BEGINNINGS

My introduction to basket making  began in the late ‘80’s to early 90’s when I took a class in Torrey Pine Needle basketry from artist Pat MacGillis  at the UCSD Craft Center.

http://crafts.ucsd.edu/?go=classes#macgillis   Pat still gives basketry classes there, and I recommend them. I later took additional basket and gourd classes from her at her Del Mar studio.  I’ve lost track of my original class project but have a few early baskets to share—they all evolved out of these first classes. 

<< This coiled pine needle wall hanging is in my sister’s Santa Fe, New Mexico home as are many of my pieces. My sister Ann and I have been making gifts for each other for decades, so we both have pretty good collections of each others' work. A full-time bead artist, Ann has a beautiful website at www.annseverine.com

Below is one of my gourds with simple coiling around the rim and embellishments. 

 

I am always amazed, though,  at what real  artists are doing with gourds these days. Take a look at Kristy Dial's  work at http://www.geckogourds.com/