Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Spring Branch Sorting

May 3, 2017 By Melinda

winter branches to sort

I've been enjoying the tasks of late-winter/early-spring.  Our vegetable garden is filled with Kale, over-wintered spinach, with arugula, mache, and cilantro as the dominent "weeds", which we love. Nettles are always there at the edges for a good green in pesto, soup, or for tea.  In March one group of 5th graders at IslandWood made me a beautiful … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Plants and Places Tagged With: branches, early spring, Hazelnut shoots, ornamental plum, winter, yellow willow

Weaving From the Garden – Wall

May 31, 2012 By Melinda

Ribbed Wall Baskets

  The Ribbed Wall Basket is one of my favorites.  It can be made in any size to serve special storage or display functions in the home.  These baskets bring the warmth and wonder of nature inside, and make perfect unique Northwest gifts.  Students learn to select and transform plant materials from Pacific Northwest landscapes and gardens … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Weaving from the Wild, Workshops Tagged With: branches, cordage-making, curing materials, decor, drying materials, function, gathering materials, grasses, inner cedar bark, leaves, mellowing materials, NW plant materials, preparing plant materials, ribbed, survey of materials, utility, vines, wall basket, Weaving From the Wild and Garden Landscapes

Weaving From the Garden – Potato

May 29, 2012 By Melinda

Potato Baskets

  The Potato Basket, refers to this ribbed-style basket in the largest size, but this style can be adapted to any size and renamed as you like.   In a medium size this makes a great bread serving basket.  Students will learn how to select and transform plant materials from Pacific Northwest landscapes and gardens into beautiful and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Weaving from the Wild, Workshops Tagged With: assorted NW plant materials, baskets, branches, bread dish, class, decor, function, garden, inner cedar bark, preparation of weaving materials, ribbed, sampler, students, utility, Weaving From the Wild and Garden Landscapes, workshop

Weaving From the Garden – Harvest

May 29, 2012 By Melinda

Harvest Basket

  This Harvest Basket is a Pacific Northwest version of a traditional ribbed gathering basket. In our little organic garden, I'm still using one of the first Harvest Baskets I made over 25 years ago, on a daily basis. I've refurbished it once, and it will likely last another 25 years. In this class students learn how to select and transform … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Weaving from the Wild, Workshops Tagged With: branches, class, decor, function, garden, grasses, inner cedar bark, leaves, ribbed, ribbed construction, students, utility, vines, Weaving From the Wild and Garden Landscapes, workshops

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About Melinda

Thirty 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. The experience of weaving with the materials at hand while being together with my sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, kindled a passion for creating art from natural plant materials. I thank my family, my community, and all my teachers for cultivating this gift in me.
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