2022 April 13th & May 11th - Napkin / Serving Basket

---

Nancy and Kay did a wonderful job teaching our new weavers this fun basket. Each student selected colors to individualize their baskets. It was a great start to the year and 8 new weavers participated. 

Cherie selected a rusty red with tan accents for her center design. Most importantly everyone had fun. 

. 

Nancy and Kay taught our new weavers how to rim and complete the napkin/serving basket.

Kay helping new weaver Denise start her rim and a new guest observing the process. 

Pat Neubert will teach the bread basket which starts with wood base and center design is three rod wale technique with covered handles.*Please email us asap if you would like to order a wood base for this project.

Materials List:

1/2“ flat natural for spokes, 4@14“, 36@6”

#3 round reed weaver to lock in base

3/16” natural flat oval for weavers, lasher & handle wrap

#3 round dyed (your choice)for center

3/8”flat rim row

1/2”flat oval for rim

seagrass for rim filler

Ann Massey is ready to start.  The guild ordered the bases from a local vendor for purchase.  Each weaver then provided their own materials.  Lots of opportunity to be creative in color selection and style.  

Pat assists Kendra Martin in the first step while master weaver Willow begins her basket.  The fun of having so many levels of skill in the guild creates a wonderful learning environment. 

Willow Love chooses a beautiful green (to match her dress 😊) for her spokes as Kaye Swanstrom watches.  

Cherie Withers learns another new skill - using a wood base and spacing the spokes. 

Denise Phillips, Deb Edwards, Donna Papazian and Cindy Sullivan use 1/2" flat natural for the spokes.  The next step - using a #2 or #3 round reed weaver to lock the spokes into place.  

Nancy is checking her spacing before locking the spokes in the base with round weaver.  Lynn checks the size of the round weaver.  We found that either #2 or #3 round weaver worked for this basket.  

Leslie, Cindy, Nancy and Kay made great progress on their baskets.   See you all in July  to create our custom handles and lash the rim.  

Now that the handles are done, Brenda gets ready to put on the rim.

Kendra is ready to shave the rim to create a smooth joint where the rims overlap.  

Sharon came to the meeting to observe members complete their baskets.  This is a great way to meet members of our guild.  

Every basket is a unique creation!  Willow adds a twill on her handles.  

We all work at a different pace.  Deb finished one basket and began another today.  

It's wonderful to see how each weaver chooses to create their basket.  We start with a basic pattern and then the magic begins!  

Instructors: 

Bonnie Allen and Kay Swanstrom.  

This is a Susan Moore Kit using a wood base.  The Guild gathered all our orders for the kits and paid for shipping!  A huge savings for members! 

New weaver, Cherie, and Kay prepare for the next step.  It's so much fun learning from each other.  

Pat assists new member, Sharon.  

Cindy and new member, Patti, add weavers as they work the pattern provided in the kit.  

Kay, Bonnie and Leslie prepare to wrap up the day. We all made good progress!  

Members brought their own supplies to make their baskets.  Each weaver created a unique basket from the basic pattern provided by our instructor, Joan.  

Instructor: Joan Stoneham  (on the right)

A special thank you to Joan for teaching us how to make the Wine Carrier.  New weavers learned many new skills with this basket.  

One of our new members, Lisa, is excited to be part of the guild.  

Starting the base!  The hardest part!  

Sharon adds the weavers.

Pat Neubert, one of our very experienced weavers, guides new weaver (Brenda) as she begins her basket.  

Jackie and Melissa take a break for a photo op! 😉.  Check out that beautiful basket!  

Joan demonstrates how to add the rim.

Cindy, our hard working Hospitality Chairman, is adding weavers to her basket. 

Beverly worked hard until the very end and was the only weaver to complete the wine basket!  Way to go!!!!

These beautiful vases are shaped around a glass vase, use cane for the weavers and have a wood base and rim.  

