Oh, I'm just sittin' on the dock in the rain,
Actually, I don't mind waiting for the ferry, except late at night when I'm tired. But today is Basket Guild meeting, and dinner with Cody before that.
Tonight's speaker was a man who has studied in Germany to learn the fine skein willow technique of basketry. He gave an entertaining talk about his experiences, and had some beautiful baskets to show. This is one of the first ones he made at the German school.
This is a set of example baskets made by the German master teacher, each one showing a different weave. They are woven around wooden molds. That's Ann peeking from behind.
The material is willow, which has been split into thirds lengthwise. Each piece is thinned by pulling through a pair of sharp blades, or skeined, into uniform strips, which are very fine. The maker must mathmatically determine the number of spokes, and the size of the spokes and weavers, and then skein enough for the basket. Each basket takes a week or longer to make.
It was very interesting to learn about, but I don't think I'll pursue it any time soon!
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