Tag: hanging basket

craft show · Fiber Art · fiber arts · handmade baskets · Local Shows

Just checking in…..

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

First I’m just checking in with any locals that are here!!! My next in person show will be in October 12TH and 13TH at the Cortland Repertoire Theater 🎭. I’ve included their website below so you can take a look at the latest details.

https://cortlandrep.org/little-york-fall-fiber-arts-festival/

It’s an amazing venue with so many wonderful artisans. I’ll be selling and hopefully demonstrating the art of basket weaving

Hope to see you there.

The end of summer approaches!!!

Summer is coming to an end here in Central New York. The Great New York Fair starts next week and to me it’s the official end of summer. It’s been a hot one but very productive on the basket front. I’ve been keeping up with all the orders, AND stocking up for my in person shows. My new work space is working out well and I’m finally getting used to it.

So I’m wishing you all a great rest of the summer and hope you are looking forward to fall as much as I am.

Ready For The Day…
handmade baskets

Ready For The Day…

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

Thursday Morning- Making few orders.

Here are the raw materials I use to create some wall baskets. Included are 1/4” Flat Oval Reed, 1/2” Flat Reed, 5/8” Flat Reed and 1/4” Flat Reed.

Reed For Weaving

For these particular Wall Baskets , I’ll be using some Oak Handles. These are used to create the unique shape of these baskets.

Two types of handles here. 8” X 12” Tapered Oak Handles and 5” X 14” straight Oak Handles.

Here are the baskets I’m making with the Tapered Handles in mid production.

And here are the Baskets I’m making with the taller, non-tapered handles. Although the handles are slightly similar, the baskets will be totally different.

Below are the baskets finished for the day

They will dry the rest of today, and tomorrow I’ll stain and trim them.

The finished product.

Hope you have a magnificent weekend!!!

handmade baskets

Waiting on a Friend….

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

So I’ve been on Etsy since 2015. My shop is one of their more successful shops if I say so myself. The reason I know this is that when you searched handmade baskets, or handwoven baskets, my items came up on the first page. I’ve worked hard for many years to accomplish this. No ads on my end either.

This past week, however, I’ve found out how detrimental it is to have “all your eggs in one basket!” I tried to input a bank account number and some test deposits one too many times, and they immediately suspended my account. Now granted, I confused the numbers with my other Etsy account, but suspension!!! Never late on a payment, never copyright infringement, never any complaints and just like that: SUSPENDED.

I’m not complaining, well maybe, but it has been close to a week, with multiple emails, and only this morning I got a note back. I still have to confirm that the account is mine, providing them some information and it still says they’ll still have to get back to me.

My biggest takeaways are the following: 1- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. 2- Etsy does not allow their customers to CALL them. As ludicrous as it sounds, it’s true. 4 days of trying to find a phone number, looking at websites, looking at previous threads etc and it’s nonexistent. 3. Keep your website up to date (refer back to #1

So that’s what I’ve been doing and is working a little, but it’s a whole different realm. But I’m still learning.

So again, here it is for you to take a look at and see all the new items I’ve added. Hope you have a great Sunday and I’ll be over here tweaking my site. Website that is.

https://bouquetofbaskets.wordpress.com/

handmade baskets

Free Shipping

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

Yahoo!!!!! I set my website up for free shipping. It will work perfect for 1-2 basket orders. If you are going to order more than that, please contact me. I’ll send a discount code for a multiple basket purchase. Likely around 10% off, depending where you live. We would likely be able to ship together and save some money.

Yay!!!! Free Shipping!!!
handmade baskets

New Items added

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

I’m working hard to make this my only website to purchase my products and learn more about me. I need to find out some additional means for shipping, since it seems you can only set up one shipping cost. I might have to eliminate the shipping part and just put the price of the shipping in the product and advertise as free shipping. I will keep you updated as to the path I take. My son is a computer wiz so he will likely be able to figure it out for me. There has to be a way to add shipping if 2 or more items are purchased.

Happy Wednesday and we are definitely looking forward to a long weekend.

Here are some of the recent additions to my website……

A Lovely Waste Paper Basket with cute pine legs that we make here in our workshop

A very Country Style Wall Basket with a Rusty Tin Star

A Pouch Basket with a long leather hanger painted with a popular White-wash Finish

Happy Memorial Day

handmade baskets

It’s All In The Details…..

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

Every morning before I start weaving baskets, I trim and sign all the finished baskets that are shipping that day.

So let’s go back a few days. Before the baskets are stained, my partner in crime, ie. my husband, uses a small torch on them to remove all of the “hairs” from the reed. Then we stain them. After they dry for a few days, I do the final trim and initial and date the bottom.

I’m sure I notice the little “hairs” on the baskets more than my customers would but I wouldn’t let them ship without this final step. I sign with my initials JB, and the date.

And on an unrelated note, we have bluebirds nesting in one of our birdhouses along our garden. They are absolutely gorgeous.

Hope you are having a great week.

handmade baskets

Market Baskets

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

Happy New Week. 🌺🥰

I have a new design alert. This is a Small Market Basket. This little cutie only measures around 10” long. The uses are endless around your house, wherever you might need to corral a few things.

I was able to secure these little square hoops that I’m using for the handle, on sale, so I can offer a good price for this one. Available on my Etsy Site

New Design of a Market Basket

Next is one of the larger Market Baskets I offer. You would be able to take this one to the actual market and carry your produce. These guys are quite popular this time of year.

The old standby Full Size Market Basket

Here’s another smaller one. It is perfect to hold those smaller, boutique sizes of flavored oil and vinegar. Makes a cute gift

Olive Oil and Vinegar Basket

And these are only a few of the market Baskets I’ve done. They are so versatile and the designs are endless. Love your Market Basket.

fiber arts

Spring has Sprung…

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

The weather up here in Upstate New York is finally moderating. Been adding some new items to my shop so check them out on my Etsy Site. But…. you can also purchase baskets right from this website. See the different sections in the drop down menu, Working on transferring more listings right here!!!

Summer dreaming already!!!

fiber arts · handmade baskets

People are going berserk over my Target Dupe……..

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

I get weekly requests to make this basket.Unfortunately, it is made of material and uses framework that I just don’t have It is very popular with home decorators on Instagram, and has been discontinued by Target for a year or so. It is, however, still highly sought after in that world.

Below is my version and needless to say my customers are loving it. It’s definitely a different basket, but it is inspired by the shape and size of this famous basket. I don’t do the tapered look because, well actually it’s just not practical design wise. But they don’t mind.

It will be back up in my Etsy shop when I get the current orders I have caught up. Hope you are having a fabulous week!!!

Uncategorized

Grateful for all the support

bouquetofbasketsLeave a comment

Thanks so much to all my customers who have been supporting my small business during these most difficult of times. The orders, the love on my Social Media Sites etc etc certainly make me a happy entrepreneur. Can’t wait to continue creating for you in 2021.

Same basket, different finishes, different looks. So many options when handcrafting a basket.

Plain and simple Fruit Basket. Used those apples today to make a pie. It was a productive morning.