Instructor: Pat Neubert  (on the right)

Pat has specialized in Nantucket Basket weaving for over 20 years. Anne originally taught the guild how to make the Nantucket Style vase a number of years ago. 

Joan and Pat enjoy a break while the dampened spokes are shaped to the glass vase using rubber bands.  As they say,  we are "training the spokes".  

Willow uses a variegated reed for her vase. This will create a very unique vase with lots of color.  

The vase has a cherry base with a groove that the spokes are inserted.  Brenda now locks the spokes into place with two rows of cane.  

Patti Franklin enjoying her first Nantucket!

Each weaver brought their own colors for the vase.  And each weaver was able to select the pattern they wanted.  The results were beautiful!   Well done Lynn!

No matter how hard she tried, Cindy couldn't help but laugh. We do have a great time together.  

Denise and Deb enjoy a moment together as they wait for the next step.

Maggie, on the left, proprietor of Treasured Creations in Blairsville, created  the kit for purchase.  It included the base, reed and metal frame.  

Looks like Ann Massey is excited about this project!  The enthusiasm of our members is contagious! 😊

New Member Vickie Prillaman gets that first row going

This project used smoked reed to give it a rich darker color.  New members, Lisa Burleson and Gloria Lewis,  show off their work!  

One of our newest members, Sylvia Bonner, is making excellent progress!   Sharon DelBianco is not far behind.

Jackie Sapp gathers round reed to finish her tree.  A new member this year, Jackie brings a wealth of experience to the guild,  

Lynn Marqui brought an unfinished basket to complete.  It's nice to have support for projects every month. Well done Lynn!  

Maggie provided embellishments for purchase or members brought their own.  Lots of creative options!

Thank you to Leslie for sending in a picture of her completed tree!  It looks great!!!

Everyone brought a breakfast dish for the potluck and the food was excellent!   Well done ladies!!  It was a special time to learn more about the varied "back stories" of our diverse membership.  

Thank you to Bonnie for providing the tree for our potluck and gift exchange!  

One of our charities this w=year was REACH of Clay County   REACH  provides assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.   They sent this thank you card to the guild.  Well done members! 

Jackie Sapp and Cindy Sullivan were the lucky winners of the monthly raffle!  

Thank you to Brenda for adding the ribbons to these ornaments to share with us!

Beverly  Braine shows off her beaded gifts  from the gift exchange

Embellishments add a creative touch creating a one of a kind table decoration.  

Embellishments add a creative touch creating a one of a kind table decoration.  

Thank you to Pat Neubert for teaching the Cat's Head Basket!  And a special thanks to Beverly Ashton Vickers for sharing her knowledge and allowing us to teach her single walled Cats Head basket. Our members watched her YouTube Video prior to the meeting, so we were ready to start.  

Jackie Sapp chose a multi colored dyed reed for her Cat's Head. 

Each member created a unique basket based on  their own color choices. 

We are excited to have 3 new members join us this month!  President Bonnie reviews the pattern with new member, Sandy, to start the next row.

Leslie and Pat help Sylvia begin setting up her basket.  Which is the right side? A good lesson for all new weavers.  

New member, Belinda, has a real knack for weaving!  Way to go!  

Cherie loved the contrast of the red and brown for her basket.  

The beautiful green color looks great with the smoked reed.  Each basket created at the meeting was very unique.

Beverly does a great job creating the rounded sides of the Cat's Head.

New member, Vickie, with Leslie and Sharon - work together on their baskets.  Leslie  prepared to assist all of us by making a couple  baskets before  the meeting.  The board is committed to providing enough support for all weavers to ensure success!. 

Here is Vickie's completed Cats Head!  

Jackie Sapp taught an excellent lesson on the Cat's Head Basket!  Prior to class, Jackie  made multiple baskets to provide a model of each step of the process!  As you can see, you can never have too many clips!!!!

Once again, Beverly Ashton Vickers was  very gracious to share her pattern along with her YouTube video of Choctaw Style Elbow Baskets to members of our guild.

