Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026 – Weaving Nature

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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...]

Craft 2026 – Upcoming Workshop at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network

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I am thrilled to be leading a five day workshop: WEAVING NATURE - SEASONAL GIFTS OF PLANTS FOR BASKETMAKING. It will be held in the Seattle area at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network (BARN) next April 27 through May 1, 2026. I’m gratefully enjoying the gathering of oodles of materials for students now. For more information about Craft 2026: Craft … [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