Granny's Baskets ~ Part 2

No...Granny's not a basket case, but she sure has made hundreds of baskets over the years! Congratulations to Chris who guessed Baskets as the answer to the walnut quiz. And congratulations to all those who suggested dye or stain.

Granny's our Guest Poster today and will tell you how her basket hobby got started:

Granny: "I started making baskets about 30 or so years ago after reading a local newspaper advertisement about basket-making classes. My neighbor and I decided we'd give it a try and see if we could do it.

We went to class once a week for two hours, and it took about three classes to make a basket since we were just learning.

My first basket was an 8-inch egg basket, and it looked just like one my daddy made about 80 years ago.  My daughter in South Carolina took this picture with her cell phone and emailed it so I could show you (sorry it's blurry). Here's my daddy's basket:

I guess I got the knack of making baskets from my daddy. He got sticks from the woods and would sit there and whittle out a basket when he was curing tobacco at the barn.

After I got the hang of making an egg basket, I made a "granny basket" and started ordering material to make more.

One day I saw a man at the farmers' market in Raleigh selling his baskets, and I asked him to cut me some long strips of white oak. I measured exactly how wide and tall I wanted each handle made, and from then on my husband would cut, bend, and staple the strips for me so I could make my own handles.

I've made other baskets, too: magazine basket, Jeremiah basket, two-pint basket, ribbon basket, egg baskets of all sizes, market basket, cottage basket, mustard basket, potato masher basket, candle basket, trash basket, and utensil basket. It depends on the size how long it takes to make each basket.

I've been in craft shows in South Boston, Williamsburg, Callands, and Lynchburg and won blue ribbons several times for best displayed table. I went to the Fair in South Boston and won a blue ribbon on all my baskets.

I've had lots of people come to my house to buy baskets, and one girl bought one of everything I've ever made; she has a house full of my baskets!

  All the baskets are handmade out of ash and white oak. They're all different...some have colored weavers, some I've painted apples and hearts on, but all are dipped in walnut stain.

I've loved making baskets and still like to do it...although I'm not as fast as I used to be.

Next time I'll tell you about a basket I made recently with Hannah and Sarah and show you some just finished and stained baskets drying in the sun."

~Granny (as dictated to Deb)

Previous post: Granny's Walnuts ~ Part 1

Next post: Granny and the Girls Make Baskets Together ~ Part 3

Comments

[Cathy]

Loved this.

[victoria]

Now we know where daughter Deb gets all her talents from. Your baskets are beautiful granny, and I look forward to seeing more. It's wonderful to see your skills being passed down through the generations. What a blessing!

Victoria

[Bobbi]

Granny, you are so talented! I never knew there were so many different kinds of baskets. I'm looking forward to your next post.

[Julie]

I want one!!! Those are so cute. Sign me up granny for your first basket making class :) It would be well worth the drive. Do you sell your egg baskets? If so how much?

[Tammy]

Your mom would make a great badge counselor for a Boy Scout who is working on his Basketry
merit badge.

What a neat hobby to pass on.

[Cammy]

I am so sorry that my email account bounced yours back. I do not know why it did that. I am leaving you another email address and I hope this one will work for you. :)
The baskets are just beautiful. My GrandDaddy was a basketmaker. I have pictures of him doing it but I sure do wish I had taken the time to sit down with him and learn. I am in hopes of finding a class somewhere nearby..
Thanks for the post.
Many blessings,

[Angelina Fracchiolla]

Okay..I was way off on my guess.. : ) though a tastee guess it was...My daughter's enjoyed seeing the baskets that Granny was making...and was excited because in one of the books that they are reading it has a young Amish girl who does many of these kinds of things...They are SMITTEN with GRANNY.. : ) I do believe Granny is gaining a following...

So are those Walnuts only used for stain or are they edible as well..?
What a Blessing and Gratifying thing to be able to make the basket and look upon your hard work while filling it with wonderful treats...God is so gracious to share with us His Creativity..
Have a Blessed week in the Lord..
Blessings
Angelina