Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

Woven Cedar Bark Satchel or Purse

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Explore the generous nature of the Western Red Cedar tree as you learn the basics of weaving, twining, and cordage-making using the inner bark of cedar, along with other plant fibers held in high regard and used for thousands of years by the First Peoples of the Pacific Northwest.  As you create your own small satchel or purse you will also learn … [Read more...]

Small Cedar Baskets

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Students learn to make small bark baskets using the inner bark of the Western Red Cedar, a tree highly valued by First Peoples cultures of the Pacific Northwest.     Learn why the Western Red Cedar has been referred to as "Long-Life-Maker' by the First Peoples of the Pacific Northwest as you experience the process of … [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