DOWN UNDER GREEN

This stone has a matte finish which makes it a little harder to gain the visual color in a photo.  I don't like to digitize  an implied color.  This is Australian Crysocola.  The deep green, turquoise, and rust of this Crysocola stone is unusual and I hope to find some more in May 2017.  I added Turquoise pendants and Aventruine beads to accent the variations of color in the base.
This basket will be in an exhibit, Engulfed, at Ding Darling Wildlife Center in November 2016.

Approximate Size: 9 X 7 X 3.5 inches

SEPTARIAN LAVA

This is the second basket where I have used a base stone called Septarian.  It is a lava formed mud ball that forms Argonite and Yellow Quartz in the center as it cools.  The Quartz forms a 7 pointed formation hence the name Septarian. Each ball is different and each cut varies in formation.  This stone is used by mystical healers and fortune tellers and is believed to hold special healing powers.  My basket contains Florida Long Leaf pine needles and Muhly Grass, Argonite beads, and Picture Jasper pendants.  The mixture of two colors of waxed linen thread makes the sides visually move. 

this basket can be seen at the Visual Arts Center, 210 Maude Street, Punta Gorda, FL through the month of October. I hope to enter it in an exhibit in Naples at the von Liebig Gallery in December, 2016 sponsored by the Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild.

Approximate Size: 11 X 9 X 4.5 inches

UNDERWATER LIFE

Just a small piece of Fluorite, but a lot of character.  Add some Muhly Grass and Aventurine beads sewn with waxed linen thread.  Shines in the sunlight!

Size:  8 X 8 X 4 inches

OCEAN OF COLOR

This basket is set on a stunning piece of Ocean Jasper.  I am told that the supply of Ocean Jasper has been exhausted and there is very little remaining.  The colors in this stone are bold and varied.  The Muhly Grass rows surround Ocean Jasper beads and larger pendants on the sides.  The waxed linen thread in hunter green accents the variety of greens in the base.

Size: 8 X 7.5 X 3.5 inches

SILVER HAIR

Silver Hair began on this beautiful blue lace agate I discovered in North Carolina several years ago.  I started with a few rows of Florida Long Leaf pine needles then switched to the Muhly Grass that I grow.  The grass is longer and stronger and makes it possible to create larger baskets that are firm to the touch.  The pendants are teardrops of Silver Hair Agate which are striking in themselves.  I added some cashgora roving from some friendly goats for the exhibit called for Opposites Attract.

This basket can be seen at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, on 210 Maude Street through the month of October.  It also won 3rd place.

SIZE: 13 X 11 X 4.5 inches

LOOKING SHARP

JUST OFF THE PRESS!!  Or should I say, just finished this week.  I started this basket while demonstrating at the Wild Child Gallery in March and many patrons commented on the striking Picture Jasper stone in the base.  This was fun to make because I received these positive comments!  Not only is the base distinctive, but the Turtle Jasper pendants are irregular and picturesque in their own right.  I very seldom buy a sting of beads before I have the base, but the Turtle Jasper was an exception.  Amazing how I can find the pendants two years ago, match them with small Turtle Jasper beads, and a base this year.  I started coiling pine needles which helps accentuate the beautiful lines in base, then switched to my favorite Muhly Grass that I grow right outside my back door. 

This basket will be shown in the "707" Exhibit at the Art Center Sarasota for the month of May.

Approximate Size: 

MY JEWEL GARDEN

This basket surrounds a three dimensional chunk of raw Amethyst crystals that I found for sale in North Carolina last year.  I wanted to try something different so the setting of this piece was a challenge.  The base is uneven on the back also because the piece comes from a portion of a sphere.  The challenge comes trying to make the basket level on the top and on the bottom.  The Amethyst pendants are small but a perfect size for this small portion creations.  Final touches with small Amethyst beads.  This is presently in the Primavera Exhibit at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, FL until April 30, 2016.

Approximate Size:  7.5 X 6.5 X 3.25 inches