Doing the "brake" dance

The Brake Dance:
Back home from learning how to harvest and process river cane at the Rivercane Festival with Robin McBride Scott in OK. Even though we crammed all the learning into one Sunday versus the two-day option we learned A LOT! From harvesting in the cane brake, to splitting, to peeling, this stuff is a really cool medium for weaving. No wonder the Cherokee used it. The baskets and mats that Robin had to share were AWESOME! Not to mention all the works of the other weavers that were there to share and learn.

After learning the processing part we went on to learning to weave a mat. I thought it's flat it will be easy. WRONG. Working on the bias is a whole new ball of wax especially when you change patterns from border to float weave. 3-3-3-3 with a 1-3-5 in there on the corners and then 4-1-4-1-4-1 for the float weave. My eyeballs were bug eyed by 5:00 PM. If we would have had time there was the double weave basket to learn, dyeing with natural materials, and honeysuckle preparation. Next year I must schedule so that I can be there for the WHOLE weekend! Thank you ONABA, it was a great event! Pics to come soon as they are all on Jen's camera and WE CAN'T FIND THE TRANSFER CORD! ARGH!

Hanging with the Cherokee Meemaw:
We got a chance to spend time with our buddy Grenetta who hosted the BYO -Antler class in AR. What a cool lady! She's got more energy then a pack string of mules. She gave us the grand tour of the Cherokee nation in Tallequah and helped us research Jennah's Cherokee kin.

BYO-Antler Buds:
The BYO-Antler class was a great success. I didn't know what I was doing since I haven't taught it before but everyone seemed happy with the results. Empowering women with hand tools! Drill on sisters!

Going Native

Jenn are I are headed out to Garfield, AR to teach a BYO antler class this weekend. On the way we are headed to Tallequah, OK to see the home of the Cherokee nation. Jenn has been researching her roots and wants to become more involved in the heritage of her people.

To top it all off we're going to the Rivercane Festival at Flintridge, OK to learn how to process rivercane and weave with it. Now how cool is that? I'm really excited about being the student instead of the teacher.



Billy and the BOYZ:

Bill and the grand sons came down for three days this weekend. What fun! Nothing like the river and a couple of boys to keep you entertained for hours. Hopefully we'll get to see more of them since we're spending more time in MO. Check out more pics at facebook.

How to Granny Shuffle

Granny Shuffle Defined:
When you MOVE that old body in one form or another down the road for miles. Can only be accomplished with music in ears. Accented with various warhoops AAAAAH!, HAH!, WOOOOOO!, and ARGH depending on where you are on the hill and what your speed is. Plod (putting one foot in front of the other), shuffle (actually leaving the contact of the ground), spring chicken (actual run - happens infrequently and not for long periods of time).

Who comes with:
Usually the only one stupid enough to come with me this early in the AM is Satch the coon hound. Sometimes he leaves me at the dip in the road and comes home because it's too hot (aka dip dog). Sometimes he only accompanies me to the end of the driveway and says, " forget it, Granny". He is always exuberant about going in the morning however. Sometimes one of the neighbors beagles accompany me on the shuffle. Great entertainment to what him spook up rabbits in the briars along the way.

Your personal sauna awaits:
The season is starting to heat up. I thought if I started running about 6:30 AM it would be cool. 82 degrees in the shade by the time I got back. No wonder Satch said nope, not today. I call it my daily purification stroll. Not only heals my mind and makes me mellow for the day, but also qualifies as the personal sauna by the time I get back home.

What I see:
I see all sorts of critters on the road. Deer, turkey, rabbits. Cows in the fields. I help turtles cross the road and sometimes the birds leave me feathers. The strawberries are gone but the black raspberries are out now. Soon the blackberries will be ripe (July 4th) and then it will be time for jelly and cobbler. It's a good way to start the day.

When I get home:
The closet weaver and his buddy Pete are there to welcome me at the barn. How cool is that.

Back to the Grind

Back to the Grind:

Unloading and re-organizing in the makeshift studio today. Good day for it as it RAINED most of the day. This week it's supposed to get into the 90's however so I'm using my time wisely because when it gets that hot there is only one option - GO TO THE RIVER.

I've been cranking out the structures in preparation for the next couple of classes. We're heading to Grenetta Bray's in Garfield, AR on June 26th for the BYO Antler class. There's still room for you if you ever wanted to learn how to talk to an antler. Actually we're going earlier because Grenetta is taking us to Tallequah, OK! Are we excited or what! After that we're heading to Flintridge, OK to learn how to process Rivercane and weave Cherokee baskets. Should be a very fun week.

Turning up the heat:

Not only does it get hot around here in July the pace is going to pick up as well. We start off the month with fireworks as Jenn gets...all FIRED up with a fire performance at the Hungry Owl on the 3rd. The groupie (Mom) is in charge of fire extinguisher, placement of poi, and music. Then we're off to Camden, TN for a one day Hen basket class. Following that we head to South Carolina to the Upper South Carolina Basketweavers who are offering a wall pocket, hen, and fanned market classes. The finale for the month is when we head to Alcoa and the Tennessee Basketmakers Association convention - always a favorite!


MI, OH, WV:

Looks like we will be heading to West Virginia in November for the WVBA convention, in Vienna, WV on November 13-15. We'll be offering the Unitower, wall pocket, and hen baskets.

2010 is starting to shape up. In February we'll be in attendance at the GBA basketry convention in Georgia offering the Porkypod, wall pocket, and small hen on the 5-7, then off to the Crossroads Getaway in Michigan on Feb 12-13, and finally we'll be at Winter Weave in OH on the 19-20.

Back Home A'gin

Just got back home from Scottsville, KY and GH Productions. Classes were too much fun! What a great group. Was wonderful to spend time with Scott and Beth and swap stories as well. I don't know who talks more me or Jenn but it seems to be non stop while we're there.

Scott and Beth asked their friends over to watch Jenn and her new, improved, fire show with rave reviews. Everyone had an idea for Jenn to make some money and when we passed the tip basket she scored! (Photo: Scott Gilbert Photography)

Looks like we'll be headed back for another visit in September so we can learn white oak basketry from Scott and Beth. Then we'll be REAL basketmakers from tree to finished product.

Walter and Jenn

Walter was a hoot and worth the trip over to Cape to visit with him and Jeff. He sends his regards and says " git your shit and get out", my favorite Walter line.

Jenn is a HIT.
Jenn is branching out on her own with her fire performance business called, (wait for it) ....ALL FIRED UP productions. She had her first gig last night and she lit up the night. Her audience was very supportive as the stage crew (Mother) messed up a bit with the music but all and all she was the brightest star in the evening sky.

Weaving up a new one:
I'm getting ready to teach a class for the locals in Van Buren so I've been trying to find time between being the roadie for Jenn and hitting the highway to get something accomplished. Of course then the river keeps calling my name as well. Pics when its accomplished.

Going to see WALTER

We're headed to town today to hang out with WALTER. Jeff Dunham's buddy - the funny old fart with the attitude. Since it's rainy and overcast it's a good day to hit the city streets. We've got a really good question to ask WALTER, "why do dogs smell each other's butts?". Hopefully he'll answer us and we'll reveal the answer to the age old question to you tomorrow.