Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

North Cascades Institute 2012

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http://ncascades.org/signup/programs/weaving-an-artistic-basket Fall is in the air, but it isn't too late to treat yourself to the North Cascades Institute Artist Retreat. Four days of focused creative time surrounded by the North Cascade Mountains as you sit at the edge of Lake Diablo, is an experience that can give inspiration to last you … [Read more...]

Images – 2011 Workshop At NCI

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I'm embarrassed it has taken me a full year to find these pictures in my computer.  Sometimes I do dream of having a personal secretary, but since that isn't likely, I hope you will stay tuned for upcoming entries with pictures from the North Cascades Institute 2011 workshop.  I still remember clearly how hard everyone worked, taking the natural … [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