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

IslandWood Pollinator Fence

January 15, 2015 By Melinda

Jen Prodzinski and Megan Carson

After reinforcing all the connections on the fence framework on one of the rainiest days in December, I've decided to be a fair weather weaver in 2015. So this is a great day to make progress, weaving in the Black bamboo and Western red cedar limbs at the bottom edge of the fence. Weaving begins with cedar splints that my husband, and son … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bamboo, BI, cedar limbs, Cedar splints, IslandWood, IslandWood fence, IW, Paul West, Pollinator Alcove Fence, Sencer West, Wattle, wattle fence, Wattle weave, West Timbercraft, Western red cedar

Fence at IslandWood

December 4, 2014 By Melinda

I am grateful for an opportunity to spend time at IslandWood, an environmental learning center on Bainbridge Island, Washington. I'm especially thankful for the generousity of many people who volunteer and contribute, sustaining the wonderful programs offered here, where young people can experience cultural and environmental lessons firsthand. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Commission, garden fence pollinator, IslandWood, wattle fence, woven fencing

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Recent Posts

  • Bare Bones Abstracts
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  • 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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Melinda West and basket, Indianola WA

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