Winter Workshops

 

Despite the cold weather winter is ideal for garden basketry workshops. There is plenty of useful materials and apart from building outdoor structures you can use your creativity indoors.

Weaving Magic series of 3 workshops over consecutive Sundays saw the participants acquire a variety of new skills. Starting with string or 2ply.After a short while many lengths of string was produced.

Next challenge was tension trays 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then outdoors  for fence and some random weaving.

  

 

Next challenge was a rib basket 

At times it was very quite as they all concentrated. Despite my advice of making a SMALL rib basket only one student completed her basket as the rest managed larger baskets and hopefully they will compete them soon and send me the photos.

All  in all the workshops where a successful foray into sharing my skills.

Showcasing Basketry in three different ways at one event.

The Royal Adelaide Show hosts competition in all sorts of arts and crafts.The basketry has 4 sub sections and I was extremely shocked but very pleases to win  3 first places and Best in section

Sculpture article;- First –OVERALL Winner.

Best overall exhibit in basketry

Best article using basketry techniques made from plants grown in Australia

 

 

 

 

 

Basket with or without a handle equal First

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other article using basketry techniques;- First

 

 

 

 

 

As members of Basketry SA we where given a wonderful opportunity to create these 3 pod chairs for a display in the Royal Adelaide Show. We set to work on them at the beginning of June and had them complete by the beginning of September just perfect for the show . It was a great experience and learning curve as well as fun.  You can read details here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As well we had our own display where we demonstrated techniques,and gave talks. All very positive. see more here.

The Rib Basket Challenge.

The Basket Tree

Rib baskets can take on many different forms. I set my project for the year to explore the various shapes and the effects of various materials.

Just a few of Deb’s rib baskets.

From Forest to Catwalk

Stand –Apple prunings.Models – willow frame,iris ears,gumnuts. A study of framed basket ears.

32x30x47cm

Natural fibre basketry techniques can morph into many forms including fashion.

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.
113x44x30cm

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.
53x52x6cm



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.

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. 

WINTER PROJECTS

The cold and damp Winter has been quite productive as far as basketry projects go. ( the pruning still awaits a sunny week of two )  Here are a few of the things I’ve made.

              

Winter Colour Erica Bowl

Base: Erica pruning.

Stakes : Palm inflorescences.

Weavers: palm inflorescences, 2ply iris/sari silk

26 x 23x 18 cm high

August 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full Moon Iris Platter

Frame: pear prunings.

Stakes: willow

Weavers: iris, iris 2ply.

32 x 45 x 31 cm high.

August 2010

 

 

Egg Basket

Frame and stakes– willow

Weavers– iris, 2ply iris/sari silk, leather, 2ply iris .

33 x 29 x 40 cm high

August 2010

 

 

A Splash of Colour.

My aim in basketry was always to make practical things out of plants that grow on my property. Well that went out the window with the Warp on the Wild side exhibition with butterflies, ants and dragonflies. Now well I’ve added a bit of colour via sari silk to my latest basket.

 

I’m enjoying the challenges that working with natural materials brings. Exciting shapes, forms,textures and colours.

 ‘Splash of Colour’

Frame and stakes- willow

Weavers-Iris,sari silk, 2ply iris/sari silk

44 x 45 x 14cm

A New Shopping Basket.

Over the last couple of rainy weeks I've been inspired to make a large melon basket.


Its 45 cm wide and 45 cm high.
Frame: Willow, Stakes : apple prunings, Weavers 2 ply watsonias and watsonia. Trimmed with beads.