Finishes for a Basket - A Reader Question

Dear Friends,
A sweet reader has asked me the following question.

I see that you like to use Minwax yellow can for staining. Do you also use some kind of protective coating - either after staining or instead of staining? I've heard a weaver should treat their reed baskets. Is there a good product other than those specifically for baskets (which I would have to order).

Here is my answer:
I only use Minwax stain in the yellow can either spray or liquid. I have in the past used Weaver’s spray stain which worked quite nice but I had to order it. Minwax is just readily available and there are so many colors to choose from.

I personally do NOT put on any type of protective coating at all on my baskets after they are woven. I think some of the coatings that you mentioned make the basket hard and brittle. (she had mentioned using polycrylic, acrylic, polyurethane in her letter to me)  I’m not saying this is wrong, but I just don’t like it. I’ve tried other stains that have a finish to them, perhaps kind of a shellac type finish. I tried it and said never again. My basket was sticky for weeks.  I guess it is a personal preference thing, but I'm just happy with my good ol' Minwax and that's it.

So dear readers.....What do YOU do?  Do you put a finish on your baskets?  Please leave a comment and let us know.

Happy Weaving everyone.  I hope the weather is treating you all well in your neck of the woods.  We are fine here in New Mexico but the smoke from the Arizona fires is something else.  For my readers who are close to the fires, please know you are in my prayers.  Also for my dear readers who have been dealing with all the tornadoes and crazy weather, know I'm praying for you too.
Blessings,
Nancy

A Little Basket Help For a Dear Reader Please

Dear Friends,
A sweet reader, Libby, wrote to me with pictures of a basket she is working on and is in need of help.  I've received her permission to post her pictures here on the blog.

To make a long story short, I rescued a misfit basket from a dumpster at work.  It was just a cheap basket with a broken rim and the handle off.  The basket bottom was good so I have remade it from the bottom up but I'm having trouble getting my rim on.  It has round spokes and they are short and I can't seem to get them all in my rim.  I think I may can glue them once I get them all in and get my wrapping finished.  Any suggestions?  I am sending pictures but it really doesn't show my problem.  I think I really don't have anything to attach my rim too.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

I've responded to her with first off, how cool to rescue an orphan basket from its untimely demise!  Now my suggestions to here were 1.  Make the basket shorter and 2.  Insert round reed spokes next to the existing ones so there is more to work with when dealing with the rim. 

What other ideas do you have that could help Libby?  All suggestions are welcome!  When more people look at a situation the more alternatives we can get and Libby will have more to choose from and can make a decision that will work best for her.

Thanks everyone!
Blessings and happy weaving,
Nancy

Tip Technique Tuesday - A Unique Basket Handle

Good Morning Friends,

Remember when I introduced you to Pam Kurkowski HERE? I mentioned that Pam has a fun technique to make a sweet primitive basket handle. Take a look!

This is Pam's doll Amelia that she made. Can you identify what the basket handle is made of? It is a wire and a cinnamon stick! I think that is just the most clever way to make a basket handle. Of course Pam wove the little basket as well.
Thank you Pam for letting me use your pictures.
Please be sure to visit Pam over at Primitive Basketcase to see more of her fun and wonderful creations.
Have a wonderful day,
Nancy

Share a Basket Sunday - Pink Pot of Hope and future Susan G. Komen Fundraiser

Good Morning Friends,

Remember my post HERE about the Pink Pot of Hope. With every pattern sold, $1 is donated to the Susan G. Komen Fund.

Well my sweet friend Anne threw a basket weaving party a week ago and I wove this basket.

That is Darlene on the left and Anne on the right. What a fun evening of friendship, food and weaving. It doesn't get much better than this!

I want to show you the interesting base on this basket. It forms a footer by doing a 4 rod waling row. Now I've never ever said this on my blog before but I'm going to this time. I'm not going to tell you, at least not for some time how to do this great look on the base, I want you to go get the pattern and support the Susan G. Komen fund. Again go HERE to get details on where to get the pattern.

Here is my basket and I just am thrilled with the look. It's a larger basket than what I thought it looked in the picture. If you read Juliana's post I agree with her completely that pictures don't do it justice. Want to hear something I think is kind of neat. Julie and I live thousand's of miles apart and we didn't contact one another about weaving this basket, although I knew we've both had the pattern for some time, yet we wove this same basket within less than 24 hours of each other. How's that for being on the same page with other weavers! Ok, I find stuff like that cool.
I didn't have any round reed dyed in pink so I added a pink row above and below the 4 rod waling in the middle. Love the basket and love the pattern!!!


