Granny's Workshop ~ Part 3

Do you think it would be hard to make a basket? Granny makes it seem simple, but we know it takes a lot of hard work! In this post she'll show you what goes into making a basket--in this case a Mustard Basket.

Granny: "Yesterday morning I got up early and went out to the garage to work. I used sandpaper and sanded down 25 solid oak strips that I got this weekend to make handles for baskets I'll make this fall.

After I sanded them, I soaked all 25 to make them soft enough to bend and staple to form handles. There will be different sizes of strips for various sizes of baskets I'll make. Bending and stapling handles is hard work; I hope Jonathan will do it for me this week after he gets home from work.

When I first start a basket, I pick weaving strips and measure them the right size, cut them, and then soak each one before I lay them down to form the bottom of a basket. The picture below was taken in the kitchen where I was working before I set up my own workshop in Deb's garden shed.

Here I am with Sarah. She's holding down the strips as I get them lined up perfectly:

This is the basket after the bottom is formed around the handle with weavers coming up the sides:

These next photos show us all weaving part of the basket:

Hannah helped me with finishing the top:

I always run sea grass around the top and lace it in:

Here's the Mustard Basket all completed and being dipped in the walnut juice:

I recently finished these three baskets. Here they are before they are dipped:

And here they are drying in the sun:

I have one last basket post for you. Check back on Friday, and you'll see. You won't want to miss it!"

~Granny

Previous posts in this series:

Granny's Walnuts ~ Part 1

Granny's Baskets ~ Part 2

Comments

[Bet]

Love that mustard basket, Granny! It would make a wonderful Christmas gift for somebody who doesn't have one of those in her collection..........

[Susan]

These posts have been so interesting! Can't wait to read the next one. Your mom makes beautiful baskets, Deb! :)

[Rose]

Now that is magic Granny! I imagine you have had plenty of practice but even so, those baskets look soo professional!

[Angelina Fracchiolla]

Okay..So maybe it is a GOOD thing we don't live NEXT to you quite YET.. ; ) because I don't think you would ever have a post WITHOUT me being in the picture.. :) Oh...and the GIRLS too of course...then you would be getting Comments asking who is that Lady that's always in the Background.. :) All of you did such Beautiful work..And I love the Shapes..I never knew Baskets had so many different names..I love the shape of the Mustard Basket..What is a Mustard Basket?
Thank you for The Great Basket Journey.. :)

In Christ,
Angelina..

P.S. Please let us know how all is going as we continue to pray..

[Tammy]

With your mom's gift to make baskets I see a trip to Longaberger .

http://www.longaberger.com/visitUs.aspx

Many handmade baskets all around to see.

[Cathy]

I wrote a comment yesterday, but, perhaps neglected to hit the "send" key.

I so enjoyed reading this post. Where do you buy the oak strips, and are they expensive?

I am looking forward to reading the next installment on Friday.

Cathy

[Julie]

Love them! Beautiful job Granny!

[Denise]

my goodness, these are stunning x

[Jodi]

Oh! these are beautiful !!! My Mom and I love making baskets!!! We love trying new patterns and ideas!! We've never dipped ours in walnut juice before but we have colored our reeds with Blackberry juice!! :)