautiful!

Baskets of Blessings Everyone,

Nancy

Feature a Basketweaving Friend - Nita

Dear Friends,
I'd like to introduce you to Nita who e-mailed me with these beautiful photos. Nita started weaving in 1988 and had only ONE class! After that she got a book and was off weaving on her own. Just look at the variety of beautiful baskets.
In the photo below I want to call your attention to the basket with the steer head. That is a coiled basket with round reed and raffia. Beautiful!

Thank you so much Nita for letting me share your photos with everyone. We all love the inspiration you have given us.

Baskets of Blessings to you all,

Nancy

Feature a Friend - Steve

I received a very kind e-mail from Steve who shared this photo with me. He was out shopping with friends when they saw a basket similar to this one. He decided to recreate what he saw and came up with this fabulous tiered basket.

The basket is a beauty Steve. Thanks for inspiring us and thanks letting me share it with everyone here.

Do you have a basket I could share on my blog? Just send me an e-mail. I'd love to showcase your work.

Happy Weaving to you all.

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday - Sue Morello with Sheldon Farm Baskets, Basket Making, Basketry

All photos courtesy of Sheldon Farm Baskets

Dear Friends,

I would like to introduce you to basket weaver Sue Morello from Sheldon Farm Baskets in Barre, Massachusetts. Sue has been weaving for over 20 years. She is a retired elementary school teacher and has taught basket weaving in the past. Now she has a brand new online store that just launched where she is selling her beautiful baskets.

Sue makes a shaker style basket and uses ash in her weaving. Many of her baskets have painted decorative embellishments. It is Sue's dear friend who does the painting and they collaborate together to make these great pieces.

I also have to take a moment to mention their beautiful farm where the weaving is done. Take a look at their home. It sets on 75 luscious acres that include a pond, a peach orchard and acres of raspberries. (Can I come for a visit please?)

Please pop on over to Sheldon Farm Baskets and take a look around. Remember Christmas is coming up and these would make some perfect gifts.

Enjoy!

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday - John from John Toft Basketry

Photos courtesy of John Toft

Dear Friends,

I'd like to introduce you to John Toft, a talented weaver from Canada. His blog is full of photos and information on weaving as well as his home, family and events in the area. In 1998 John retired from teaching and basket weaving became his passion.

John sent me an e-mail showing me the picture of the coffee cup (shown above) that he had woven through inspiration of Julie's pattern and my post HERE. I just think it is wonderful how we can all be inspiring to one another.

He sells his baskets through Etsy and his Etsy shop can be found HERE. It showcases his beautiful woven baskets as well as kits and even greeting cards with woven embellishments.
You really need to visit his shop to see all his wonderful work.

As John has written in his blog, one of his children is autistic. Through his Etsy shop, John gives a percentage of his sales to the Geneva Centre For Autism, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a world renowned centre for autism research.

Be sure to stop by John's blog, http://johntoftbasketryatetsy.blogspot.com/ and say "Hello" to him and spend some time enjoying his baskets and posts.

Have a wonderful day,

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday--Julie from Deen Homestead Basketry

Dear Friends,

I have someone special I'd like you to meet today. Her name is Julie and she blogs over at A Hand-Woven Life.

Julie has been weaving for 18 years and has been selling her baskets the past five or six years at an antique shop. Julie says that when she is not basket-weaving she enjoys crocheting, book-making, reading, writing, and playing piano. She and her husband have a zoo on their farm. Ok, only kidding here, but she and her husband manage a farm that includes 20 head of cattle and about 30 sheep as well as two dogs and a ferret and I cannot forget to mention her three children. Julie you are one busy lady! Actually, we have quite a bit in common with our interests. I just don't live on a farm.

I really find Julie's baskets to be beautiful and some are quite unique. Just look at the spoon basket above. I think that is just such a clever way to weave a basket.

Julie has a website, Deen Homestead Basketry where you can see many of her baskets. While you are there, be sure to look at her Woven Country Angels. We are talking some serious cuteness here.

Take a moment to stop by her blog as well as her website and say, "Hello!" Julie is a kind and generous person and is someone who you would want to sit down and weave with and share a pot of coffee.

