Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

Some old notes on Schoenoplectus Pungens – NW Sweetgrass

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Growing and Harvesting Your Homegrown NW Sweet Grass. 9-3-2024 Melinda West Not everyone is fortunate to have there own land to cultivate, or even a place to call home, but perhaps you have a balcony on your apartment, or a friend with space in their garden, or access to a public Pea Patch? That’s all you need besides a large pot without holes … [Read more...]

Lissa Hunter’s Take Two Online Workshop

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Yes, this is an advertisement for a fun workshop with Lissa Hunter, a fantastic fiber artist and teacher. Since she lives on the other side of this broad country, we may never have had the chance to meet. I’ve admired her work from afar through fiberart and craft magazines, so when Take Two provided the opportunity for me to learn from her last … [Read more...]

Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026 – Weaving Nature

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Join us for an extraordinary celebration of American craft as BARN participates in Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026. This unprecedented week brings accomplished artists from our region and beyond for intensive workshops that will transform your creative practice. Handwork Week offers a unique opportunity to learn from nationally recognized … [Read more...]

Weaving Nature – Seasonal Gifts of Plants for Basketmaking

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It’s been a busy fall gathering many of the plants we’ll be using in this workshop. I’m grateful to Jennifer Hemmingsen at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network for putting together this article. Please be sure to click on “Handwork: Weaving traditions, stewardship and place with Melinda West” to view this article and links to registration and the … [Read more...]

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

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Barbara Ann Lawrence is a Suquamish culture carrier. I am blessed when our paths cross in the many ways they do through our work, families and friendship. I consider her one of my precious teachers. I’m sharing an interview with Barbara here because she is a participant in many of the positive things going on in the Suquamish community today. Her … [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