Sunday, October 5, 2008

Pine O' Maine Basket

I love this item....even though you don't get back what you put into crafts, this one is one of my favorites. Heck, anything with outdoor supplies is a favorite with me.





This project can reeeally stress the crafter who puts in alot of hours, this kind of basket is made on a whim and a prayer.

First, there is alot of unruly cording to deal with....I "trap" every other bulb to make the string of wire co-operate. Smallest light set I've been able to find is a count of 35, that almost seems too much for a mere 12 inch basket.


Secondly, it's difficult to maintain the same level of mounding when your working in a circle. The styrofoam comes in handy during this part as you can wedge one side higher while continuing gluing on the other side, it should work out. The gluing makes the cones self standing.


Lastly, it takes finesse and maneuvering to place the lights down to the last cone.....



Even "hilling" from the back .....
Even "hilling" from the front.....this is traveling to Esty.

I have a special thought I'd like to share about this project......
A few years ago, I sold in a rented booth at a craft shop. I sold two of these clear bulb, Pine O' Maine baskets.....
to the same lady......
The owner of the shop told me....the lady was very tickled, giggling and laughing, she was beside herself buying my baskets. My vendor asked her about it.....
My purchaser was blind, but she could see the brightness of my baskets..............C&G Design.


6 comments:

tina said...

Very pretty basket! Such a sweet story with the lady too.

Dawn said...

I was touched, obviously. That's what I think of while making these, they do take awhile.

Skeeter said...

Neat baskets and so unique...


I love heartwarming stories such as this Dawn. I was reading in a magazine how a woman lost most of her sight and was still snapping pictures with a digital camera. She could see her pictures on the computer due to their large size! She had to laugh at herself for walking around with her white cane and snapping pictures as to what people were thinking of her. She uses her other senses when aiming the camera and never knows what she is capturing. One of her pictures was in the magazine and a great pic…...

Jean Merriman said...

They are very pretty and I really enjoyed the one you made for me. But what a touching storry about the lady. My grandmother was blind but could see things that were yellow.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful basket---Beautiful story. I'm sure she enjoyed it immensely.

Dawn said...

Hi guys,
I've had alot of views, relativly speaking, for the basket. My next one will be a clear bulb, painted flowers on the basket and a handle, some pastel berries. (I might keep that one)
Yes, a nice story and I wished I'd met her but it's nice to know my baskets pleased her so much that the shop owner asked about it.
I like your story too Skeeter, would you ask? That's one of those moments you pray to be struck by lightening AFTER your kid blurts something inapproiate. Oay vey.