Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

Ed Carriere Culture Carrier, June 9, 2017

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I've always been aware that I live in a special community. There are so many folks in Indianola who amaze me by their kindness, brilliance, generosity, artistic skills, and by the hard-working and interesting lives they lead. One such individual is life-time Indianola resident, Ed Carriere. Ed Carriere is a quiet gentleman with many … [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