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

August 16, 2010 Harvesting Grasses and Leaves

August 16, 2010 By Melinda

<><><> </></></>grass fan   28"x20"x2"<><> </></> Summer has peaked in the Puget Sound area with temperatures in the 90's, clear skies, and gentle breezes from the North. This is the time my thoughts flow to the harvesting of foliage from the many long-leaved plants and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Plants and Places Tagged With: bulrush, cattail, common rush, corn husks, crocosmia, crocus, curing, daffodil, foliage, garlic leaves, grass-like materials, grasses, harvesting, leaves, mellowing, mixed grass paper, NW sweetgrass, onion leaves, papermaking, Siberian iris, spring, storage, summer, wall pieces, Yellow Flag Iris

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  • Bare Bones Abstracts
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  • October 2020 London Craft Week at J&M Davidson
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About Melinda

Thirty 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. The experience of weaving with the materials at hand while being together with my sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, kindled a passion for creating art from natural plant materials. I thank my family, my community, and all my teachers for cultivating this gift in me.
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