Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Learning About Pollinators

February 2, 2015 By Melinda

The Pollinator Garden Fence at IslandWood, by Melinda West As a plant fiber artist inspired by nature, learning the life stories of important native Pacific Northwest pollinators has been one of the most delightful aspects of making this fence, and is one example of how art and science are interwoven.  This fence defines a border for ‘a garden … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: ancient, art, bamboo, cedar limbs, Commission, IslandWood, milled cedar splints, pollinator garden, pollinators, science, sustainable, universal, wattle fence, Western red cedar

Coiled Cordage Pendant

February 20, 2014 By Melinda

Coiled Cordage Pendant

Learning to make cordage from the leaves and grasses at hand is fun for every age. Discovering a bit of ancient knowledge about how to appreciate and utilize the plants around us, transforms us into makers of make beautiful and useful objects. Here are some pictures of young people making coiled cordage pendants, but this workshop is fun for all … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Students, Weaving Nature, Workshops Tagged With: ancient, coiled technique, cordage, grasses, leaves, sewing, Small Plant Fiber Projects, universal

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Recent Posts

  • Bare Bones Abstracts
  • A Space to Work and Meet
  • Cedar Bark – Useful and Beautiful
  • October 2020 London Craft Week at J&M Davidson
  • Land Acknowledgement 2020

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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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