1 comments about The Art of Basketry.

1. If this review were being written for a tabloid publication, I might title it "Kari Lonning Reveals All"; all, that is, of the unique techniques that she uses to create the signature wicker baskets by which she is recognized world-wide.

   Most basketry books, written by well-known artists, give very good basic techniques but stop short of giving instructions in the way the work was made to be distinctive. Not so with The Art of Basketry.

   Beginning with the basics, she soon follows with clearly written instructions, illustrated with color photograph step-by-step sequences of her distinctive styles: her double wall cone shaped pieces, her "hairy" baskets, her grid bases and her beautiful color patterning. For example, her spiral patterns look very different from the wicker spirals I have been taught. How does she do it? By using 4,5, even 6 rod waling- that's how.

   All illustrations are done with color photographs, not diagrams. Many full color photographs of her work are included.

   The remainder of the book explores the work of 23 other recognized baskets artists such as Leon Niehues, Dona Look and the McColleys. They each give their artist's statement, their motivation, and some "hints" at how their items are created. Again full color photographs of their work make each page interesting and beautiful.

   This book is a "must have" for anyone wanting to expand their wicker basketry skill to "beyond the ordinary". It is also for anyone interested in a collection of photographs of artistic baskets and for anyone who works with design through color combinations.

   I would highly recommend it.

3 comments about Indian Baskets (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I first learned of this book from a basket trader in Tucson who was explaining why I could never find any Pima baskets that matched a photograph in a booklet I had. He suspected the photographer used a brown filter to enhance the appearance. He pulled out a copy of "Indian Baskets" to show me the difference and told me if I was serious about baskets I needed to get this book. In it, I found along with beautiful photographs large enough to see in detail of many tribes' baskets: an encyclopedia of information including a list of tribes that still made baskets with descriptions of the designs each uses, detailed drawings and descriptions of the many different stitches used in baskets, a chart that can be used to find which tribes make baskets with your favorite stitches, and even a list of prices for baskets sold a few years ago. It was the book I longed to find on this topic. The one obvious omission was a list of sites where tribes sell baskets today, but fortunately that information is readily available from other sources.



2. Completely indispensable text for the weaver, curator, researcher, student, collector or just plain curious. Not a theoretical text; rather, the intent is to enable the reader to identify any basketry work produced by Native North Americans from the Arctic to the Southeast.

   This book has scores of photos, including a preliminary section where baskets from each geographical region are reproduced in good color photos. Good but simple overview of the history of Native basketry, *great* overview of techniques with schematic drawings. Also has a thorough bibliography. A must-have reference book for any Native American or art-focused library.




3. This book is done very well. Many large color photographys,detailed illustrations of weave types. Would have liked to have seen more color photographys though. Overall a good guality book on baskets.

2 comments about Contemporary Wicker Basketry: Projects, Techniques, Inspirational Designs.

1. I thought that Flo wrote the "bible" on round reed baskets with her first book and she has out-done herself with this 2nd one. If you are experienced at making baskets with round reed and you want a challenge, get this book. If you need a good reference to start with simpler baskets, get her first one. This book has some stunning baskets. She gives excellent illustrations and directions anyone can follow. As a teacher of basketry I would not be without it for reference and a source for many beautiful baskets for my students to make.



2. This Basket book has baskets to make for all skill levels.
   Some are more intrakit. some are very plain, but very pretty
   for every day use. This book has very good picture for instruction of the various weaves. I take a class in basket making and one of the other students had the book and I knew I
   needed this book to make baskets. It also has colored pictures which I like.

No comments about Decorating Gift Baskets.

2 comments about Pine Needle Basketmaking.

1. I liked the information on the disk, just hard to use when I am trying the process.



2. This CD book gives straight-forward instructions on making pine needle baskets. Each technique is broken down into steps. Each step is illustrated by a photograph which is captioned with a description of what has to be done. Many of these steps have an additional photo on the screen page as further illustration. Although there are no specific projects presented here, after going thru this CD book you will have a good idea of how to make a pine needle basket.
   
   Although this CD contains good instructional information, I had expected to find some animation demonstrating pine needle basketry techniques. Failing that, I thought it would at least have some interactive elements besides clicking the menu bar or to the next screen. Essentially, this is a book that was put on CD and, other than saving book shelf space I didn't see any advantage to the CD format. If anything it's a drawback because it's easier to leaf thru a book while you're working with damp pine needles, etc. than to scroll around on a PC. [When I tried to print some pages from my PC all that printed was a black screen with the menu bar at the bottom.] Additionally, on my PC when I expanded to a full screen view, the photo quality degraded. As I said, this CD book contains solid information, but I wouldn't recommend it for a first time basket maker.

No comments about Basket Making (Contemporary Crafts).

1 comments about Twill Basketry: A Handbook of Designs, Techniques, and Styles.

1. This is a great intermediate to advanced weaver's book. Although in the back she does cover straight and basic plaiting techniques, this book is for basket weaver's who are serious about their art and want to add color and/or artistic designs into their baskets. Not only does it teach you how to incorporate geometric designs in your work, it also teaches you how to draft your own artwork designs. The book covers twill weave, how to wrap your weavers, materials used, adding color and weaver tension. Also included is design weaving: basic blocks and diamond patterns as well as variations on the two; creating folded baskets, undulating twills and double weaving. You'll learn how to incorporate many different lines (such as a swirl pattern) and other fun shapes. Learn color techniques and how to correctly match multiple colors in one piece. Plus, learn how to read draft plans, build complex twills, and how to draft your own designs. Very easy to read and understand. Loads of wonderful color pictures as well as black and white draft plans to help you get started. A metric conversion chart and basket supply sources are included. 144 pages (hardback edition).

1 comments about Row upon Row: Sea Grass Baskets of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

1. Tells the story of how a culture survived and adapted to new surroundings. The story of its basketry is the central vehicle. Of interest to those who like basketweaving and those who like stories of different peoples cultures.

2 comments about The Bentley Collection Guide for Longaberger® Baskets - Ninth Edition.

1. I can't be without my Bentley Guide! I am a consultant and I bring it to every show to show my customers how much their investment in Longaberger baskets will grow over the years! It also has allowed me to see older baskets that I wanted and was able to track down on Ebay! LOVE IT!!



2. This book is absolutely wonderful. It has very nice pictures of the baskets and is very helpful when you are just starting to collect baskets. My only gripe is there are a FEW (a SMALL few) they do not have pictures of. It is a wonderful tool for anyone who loves Longaberger. Very helpful for ebay, etc.

No comments about Bevy of Baskets.