The visuals Jackie created for the class helped us to understand the construction of the Elbow Basket.  

Sharon and Sylvia patiently wait for the class to start.  Each member created a unique basket based on their own color choices and size of reed. 

Weavers can create 4 sizes of the Elbow Basket by using different sizes of reed.  The small Basket uses 3/8" FF Spokes.  The largest basket uses 3/4" FF Spokes. Lisa has chosen a larger reed for her basket. 

Pat assists Brenda in the first step of making the elbow basket. Once again, a few of the more experienced weavers made the Elbow Basket prior to the meeting.  With this practice, they are ready to assist others with many hints and helps. Way to go team!  

Patti uses clips to help  bend and weave the back of the elbow basket.  Note that she is also using the template to maintain the correct dimensions for her basket.  

New member, Vickie, successfully created the front and back of her basket.  After she adjusts the base to the desired dimensions, she will weave the "arms". 

Deb has selected a warm natural reed for her basket.  The clips help keep the basket spokes in place.  

Sharon and Sylvia have woven the front and back of the Elbow Basket.  They are now weaving the "arms".  

Bonnie selected smoked reed with green accents for her basket.  The next step will be to decide how to weave the arms.   

Jackie brought finished Elbow baskets that had different types of handles, and embellishments.  

Ideas for embellishments can include overlay, beads, natural items such as feathers or shells....there is no limit to the possibilities!  Just use your imagination 😊

After two years of service, Bonnie finishes with a great meeting - lots of sharing and "show and tell".  We all learned a lot!  

Pat Neubert created this beautiful Nantucket bracelet for Bonnie as a special thank you gift.  Are those tears in her eyes?  Yep!  😊

This is a one of a kind creation.  Thank you Bonnie for a great two years.  

Jackie demonstrated how to add the traditional handle to our Elbow Baskets.  And then showed us examples of the many other options.  

 Lisa has chosen a 3/4" FF reed for her basket.  This creates a large basket that she plans to use to display dried flowers. Well done Lisa!

Congratulations new officers for 2023-24!

President: Pat Neubert

Vice President: Leslie Wagner

Secretary: Patti Franklin

Treasurer: Brenda Tominovich

Hospitality : Cindy Sullivan

Communications: Jeanne Sorci

Member At Large: Bonnie Allen

Pat And Brenda were unable to attend due to Pat's surgery.  Sending blessings for a speedy recovery!

Bonnie demonstrated how to create the Cherokee Wheel.   

As she said, "it's really easy!".  And makes a beautiful basket!  

How wonderful to have returning member, Lynn, join us!  And we also welcomed two more new members, Kim and Atina. Did we  miss one more?  It's so wonderful to be a part of a growing guild.  

Cindy and Atina show off their baskets!  Cindy's basket will have grapes and leaves as her embellishment for her Elbow Basket. Atina attended a free UGA class the week before with other guild members. The class taught how to construct  Cherokee Bark Baskets.  Beginning with a log, she peeled the bark from a tulip poplar, formed the basket shape and  laced the basket together with threads of Hickory.  Well done!!

Another newer member, Belinda is enthusiastic about creating baskets.  She usually sits near Willow who loves to help new weavers.   

New weaver, Atina,  spent her first meeting taking lots of pictures and learning from everyone!!! Our new Secretary, Patti, is adding one more row.  Thank you, Patti, for stepping up to fill this important position! 

Bonnie and Linda work together on Linda's basket.  Is that a Cherokee Circle that she is adding?  Guess we won't know until next month 😉

It's good to have Pat back after her surgery!  Last year Pat (as vice president) worked hard to increase our membership and was very successful.  We look forward to another great year with her leadership.  

Sharon and Pat share ideas after the Guild meeting..... 

Everyone was excited to see each others projects.  Here, Leslie shows her completed wine basket with a double weave handle.  She says she is "hooked" and looks forward to making beautiful handles for future baskets. 

