Basketry is the craft or process of making baskets or objects woven like baskets. Basket weaving is a constructive hobby for some while others partake in it for a profit. There are basket classes, workshops and even conventions for those that already participate in this and for those interested in learning the art. Basket weaving is called folkart by many people.

Although not one of the most popular hobbies people take up, it does have a large community of people involved. Known as a Southern craft to most, basket weaving conventions take place all over the world. Baskets of all sorts are celebrated at the conventions. They are hand woven and sold at these conventions. There are a few that compete in this craft, but mostly it's for fun. From basket weaving cruises to basket weaving workshops, there are hundreds of places to buy and sell baskets. It's more popular to make a large quantity of baskets and sell at a convention rather than sell per basket on your own. Most choose to spend their time creating new and unique baskets.

For those competing in basket weaving crafts shows, retreats, festivals and contests, there are prizes awarded from cruises to $10,000. Conventions are held annually in 34 out of 50 states. Conventions offer a chance to make a name for yourself in this craft. It's where companies find the basket maker. They choose which basket maker's styles fits their products and hire out work all year long, more often than not in a long-term setting. Do some research for the next convention in your state.

Native Americans have done it for years. The Boy Scouts of America have a merit badge for it. The band Nofx sings "underwater basket-weaving (we got some arts and crafts)" in jest. To true craftsmen, basket construction is no joke.

Experts cannot agree on specific aspects of basketry. One thing they do agree on is that all baskets are built using one of four methods including woven, twined, coiled, and plaited. Let us consider the generalized definitions of each of these methods. First we define perhaps the most common construction method, woven. As previously noted, this method is so well known the scouts have an elective merit badge for it, basket weaving.

Weavers use two things, rigid spokes which make what is often called "a warp," and material that is significantly more pliable, which are woven in and out or in between in order to create what is called "a weft." Materials preferred are reed, willow, wood splint, and paper.

Twined is another popular method. In this method the basket maker uses two or more flexible material to encircle still another material. When only two are used, it is called pairing. When more than two are involved it is called waling.

Another method is the coiled method. This involves using a bundle of rods being stitched into a round shape with a flexible, thin material to make a coiled basket. Other materials sometimes used include straw, pine needles, yucca, palmetto, and various grasses. Stitching elements include things like raffia, horsehair, and devil's claw.

The final method used is plaited. Plaiting is when two of the same material are woven together at right angles in a plain or twill weave. These are the basic methods (sometimes with embellishments added) that are used to construct baskets even today.

 Bogart's at Bridgewater MA. must be the place to be on Saint Patrick's Day. Especially if you love the traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner. I guess Chef Donny Cash takes this dish to another level. He must be a great chef all around because this blogger says that the Mulligan stew matches the corned beef and cabbage dinner.
 Being Irish, you have to have this dish and green beer for St. Pats Day.
Check out this website for information about the Red Sox and individual players. This blogger has a love for sports, good food, and catching up with friends at the local watering hole
http://www.todaysredsox.com/blog/2010/03/15/saint-pattys-day-at-bogarts-in-bridgewater-ma.html

Coiled baskets have been made for centuries, and were used by early Native Americans. They can be made in numerous sizes, shapes, patterns, and from a variety of materials.

Coiled baskets are usually made with some type of cording, that is then covered with colorful fabric. Sometimes, the cord being used is colorful and strong enough, to hold up on its own. The coil can even be made of colorful or natural hued grasses. You will need a material to lash the coiled material together; this helps holds the shape. You can use a variety of materials for this part of the basket too. It will be up to you, as it is your own design.

The coiled basket is easy to make, and it can be any design or shape you choose. You don't even have to have a pattern, you can form and shape the basket as you go.

There are a few terms, which will come in handy. The material that you are coiling, which makes up the body of the basket, is called the warp. The material that you use, to lash your basket together, is called the weft. When you get to the point, of being able to lash your basket very tightly, it can become almost watertight.

Once you begin to make a coil, you need to lash the material together every so often, with the weft. You continue this process, shaping the article by adding walls. This means, you are building the coiled basket sides, by placing one row of coiling on top of the next. Before you know it, you will have created your own coiled basket.

Hand Shaping your basket is all up to you and the materials you will be using. If you need to, you can search the internet to help find patterns and tips for designing your basket. To get started with your basket, you need to think about just what do you want to make. In other words, what is this basket going to be used for. Shaping baskets can be a fun and interesting hobby.

The best secret for shaping a basket starts in your mind. What do you want your basket to look like? Is it going to need any accessories or different colored material? Think of all of this and then make yourself a list of what you will be needing to finish your basket. Another secret of hand shaping your basket is to think about the materials you will be using and if they can be shaped in the fashion that you have envisioned for your project.

Basket making can be traced back to the earliest of times for mankind. They have been used for many things such as carrying wood, babies, food and laundry, just to name a few. There are many styles of baskets, varying in size, shape and color, mostly depending on use. A quick search on the internet will give you numerous sites to answer your needs. You can find patterns, retailers, and even a place to buy the items you will need to make a cherished heirloom.