How to Use a Basket Buckle

Hi Friends,
I wove the basket above and included this sweet snowman basket buckle.  The basket buckle is ceramic and has two holes that the damp reed slides through.

In my e-mail yesterday I got a sale ad from BasketWeavingSupplies.com.  In the ad was this super cute basket for Halloween with a bat basket buckle.  It's called "Bucket of Treats".

BasketWeavingSupplies.com is selling this as a kit for $26.95 and it includes the bat as well as the black leather handles.  Take a look at the double spokes above the orange where they have layered the black.  This is just a fun basket to weave.

Let me give you a tip here should you get the kit or make one on your own.  When working with dark colors, and you can't get any darker than black, be sure to run that reed through an old towel.  Also take a close look at it.  The black reed is not bent, you know like upsetting the spokes.  Since it is not bent, there is no need to really soak it, just get the black reed lightly damp and you will be fine!

Have fun friends.  Many basket weaving places sell basket buckles which make a fun element on any basket.  Be inspired!

Baskets of Blessings,
Nancy

Where I Buy Basket Weaving Supplies

Hi Friends,
I get asked several times each month where I buy my basket weaving supplies.  I have my favorite places, like many of you do as well.  Leave a comment and let us know where you shop at and why you like them.  It will help our fellow weavers.
Thanks and happy weaving!
Nancy
Ps.  My own personal favorites are Gratiot Lake Basketry and Basket Patterns.

Baskets of Joy - Free Basket Pattern

Did you remember to stop by Baskets of Joy for their free pattern HERE. What a sweet basket this month. Beginners, this pattern is for you! If you have never tried weaving a basket before this would be a great one to start with. For those of you who don't have supplies, you can get the kit for only $15.95. It also includes the ash strip with the sweet sunflower stenciled on it.
I love this basket!
Blessings,
Nancy

Wonderful Free Basket Patterns

Have you visited GH Productions website The Basket Maker's Catalog? I counted 18 free patterns on their site. Actually a couple of them are seat weaving and one is a waxed linen ornament, but the remainder are basket patterns. You can get to their free pattern page HERE
They also have supplies and a page full of April sale items HERE

Soteria Green Basket Pattern by Beth Hester .

Peppermint Twist Basket Pattern by GH Productions.


Mini Loaf Basket Pattern by GH Productions.


Swing Your Partner by Beth Hester

The above is just a small sampling of the free patterns they have available. On their site they give permission to print them out and share them with your friends.

Baskets of Blessings,

Nancy

Free Online Basket Weaving Patterns

I just wanted to send out a note here that basketweavingsupplies.com has 10 free printable basket weaving patterns on their site here. Three of them are new, a key basket, a mail basket and a condiment basket. Be sure to pop over to their site and browse around a bit to see some of their fun and new basket weaving supplies.

Happy Weaving and Baskets of Blessings,

Love,

Nancy

Suppliers Gratiot Lake Basketry and a Free Download

Probably one of the most common questions I get asked is, "Where do you get your supplies?" I wish I could get them locally, but unfortunately, there are only a handful of basket weaving suppliers in the country. You are lucky if you have one near you! I don't. You can do a google search for basket weaving supplies and they will all come up.

I've purchased from many different places and quite honestly, I've never had a "bad" experience with any of them. Today I'm going to tell you about Gratiot Lake Basketry. This is the very first place I ever purchased any basket weaving material and I continue to to give them my business. They are curteous on the phone, have very speedy service and have an excellent variety of supplies. I have been dealing with Gratiot Lake Basketry for over 14 years now and they are still one of the very first places I go to when I want to price something. As always, you need to shop around, but I find that their wooden handle prices (at least for the sizes that I need) can't be beat. They are also very competitive with their other items.

Right now they have a free e-book to download here. "The Weaver's Friendly Handbook for Pricing and Selling Handmade Baskets" by Grace and Forrest Davis. Just scroll about half way down the page to get to it.

Gratiot Lake Basketry is located at:

5484 Petermann Lane

Mohawk, MI 49950-9612

Phone # (906) 337-5116

I'd like to hear where you get your basket weaving supplies and why you purchase from them.

Baskets of blessings and happy weaving everyone,

Nancy