Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

Greetings – It’s 2026!

By

Hello. I hope each of you are finding healthy ways to embrace life each day. I am coping by working with my hands, digging in the soil, planting seeds, weaving baskets, and preparing materials for the very special students who have already filled my April 2026 workshop at BARN, Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network. I know there is a large waitlist, … [Read more...]

Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026 – Weaving Nature

By

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...]

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.
Read More
Melinda West and basket, Indianola WA