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Page Two Thursday dawns and the short drive up
the mountain brings us to the lodge where the teacher's marketplace buzzes and new baskets
have found their way into the Friday was spent in class with Sosse Baker who taught us a diagonally plaited pattern title "Four Dancing Frogs" This basket was inspired by a Cherokee Indian design and would have been originally been done in river cane. I was delighted to hear from Bob Coker that he soon expects to be able to market processed river cane making this traditional material available again.
By Friday the weather was nice enough to eat lunch out on the decks surrounding the lodge affording an even better view of the scenic surroundings. Some people hiked their way up the ski trails or took time out to drive through the spectacular Smuggler's Notch or down to the center of Stowe for some upscale shopping. Each day the complement of students ebbed and flowed, with people coming in for the first time or pulling themselves away for the return to reality. Every entry or departure was complete with rounds of bear hugs and hearty good wishes. The air seemed constantly filled with laughter, happy chatter and the exchange of basketry information. Friday night is traditionally the time for a dinner celebration of basketry at The Round Hearth with good food and live entertainment. This year the recognition went to the male participants in the festival and those students and teachers who have been to six or more Stowe Basketry Festivals. Later that evening there was a student marketplace where everyone had the chance to purchase goods from the students in attendance. Most of the weekend classes ran for
two days, with the exception of Bob Coker's miniature Black Ash basket class. His students
made delicate 2" diameter baskets that I know took patience and a steady hand.
Flo
Hoppe led her students through a square work lidded shoulder bag in round reed. Jo
Campbell-Amsler's students created stunning ribbed multi colored willow backpacks. All too soon the week was over and the time had come for "farewells" and "see you next times". No doubt plans have already begun for Stowe Basketry Festival 2000. If there is any way that you can plan to go, I heartily encourage you to do so.
Come and Join
in the BasketMakers
Forum. Lots of friendly basketweavers are gathered there. Click
on "Guest"
to enter and read-only or join if you want to post (it's free).
Copyright © 1998-2007 Susi Nuss. All rights reserved.
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Faculty/Student Exhibit. The classes around us have changed and Keiko is teaching a Lace
Patterned shopping basket. Jo Campbell-Amsler has moved in next to us with a class in a
ribbed willow purse. Mary Butcher is at the far end of the room with a traditional English
oval lidded basket of buff and brown willow. In the other rooms some classes continue from
the day before and Richard Gilliand leads his new class in a plaited and stitched basket
of birch bark and spruce root. Our pine needle baskets continue to slowly and deliberately
take form. Some of the students make faster progress. Each basket is as individual as the
maker, with some being restrained and symmetrical, while others are more interpretive. All
the while our instructor offers tips, resources and suggestions to help us along the way.
Flo and Keiko taught round reed techniques in separate classes.
Dianne taught a large market basket with a cross stitched detail and Gladys and Anne kept
their students weaving in earnest on their Nantucket Lightship baskets.
Judy Olney taught a complex twill weave wall pocket in natural and
dyed cane. Cass Schorsch taught a classy footed bowl of black ash, cedar and honeysuckle
that was inspired by the mountains of Stowe. Richard Gilliand lead a full class of eager
students through the process of making an arm chair of bent willow. Luckily the weather
was beautiful and the class was able to spread out on the deck.
My class for the weekend was with Dianne Stanton. She taught us to
use elm bark for between-weave-twining. We had the option of two separate shapes and I
chose the puzzle-mold woven vase shaped piece. Dianne's mastery of the material and
technique as well as her patience and dedication to her student's success was very
evident. Sunday continued the second portion of many classes and provided the opportunity
for some students to try their hand at creating a series of oval Shaker carriers under the
direction of Rosie and Ed Kiley.
