More uses for Tension Trays

Tension trays are so called as the round material, when put together place stress on one an other holding the tray together.They can be made any size and from any materials  forming a variety of uses.

To make in its simplest form an outside frame is formed by bending a piece into a circle. You can go aroundd a few time to make a strong frame.

Cut out 2 cross members  so they overlap. You can tie the ends to the circle. This is necessary on large outside trays. for these I use wire.

   Fill in the tray with weavers so they overlap the circle starting with the 2 centre pieces . Continue working away from the centre towards the outer frame equally until the circle is filled in and ridged.Trim to the desired shape around the circle. If you are using fresh materials you will have to put a couple of extra lengths aside and add them in when the others dry out and shrink.

Now the basic concept can to taken to the garden to create screens and fences. When making screens and fences I use fresh materials.

A fence can be made up of several ‘trays’.For low garden fences I make them up first then put them in place.

A longer stronger cross member is secured in place with wire.Put a point on the end to put it in the ground.Fill in until ridged and  trim. When you have the desired number of trays make pilot hole in the soil then gently tap the tray into position.

 

 

 

This fence is a attempt to limit the damage my chooks are doing to this new garden which slopes down so the soil is pushed down the hill and over the top of new plants.

 

lets hope it works!

 

 

 

 

To make larger fences or screens start by putting suitable posts in the ground.In this area one lower screen is made of willow in the usual way. The larger open screen has 3 cross members. It is made of bamboo and poles are placed on an angle .It has been up for 6 months and has held together despite being  very open with few weavers.

This method is very simple, effective,  versatile  and fun to play with . Like other forms of contemporary basketry the method is only limited by your imagination- there are no rules!

Morphing Nature Exhibition

Basketry SA Fringe Exhibition at Urrbrae House, February 24th –March 4th 2012

Open 11am- 4pm each day

This exhibition showcases contemporary basketry created by members of

Basketry SA.

My pieces for the exhibition

‘Cross Pollination’

Ribbed construction/ twined. Handle- native cherry Exocarpus cupressiformis Frame-Willow

Weavers- Iris pseudacorus, iris orientalis, watsonia, hemp.

1130x440x300

Natures way of morphing itself to create a rich diversity in the genetic pool that sustains life.

Bracket fungus cheese platter

Ribbed Construction /woven.Frame- Apple pruning, willow, Stringybark cheese board

Weavers- iris pseudacorus, iris orientalis ,fique.

530x520x60

Bracket fungus generally form around the dead or dying trunks and branches of trees. This cheese platter reflects the form and patterns of a variety of bracket fungus and their association with their hosts the trees.

January Workshops- Come’n Try Basketry

BASKETRY SA Inc. is pleased to hold another of its Popular Workshops of Basic Fibre Basketry Techniques.

Workshops will be held on three consecutive days so that you may find times and topics to interest you.

Friday 20^th January 2012 at Aldgate Community Hall, Kingsland Rd., Aldgate 10am – 4 pm

AND /OR Minimum numbers (10) are required for these workshops to go ahead.

Saturday 21^st January 2012 at Coventry Library, Mt. Barker Road, Stirling. 10 am – 4 pm

1. MAKE A SMALL FRAMED BASKET IN A DAY (berry basket)

or

2. PLY AND TWINE A GARLIC BASKET

These two workshops will run concurrently on both days.

You can do one or both (i.e.. One day or two)

All materials supplied, bring your own lunch. Fees $50.00 / day

AND

Sunday 22^nd January 2012 at HandSpinners &Weavers, 196 South Rd, Mile End. 10.30 am – 3.30 pm

1. STITCHES AND STARTS ( learn from a variety of stitches and how to begin a basket or bowl.)

2. WRAPPING TECHNIQUES

This day is a meeting day for Basketry SA Members, so Members rates apply for this workshop only.

$25.00 for existing members / $50.00 non-members.

No minimum number applies for this workshop.

To secure your place,

Phone 0403 897 209 or 0417 828 536 by Fri. 12^th Jan.

Berry Baskets

Adelaide Royal Show

Deb’s winning entries

SOME THOUGHTS ON TENSION TRAYS

After seeing examples of tension trays brought back from the gathering in Tasmania I played around a bit with willow. The longest task was collecting the material despite the fact that I have plenty to choose from around the willow house. I made a few of various sizes taking advantage of all the lengths of willow. These have dried a nice black colour. Then I got carried away and went large and made a coffee  table. ( 1100 x 600 x 500 high )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I then collected some plum suckers and found them better than the willow and they display a range of colours from brown through to red. After cutting  they were sorted into sizes and bundled each bundled size made a couple of different sized trays .e.g. 100x 150 ,300x 150.                       

This is extremely beneficial for teaching as students all have individual size preferences and it also takes maximum advantage of collected materials. I plan to use bush sticks next to see what happens.

The next thought was to add a bit of individualization so I wove some iris along the edges – left a handle and wrapped it and it became a serving tray. Plum tension tray with handle 450 x 250 + handle 100                              3-

 

At our last Hills  Basket Cases meeting several members made tension trays and by the end of the day they had all decided weaving along the edge was the way to go. 

HILLS BASKET CASES

Basketry SA ‘s arm as now extended into the Adelaide Hills with the first meeting in September held  at Nairne.These do not replace the Wednesday & Sunday meetings but are gatherings aimed at offering another option to members.

 

It was a perfect day as the sky cleared and the sun shone for the first time for weeks encouraging 13 basketry members out for the day. We all created some basketry, shared some yummy soup for lunch, checked out the gardens and of course chatted which resulted in a lovely rounded experience.

In October we enjoyed a sunny Stirling garden ,lots of interesting projects and of course good company and food.

In November we were off to another hills area, Blackwood. The meeting coincided with Melbourne cup day so there was more food than usual along with champagne, lots of sharing as various projects took shape.

Hills Basket Cases meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 11am -3pm. Bring your basketry work, lunch to share( please no more than you can eat yourself !) and if you have finished a project or two recently bring them along for the show and tell.

If forecast temperature is above 35o C  or total fire ban then meeting will automatically be cancelled.

All members and new prospective members welcome.

Next meeting is at Bridgewater in December then to Heathfield in February . More information contact Deb 8339 2519