Brenda Crawford
Brenda Crawford
After 21 years with IBM and 4 years of computer consulting, I decided a career change was in order. I looked for a change to a “low tech” occupation that utilized the products of Mother Nature. I took my first course from renowned Canadian basket maker Ann McIsaac who taught tradition native basket weaving using ash splints, which we made from a log she brought from Cape Breton. Through the Peterborough Weavers and Spinners Guild I learned the technique of coiling to make baskets and containers.
I now specialize in coiling using pine needles from the long leaf pine of the southeast United States. Each basket is embellished with slices of black walnut, antler or shell and they are trimmed with sweet grass, sea grass, or wild grasses I find in my travels. They are sewn with the finest waxed Irish linen thread, coated with local bee’s wax and baked to give them a hard and durable finish.
The baskets or trays are each one-of-a-kind and range from small, about 3 – 4 “ across to the largest that is about 14” across.
I still make ash baskets; the most popular of which is the bottom stair basket. It sits on the bottom stair waiting for goodies that have to go up. One trip and everything is put away.
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Pine needle coiled basket with 13 black walnut slices. About 12 - 14 inches across.
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