The forest green and burgundy reeds proved to be the ideal accents to the great baskets produced.

Amid lots of banter, jokes and good natured repartee, the group worked efficiently and skillfully through the whole process.  Two small versions, three medium and one large basket quickly took shape.  By the end, the finished baskets were so well done and so attractive that I  took photo after photo.   Although one of the weavers had departed early with a finished piece, the photo on the left shows five of the    six finished baskets. 

All came out so well.  The largest is destined    for use as a magazine basket, lots of other uses for the others were talked about.  In any event, after applying a finish, all five are going to prove to be durable as well as attractive and pleasing pieces.

I took a photo of one basket in particular (seen below) because of the use of the dyed reed but also because of the wrap around the handle.  It gives the basket a whole new look.  But, more importantly, this was  the first time this participant had ever woven before!     

This was a most enjoyable classes! Everyone was enthusiastic and appeared to have a good a time as I did.  I thank the Clinton County Historical Association for the invitation to come down to the museum and offer this session.  I’m  looking forward to future events here!

Please consider stopping down to this fine museum with its excellent collections and exhibits.   It is located at 98 Ohio Ave. on the old Plattsburgh Air Force Base  in Plattsburgh.     Well worth the visit!  Their website can be found at http://www.clintoncountyhistorical.org/                                                                                                                                                               

Completed all the basket orders due for Christmas before we left.  Hope they added a little something special to a few Christmas mornings.  Now, time to get to the orders due in January;     first up will be two Mushroom Hunter packs to be shipped to Spain, followed by a custom designed Mushroom pack for a client in California. 

Just sitting here thinking about my business as the new year unfolds.  I never thought that this little enterprise would grow as it has.  When I retired from a long career as an educator, I knew I did not want to sit still.  I needed to keep busy and while the weaving and woodworking business was still small, I felt it had the potential to grow and mature.

Nine years after retiring (and almost fourteen years after selling my first basket) I’m awed and so thankful for the growth and maturation of my operation.

I still weave every basket myself.  I have no employees and can promise each customer a hand made, authentically styled basket.  Over the years, I’ve met so many wonderful people.  My customers have come from, literally, all over then world.  All have been great to work with.  I hope they appreciate the baskets half as much as I appreciate them!   Also, adding weaving classes has been a wonderful experience.  I’ve never given a class, either off site or here in my shop, that I didn’t enjoy thoroughly.  My “Wall of Fame” bulletin board in the shop is filled with folks who have produced a wide array of baskets in varying sizes, shapes and styles…each one unique and beautiful!

2012 was a busy year.  I tweaked the basic packbasket design to accommodate mushroom hunters and saw that strike a chord.  About 80% of the holiday orders were from mushroom gathering devotees.  I did a limited edition packbasket ornament series for Adirondack Life magazine which sold out.  I cut back on the shows I do as the shop and class activities kept me on the go.

Of all the holiday orders I filled, I think the one that was the most fun was a mini fishing creel ordered by a customer whose husband had built a mini strip canoe and wanted a complimentary piece to display beside it.   

The photo here shows the mini next to a full sized traditional creel.  I duplicated the features of the larger one as best I could and even added a hand cut leather strap.  The result was quite pleasing.

It was a little trickier to pull it all together due to the smaller size, but I think it came out well. 

This year promises to be busy and productive.  I’m looking forward to both new and returning customers and many more classes.  I so appreciate everyone who has patronized my operation and sees  value in my pieces.

Have a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2013.  Thanks everyone.

All 6 baskets came out great!  We had a super day – a combination of lots of laughs and some fine packbaskets!!

Weaving classes are one of my favorite parts of this business.  Thanks to my 6 “superstar” weavers yesterday.

Merry Christmas everyone!

PS: Winter and Spring classes are filling up fast.  If you are interested, check out the class schedule for upcoming sessions on my website and sign up soon.

In the beginning, I concentrated on building up as much inventory as I could.  I attended several craft shows each season and aimed for large numbers and wide selection of baskets as I headed    out for all the shows.

Gradually, things changed.  I eventually opened my sales shop, learned how to identify my customers  and refined my skills as a weaver.  The biggest change, however, was the development of this website.  I first only used it as an information resource; referring customers there for details on basket choices, etc.  Now it is much more than that.

Then, in addition to the craft shows and weaving for shop inventory, I began offering basket classes.  That part of my operation has grown tremendously.  I now offer classes here in my shop and in several other sites around the North Country.

My website has gone from serving as an information source to a real commerce site.  As my weaving class offerings were expanding, internet orders were also growing.  Initially I was filling orders in 2 or 3 weeks at the most.    Now it runs at least 8 weeks.

