Here are some snapshots from yet another pair of wonderful workshops with Martha Wetherbee we had here in St. Louis May 31-June 2, 2002. Martha offered 2 classes, the first in a series of Nantucket signature nesting baskets and a quarter scale Shaker wood chip basket woven of brown ash. In 2003 we will be continuing on with the signature nesting set and will be working on some kind of brown ash Shaker basket.

Nantucket Signature Nesting Set - 10"

May 31 - June 2, 2002

Martha introduces the new line of Signature Nesting Baskets, sizes 10"-14".

All the stave edges are beveled to give the basket a finished look.

The staves are carefully inserted with perfectly even spacing.

Almost all of the staves are in!

Double-checking to make sure that there is the correct number of staves.

Now the weaving can begin.

The baskets start out slowly.

But, with each row of weaving it seems to get a little faster.

Once you start going up the sides, it is a snap.

See, my basket (I started with the 12") is almost to the top of the mold.

It is the end of day 2, but we are finally up to the top of the molds.

After drying over night the baskets have been packed and leveled. Martha double checks to make sure they are the correct height.

Alan helps rough-fit the beautiful cherry rims.

With the rims clamped snugly to the basket, Martha marks the overlap for gluing.

Once the rims are glued, sanded silky smooth and fit back on the basket, it is time to nail them on.

All that is left to complete the weaving process is to add the lashing.

With the weaving done, Alan applies a coat of finish to the baskets.

A coat of wax and the baskets are ready for display. In the background can be seen a couple of evening projects that students worked on.

Quarter Scale Shaker Wood Chip Basket

June 3, 2002

Martha shows the full-size and the quarter scale model we will be making.

Martha demonstrates fitting the woven base to the mold.

With the base fitted and pinned, the spokes are ready to be dried against the mold.

Martha demonstrates starting the weaving.

Since the sides of this basket are so straight, Martha demonstrates how to make a crisp corner.

Wow, after working on such a large basket for the last 3 days, this one almost seemed to weave itself!

The tops of the baskets are leveled and the spokes folded over.

Martha demonstrates attaching the skates.

The oak skates are carefully laced to the bottom of the basket.

The oak handles are sanded and polished to a beautiful sheen.

After lashing, only a few snips are needed to clean up any stray hairs.

One last application of basketmaker's oil to the handle and everything is done.

The class model and a completed basket.

This is why the cat isn't allowed to visit the class!