Baskets of Blessings,

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday--Frances from Weaving Willow

I'd like to introduce you to Frances from Weaving Willow blog who does some amazing weaving with willow. Not only does she weave with willow, she grows it too! Take a look below at a small section of her willow garden in its early stages. She grows 70 varieties of willow! Yes, you read that right 70! It is absolutely incredible.Frances lives in Canada so I'm learning that willow grows well in these cooler climates. She shows that there are many varieties of willow that come in some beautiful colors. Frances is new to blogging, but I must say, she has started out with doing a great job. Her photography is beautiful, and Frances, when you read this please comment and let us know what camera you are using because the pictures are just wonderful. Frances enjoys traveling to basketry workshops, weaving and knitting, as well as food growing/gardening. She belongs to a number of guilds but you can read her bio on the Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild's website. Thanks Frances for sharing your photos with us and keep posting about growing your beautiful willow. I am finding that simply fascinating.

Be sure to stop by her blog and say "Hello" to her.

Happy weaving everyone,

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday--Paula from Crop Notes and Crafts

Today I would like you to meet my cyber friend Paula from Crop Notes and Crafts.

Paula is one of those people you meet on the net that you would just love to meet in person some time. We really have a lot in common with basket weaving, scrapbooking, rubber stamping and our love for crafting. Her baskets that she weaves are just my style, and take a look at the cards she makes over on her blog. I have one word for them, "delicious." Seriously they are scrumptious looking. Ok, that's two words. The couple of pictures I show here are of her seat weaving. We're talking talent here. Did you take note of that sweet basket sitting on the table by her? Be sure to pop over to her blog and say, "Hello." Spend some time looking at all she has created.

Have a wonderful Friday everyone,

Blessings,

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday--Cathryn Peters, The Weavin' Wicker Woman

Cathryn Peters--The Weavin' Wicker Woman

Dear Friends,
I've been browsing Cathryn Peter's blog for some time and she is truly an artist in the world of wicker and weaving. Cathryn is not new to blogging as she has been on the scene since 2004 and has been keeping weavers up-to-date with conventions and other weaving, wicker, and furniture restoration events, tips and facts. Cathryn has done some amazing wicker furniture restoration and caning and is full of information in this area. She is your 'go-to' gal in this field.Cathryn has a website called The Wicker Woman. It is a great resource and has articles related to basket weaving, caning and wicker furniture care.

Take note of her beautiful antler and ribbed baskets. You will find patterns for some of these on her website.Be sure to visit her blog as well as her website and don't forget to link up and follow her. The knowledge that she shares with us all in her areas of expertise are invaluable. Thank you Cathryn for sending me these great photos to use here.
Leave her a great comment and tell her Nancy says "Hi!"
Baskets of Blessings,
Nancy
PS. If you weave baskets full time or even on occasion as a hobby, let me know and I may just feature you some Friday.

Feature a Friend Friday--Anne at "When Pigs Fly"

I've recently been featured on a couple of blogs and I was so touched that people thought of me. Through this, I've decided to add a new feature to my blog. called "Feature a Friend Friday". My plan is to feature a blog friend every other week. It may be basket weavers or it may just be some very special blog friends that I'd like you to meet.

I'm proud to announce my first friend that I'd like to introduce you to is Anne at When Pigs Fly. Anne is special because she really is my 'real life' friend (vs. online) and fellow weaver. I got to teach her, her first few baskets and she is just taking off with her weaving.

Anne is the owner of a Kumon Math and Reading Center which is where I first met her as my children all received Kumon's math services. (I have to add that my oldest went from struggling low C's and D's in math to A's. She went from huge frustrations to math being a joy)

Anne is new to blogging, but oh my check out her blog and pay attention to those recipes. I'm telling you first hand she is a fabulous cook and baker. She's as sweet in person as her desserts are. Anne is very creative and takes all she does to a new level. Also, take a look at those baskets. She just started weaving and her baskets look perfect!

Please pop on over to When Pigs Fly and say "Hello" to Anne and let her know I sent you.

Have a beautiful day everyone.

Blessings,
Nancy