Sandi Lang - our newest member - brought a basket with a triangular wood  base.  We were inspired!  A very useful shape for just about any room in the house!  

Kim - a new member - works to complete her first piece - The Cherokee Elbow Basket.  Leslie is right there to assist.  Looks like the next step is to cut and tuck.  Well done Kim!

 Sylvia is at the next step - adding the rim.  The simplicity of this basket gives her many choices for embellishments.  

  Having a Free Weave meeting gave us all a chance to finish baskets or start a new one!  Sandra is working on her Catshead Basket.  

Sabrina - a guest  and beginner - brought  a napkin basket to complete.  She used black and turquoise to create a stunning basket. 

Looking for a  special way to finish a handle?  Willow Love showed us how to start a triple weave with hand dyed cane.  It almost has the look of leather!  Thank you Willow!  

The contrasting weavers make this basket stand out!

Leslie brought her completed Elbow Basket.  It's just beautiful!   Check out the creative handle! 

We will be doing Nantucket style vases using Oui Jars in October.  You can purchase your Lid and Base for $10 at the next meeting.  You will need to glue the base to the jar at least 24 hours before the October meeting.  Ha! It's only July!  We must be excited about all our projects this year!  These two glues work well to secure the wood base to the glass jar. 

Our meeting highlighted all the great plans for the rest of 2023!  President Pat and VP Leslie are working hard to make sure we are well prepared for a successful weaving experience.  Thank you ladies!

At the beginning of the meeting Pat reminded us all that basket weaving is not a "science".  It is an artistic expression of the weaver.  Each basket presents the opportunity to be creative with size, shape, color and materials.  

One of the best parts about our guild is the camaraderie.  We bring our baskets in search of solutions....and everyone is willing to help.  Linda and Pat are discussing methods to deal with mold on a finished piece.   Note the baskets in the foreground!  These are pieces that Willow brought to share during her instruction.  

The three sizes of baskets use the same basic pattern...only the reed size changes.  Willow shows us all how to start our baskets using #3 round reed.  

This continuous weave basket uses a simple twilling pattern.  Willow provided a printed tutorial to help new weavers.  Here she shows how to start twilling groups of 4 stakes and then splitting into groups of 2 stakes (or spokes). 

How many ways can you weave?  Sitting  or standing? At a table or on your lap?  Just depends on what you are trying to achieve.   Or your space! 

Linda has made good progress on her basket.  Note how she uses a zip tie to loosely secure the stakes as she works. 

Willow might have put on 5,000 steps as she worked the room to assist us.  Jackie and Willow pause for a photo.  Check out how the spacing changes the shape of the basket.  

Happy Birthday Lisa!  

Lisa moves to the next step to shape her  basket.  By gathering and then shortening or lengthening each spoke, she can create the unique shape for these baskets.

Lisa brought a friend, Kathleen Larsen.  And before the end of the meeting, Kathleen became our newest member!  It's so exciting to have such enthusiastic new members! 

Another new weaver, Kimi, is making excellent progress.  Note her choice of color to make her basket her own interpretation of the standard pattern.  

Check out Belinda's basket!  Note the spacing and shaping she has done so well. The next step is to use the spokes in the front of the basket to create a finished opening.   

Time has run out and Willow allowed us to use our phones to video the process to complete our baskets at home...Brenda graciously offered her basket for the demonstration.  Ha!  We were jealous!

But as Willow said, if you get stuck, just give her a call!  Thank you,  Willow for teaching us today.  

Members of the Board and Jackie Sapp  brought completed Totes to share process and strategies to complete the baskets.  

These delicious crackers took "weaving " to a new level!  Thank you Sylvia Bronner for making such a beautiful plate of goodies to share!  BTW - The hummus was delicious!  

There were three options for the Totes. So glad to have Joan with us to help.

Pat assists Sylvia in creating the woven base.

One of the choices of Totes had a wooden base.  Lynn is setting up and spacing her spokes.

