# Basket Weaving Questions

Category: Crafts and Hobbies

## Post 1 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 06-Dec-2009 16:12:31

As several of you know, I've taken an interest in basket weaving as a possible career. The variety of baskets, both in style and in methods of creation are incredible. I've been searching out classes and the like. Despite it's old associations, there's nothing available specifically for the blind, though I did find two general basketry guilds in NJ that offer classes, gatherings etc. A full list can be found at
http://www.countryseat.com/guildsNV-SC.htm
which also sells supplies. Anyway, , I wrote to one of them and received an almost immediate reply. The woman was very helpful and said that she'd bring my letter to the next meeting, which took place on Friday. While waiting for an update, I decided to do some more searching for resources. I found
http://basketweavingsupplies.com
AND
HTTP://www.seatweaving.org
both of which sell supplies and tools. You can also find items for chair caning at the second site. Then, I stumbled on
http://basketmakers.org
which has alot of great info and resources for beginners and more advanced weavers. Today, I located a wonderful channel on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/user/basketmasternancy#p/u/31/5GOvh4hooEw
This woman has all sorts of videos up and is very descriptive.
But I'm wondering if anyone here can help me from a blind perspective. It's all find and good to read things on the web and to watch videos, but as a totally blind student, I've got a few questions. Should I buy my tools and materials separately or could I actually get some use out of a kit, minus the books and diagrams? How do you mark the centre of the reed or other material being used so that you can line up the spokes or stakes equallY? I'm considering bump-ons, since I can remove them easily. What tool do you use to make measurements, particularly for the width? I have a measuring tape, but it's the soft kind, and I'm afraid that I'll accidentally cut it when trying to cut the reed. Is there a braille tape measure out there like carpenters use? I know there's a talking one, and will get it if all else fails, but it was a bit pricey the last time I checked and I'm not sure, in any case, if it has incraments between one and half an inch, like 5/8 of an inch etc. I'm also interested in a substitute for brass caliper or a reed gauge, since I'm sure those aren't accessible. Has anyone worked with a myter box or small saw? If not, how do you deal with things like handle notches. Assuming that you buy naturals or undyed materials, how do you add colour if you can't see it? From the little information I've found on basketry and the blind, they kept mentioning coil weaving. Is this the easiest method? Should I start with it? Please feel free to coment on anything that I've missed. Hopefully, if I'm able to take some classes, all of these things will be resolved quickly. In the meantime, I'll continue to watch those videos, review the websites and take some more notes.

## Post 2 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Sunday, 06-Dec-2009 19:51:47

..this is all so interesting.
Maybe others will share more information though seems you've gotten much here conveyed regarding basketweaving.

## Post 3 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 06-Dec-2009 20:08:21

There's alot to learn. I haven't even started. I'm just trying to gather information. But even when you look at the kinds of baskets, it's amazing. There are baskets for laundry, kitchens, garbage, picnics, gardens, pets, shopping, gifts, decorating, sewing, tools, holidays and then there are tote bags and mats. Everywhere you go there are baskets. And the methods range from simple to complex. There are designs dating back hundreds of years and some that were made this year. I think I finally found the one thing that won't be disappearing any time soon. I just really hope that people buy my work. I certainly intend on giving it my all and doing my best. My biggest fear are the chinese dollar store competitors. Still, I've heard that some baskets can get very expensive, so I'm pinning my hopes on that if nothing else. I also want to go to the local food stores and see if anyone would be willing to buy them for shopping. But first, I need help making them! lol So yeah, I'd look forward to hearing what others have to say.

## Post 4 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Monday, 07-Dec-2009 14:21:42

You are so right, for yes, baskets are great
for placing items all in an organized easy
to locate and use.
Baskets too are neat for Holiday gift giving.
Like once I received a basket with a
red velvet ribbon tied on the handle.
So soft to the touch
and therein contained simply fruit so fine.
There was apples, oranges and pears
Also little jars of jams and jellies
and a box of cookies.
Once the contained items used..
there yet the basket
A basket of loving memories in some
respects you realize.
To think it is that yet still that basket
of years ago in passing...
Yes, I have it yet and use it to place
sewing and bead items.