A Web of Memories

This basket sets on quite a large size Picture Jasper that has superb depth in its line.  The one thing I like about Picture Jasper is the ability to turn the stone and see different views.  At one angle you may seem to be looking down a hill and in another perspective you are in a canyon looking up at a wall.  This one seemed to me that I was in a tunnel looking toward the open air in the lower left. The netting design adds to the sense of a webbed space, or memories.  The large Picture Jasper pendants and smaller Feldspath beads open the sides.

Approximate Size:  13.5 x 12 x 4.5 inches

Insatible Indigo

This was a basket custom ordered by a Kentucky resident who contacted by email.  She wanted a small Lapis piece basket and this is the result.  I started with a square Lapis tile, added Florida Long Leaf Pine Needles, Lapis beads, then coiled with Muhly Grass.  The pendants are Denim Jasper.  Since I was on vacation in New York this summer when I finished it and sent it off, I don't have the exact measurements. It's probably close to 6 inches round and 3-4 inches high.

Jack Frost

This agate basket has unusual agate formation.  This one has two orientations:  the layered part at the bottom and the round crystaline toward the top.  Since it has a blue line also it is called a Blue Lace Agate.  The pendants in the coiled Muhly Grass are a Pink & Gray Jasper.  the smaller beads are called Green Vine Jasper.  This is a muted color basket, small but stunning.

Approximate Size: 8.5 x 6.5 x 3 inches

Prizes at Extra Dimensions

 Extra Dimensions, an exhibit sponsored by the Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild, showcased a variety of talent from our members.  Yes that's my basket, Color of Life, which won a third prize.  The Goff Gallery located in the Visual Art Center of Punta Gorda will host another of our shows in 2016.

Amethyst Glacier

This basket has a stunning European cut amethyst base surrounded with matching seed beads. I bought this base in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The coiled Muhly Grass that I grow accents the teneriffe pieces at one side.  I must admit that this is an redo of a basket I made years ago.  I was into dyeing needles and I have found the dye I was using just doesn't last especially with our Florida sun.  So I ripped out the stone, cut out all the seed beads, and assembled a new basket.  I like it better than the first one.

Approximate size:   11.5 X 4 inches

Bottled Sunshine

Just to show you that not baskets need to be baskets, nor do they need to be large.  This is a 6 inch wreath on a grape vine.  One of the items I will have for sale at FAB.  It's fun and relaxing to do small things in between bigger baskets that may have frustrating times finding the finish!

Joy of the Unexpected

 A wonderful surprise! First Place for my basket Moonlight Path.  The Visual Arts Center of Punta Gorda, FL hosted the fiber exhibit Joy of the Unexpected for December 2014.  Suzanne Patton, president of the Common Threads fiber group at the Visual Arts Center, presented the awards.