Wednesday 14 March 2012

Basketry

I've started to make a basket. This basket is coiled together from string and sewn into place with speckled wool. The slow paced action of wrapping the string around and around allows my mind to wonder. I think about my Gran trying each and every craft - spinning wool, bee keeping, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, stitching, beading, lace making, wickerwork. Perhaps basketry was one of the few she didn't try.

I have a basket in my home which I love. Made from willows of different colours. Decorated with shells. As I wash the dishes or make tea I stare at it and think of Molly Rathbone, it's maker, slowly gathering the materials, then building this piece from such simple things she has found.


6 comments:

  1. I love this.. it is a meditation.

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  2. Beautiful!But it looks difficult!AriadnefromGreece!

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  3. Wow, that looks so beautiful! So beautiful. I imagine it to feel nice, too. Do you already know, how big you want it to become and in which shape?
    Where did you learn that? Is there an internet resource that we can have a look at too?
    Thanks, Katharina

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  4. there is hardly anything better than something that has been made slowly
    from gathering the materials to actually making the object
    it's looking awesome already, can't wait to see it complete
    xoxox

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  5. sounds like a beautiful basket- i think your weaving is very lovely too!

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  6. i loved learning how to make baskets when i made that tiny one out of pine needles. I have been imagining what natural materials I can gather ( like reeds) to make some larger ones this summer.

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