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.

Local History – Interview With Barbara Ann Lawrence – Suquamish Tribal Cultural Teacher and Storyteller

I live on the traditional land of the Suquamish People. There is so much history and culture here and all the time I’m learning more, hearing more of the Lushootseed language spoken, watching the canoes being crafted and returning to the waters, witnessing the weavers teaching the next generation of weavers.

Blog Categories

Suquamish Basket Marsh, 6-10-11

The Suquamish Basket Marsh

June 14, 2012

The Suquamish Basket Marsh is an outdoor living classroom filled with native plants.

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Workshop at North Cascades Institute 2012

June 12, 2012

I’ll be teaching a fun class inspired by the Northwest landscape and First Peoples traditional uses of the plant fiber resources.  Come to this rejuvenating  Artist’s Retreat in the beautiful North Cascades. Be sure to ask NCI about how to qualify for a partial tuition scholarship. A description and details are available at the North Cascades […]

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Cedar Limb Weir

Traditional Fishing Weir

June 12, 2012

Ed Carriere has made the largest open-twined cedar root and limb basket I’ve come across.

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6-11-12, bark starts

Studio Spring Cleaning

June 12, 2012

Results are fleeting, but it feels great to clean out the studio, finding lots of bark to work with.

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Towhee

Baby Towhee

June 11, 2012

Young Spotted Towhee, and the first butterfly of the season.

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Donna Souter Photography

Artist in Residence at IslandWood

June 10, 2012

Sharing an ethnobotany lesson with 5th graders at IslandWood, on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

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Woven Rattle

Weaving Rattles

June 5, 2012

Use materials from the Pacific Northwest landscape to weave unique sound-makers.

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My Studio

My Studio is a Place of Joy

May 31, 2012

So much good happens inside a dedicated studio space.

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Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair Fern

May 31, 2012

This early spring gem lights up our path on the gray days in May.

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Vine Maple and Cedar Paper

Paper Making and Sculptural Work

May 31, 2012

Have fun making sculptural vessels that express your creative nature.

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Wild Herb and Flower Basket

Wild Herb and Flower Basket

May 31, 2012

This seasonal basket captures the bounty of the summer garden.

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Cedar Limb Bread Tray

Cedar Limb Bread Tray

May 31, 2012

Learn how to split cedar limbs and make a beautiful Bread Tray

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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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