Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Cedar and Iris Fan Is Done

February 15, 2013 By Melinda

2013,Cedar and Iris Fan, Melinda West

This fan is approximately 5' wide by 4.5' tall and 2" deep.  It is made out of my favorite ornamental plum branches, Siberian iris stalks, New Zealand flax, and inner bark of the Western red cedar.   I love the textures and smells of the materials while working.   When I conceived this, I thought I'd end up applying … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 1st graders, 2nd graders, Cedar and iris Fan, Elementary students, environmental education, inner cedar bark, iris pods, iris stalks, IslandWood, negative space, New Zealand Flax, plum branches, shadows, Siberian iris, Small Plant Fiber Projects, smells, spring, Suquamish Elementary, texture, Wall piece, Western red cedar, winter

Cedar Bark and Iris Fan

October 11, 2010 By Melinda

Cedar and Iris Fan by Melinda West

This cedar bark, Siberian iris, and handmade paper fan, demonstrates the beauty found in familiar, ancient forms.  I'm grateful to Linda and David, for giving me the opportunity to create this piece for them, using materials from their beautiful garden.  (37”tall x 24” wide x 2” deep) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork Tagged With: Cedar and iris Fan, Commission, iris pods, Siberian iris

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Recent Posts

  • Local History – Interview With Barbara Ann Lawrence – Suquamish Tribal Cultural Teacher and Storyteller
  • Porch Papermaking With Food Plants – Cardoon and Kale
  • Paper from the Ditch – Weathered Reed Canary Grass
  • Late Winter Papermaking – Mixing Siberian Iris Leaves and Lichens
  • More Spring Porch Papermaking – With Ivy Leaves

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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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