A customer stopped at the shop yesterday but I only have 3 baskets in stock for sale.  I told her I would be happy to put a basket on my list but that I only had a few available now and was working on filling basket orders.

While working today it all kind of sunk in…. I’ve gone from trying to maintain a sizable inventory and doing lots of craft shows kind of operation to mostly teaching weaving classes and filling custom basket orders.

Guess I’ve largely become a custom order operation with a large side order of weaving classes.

Does all this mean I won’t have inventory in my sales shop any more?  Nope.  But it does mean    that there will be frequent times like now;  many orders will come in and classes will be in full swing.  Time won’t allow for shop inventory to be produced…. right now….but it’ll  change and baskets will soon appear on my shelves again. 

Like I used to tell my kids…the only constant in life is change..it always happens and always will!

I’m now finishing  an order of limited edition ornament-sized baskets that are offered for sale only by Adirondack Life.  Only 50 of the consecutively  numbered baskets will be woven. 

The ornament first appeared in the Adirondack Life issue mailed in September and sales are going well.  Each ornament is hand woven, has hand cut leather strapping, is stained in Golden Oak and   is an exact miniature of my full sized packbaskets.   

It  is a true Adirondack themed accent piece for the upcoming Christmas season.   

Check out the award winning Adirondack Life magazine at http://www.adirondacklifemag.com/. 

The specific product page for the ornaments is: http://www.adirondacklifestore.com/store/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=289&category_id=21&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41

I’ve enjoyed working with such a well regarded company.  The magazine has consistently been recognized for excellence since its inception in 1969.  The International Regional Magazine Association recognized Adirondack Life with 13 awards in 2011!

If you or someone you know would like to add this to a Christmas ornament collection, check out the magazine or its website.

I’ll only be weaving the ornaments for this order.  They won’t be available on my website or in my shop.

Enjoy the upcoming holidays.

About midway through the day, we were visited by a group of African students in the country for an educational experience.  Their activities brought them to the museum.  They were most interested in our activity and even wove a bit on the baskets in progress.     

All in all, one of my favorite weaving class experiences.  I thoroughally enjoyed myself and was so pleased with the finished baskets. 

Thanks to all of the CCHA personnel for their hospitality and enthusiasm.  You made this a special day for me.  Kudos to my three weavers!  A job well done!!

Just putting strap sets on baskets, etc. …finishing touches to get ready for Sat. and Sun. in Altona.  Will be a great show.  Three banquet halls filled with over 100 vendors and displays about the great outdoors; hunting,  fishing, hiking, relaxing, and all manner of outdoor pursuits.

This photo shows some of the baskets I’m bringing; all 7 sizes of packbaskets, gathering baskets, birch lidded hampers, creels, magazine baskets and more.

Looking for something to do this weekend, head for the Outdoors Show.

In addition, I’ll get to see the newest exhibit on early Native American settlements in the area, including artifact displays.  Can’t wait for this.  Visit the CCHA website at their web address above and learn about these and many, many more events and resources available.

Packbasket weaving class details:

Weave a 17” or a 21” tall basket of premium reed.  Pine shoes, plywood base and ash handle are included.  For beginners as well as weaving “veterans”.  All materials are included and all       necessary tools are provided.  You will also receive complete written instructions for applying a finish to     your basket.  Approximate time to complete: 6 to 7 hours.  Bring a snack or lunch for our  noontime break. 

Session will also include an ongoing discussion of the history of the packbasket and its eventual role as essential equipment during the opening of the Adirondack Mountain region by the noted guides during the 1800’s and early 1900’s. 

Minimum workshop size: 4 participants 

Maximum workshop size: 10 participants 

Workshop cost:  CCHA Members: 

                                      $70.00 for 17” basket 

                                       $85.00 for 21” basket 

Non-CCHA Members: 

                                 $80.00 for 17” basket 

                                        $100.00 for 21” basket 

 Workshop fee includes adjustable strap set.  Choose from tan, forest green or red. 

 $20.00 nonrefundable deposit required. Make Checks Payable to: “ABHD” 

Location:  98 Ohio Avenue  Plattsburgh, NY 12903 

Date:  Saturday, March 31, 2012 

Time: 9am until all are finished (usually between 3 and 4 pm) 

Register now at the Clinton County Historical Association – 518-561-0340 

Send deposit and basket size choice (17″ or 21″) to the Ohio Ave. address above.

I had a ball.  Lots of laughs, great weaving and fine baskets.  An excellent day in the shop!