Baskets & Gourds

This page will feature some examples of previous baskets and gourds I have made as well as items available for sale. As new pieces are available, they will also be displayed.

Shari burning a design on a gourd

Baskets

Market baskets are used not only as home decor items, but are also very functional for those trips to the Farmer's Martket!

The baskets are made from top grade reed and often incorporate paper thin maple strips such as the one displayed, which are woven into the sides and curled around the basket for several rows. By adding this extra layer, the baskets have a double wall making them very sturdy for carrying heavy objects.

This particular basket is a very popular style, especially when left natural, but it can be woven with dyed or smoked reed. The handle also features a woven design utilizing flat and round reed.

The basket measures 14" high (including the handle) x 12" long and 10" deep.

Our long time customers come looking for our booth when we are set up at art fairs and Pow Wows because they know they'll find new baskets to buy. This double walled basket is another favorite for those who love market baskets and features a very pretty pattern using natural and dyed reed, plus paper thin maple for curls. The featured basket was done in black and natural reeds, which produced a very striking piece, but don't hesitate to pick colors that will work with your own decor.

The basket has been lightly stained with an oak oil to preserve it, and measures 15" long x 9" wide and 7 1/2" high (12" high with handle).

This incredible basket is wonderful for fruit or even to hold a not so attractive vase of flowers. It features an oval wood base, top grade commercial reed plus smoked reed forming 'reflecting' mountains around the center. The entire basket was sealed with an oak oil stain and the base has been signed and dated.

The basket can be made with your color scheme in mind! It measures 11 1/2" across x 10 1/4" deep x 7 1/4" high.

Although this basket isn't large in size, it's got a lot of design and can be used for so many purposes. This basket was woven on a wood base with top grade commercial reed (dyed black) and the curls are from paper thin maple strips. It has been sealed with a clear stain to preserve it.

The basket measures 7 1/2" across and 5" high, and of course, is signed and dated. By choosing your own accent color, this basket will be right at home wherever you need a touch of style.

I love the beauty of the northwest area of our country so much and wanted to weave a basket depicting a 'North Style' theme. This basket was started following a wonderful pattern by another basket designer, but I had to make some changes to make it different. The basket has evergreen trees all the way around and a ceramic bear buckle in front. This basket measures 10" wide by 5" deep at the base (9-1/4" deep across the top) and 6-5/8" tall.

The colors used for this basket are natural with a deep green and brown for the trees. For those who aren't into bears, but prefer either a cabin or moose decoration, we can create the same basket with one of those options.

Pine needle baskets are my absolute favorite baskets to make. In my younger years, I was inspired by all the magnificent baskets made by the elders and artists from Tennessee to South Carolina, but it wasn't until my adult years that I felt an urgent need to seriously work at perfecting these incredible baskets.

This bread basket features a wood burned and stained base, long leaf pine needles and walnut slices. It measures 5-1/2" tall by 22" long.

Gourds

Gourds are such interesting natural objects and can be fashioned into the most creative pieces of art. The gourds pictured to the left are smaller gourds, treated with textured paints in rich Southwest hues, a Dream Catcher in the centers and pine needles on the top edge.

Many Dream Catcher and pine needle gourds are between 3-1/2" and 10" tall and are priced between $25.00-$145.00 depending on the size of the gourd, overall design and amount of pine needle treatment. Although the gourds pictured here have been sold, I'll be happy to design a gourd for your particular needs. As new gourds are completed, they'll be added to this page with full details.

The gourd to the left is a larger size vessel which was also done with texturized paint and features hand painted feathers. The cool dusty pink color was chosen by my customer who needed a special accent piece for a newly decorated room. It's further decorated with natural feathers, bone and turquoise beads.

I also love to use natural fibers, such as philodendron sheaths to enhance my gourds. This gourd is also decorated with texturized paint that gives it a little sparkle. Feathers and bone beads were added to finish the look.

Among my very favorite gourds to create are my Story or "Kiva" Series gourds. They are elaborately decorated, all by hand, and many incorporate carving for a 3D effect or wood burned designs. These gourds also feature a step cut design and come with a wood "kiva" ladder.

This particular gourd has been sold, but I'll be working on new gourds soon when time permits.

Antler Carvings

When I saw antler carvings years ago, I knew it was something I would eventually want to try someday. My very first completed carving was on deer antler (image on the left), which is much easier than moose antler! I fashioned the antler into a dance stick with hand painted feathers, leather and glass beads and brought it to a local event where we were set up as vendors. Since the beadwork I added around the feathers was to honor Vietnam veterans, it caught the eye of many vets at the event and before noon on the first day, the piece was sold.

Since then, I've carved on a variety of antlers including different parts of the antler, from slices to the tips (also known as spikes or points) which I fashion into pendants, the pedicle and beam (the portion that is closest to the head of the animal) which are used for pipes, as well as antler that I incorporate with baskets.

My ambition has been to create a special pine needle basket using moose antler, so I purchased a rack from a taxidermist out of Montana. The antler to the left and lower left is the beginnings of my carving. I enjoy carving feathers on antler and especially making them as realistic as possible. Once this carving is completed, including using oil paints to give the feathers some realism, I'll begin the pine needle basket, shaping it around the antler. Once the project is completed, I'll upload a photo.

Although I don't have aspirations to become an antler carver full time, I do enjoy the creative diversion when I need to take a break from the other art forms I enjoy so much. In the meantime, I will be happy carving antler that is used for baskets and pieces that are turned into jewelry art when time permits or an idea needs to take shape.