Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Resources

In recent times studies in the field of neuroscience are explaining what weavers all around the world have always known. Weaving can be a healing and calming practice. What else about our world have traditional cultures known all long that only in recent times is being acknowledged and respected?  This section is where I list sources of inspiration: favorite books, links to blogs, articles, films and other resources I hope you may find useful.

Walking to the studio-image by Claire Dibble

Land Acknowledgement 2020

Land Acknowledgement 2020 I acknowledge that I reside on the traditional territory of the Suquamish Peoples, People of the Clear Salt Water, whose ancestors have lived here from time immemorial, preserving the land and waters that five generations of my own family have benefitted from. I express my deepest respect and gratitude for all indigenous […]

Folded Cedar Bark Baskets by Melinda West

Cedar Pouch Class at BARN – June 2017 Recap

This June an amazing group of students came together to make Cedar Bark Berry Picking Pouches at the new Fiber Art Studio at BARN.

Suquamish Culture Carriers

Ed Carriere Recreates Salish Basketry From Ancient Fragments

Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere shares his story of recreating ancient Salish Sea Basketry from basket fragments found in Pacific Northwest wetsites.

Lessons Learned Through Weaving

Dawn Walden teaches us a thing or two about Mad Weave.

Community Support For Artists

Thank you for your support. Hope to see you again next year!

Suquamish Museum Presentation

Katie Jennings, filmmaker, presents her films.

New Suquamish Museum Opens

New Suquamish Museum

The Suquamish People are alive and well. Visit their new museum for art, beauty and culture.

Suquamish Master Weaver Ed Carriere

Clam Basket – A Story By Ed Carriere

After decades of dreaming, and two years in the making, this story has found a beautiful way to be told.

Bridget's Visor

Northwest Sweet Grass – Basket Grass – My Favorite Grass

Schoenoplectus pungens palla, or NW sweetgrass is one of my favorite materials.

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Recent Posts

  • A Space to Work and Meet
  • Cedar Bark – Useful and Beautiful
  • October 2020 London Craft Week at J&M Davidson
  • Land Acknowledgement 2020
  • 2020 Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network Workshops

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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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