Many years ago I nearly quit making baskets because of my frustrations in having to make a basket to fit the unattractive, store-bought handle.  At that time Lita Leichter and her late husband Jeff belonged to the same basketry guild as I, and they are the people responsible for teaching me how to carve rims, handles and skates from very large reed using a shave horse and drawknife.  Today my handles and beefy rims are the hallmark of my baskets.  The largest reed available on the market is 1" half-round reed.  I'll use these very large sticks for market basket handles.  I use a dainty 1/4" half-round reed for my petite baskets.  Part of the beauty of these carved elements comes from the application of three coats of urethane with a 320 grit sanding in between coats.  People love to touch them.  

My husband, the engineer and tinkerer, makes "The Basket Maker's Friend" to sell to anyone with a desire to add a special element to their basket.

I teach one-on-one carving classes.  They are two, consecutive and intense days.  The student brings to class two baskets that require rims and handle.  We'll carve rims for both baskets and carve a swing handle for one.  There's a third basket involved which we make in the class and carve rims, a set-in handle and skates.  Within these two days of learning to carve, you'll hear all the tricks & tips I've acquired along the 16-year basketmaking journey I've been on.  This is the beginner class.

A second carving class consists of learning to carve side handles, the rattail handle and the ears that hold the rattail handle onto the basket.  Another two days although less intense.  Two days are required because the reed must be soaked for many hours before being bent into position.  The cost of each class is $150.  

Yes, carving requires a small investment in that you need a shave horse and drawknife but the ability to carve anything for any basket at any time is a luxury I would never trade in for the ability to order something and wait three days for.  

If you're interested in learning to carve, please contact me.  With some luck on my part and lots of focused attention I will offer carving videos sometime during 2005.

Basket Bits Magazine is doing a feature article on me and my shavehorse and the fact that I carve rims, handles, ears and skates for my baskets using large reed.  It will appear in the August 2005 issue. The article will include written and visual instructions on how to carve side handles, the tools necessary for carving and some historical information about myself.