Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Weaving Nature: Projects Blending Culture, Science & Art

Nature enthusiasts, do-it-yourselfers, parents and teachers, this section is for you. Below are some of my favorite plant fiber art making experiences with young people.

These are hands-on projects that immerse students into culture, science, and art. Most of these projects can be adapted to be less complex for 1st and 2nd graders, more complex for 3rd and 4th, and so on, right through to adults who are ready to expand their brains with hands-on learning experiences.

Small projects here include: Cordage Making, Bracelets, Nature Necklaces, Nature Bead Making, Woven Bracelets, Woven Pouch Treasure Necklace, Woven Cedar Bark Wall Hanging, Cattail Projects, Cattail and Cedar Roses, Weaving Salmon, Weaving Cattail Rattles, Clam Shell Rattle Necklace, Coiled Cordage Pendant, Whisk Broom Making, etc.

With the support of IslandWood, Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network, and other generous donors, I am working on an infographic for you who love to make things with the gifts of the plants that grace this landscape. I hope you’ll keep in touch!

Basketry Program at BARN-Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network

After a long pause in the basketry program at the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network (BARN) due to the covid pandemic, it was wonderful to contribute to this program by teaching a Weaving Nature Workshop at BARN this Fall.

Harvest Basket

Weaving Nature Workshop Fall 2022 at BARN

Hello again. I’m still here and I hope you are too! Are you interested in learning how to respectfully and sustainably gather, prepare, store and utilize fibers from the plants and trees that grow in the communities we are a part of?

Students plant young Cedar Trees

IslandWood Artist Residency Spring 2018 – Blog Catching Up

Students from the Seattle area had the opportunity to learn about the life-cycle of the Western Red Cedar as they removed it’s inner and outer bark for their projects.

Dividing the inner and outer bark layers

August 26-27 – Weaving Nature-Plant Fiber Projects Blending Culture, Science & Art

I hope you can join me at the BARN this August 26-27 for a weekend of making lots of projects from plant fibers that the young people in your life will love.

Dunlap Elementary Student at IslandWood

Artist in the Woods Residency at IslandWood

Some thoughts about my recent Artist in the Woods Residency project.

2013 Pendants made by 5th graders at IslandWood

Spring Project at IslandWood 2017

I am excited to have a dedicated time to document some useful plant fiber projects.

Suquamish Elementary Students

Thoughtful, bright, 5th graders from Suquamish Elemenatary.

IslandWood Artist Residency 2016

I met some awesome 4th + 5th graders this year at IslandWood.

Weaving With Western Red Cedar

When the Wild Rose Blooms, the sap is up in the Cedar!

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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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