Contemporary Wicker Basketry

"Contemporary wicker baskets first presents you with the basics--tools and materials, weaving techniques, bases, borders, handles, and lids--with easy-to-follow instructions, detailed illustrations, and helpful how-to photographs. Then use what you learn to make any or all the 30 magnificent wicker baskets in the project section."--p. [4] of cover.

With its irresistible combination of form and function, wicker basketry has captivated artisans for hundreds of years. Use these timeless techniques to make elegant and practical baskets for modern use. Whether you are a beginner or experienced weaver, illustrated step-by-step instructions offer a range of techniques and tips for making both round and oval bases, making handles, preparing to weave, and adding color. Projects include a simple plant basket, a bread basket with beads, a lidded sewing basket, and a large double-handled shopping basket. A glossary of basketry terms, a listing of suppliers, and instructions for designing your own basket is included. This book is great for weavers and crafters of all skill.

American Baskets is the first book to offer a comprehensive overview of an art form that is ten thousand years old. Basketmaking is the most basic of all crafts in its methods and material, and its development reflects specifically local traditions. Here, author Robert Shaw ("the information source on major U.S. crafts" -- "Booklist) examines the craft's history and artistry throughout the country and through various periods. Once among the most common of household objects, handmade baskets have a cachet that has never been equaled. Despite the fact that the American artisan basket has all but disappeared from daily use (the baskets that we have in our homes today are either made from synthetic materials, often by machine, or imported from overseas where labor is cheap), the genuine example of a handcrafted basket is highly prized as a beautiful and valuable object. Baskets are fixtures in the popular style of country decorating, and collectors search out fine antiques as well as outstanding contemporary basket creations. American Baskets celebrates the treasures of yesterday while exploring the work of many of the fine artists who labor over the art form today. Beautifully photographed and exhaustively researched, American Baskets analyzes the influences of both Native Americans and early settlers, including the Aleuts and Hopi as well as the Quakers and Pennsylvania Dutch. The significant contributions of early African-American East Coast culture and the rich heritage of rural Appalachia are also discussed. Paying special attention to the collectible aspect of the American basket, Robert Shaw investigates every type of basket indigenous to this country: ash splint farmbaskets, rattan "lightship" baskets, rye straw baskets, African-American rush baskets, and more. A resource guide listing museums that house basket exhibits, antiques dealers and auction houses that sell high-quality pieces, and traditional basket artisans and organizations completes the elegant package.

For centuries people have marveled over the beauty of plaited basketry; now readers can actually learn the skill and artistry of this craft in the comfort of their own homes. Scholar, artisan, and teacher Vladimir Yarish created all of the birch bark baskets for this book after scouring museums and archeological sites all around the world. This definitive guide focuses on the history and myriad traditional uses of birch bark, as well as general instructions for basket-making and plaiting. Get hands-on with 18 birch bark projects, both decorative and useful, including a rectangular tray, small basket with three-part braid, or an oval basket with curls. Finally, in the gallery section, take a look at plaited baskets by various artists using contemporary materials.

Step-by-step instructions for more than 40 projects.

Table of Contents Introduction Materials for Making the Baskets Cane Base Traditional Patterns Stakes By stakes Weavers Foot border Waling Upsetting Simple Randing Pairing Joining Weavers Trimming the Ends Maintaining the Finished Articles Some Traditional Patterns And Projects Making a Base Materials You Will Need Examples – Cross design Popular Traditional Latticework Design Cane Fruit Basket Plaiting Handles Chair Seat Conclusion Willow Basket Fish trap Smaller baskets Author Bio Publisher Introduction Traditional cane basket weaving Basket work, basket weaving, or making containers out of cane is possibly one of the earliest crafts known to man. Archaeologists have found traces in digs, more than 7,000 years old in the Middle East, and anywhere where ancient civilizations settled. These vestiges of baskets showed that these people used baskets as the molds for clay cooking pots. That was because the imprint of the basket weave showed clearly on the clay. Plaited basket work has also been found in the Nile Delta some of which date back as early as 8000 BC. Many museums all over the world have a priceless collection of engine basket work usually shown along with ancient and early poetry and the common factor seems to be that baskets have always been made of any material available that is pliable, native, and the design and the type is going to be largely dependent on the availability of the material. The moment anybody talks about a basket you subconsciously associated with bringing home the shopping as these are nearly always used for carrying or holding things. In fact, I would not be surprised if you have one or 2 of these woven examples in your own house in the shape of lobster pots, especially if you are a looking fisherman, potato baskets to hold vegetables, especially if you are a farmer, decorative baskets for crediting a wine bottle, containers to hold flowers and fruit, containers for your table to hold bread rolls, wicker baskets, waste paper baskets, work baskets, lampshades, baby cribs, pet baskets, picnic campers, and houseplant holders… The uses of such baskets are global and infinite bound only by your creativity and imagination! This book is going to tell you all about how you can introduce yourself to this new satisfying craft, and start basket weaving when you have some leisurely time and energy over the weekend. You are definitely not going to be disappointed at the really attractive and soul satisfying final product and who knows, this may be a start of a beautiful new business!

Techniques include weaving, twining, coiling, braiding, and stitching of natural materials.

Create twenty practical and stunning basketry projects for your home and garden. Author Sylvie Begot uses coloured cane to bring this enduring, traditional craft right up to date. She uses simple techniques that are clearly explained through step-by-step photographs and instructions. Anyone can create one of these basketry projects no special skills are required, and the baskets can be made at home.