12 Hour Classes
INSTRUCTOR: Nancy Simpson, Artisan
COURSE: Basketry
PROJECT: Nantucket Lightship Basket (This class is FULL)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The shoals off Nantucket Island were extremely hazardous to shipping, and in 1854 the United States government placed a lightship 19 miles southeast of the island to serve as a beacon. The sailers served eight months aboard the ship each year and spent much time when not battling storms or servicing the lights, making and refining the traditional Nantucket baskets that were used on the island and sold to tourists. By the turn of the century, basket-making had ceased aboard the lightships, but has continued on the island since that time.
The sturdy baskets have turned wooden bases, hardwood staves, rims, and handles and are woven of “rattan” or cane over a mold. In this class students will make their basket of these same materials using a pre-turned cherry base, ash splint staves, and carved ash rims and handles. The basket will be woven of thinned cane over a mold and the rims will be attached with brass “nails”. Students will learn simple carving techniques, how to chase weave, and how to use calipers to determine thickness of materials, essential to making good scale baskets.
TIME:
12 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS:
none
SKILL LEVEL:
All levels
MATERIALS FEE:
$30 to be collected at school