Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

Repost of a 2020 Interview with J & M Davidson for London Craft Week

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2020 Melinda West - London Craft Week at J&M Davidson - Interview JMD: When did you first start basket weaving? What inspired you? MW: Being in nature is my inspiration, the place I find comfort, wonder and delight. I've been fortunate to live in places near vacant lots, trail-heads, beaches, or mountains. I remember making my first … [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