WHAT'S NEW:  SPRING 2008

In order to continue expanding our knowledge base, we endeavor to experience as many aspects of basket making as possible. So, yes, we were back on Nantucket this summer, this time for a week of classes with Karol Lindquist.

This year, Marge made a small nest (3-4-5) which is absolutely breathtaking and I spent my time learning how to make bases, cut staves from a block of wood and making wooden ears out of ebony and walnut (cool, huh?)

Now this is not in any way a typical class that Karol offers, nor should anyone expect her to offer it, but after years of begging, she finally agreed to share some of these highly technical skills with me. Like I said though, she won’t be offering it to anyone who has not spent years (and I mean many years) working with her, as Marge and I have. And, I will not be offering any of these techniques to our students due to the equipment and risk involved, but I will be happy to tell you about my challenges and hopefully show you the fruits of my labors.

We made the usual rounds on Nantucket, visiting Charles Manghis, the scrimshander; Alan Reed of Nantucket Basket works (Nap was not there); Provisions for their turkey terrific; Slip 14 for a delicious dinner with Carolyn McCannon and of course a few stores on Main Street. I found some really cute sandals with Nantucket Baskets on them at Murrays on Main.

We also spent some time with Ginger and her grandchildren on the Cape, ate lots of lobster, quahog chowder, went to a flea market, and shopping at Mashpee Commons (great fun!)

Then it was off to Connecticut for a 3-day class with "those Connecticut girls." We had a great time and great food and look forward to returning next year.

We also stopped at DELS for a one day class on the tapestry technique that Elizabeth Geisler made famous. DELS had nine students for us and we had a good day showing them how to create a tapestry. Some of the girls didn’t finish so we went back for an additional afternoon to wrap things up.

Of course, this meant we spent entirely too much time at DELS - picked up a new mold, some new scrimshaw and lord only knows what else, because I haven’t finished unloading my car.

All in all it was a fruitful if not long trip to the Northeast. I picked up Marge at the airport in NY on August 12 and dropped her off on August 27. Then I got back in my car and headed south - after a short weekend in NYC with my sister.

It seems like this summer has flown by - and I haven’t had enough time for anything. The cradle is still in my family room unfinished and I picked up a new mold at DELS to make a kidney shape purse. I also made two bases at Karol’s for the 12x9 bun mold which I’d like to get set up and finished before Christmas. All this and the Association of Michigan Basketmakers conference in October. I don’t think I have enough to do.

CLASSES THIS FALL

Ok, so now what about our classes? Well, they will start as usual the first week of November at the Venice Art Center and run thru until the end of April, just like last year, with a few holidays here and there. There will be no classes the week of Thanksgiving or the two weeks of Christmas and New Years.

We also start teaching at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts on Wednesdays in January thru the end of April from 1:00 P.M. till 4 P.M.. Anyone interested in those classes should contact Longboat Key. We are not registering anyone personally. You must go thru the art center.

We’ve also added a couple of classes at Manatee Center for the Arts on December 1^st and 2^nd and February 8 and 9th. These are workshops and you will complete a particular basket in the two days allowed. You should call them as well for registration.

KAROL LINDQUIST

Karol Lindquist is coming back in January for basket #two in her three basket nest (no confirmed date yet). This is a 5-1/2" shallow round tray, with cherry base, staves and rims, with either two wooden side handles or two leather wrapped cane handles, and includes a round ivory scrim. Robert Frazier (Karol’s husband) will be doing the scrim. Your scrim choices are blueberries, thistle, Nantucket rose or scallop shell.

The type of handle you choose will depend on what your first basket had. The cost of the class will be $450 for the wooden handles and $395 for the leather wrapped handles, and it will be finished in two days. Be sure and call to get your reservation!!! You know how this class fills up and we don’t want anyone to be left out.

ANNE JAYSON

Anne Jayson will be back March 8 & 9th, 2008 for her Sailor’s Valentine class. She will also be offering a shell frame if you don’t want to do a valentine. The frame will be 11 x 14 and you can either put a mirror inside it or your favorite picture. You will not receive glass or a mirror inside the frame as part of your class. That will be up to you. The Sailor’s Valentine will be $400 and the frame will be $325. This is a two-day class.

IRELAND

Some of you knew about my trip to Ireland at  the end of May this past spring. I had a great time and saw many wonderful things. From the Cliffs of Moer to the famine cottages and stone forts of prehistoric times, we saw everything we could. We traveled many miles across many counties and got to see so many people and places. We took a tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory (very cool), visited Dublin, stayed in a thatched roof cottage that was more than 300 years old and of course visited the town where "The Quiet Man" was filmed. I have lots of pictures in case anyone is interested and would be happy to share them with you. Just ask.

There was only one downside to my trip and that was our beloved bulldog, Buckwheat passed away. Bruno is the bulldog that was always with me at my shop, but Buckwheat was the oldest and had been around the longest. He passed away in his sleep while staying with my son. We are heartbroken and even Bruno is a bit sad. He sorts of wanders around like he is looking for something. Of course he is looking for his buddy, and we don’t know how to help him. So we bought him a few toys and hope that will help to cheer him up, but so far it isn’t working. Ed says he needs a new baby brother - of the dog kind - which isn’t exactly what I had in mind, but who knows. By the time classes I start, there may be a new bulldog in our house.

So that is the most recent update from those of us down south and we look forward to having you back in class in November.

Remember that you must pick out your projects far enough in advance so that we can get all the parts and pieces ordered for you. Think about what you want to do and give me a call. I have some people who have already made their choices, so if you can’t remember if you did or not, call me and we’ll discuss it.

Rates for this year will remain the same, brand-new students will be charged $320 for four (4) studio sessions, with materials costing approximately $18 per inch. Returning students (those who have had at least 3-6 months with me or Marge) will receive a discount of 25% for a class fee of $240 for four (4) studio sessions.

HOME    NANTUCKET    SHAKER    SUPPLIES    TOOLS    LINKS

.