Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

Fish Skin Preparation into a Material For Craft

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In 2018, Karen Magnuson-Sherwood, being the kind and generous teacher she is, traveled to Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network (BARN) on Bainbridge Island, to teach a class demonstrating use of preserved fish skins woven into a lovely cedar basket.   In October 2023, what a delight that Audrey Armstrong agreed to come all the way … [Read more...]

Repost of a 2020 Interview with J & M Davidson for London Craft Week

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2020 Melinda West - London Craft Week at J&M Davidson - Interview JMD: When did you first start basket weaving? What inspired you? MW: Being in nature is my inspiration, the place I find comfort, wonder and delight. I've been fortunate to live in places near vacant lots, trail-heads, beaches, or mountains. I remember making my first … [Read more...]

Bloedel Reserve Residency Notes #1

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Hello You, “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” (Mary Oliver) I hope this note finds you in a good place. I am writing during a residency at the Bloedel Reserve in Washington State. Here, the plants are in a frenzy of growth since the warm weather has arrived. Opening the door, stepping outside and breathing deeply, is all … [Read more...]

Hazelnut In Spring

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I was invited to teach a Ribbed Basket Workshop this September at the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network, or BARN. This is giving me the opportunity to slow down a minute and extrapolate some of the things I know about working with plants. Sometimes I take for granted what I’ve learned, because it’s what I do everyday, and it isn’t any more … [Read more...]

Paper From Plants – A Lesson in Resilience

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The word resilience comes to mind while making papers from plants. Heronswood Gardens is located on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State. It is owned and operated by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and Heronswood is a wonderful place to contemplate the meaning of resilience. In 2019 Kara Horton and I received a grant from the Port Gamble … [Read more...]

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