A Blue Basket

Another basket finally finished.

 

I found a beautiful deep blue cabochon at a flea market months ago

and thought it would be the perfect center for a basket.

 

Once glued to the backing I decided to use a natural sinew and only

emphasize the blue stone and blue stitches. I just happened to have the perfect

shade of blue sinew, which doesn't happen all the time.

 

 

Baskets often have a mind of their own in determining the size and shape. 

This one was no exception.  I had envisioned a round basket with straight sides,

but as you can see, the sides slightly angled out. 

The act of making a basket is my Zen.  I love the repetitive motions with enough

change to keep my interest.  I sit on my screen porch and am in my happy place.

 

Here's hoping everyone finds and enjoys their happy place this summer!

 

                                           Until next time ~

                                                        Terri

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coiling With Friends

Every year around Valentine's Day

we head south to Zephyrhills

to visit our friends and make a trek to

the Webster flea market.

 

This phenomenal flea market covers what seems like

hundreds of acres with tons of vendors

selling all sorts of treasures.

I am always on the lookout for knitting and crafting stuff. 

 

Last year I came across someone selling agate slices.  I purchased a few

and sent them off to be encased in acrylic so they could be used

as a base for a pine needle basket.

 

 

 

It just so happens that the friends we visit

(well, the wife at least)

is who taught me the craft of

making a pine needle basket.

 

So when we get together, we coil...

sharing ideas

and new methods

to use in basket making.

 

She is very talented and encourages me

to look beyond what is

usually done.

 

The agate in acrylic was just such an adventure.

 

I love how the clear acrylic allows

whatever color come through.

 

My latest creation, now in my Etsy Shop

Pine Designs

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Until next time...

 

Terri

A New Basket

When not working... or traveling... or knitting...

I make pine needle baskets.

 

This is my latest creation.

The friend who taught me how to make

coiled strands of pine needles into a beautiful basket

is always sharing new ideas of things to use for centers. 

This one is made from polymer clay.

Several colors can be gently blended

to get the unique swirl design.

The center determines what the basket will look like.

A round center will produce a round basket.

The light brown rows are made of sweet grass.

A few coils of sweet grass make a lovely accent.

 

This, along with other designs, are

currently in my Etsy shop Pine Designs.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Until next time~~

Terri

A Tisket A Tasket a Pine Needle Basket

 

 A Tisket A Tasket, a Pine Needle Basket

 

 

Welcome to my newest collection of pine needle baskets - In my ETSY shop now!

The beauty of nature

reflected in each

delightful basket...

this one highlighted in green...
 

 smell the subtle fragrance of pine needles.

 

Each long leaf pine needle is hand picked,

selected only if it is straight and long.

 

A basket starts with its base.

A slice of agate preserved in acrylic... 

 

  

a design from a mix of polymer clay...

 

each and every base is unique

and original as is the basket designed around it.

The base determines what the basket

will look like.

Will it be round?

What color thread will I pick?

Should there be accents?

 

Stitch after stitch...
coil after coil...
hour after hour...

 

 

Bright colors ... bright accents.

 

Special stitches for

a special touch,

and add to the beauty and uniqueness

of each and every piece.

 

 

Sometimes a palette of neutral 

 

is all that is needed.

 

 

A hint of pale green needles

and a golden leaf in the center.

 

There is only one

of each basket.
 

The time I spend making them

create an attachment,

and I want to keep them all...

 

 
 

but you can find them here...

 

 ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

A-tisket, a-tasket,
A green and yellow basket;

 I sent a letter to my love
And on the way I dropped it. 

I dropped it, I dropped it.
Yes on the way I dropped it;

A little girlie picked it up
And put it in her pocket.

She was truckin' on down the avenue
With not a single thing to do;
She went peck, peck, peckin' all around,
When she spied it on the ground

She took it, she took it,
The letter from my basket;
And if she doesn't bring it back
I think that I will die'

~   ~   ~   ~   ~
 

Until Next Time ~

Terri

More Pine Needle Pendants

More Pine Needle Pendants are finished!

 

I love to knit and crochet, but another passion (yes, I have a few :-) is creating baskets and jewelry using southern long leaf pine needles. 

 

When the weather gets hot (and it's in the high 90's here!) I seem to lean toward a cooler craft.  Creating with pine needles seems to satisfy my creative urge.  At least until a knit or crochet pattern comes along that I just can't resist.

For these pendants, large semi-precious cabochons are surrounded by several rows of pine needles.

Each one unique in its own way

I love the colors and designs in the stones.  Some look like cameos.

Black onyx to red jasper

Conversation pieces for sure!

Thank you to my dear friends that have made purchases. 
It warms my heart to send money from the purchase of my baskets and pendants
to be used for missions.

 

 

All are currently available in my Etsy Shop Pine Designs. 

 

Stop back soon.  Baskets are coming!

 

 

Until next time~

 

Terri

Pine Needle Pendants

After the GYB party many of you asked me about my Pine Needle Pendants so I thought I'd share a bit more about them.



I literally gather hundreds of southern long leaf pine needles, one at a time, in and around Tallahassee. This takes an incredible amount of time because the needles must be perfect.  Straight and not twisted. Clean with no discolorations.

I bring them home and wash them in a soapy bath to be sure there are no little critters hiding and then place them on my screen porch to dry. When they are dry, which the timing is hard to predict due to our humidity, I sort them again and cut off the stems which provides a bunch of individual needles.

Now the fun really begins!

Pendants are started  with cabochons which have been adhered to faux leather.  Coils of pine needles are attached by stitching with artificial sinew (waxed thread) while continually feeding individual pine needles into the coil.  After a couple of rows, this is the result.

The art of using pine needles to create baskets and other crafts had almost been lost. Fortunately the craft is being revived through interest in the creation and collection of this unique art form.

                                                                  ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Here are a few pieces that are now listed in my Etsy Shop, Pine Designs & Cache-Mire.

The rich, turquoise color is like a bright blue summer sky.

This reminds me of a cameo.

 red jasper

and white howlite

a few are small, and some are larger

and black onyx is one of my favorites

I went to China a few years ago (before I started blogging) and now use a portion of my profits of this craft to benefit China missions. It feels good to do some good, especially when you enjoy the process.  Does that make sense?

Thanks for stopping by!


                           Until next time....
                                Terri