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

SUNBURST

This smaller sized basket is unusual for its base of Pyrite.  Yes, it's metal and called a Pyrite Sun. This one happens to have the typical golden color of Pyrite which is joined with a light green waxed linen thread, and Kiwi Jasper beads.  It will be available at the Cape Coral Arts Studio exhibit of "Elemental Art:  Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water"which is open until January 26, 2016.  The piece won a Judge's Award.

Art Center Sarasota FAB 2016

Come join me Thursday, Friday. and Saturday.  I will be demonstrating pine needle coiling all three days from about 10 AM -3 PM.  Art Center Sarasota, 707 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

1915 FLORIDA CRACKER CHRISTMAS

If you are in the area of Manatee Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208 on December 13, 2015 from 11AM to 4 PM, stop and see the Venetian Society of Basket Weavers demonstrating many different styles of basket making.  I will be there doing a pine needle or grass coiling.  Stop in and say hello.

ANNOUNCING: CRAFT EXPO 2016

Plum Passion

This is a very interesting base stone called Lepidolite that I found on my 2014 trip to North Carolina. It's lovely plum shades match with the Sunstone pendants and beads.  This basket is presently on display at the Visual Art Center pf Punta Gorda in the main gallery.  The exhibit, "Color", runs from October 12 thru November 5, 2015.  Lepidolite is a stone that is supposed to help people out of depression.

Approximate Size:  9 X 7.5 X 3.5 inches