November 6th 2008 Minutes

November 6th, 2008 Minutes

Thirteen members of the Guild met on November 6th for weaving and fellowship. Members introduced themselves for the benefit of our two new members; Donna and Sue (well and some of us old members too - like me- that forget names easily)

Sara, JoAnn, Darleen and Stephanie all had baskets to show and share. I would like to apologize in that I definitely had an off night. I both forgot the minutes from the October 2nd meeting ( please look below or type in "Minutes October 2008") AND I wasn't listening to get the Treasurer's Report. ( I was selecting candy from JoAnn's beautiful basket at the time)
Old Business

December 4th Snack and Weave
Members were reminded the December Meeting will start at 6:00 PM rather than 6:30. Please bring a snack to share and your own beverage. Plates, napkins and silverware will be provided. For December we will be weaving the border of Holly's Basket.

Spring Workshop
Member's discussed the possibility of Eileen of East Troy Basketry teaching the basket "Caned Elegance" at a Saturday Spring Workshop. JoAnn motioned to have Darleen check on the availability of Eileen for either March 28, April 4 or April 25. The motion was 2nd by Marlene. Members stated a preference to having the event at the Ripon Public Library.

Guild Programs
The sign up sheet was again passed around asking for members to sign up to lead a program. January, February, March, April and June are all available! PLEASE STEP UP.


New Business

Darleen handed out new membership lists. Please notify her of any corrections. Also if you do get email or change your email address please let me know.

The January Meeting will take place on January 8th rather than on New Year's Day.
On the agenda for January is the possible changing of the Guidelines. I will get the Guidelines posted on the blog soon.

Judy Street distributed a nice hand-out on adding leather handles. This is the technique that Stephanie demonstrated during the Fall Workshop. I will post this on the blog soon.

Program - Holly's Basket
The comment for the evening seemed to be what terrible directions Holly's Basket had. I shall try to recall many of JoAnn's helpful comments. Read the pattern VERY CLOSELY. Dispite the pattern directions, JoAnn's expert directions allowed many people to get up to the curling rows of the cute little basket. If you have a question email JoAnn's secretary Don, and he will try to find JoAnn so she can get back to you!

(If you missed the November meeting and want the pattern before the December meeting, please email or phone me and I will mail it out.)
JoAnn's Tips

One spoke is placed under the handle and clipped to the sides of the handle.

If making the large basket you won't be able to fit all the filler strips in. Just cut down a few, JoAnn cut 2 in half.

The medium basket has quite a bit of space between spokes. Feel free to add filler strips.

On the first row on the side, run your weaver OVER the handle.

It is easier to add the red beads and green curls while you are weaving the basket rather than waiting until the basket is done. Just complete the row where the beads are, stick the round reed and bead in and use the next row of 1/2" or 3/8" ( depending on which size you are making) to hold the beads/round reed in. Then do the curls. Don't have your reed too wet when trying to do the curls.

BE SURE TO CUT AND TUCK EVERY OTHER SPOKE TO THE OUTSIDE.
One TIP I forgot when making the original post.......
When doing the curls, cut a piece of plastic from a milk jug about 8" long and about 1/4" wide, fold it in half so now you have a piece about 1/4" by 4" long. Place your green reed inside the folded plastic and use it like a "needle" or holding tool to go behind the spokes. It is kind of like a "lash saver" but it is a "curl helper".