Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

Growing, gathering, and weaving with plant fibers from the Pacific Northwest

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Welcome to My Blog

As a contemporary visual artist I've been exploring the traditional art of weaving with plant fibers since 1985. I gather materials respectfully, recycling bark off of trees that are being cut down, pruning selectively to encourage the growth and health of plants, and replanting at every opportunity. I enjoy sharing the lessons I've learned from my generous teachers.

Being a hands-on, low-tech type person, I will do my best to make weekly (or at least monthly) posts. I like writing about the making process, worthwhile community projects, and sharing practical ideas of what the seasons have to offer those who are longing to live creatively within the rhythms of the natural world.

Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere is a 2023 National Heritage Fellow

We who know Ed Carriere, have always seen him as a treasured teacher and an encyclopedia of traditional ecological knowledge. But now he will truly be honored as a 2023 National Heritage Fellowship Recipient.

Blog Categories

Red-Flowering Currant

Spring – It’s on the Way

March 14, 2023

No matter how cold or rainy it is – the plants are telling us that Spring is on its way.

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Water Is Life – A Song Worth Hearing

March 3, 2023

A song by Oliver Enjady and Lyla June. I hope you can listen.

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Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere is a 2023 National Heritage Fellow

March 2, 2023

We who know Ed Carriere, have always seen him as a treasured teacher and an encyclopedia of traditional ecological knowledge. But now he will truly be honored as a 2023 National Heritage Fellowship Recipient.

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Our Sacred Obligation – A Story Worth Spreading

March 1, 2023

Our Sacred Obligation is a well told story of resilience, persistence, purpose and hope. To bring the salmon back to the Klamath River requires decades of hard work, vision, collaboration, community and great leadership. We can all learn from this story.

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Basketry Program at BARN-Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network

October 9, 2022

After a long pause in the basketry program at the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network (BARN) due to the covid pandemic, it was wonderful to contribute to this program by teaching a Weaving Nature Workshop at BARN this Fall.

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Living Teachers, Living Landscapes, Living Students

October 4, 2022

A few thoughts after a long pause from writing to you.

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Hazelnut In Spring

June 3, 2022

Hazelnut limbs are a strong hardwood that work wonderfully as hoops, handles, or for the ribbed frame pieces that give some baskets their shape and strength. Harvest in winter to keep the bark on. Harvest in spring if you’d like to peal it.

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Food For Thought – No Reconciliation Can Come Without Truth

May 30, 2022

Everyday I appreciate the food plants along the trail I walk, reminding me that people have lived here from time immemorial to today who have preserved appreciated these food plants too.

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Weaving Project With Periscope Woodcraft

May 10, 2022

It was wonderful working with the Dream Team at Periscope Woodcraft on this fun project!

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Clusters of Big Leaf Maple Flowers

Food Along the Trail – Big Leaf Maple Flower Fritters

April 14, 2022

Elise Krohn and Sable Bruce, of GRuB & Gather, Tend & Grow, have generously shared a delicious recipe during their presentation to the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society.

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Harvest Basket

Weaving Nature Workshop Fall 2022 at BARN

April 13, 2022

Hello again. I’m still here and I hope you are too! Are you interested in learning how to respectfully and sustainably gather, prepare, store and utilize fibers from the plants and trees that grow in the communities we are a part of?

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Paper From Plants – A Lesson in Resilience

September 26, 2021

Port Gamble S’Klallam Community Awards Program made this artistic weekend of Paper Making With Plants possible.

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About Melinda

Forty years ago, while sitting on the beach playing with my young children, I made my first basket out of a pile of willow trimmings someone had tossed there. It looked wildly made like a crazy bird’s nest. While being together with my two sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, this simple experience of crafting with the natural materials at hand kindled a passion for creating forms using plant fibers. I thank my family, my community, and all my teachers for cultivating this gift in me.
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Melinda West and basket, Indianola WA

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