Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Polly Adams Sutton teaches “Chasing Bear Grass” Basket at BARN

March 2, 2019 By Melinda

Polly Adams Sutton - Chasing Bear Grass Basket at BARN

On the West Coast of North America, where I live, it is hard to complain about the mostly mild weather, but after several weeks of snow and freezing temps, it felt good to get out and gather with others at the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network, BARN, and spend a fun day weaving together under the steady guidance of Polly Adams Sutton.  Polly … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, Community, News, Workshops Tagged With: Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, BARN, BARN workshops, Chasing Bear Grass, Polly Adams Sutton, Small Cedar Bark Basket

The Cedar Experience

May 22, 2012 By Leslie

Woven Cedar Mat Necklace

Participants learn to make either a:  Woven Cedar Mat Necklace, (as you see pictured below at IslandWood), a Woven Cedar Wall Hanging, or a Small Cedar Bark Basket.     The Cedar Experience is a class designed to give learners of any age the opportunity to experience the gifts of Western Red Cedar through the hands, heart, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Weaving with Cedar, Workshops Tagged With: Cedar life cycle, Cedar Satchel, culturally sagnificent tree, NW sweetgrass, preparation of inner cedar bark, replanting cedar trees, Schoenoplectus pungent palla, Small Cedar Bark Basket, Small Cedar Projects, Weaving With Western Red Cedar, Woven Cedar Wall Basket. "Long Life Maker"

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Recent Posts

  • Bloedel Reserve Residency Notes #2
  • Bloedel Reserve Residency Notes #1
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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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