Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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August 26-27 – Weaving Nature-Plant Fiber Projects Blending Culture, Science & Art

July 29, 2017 By Melinda

Dividing the inner and outer bark layers

Each year for the past fifteen, I've had the privilege of spending two intensive weeks teaching the craft of weaving with plant fibers, to young people with wildly diverse backgrounds, between the ages of 8 and 14.  As an Artist in Residence at IslandWood, an environmental education campus on Bainbridge Island, just a ferry ride across the water … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Upcoming, Weaving Nature, Workshops Tagged With: Artist in the Woods Residency, Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, BARN, cattail, iris, IslandWood, Project for kids, publication, Science & Art, Seasonal Round, Traditional Ecological Knowlede, vines, Weaving Naure - Plant Fiber Projects Blending Culture, Western red cedar, workshop

Sculptural Weaving With Polly Adams Sutton

July 19, 2017 By Melinda

Basket By Polly Adams Sutton

https://bainbridgebarn.wildapricot.org/event-2525482 Above is a link to more information about the upcoming August 5-6 workshop with Polly Adams Sutton at the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network, BARN. There are many artists I've been influenced by. When I see a shape in space that I like, or materials that draw me in, or a brilliant idea … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, Community, News, Upcoming, Weaving with Cedar, Workshops Tagged With: Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, BARN, BARN workshops, Polly Adams Sutton, Sculptural Weaving with NW Naturals

Basketry Workshops At Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network

June 25, 2017 By Melinda

Artist Sue Skelly

June has flown by, and with it, many wonderful experiences. One being that the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network, or BARN, has opened the doors to a beautiful new building on Bainbridge Island, a place of community and learning for makers of many disciplines.  Programs for all eleven studios are up and running, with a huge outpouring of response … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, News, Upcoming, Weaving with Cedar, Workshops Tagged With: Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, BARN, Basketry Programs, Berry Pouch, Cedar Tree To Pouch, Cedar weaving, Ed Carriere, fiber art, Garden Spire, Nancy Sigo, Sue Skelly, Suquamish elder, Suquamish Weaver, Woven Cedar Works

One Spot Left for June 10-11 Cedar Pouch Workshop

June 5, 2017 By Melinda

Cedar Berry Pouches

One spot has opened up for next weekend's workshop at the brand new BARN. What a joy to be able to teach in this beautiful new Fiber Art studio space on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Perhaps this is your chance to experience the gifts of the Western Red … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Upcoming, Weaving with Cedar, Workshops Tagged With: Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, BARN, Cedar From Tree To Pouch, Long Life Maker

Ed Carriere – Culture Carrier – June 9, 6:30 – 8, 2017

May 11, 2017 By Melinda

Ed Carriere and Great-grandson Cody

http://bainbridgebarn.wildapricot.org/event-2485430 Please join Suquamish Elder, Master Weaver, carver, craftsman, and culture carrier, Ed Carriere, who with Plant Fiber Artist, Melinda West, are opening up the brand new Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network with an evening of learning. Ed Carriere will share some his own story of how weaving … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, My Teachers, News, Upcoming Tagged With: Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, Ed Carriere, Master Weaver, Suquamish

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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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