NCBA Convention Nears

The NCBA Convention is almost here!
It runs March 17-20, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, NC

My random weave garden basket class is on Sunday (sorry the class is full, but i have already received requests for the pattern and kit, so they will both be available.)

This year, I will also be vending, together with my good friend, Lynn Hoyt. Lynn and I have attended convention together, taking classes and teaching them, for 10 years now! But we have never vended before, and are looking forward to this new adventure.

Join us, in the "Sleeping Rooms" Vending area, accessible off the main lobby of the hotel, in room 112. We will be the last vendors on the left side of the hallway.

Look in your goodie bag for a coupon for a free giveaway Lynn and I will be having! We will have a drawing for one "Fantasy Coilers' Kit!" The kit will have a little metal "fantasy" toolbox filled with tools and supplies any coiler would love...FREE! Just drop in your entry (one per attendee, please) and we will have a drawing, not necessary to be present to win. Winner will be announced Saturday evening, and can be collected either Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

New Baskets by RUTH ANNE DANGER!

Here are some great new baskets by Ruth Anne Danger. I love it when you all share your baskets with me. Please remember if you have a basket that you have coiled using a pottery base from my MakeABasket.etsy.com shop, i will publish it in this blog, you don't have to be an Award-winning coiler and teacher, like Ruth Anne is!

Here's what Ruth Anne said about her fabulous creations: (remember, you can click on any of these images to get a closer peek!)

"I love using your basses because what I put in the bottom of the basket often is the inspiration for the basket itself. I set on my couch every morning and have my oatmeal then pick up my basket to coil. I then go thru my supplies for inspiration by sorting thru my stash of your basses.

When one picks me I then back it with contact cork both to protect the pottery and what it is placed on. I then sew thru both the cork and the pottery. I have found the customer really like this.

I just love the flowers with the dyed purple pine needles and the sweet grass really sets it off. This is a Easter basket that can be used all year long. The other basket is all pine needles and sliced walnuts. The stitch in the bottom of the flower basket was done to reinforce the bottom. 2 stenches on the inside and 2 on the bottom around. With the single stitch it needed reinforcement.

Thanks for making the basses available to us.

Ruth Anne Danger

Zephyrhills Fl

i just love them both! Your stitching and wrapped rows are gorgeous, Ruth! Thanks for continuing to share your talents & creations with us!

Regional Art Leagues, Selected Works, Invitational Exhibition, The Bascom Center, Highlands, NC

Regional Art Leagues, Selected Works
Invitational Exhibition
The Bascom Center, Highlands, NC
February 19 - April 9, 2011
Opening reception, February 19, 1-3 pm

This exhibition features work by selected National Basketry Organization's members.

My work shown is "Heart of the Tangle," and featured coiled pine needle, random weave wisteria, polymer clay and resin.

Please check my Facebook Fan Page for additional information.

More Incredible Baskets by Janet Bonnell

I love seeing what people make using the ceramic bases from my MakeABasket etsy shop, you know it! Hold onto your hat, ‘cause here come some new ones from Janet Bonnell….

The first is called “Dance To The Rythem” and is embellished with knotless netting!


I am particularly partial to petroglyphs, and am just taken with what Janet has done with this base. I see dancing notes in this little wooden beads! Way to go, Janet!

Here are more glyph ceramics dolled up with Janet’s special twist:

“God Speed” features spaced wrapping and is wonderfully graphic!


“The Sign” (embellished with yarn)


I love the radiating stitch pattern on this one, like ripples radiating from the palmprint!

The last is called “Dark Side of the Moon,” and I am told is a tribute to me!

Janet, I am just speechless. Of course this is in reference to my “Catching the Moon” series (which can be seen on my website.) Thank you, Janet, I am so flattered!

If you have baskets that you made using ceramic bases from my MakeABasket etsy shop, send them in, and I would love to publish them!

New Baskets from Vicki Loiseau / LaWhoDesign

Here is a new basket by Vicki Loiseau of LaWhoDesign.etsy.com made using a pottery base from my MakeABasket shop.

Love the wrapped rows of color, Vicki!

For leaf bases like this, search "leaf" in my MakeABasket shop.

