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Basket weaving, a skill and much more

Helping to keep the age-old handicraft alive is a goal of the guild, whose two dozen members enjoy the creativity and fellowship.

By MARYAN PELLAND
Published March 12, 2006

	[Times photo: Edmund Fountain]
	Judy Atteberry, 60, of Wesley Chapel twines a Cherokee twill basket at the LifeSouth Community Blood Bank in Spring Hill last week during the monthly Nature Coast Basket Weaving Guild meeting. Atteberry says she has been weaving with the group for about 10 years.

SPRING HILL - Basket weaving has a certain reputation. But it's no joke - and requires skill.

The Nature Coast Basket Weaving Guild works to preserve a craft that dates back 8,000 years in America. Members meet monthly to weave baskets and share friendship.

These artisans - about two dozen local women - blend modern technology and age-old handicraft. They pass patterns and advice by e-mail, and seek projects and materials via the Internet. But they might use chewing tobacco to dye reeds and grasses.

They experiment with onion skins to make yellow dye or black walnut for brown. Leaves make green. But Rit Dye from the grocery store is the staple. Who has time to crush leaves? asks Georgia Cook of Spring Hill, who has been weaving for nine years.

Most guild members, like Liz Patterson, who spends half her time here and half in Vermont, took up the craft for creativity and social connections.

"I take classes, weave with the guild here, and weave while we travel in our van," Patterson said. "I thought it might be fun - and it turns out I love it."

Pam Whitehead of Brooksville is president of the Nature Coast Guild and has been weaving for eight years.

"We have social events during the year besides our monthly meetings," Whitehead said. "Friendship is a big part."

The group meets on the second Thursday of the month, September to May, generally at the LifeSouth Community Blood Bank. Some members attend every meeting; some don't. There's time at each session to work on projects and exchange ideas.

The guild's members range from beginners to skilled experts, and many still take lessons. Secretary Cathy Wesson teaches weekly classes as part of the adult education program at Nature Coast Technical High School.

It can take from two to six hours, or more, to create a basket, depending on the intricacy. Judy Wilks of Brooksville says her home has baskets in every nook and cranny.

"My husband wonders where the next one will go," Wilks said. "I give a lot of them as gifts."

Most members agree: The hobby takes on a life of its own. Some members find ways to expand their horizons. For instance, Frances Doulk and Sandy Penwarden share the craft with Microsociety students at Chocachatti Elementary School.

Microsociety teaches students life skills by putting them in model jobs and careers during the school day. Doulk and Penwarden facilitate a weaving guild at the school for students whose "job" is producing baskets to sell at school fundraisers.

"We have third- through fifth-graders. It's an incredible experience that keeps a tradition alive for the kids," Penwarden said.

Added Doulk: "Our group entered work in the county fair last year and one of our girls (from Chocachatti) won best in show. They take a lot of pride in their weaving."

The Nature Coast Guild connects with groups around the country and invites experts from other states to visit. At a recent meeting, Dianne Kennedy from South Carolina brought a wood and reed heart-motif basket to show the group.

Kennedy, whose specialty is fabric weavings and embellishments for baskets, has traveled to about a dozen states to speak to groups.

"It's always the same sort of women," she said. "These are worker bees."

She pointed to the women around her concentrating on projects. "They do this for themselves," she said, "but it still produces something.

"These old skills shouldn't be lost," Kennedy said. "Maybe what's wrong with the world is not remembering these activities that feed our sanity and promote fellowship. It's all tied up with positive attitudes and strong values."

The stereotype of basket weaving is accurate, in a way. It's therapeutic and relaxing, even when you're just watching. But Kennedy said it's a time to let your hair down and be real.

Maryan Pelland may be contacted at maryan@ontext.com

The Nature Coast Basket Weaving Guild meets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, September to May, generally at the LifeSouth Community Blood Bank on Cortez Boulevard in Spring Hill. For information about the guild, call president Pam Whitehead at 596-9944 or secretary Cathy Wesson at 666-2285.

[Last modified March 12, 2006, 01:17:10]