Now, onto the FUNDRAISING part of this post. This is FUN, IMPORTANT, and a MUST READ! (Yes, you’ll be reading about it again. Often! And, hopefully, on many different blogs!)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I am hosting my first “THINK PINK” Raffle for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Raffle tickets will be available online or, if you are in the area of one of our contributors, locally. 100% of the money raised from the raffle will go to the foundation, but I need your help to make this event successful.

I am encouraging all of my readers and fellow basket weavers, crafters, and scrapbookers to donate an item (or two!) 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” breast cancer awareness. My first contribution, of course, will be the basket pictured above! Remember…The theme is "Think Pink", so if you have a prize you would like to donate, please e-mail me basketmaster_nancy@yahoo.com . More prizes will mean more money for the foundation.

Many thanks to Anne @ When Pigs Fly for helping me in creating this benefit.

For those donating prizes, I'll put photos of them up on both my blog and my website, along with links to your blogs and/or websites. I'll also put the photos up in a prominent static place for viewing from September through December. This is a great way for you to promote your business or blog, and also my way of thanking you for your support for this cause.

The Susan G. Komen foundation is very near and dear to my heart as every woman on both sides of my family has experienced breast cancer including my own dear mother. It is something I take VERY seriously.

Thank you, again for reading this. Remember that 100% of all money raised will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.

Please come back for details and updates on my “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness event.

Have a Blessed Sunday,

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

Basket Weaving Printable Calendar Page and Basketmakers

Dear Friends,
I've mentioned Susi Nuss's free printable calendar pages before but with this being a brand new year I wanted to send you a quick reminder. You can get to it HERE. She will link to her Flicker pages and gives very easy directions for printing this out on a standard 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. Her photography is beautiful.
Susi is the owner/editor of the website Basketmakers. Basketmakers is chuck full of weaving information and is a wonderful resource. If you haven't stopped by that website be sure to do so. It is a place you will want to bookmark and return to again and again.
Baskets of blessings,
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

An Update on The Basket Book

Do you all remember when I reviewed "The Basket Book" by Lyn Syler? You can read my full review HERE. It is one of those books for the beginner to advanced basket weaver that you can and WILL go back to time and time again for inspiration and instruction.

The illustrator of the book, Carolyn Kemp, sent me a lovely e-mail and had let me know that this book is now available for instant download.

Carolyn and Lyn have two other books for instant download as well. They are "A Basketmaker's Odyssey: Over Under Around and Through" and "Basketmaker's Baskets".

Be sure to visit their website Word Weavers Ink and have a look around their site and at their amazing gallery. For those of you who are in the intermediate or advanced level of weaving be sure to check out their basket weaving kits. They are stunning.

Happy Weaving,

Nancy

Share a Basket Sunday - Basket Weaving - Pattern Testing

Dear Friends,
I recently tested a basket pattern for Cheri Parker. I wove her "Bell Bottom Basket" pattern. This is a sweet pattern with a double base. A surprise inside the base is that it contains jingle bells! I chose not to include the handle on my basket but the pattern has a beautiful decorative handle design. Right now I'm using this basket in my kitchen to hold my utensils like spatulas and wooden spoons. It is the perfect size for those items and sits near my stove (but not too near). This and another pattern she has written titled a "PS3 Game Basket" are now available through Basketpatterns. Please be sure to visit and view her beautiful work. The "Bell Bottom Basket" is an intermediate level.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Nancy

Friday Etsy Finds - Beautiful Baskets - Basketry

Snowman basket by Countryside Basketry

Handwoven Fabric Basket by Lazy Kate's Online

Mantel Basket by Baskets by Rose

Horsehair basket by Bazketmaker
Dear Friends,
Be sure to stop by Etsy and check out these amazing baskets made by other talented weavers.
Blessings,
Nancy

Old Farmhouse Gathering Give Away - Baskets - Crafts - Primitive

The Old Farmhouse Gathering is having another great giveaway worth over $120. See that beautiful handwoven basket in the middle? They are filling it up full of adorable primitive goodies. The basket is woven by Rose Clawson. Rose also has an Etsy shop HERE. Hop on over to the Old Farmhouse Gathering and leave a comment for a chance to win this basket of adorableness. (is that a word?)

Blessings,

Nancy

Share A Basket Sunday - Special Guest Weaver Cathy Basket Making - Basketry

Dear Friends,

Cathy is a new weaver and she has shared with me the second basket that she has ever woven.

It's beautiful Cathy and I'm cheering and applauding you for your great work.

Thank you so much for letting me share this photo with everyone. We are all happy you're learning to weave. One more thing, Cathy says that she is unsure of the color of stain but that it is Minwax. I think it is such a pretty rich color.

