All of the baskets that I weave begin life as a wire armature or frame.  I weave the bottom and sides of the baskets.  I learned the basic technique for this weaving from IGMA Artisan Marilyn Crockett in a 4 hour class.  I will add in some tips and tricks that I have learned over the years that I have been making baskets.

The wire that I use to make the basket frame is actually a paper covered wire.  This is generally considered a florist wire and can be purchased inexpensively in many craft stores.  For 1″ scale miniatures, you should probably stick to 30 or 32 gauge paper covered wire (the smaller the gauge number, the thinner the wire.)  If you don’t find paper covered wire in the color you want to use, you can change the color with acrylic craft paint.  Use wire cutters or nippers (or toenail clippers!) to cut the wire lengths.  The wire does not play nicely with scissors.  A small ruler will help you build the frame.

For this project I prefer a white tacky glue, but anything that will bond paper, paint and thread should work.  A faster drying glue is better than a slower one.  You definitely want a glue that dries clear.  Each basket requires very little glue, so a small bottle will last a long time.

After the basic wire frame is constructed, I begin weaving the “wicker.”  I usually use a waxed linen thread that Marilyn introduced me to in that fateful class.  It is beautiful, sturdy, and the waxy finish helps keep it clean and also allows the weaving to stick together some, for a nice tight weave.  I buy Crawford Threads Ltd. 3-Cord Waxed Linen Thread from Royalwood, Ltd. at http://www.royalwoodltd.com.  Other materials that you might try include hemp cord, embroidery floss, and thin crochet yarn.  Experiment!  I use small sewing or nail scissors to trim the thread/cord/yarn and toothpicks and tweezers to push it around on the frame.

Finally, only a few of the baskets that I make are shaped freehand.  For most, I use a form to shape the basket sides.  Weave the shape of the bottom and then bend the wires up against the form that I am using.  Forms can be (and usually are) anything!  Most useful are hotel shampoo bottles, chapsticks, salt shakers, pill bottles, dental floss boxes, makeup containers, lids… anything that is the size and shape that you want the base of your basket to be!  The form is slipped out after you weave your base, so it can be used again and again.

So, grab your stuff and let’s get started!

=) honey