Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Weaving Nature Workshop Fall 2022 at BARN

April 13, 2022 By Melinda

Harvest Basket

Hello - Are you still there? My blogs have been sparse these past several years. My explanation is simple. The late Upper Skagit Elder, Vi Hilbert, many times said that her elders told her: “If you’re talking, you’re not listening!” Let’s just say I’ve been doing my best to be listening, and reading, and listening, and reflecting, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, My Teachers, News, Upcoming, Weaving Nature, Workshops Tagged With: Appalachian Egg Basket, Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, BARN, BARN workshops, branch work, gathering, Skagit elder Vi Hilbert, Weaving From The Wild, Weaving Nature

Gratitudes For the Cedar Exhibit at Heronswood

March 27, 2019 By Melinda

Darlene Peters S’Klallam Cultural Teacher & Weaver

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for every person here. Hannah Jones who made this exhibit so beautiful & Deb Sweet who helped build the weaving programs at BARN. Dan Hinkley, one of the original Heronswood Founders, who now offers his guidance and expertise as the Port Gamble S’Klallam Foundation breathes life back into the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, Community, My Teachers, Upcoming Tagged With: Betty Pasco, Clam Basket A Story By Ed Carriere, Dan Hinkley, Darlene Peters, Denise Dumouchel, Duane Pasco, Ed Carriere, Ellen Miyasato, Hannah Jones, Heronswood Garden, Heronswood Garden House Exhibit, Jessica Henderson, Joan Garrow, Karen Salsbury, Katie Jennings, LeeAnn Woolery, Makita Wilborn, Melissa Streun, Polly Adams Sutton, S’Klallam, Skagit elder Vi Hilbert, Skokomish elder Bruce Miller, Sue Skelly

Suquamish Museum Presentation

September 17, 2015 By Melinda

The Suquamish Museum, in Suquamish Washington, is the heart of this lovely community, which was also the home and burial place of Chief Seattle. the museum houses the cultural artifacts of this ancient Salish community, from it's origins to the present. Every month the Suquamish Museum offers a free family film night. Tonight, filmmaker Katie … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Teachers, Resources Tagged With: Clam Basket A Story By Ed Carriere, Ed Carriere, Huchoosedah Teachings of the Heart, Katie Jennings, Skagit elder Vi Hilbert, Skokomish elder Bruce Miller, Suquamish Film Night, Teachings of The Tree People

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Recent Posts

  • Hazelnut In Spring
  • Food For Thought – No Reconciliation Can Come Without Truth
  • Weaving Project With Periscope Woodcraft
  • Food Along the Trail – Big Leaf Maple Flower Fritters
  • Weaving Nature Workshop Fall 2022 at BARN

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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

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