Here are some more closeups of her lovely work:


To see more of Vicki's baskets, you can visit LaWhoDesigns.etsy.com, where she also show additional bases from MakeABasket.etsy.com, as well as other designs, in her pine needle coiling!

Natural Selections 2.0 "contemporary art meets nature" Group Show

Margaret Withers, stealing entropy,
2010, resin, pigment, oil, string, painted vellum, 24x24
© Margaret Withers

I am honored to have art work selected for the Natural Selections 2.0 "contemporary art meets nature" Group Show at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota.

The show will open Feb 1st, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and run through April 1, 2011.

There will be 21 artists represented from the US and 1 artist from Belgium.

Alan Montgomery and Destry Sparks have curated the show.

Karl E. Mundt Gallery at Dakota State University
820 N. Washingston St.
Madison, South Dakota 57042

The artists:
Cathryn Peters, Angora, MN
Greg Patch, Surf City, NC
Milbert Whitley, Pantego, NC
Joshua Coombs, Philadelphia, PA
Jane Horner, New Bern, NC
Pamela Zimmerman, Washington, NC
Emily Soldin Howard, Raleigh, NC
Joey Howard, Raleigh, NC
Maxine Masterfield, South Sarasota, FL
Meredith Loughlin, Washington, NC
Neil Loughlin, Washington, NC
Betsy Stewart, Washington, DC
Andrew Fullwood, Chapel Hill, NC
Platon Alexis Hadjimichalis, Brussels, Belgium
Jenny Hodges, Wilmington, NC
Kiernan McGonnell, Chicago, IL
Margaret Withers, Brooklyn, NY
Peggy Guichu, Phoenix, AZ
Destry Sparks, Greenville, NC


The piece of mine included in this show is "Uprooted." It is woven of dandelion stems, hardwood tree roots, yucca fiber, waxed linen, wire, palm inflorescence, and copper. Photo of "Uprooted" by Ronald L. Sowers Photography.

Merry Christmas, Basket!

Another great basket from Ruth Anne Danger!


This one features a holly pottery basket base she purchased from my MakeABasket.etsy.com shop, as well as a whole string of light bulb beads!



Ruth Anne has a lovely way with coached floating coils, dyed pine needles, and beautifully (deceptively simple-appearing) swirling stitches




I love all the details she puts into these baskets, she constructs them with great love and care...and it is no wonder! This one will take front and center attention at her State Fair!



Ruth Anne writes about her baskets: Our State fair is in Jan. so it is coming soon even tho it is 2011. They ask everyone to enter one Christmas item along with our reg. entries. Then they set up a living room with all the entries from ornaments,quilts, wall hangings,etc.. They are always pleased to have the baskets.

Register NOW for My Classes March 18 & 20, 2011 at NCBA Convention!

The NCBA 2011 convention brochure is finally online! Click on that link to download your own copy!



Registration is online NOW, and I would love to have you in my classes!

I am teaching Friday, March 18 and Sunday, March 20.

Here is a little more about my classes:


Horsehair Kisses
FR 1443m, page 30 in brochure (top right)
Friday, 1:30pm - 5:30pm
4 hours
Intermediate
$25
Make a tiny basket on a lanyard to decorate your phone, zipper, or key ring. Learn how to start a horsehair basket from scratch.

These adorable charms can be open bowls or the vase-like "olla" shape. Joined to the lanyard with a split ring, you can easily convert your horse kiss to a necklace, if you so desire. There will be color choices!

REQUIRED: Good finger dexterity and previous coiling experience. Bring light, small sharp scissors, tiny clips and a magnifier. This is tiny work! Very few basket makers work in this medium, this is your chance to learn how!

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Random Weave Garden Basket
SU442, brochure page 43, top left
Sunday, 8am - noon
4 hours
All levels
$18

Random weave is so much fun! Make a great handled basket, as shown, or use your imagination to make your own shape.

We'll be using a lovely segmented vine that looks like bamboo, it is a lovely light honey color and is lightweight and smooth on the hands. This class is a great way to wrap up your convention!

These baskets are fabulous accents in the garden or on a porch, and function beautifully as planters. We will discuss use of the basket in the garden.

If you have questions about the classes, please feel free to contact me!

pamela