Crystals Entwined

This basket was created from muhly grass coiled around a very distinctive brown and black agate slice.  The agate's quartz crystals are clearly visible showing how the agate was formed.  The vine of natural and dyed pine needles with teneriffe and netting encircle the piece.  The basket won second prize at "The Annual", Cape Coral Art Center, sponsored by the Southwest Florida Craft Guild, in February, 2010.  Another prize!  First place at the "Made by Hand" show, Visual Art Center of Punta Gorda, FL.  The show runs June - July 9, 2010.

Price:  $600

Another prize: Trecento

Trecento

This basket I posted in September.  It just won a First Place ribbon for an Art Piece at the Fiber Arts Show at the Venice Art Center, January, 2010.  It has also been accepted by Goggleworks Art Center, Reading, PA, for the "More Than Fiber" Show in March.  I must admit this one went together beautifully and receives many "Wows!" from admirers.

Price:  $350

Fun with Texture

Textures

This gourd has a wonderful finish that makes it look like a rough metal.  With a touch of gold peeking through the green patina makes it sparkle a little.   The pine needle line continues around the gourd and highlights sections of netting, beaded teneriffe, and peacock feathers.

This gourd received a First Place in the Fiber Arts Show at the Venice Art Center.

.Price:  $200

Gourd Experience

The name of this one is "Mm, Mm Chocolate".  Doesn't the iced topping look like chocolate?  Gourds work can be a lot of fun.  It's nice to be able to produce a pretty piece in a shorter time.  I also enjoy the decorating!

A Winner: Inspiration

January 19, 2010 brought a wonderful honor.   The "3-D Show" at the Venice Art Center, Venice, FL chose my basket, "Inspiration," as First Place.  It was an evening to remember.

Just For You

This basket was made for a gift exchange at the Southwest Florida Craft Guild this past weekend.  Everyone was asked to bring a handmade gift of their specialty.  The gift exchange is one of those choose a present or take a present from someone that has opened one.  It gets to be very interesting, to say the least, as some pieces are passed around several times.  I really enjoy doing some smaller pieces and trying to make each a study of different techniques.  This time I was interested in accenting the base area, hence the twist.  I also haven't done a lot with the heads of the pine needles, so I decided to include a bunch of those.  I'll use these ideas in future baskets.

Size:  6 x 6 x 5

INSPIRATION

This basket lives up to its name.  The natural agate is a stunning blue lace with a crystal section around the natural hole.  It must have been a center slice.  The triple walls are two coils of muhly grass with rattan spokes in between.  The tapestry is mainly twined palm inflorescence which I carefully chose from different trees to give a variety of color.  There are also sections of natural leather.  The top area is accented with rosettes of pine needles and knotless netting.  This piece was a challenge from the very beginning.  I needed to use a improvised "lazy susan" to elevate and turn the piece as it was woven. Since it needed to be moist each time and I needed three hours to stitch one trip around,  I had to plan a block of time each day I wanted to work on it. This basket was over six months in the making. "Inspiration" has already won its share of prizes and I continue to enter it in shows around the country. 

Size:  19 in X 19 in X 8 in

Price:  $1200