Some of us just know how to stay focused and complete their baskets!!!  Way to go Lisa!  This basket is almost done!  

Check out the beautiful reed!  Sandi Lang loves working with blues.  This is going to be a beautiful and unique basket.  

We so look forward to spending time with the friends we have made in the guild.  Thank you, Kay for coming to help the new weavers.  

These Totes provided so many opportunities for creativity.  And Success!  

Instructor: Pat Neubert

Thank you to Pat for teaching another fun class!  Pat  wrote and provided the pattern for the Nantucket Style Oui baskets. Most weavers were able to finish their Oui Nantucket basket in the meeting!  The guild provided the cane for this project.  Members purchased the base and lid and brought the 1/4" FO of their choice.  

SCBWG is committed to being well prepared to help members with our monthly projects. Pat  worked the room, assisting weavers at each step.  Sandi, on the left, is joined by new member, Linda, on the right.  Linda is reading all the directions before she begins!  Smart lady!!   

After Pat gave initial instructions..... Belinda and other members began by inserting and spacing the spokes.  Note that the base was glued to the jar at least 24 hours before the meeting.  

Sylvia and Sharon begin the second step.  We all have a different way of working..... 

Lisa and Willow are using the weavers to lock in the spokes. 

Kimi takes a break while she "trains" the staves using a rubber band to pull the staves into the shape of the jar.  Kimi finished her Oui basket with a combination of sea grass and 1/4" FO.  

Jackie chose a beautiful shade of blue for her Nantucket style basket.  This small project is all about color and choosing your twill.  

Welcome back Ginny!  And it looks like Lynn has decided to finish her basket with a contrasting colorful rim.  

The lids and bases were such a pretty wood!  Now the choice is to Embellish or not......  

Instructors: Leslie Wagner and Pat Neubert

 The guild provided the bells and the green reed.  Members purchased the base and reed.

SCBWG is committed to being well prepared to help members with our monthly projects. Leslie and Pat  made nice packages for each member with the directions, bells and green reed for the embellishments.  

After Pat gave initial instructions.... Sylvia and Leslie discuss the next step. 

New member Linda Wojck reviews the directions for the next step.

Taking a break for a fun photo op! 

Our raffle featured 4 special prizes: a gorgeous Tote donated by Pat Neubert, handmade notecards by Patti Franklin,  and a ceramic serving set and mystery gift donated by Brenda Tominovich.  😊

The SCBWG board reinstituted a tradition of the Guild - a $200 scholarship for any member to use for a class. This member then returns to the guild and teaches!  This year Willow Love won the Scholarship!  We are excited to see what she will be teaching us in the year to come! 

As usual, we had more food than we could possibly eat!  The culinary  treats were delicious!  

Kimi sure knows how to set to tone for fun!  Her Grinch outfit gave us all a chuckle!  

One highlight was the opportunity to learn more about our members.... imagine moving from a large farm to a Tiny House, singing in a band, embarking on  retirement, and the journey to these beautiful mountains.  Many members have experience in a variety of arts and crafts. Jewelry, beading, quilting, pottery, multi media, painting, fiber arts ....you name it!  

What an interesting group we have!  

Our last activity was the gift exchange!  Cindy, Patti and Bonnie wait patiently for their turn.  We all drew numbers, and when it was our turn you could "steal" someone's gift or select  a wrapped gift from under the tree.  What fun!  

Lots of very cool stuff! 

You never know what you will find at the thrift store!!!  This gift was traded 3 times!  

A special "Thank You!"  to Cindy Sullivan, our Hospitality Chair, for her work to gather donations for REACH and the Valley River Humane society.  This was a significant outreach for our Guild this year.  Way to go everyone! 

This year's board has had a lot of fun working together. 

Patti Franklin - Secretary

Brenda  Tominovich - Treasurer

 Cindy Sullivan - Hospitality

Patricia Neubert- President

Bonnie Allen- Member At Large 

Jeanne  Sorci- Communications

Leslie Wagner- Vice President