Have a blessed Sunday,

Nancy

What I'm Working On Wednesdays - Woven Santa Boot, Basket Making, Basket Weaving

My Santa boot. I love my Stanta boot!

I really enjoyed weaving this. It is woven on a wooden elliptical base. The author of this pattern is Julie Deen and I was privileged to test the pattern for her. I know the pattern is for sale on her website, Deen Homestead Basketry, as well as through other basket weaving suppliers. I'm going to get some long candy canes and put them in my boot and set it by my front door! One more thing, I wish the photo showed it better, before weaving the red laces in, I sprayed the boot with gold glitter spray. It just sparkles in person!

What are you working on this week?

Blessings,

Nancy

Lidded Yarn Basket

Did you hear the news?  Julie has her patterns now for sale over at Basketpatterns.com.  Here is the yarn basket I wove from her pattern as I tested it.  I think it turned out beautiful!  The lid is interesting as it has a hole in the center of it for the yarn to come out.  Very clever.  It is plenty wide around to hold a large skein of yarn upright inside it.  A bit of warning to you new weavers, this is an intermediate pattern so get a few baskets under your belt and then give this fun one a try. 
I've been about to bust wanting to show you these baskets and have been waiting patiently for them to officially go on sale before showing the pictures.
I tested a couple other patterns out for Julie and I will be showing those to you very soon.
Happy Weaving!
Nancy

Woven Angel - A Happy Mail Day - Deen Homestead Basketry

What a happy mail day I had on Monday afternoon.  The doorbell rings and it is the UPS man with a package for me!  Inside is this beautiful angel from Julie over at Deen Homestead Basketry.  I've been testing some basket patterns for Julie before they go into publication and she sent me this as a sweet thank you.  It is now my turn to say thank you to her!  The angel is a Christmas ornament, but I think she'll be lovely as my little kitchen angel and I'll keep her on my kitchen windowsill.  (There is no direct sunlight at that window so she'll be fine there.)
Julie has her patterns for sale on her website HERE.  They will be for sale soon at Basketpatterns.com I'll keep you posted when those go live.  The patterns I've tested and woven were the "Recipe Box Basket", the "Yarn Dispenser Basket" and the "Santa Boot".  I'll be posting pictures of those soon.  All three are very unique and clever baskets and were a lot of fun to weave.  Julie is a very thorough pattern writer and there are lots of photos in the pattern making it easy to follow.
Thank you again Julie for both the angel and the opportunity to weave your patterns.
Blessings,
Nancy
ps.  If anyone has patterns they would like tested before publishing, just send me an e-mail.  I promise to give only constructive comments.

Free Basket Weaving Pattern - Tea Cups

Photo courtesy of Deen Homestead Basketry

As the weather is starting to cool and the leaves starting to turn, doesn't a cup of hot tea sound delicious? My favorite flavor used to be Cherry Almond Tea, but it's not being made anymore. Anybody have a good recipe for it?

Well, if I can't have my favorite tea, then at least I can have a favorite teacup. Aren't these adorable. Julie, over at Deen Homestead Basketry has a free pattern on her website for them. You can link to it HERE.

Hope you'll give it a try and be sure to stay warm in your part of the world.

By the way...What is your favorite flavor of tea? I'd like to hear.

Happy Weaving,

Nancy

Continued Prayers Please for a wonderful weaver and her husband

Dear Friends,
A couple of weeks ago I was asking for prayers for my dear friend Barb and her husband Rick. You can read about it HERE. I continue to ask for prayers for them. After 27 days of hospitalization, Rick is now at home but continues to be in pain and is still in need of medical care at home which Barb and home health care providers give. They both continue to have many worries over this and are in need of comfort and encouragement as well as healing.
As I said in my previous post, I met Barb when she took one of my basket classes that I was teaching. I taught her, her very first basket and the beginning techniques of how to weave. Above is a collection of some photos she has sent me and given me permission to post. Just look at her beautiful work now! She wanted me to say that these are not her own designs, but patterns of others that she weaves beautifully. Barb you are an artist!
Please continue to keep Barb and Rick in your prayers and uplifting thoughts.
Love and Blessings,
Nancy

Friday Etsy Finds - Fall Baskets

There are some wonderful etsy shops with some great weavers. Enjoy these autumn baskets and be sure to visit their sites to see their other great weaving creations.
Enjoy!
Nancy

Dream Weaver's shop has this lovely autumn basket with a wooden base. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7845029

Here is a sweet lidded pumpkin basket. I can't quite tell if the rim is a wooden hoop or reed. It would be a great technique if it is a wooden hoop. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7835418

This is an amazing woven basket made from copper. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6692082

Look how these leaf buttons are used as an accent and the vine is made from reed. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7964056