Threads 61: New beginnings

Another year has crept by. I like to think …perhaps, just perhaps…, that the world is turning back to the natural world of trees and forests. Perhaps we will start using willow baskets rather than plastic bags, waste paper baskets rather than plastic, and willow garden fences rather than plastic fences.

Book ’Crafty Containers’ by Lois Walpole 

It is fashionable to talk about renewable energy but we can also talk about renewable basketry supplies! For example, willow, cattails, rushes, grapevine etc.

For the next few Threads, we are going to concentrate on household things that can be made using basketry, and they will not be made of plastic! Some will be made using round reed, (centre cane) as an alternative to local materials. I still think this material is a very good material to use for an introduction to basketry techniques and willow work. It is also a great material to use with children. 

Another idea we shall use, is recycled materials. The door is open for ideas from readers….

Lois Walpole wrote a very good book ’Crafty Containers’ which has ideas for using newspaper and cardboard to cans and pop bottles. See book cover above. 

I have recently re-discovered Levairs, located in Barry’s Bay, Ontario. They have a brand new website (https://www.levairscaningsupplies.ca/contact-us/), and sell an amazing variety of caning and basketry supplies. No need to search for shaker tape, dyes, accessories,or materials any more,and it all arrives on your doorstep in a couple of days.

Levairs Caning Supplies, Barry’s Bay, Ontario.  (https://www.levairscaningsupplies.ca/contact-us/)