Before one of Eric Taylor’s baskets can be created like these (which are still in progress) ….
there needs to be those, (pictured below) which happen to be molds! Lots of molds. Molds for the handles, the rims and the bases. And all of these molds have to be made in different sizes, depending on the basket design or style.
As you can see, there’s a whole lot more to basket making than just coming up with a design and weaving it! And for Eric, there’s more work because he insists on bending his own wood, making his own molds from scratch and boiling material for his handles.
It unquestionably makes me, a non-basketmaker, appreciate the art & craft, and how much work goes into making not only a bunch of baskets, but even just one basket!
And think of all those lucky participants in the design class who will be able to design their own mold/basket! I’d love to have you post their creations.
I certainly will!! Thanks Kathleen!