As a young child, I remember driving to and from basket classes and art shows with my Aunt Lara. This was always one of my favorite things to do when I was younger and maybe still today! From start to sale, my aunt did it all. Basket weaving is a craft that she passes on to others through her classes, basket patterns, and products. With a close family, having traditions and teachings passed down through the years is something that I have come to cherish.
Basket weaving is an ancient craft that dates back to nearly 12,000 B.C. Today, it is sometimes forgotten or replaced with machine-made products. Baskets played an important role during decades past, whether they were used to gather food, store things, or cook. Yet, living in a rural community, we use and enjoy the artisan culture of basket making. From craft shows, showcases, classes, and shops, you can find a handmade basket almost anywhere in rural communities. I am happy to be from a community that encouraged me to learn and use crafts and talents that are part of our history. I still remember the first basket that I had ever made, with a lot of help of course! It wasn’t something generic either—it was a lamp! We took a mason jar and wove reed around it to create the final product. After one basket, I knew that I was hooked.
From starting with the pattern to the type of stain used, the basket making is a very detailed craft. You first start your basket with wet reed to weave the pattern, while using a packing tool and scissors to shape the product. My favorite part about making a basket is the final reveal. Throughout the years of watching my aunt perfect her talent, I noticed how much time and dedication that she put into each one. She uses her craft and talent every day, sharing her skills with others to pass down the traditions of basket weaving. Years of practice later, my aunt was selected to showcase her work at Tamarack, which is known to have the best of West Virginia showcase handcrafts, fine art, and regional cuisine.
Basket making is a delicate and time-consuming process that requires much dedication. Being a crafter, you have to understand the needs and demands of your buyers. During each season, different patterns are expected at craft shows or sales. With that in mind, my aunt creates her own patterns of work. Piece by piece, measurement by measurement, everything you need to know to make the perfect basket is in her patterns. From lamps and soap dispensers to tissue containers, she can weave it all. With her own business, “Lara Kay’s Country Baskets,” I am proud to say I have learned this tradition from her and have continued the practice of passing down basket weaving through the generations.
Written by: Kaitlyn Fowler (with edits by Hannah Fuller and Sebastian Williams)
Bio: My name is Kaitlyn Fowler, and I am enrolled as a sophomore at Davis and Elkins College, double majoring in English and Criminology, with a minor in Political Science.
Photos by Lara Lawrence
Kaitlyn, this blog is fantastic. You and your family have such a gift as you are able to create these woven pieces of art. So beautiful!
My Dear Kaitlyn!!!! I cannot tell you how much reading this has blessed my heart. Love Always, Aunt Lara