July / August 2018 Newsletter
Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing.
Wayne Dyer
Dear Students,

There are many sources of inspiration for creativity such as attending exhibits in a multitude of media like gourd crafting, quilting, textiles and other fiber art, and of course basketry. Just observing nature in its glorious splendor, listening to the sound of a stream, watching a sunrise, there’s no end to sources of inspiration. I own an assortment of books, most not dealing with art directly, but images or words that stir the soul.  Alluring images of work by James Hubbell enchant and captivate. Words by Rumi enkindle the heart and cause deep introspection. Work by environmental artists Andy Goldsworthy and Patrick Dougherty tantalize and amaze. 
 
An inspiring book I highly recommend is Sculpture - Artistry in Fiber Volume 2 By Lee and Rooney. It is not a “how-to” book, but a volume filled with innovative and exciting work by contemporary fiber artists. Mediums include sewing, knitting, knotting, felting, weaving and basketry.
A quote in the introduction states “Speaking to the meditative qualities of working in fiber, many artists…..are compelled by repetitive and accumulative processes that slowly build up surface and form, often seeing their work in a historical context interwoven with personal histories and storytelling.”  One artist, Kim Matthews, “considers this labor-intensive repetitive process as a counterpart to a long-term meditation practice, helping to provide a roadmap for self-development and a deeper connection.”
 
A basket by Sally Bright graces the cover of the book. She has additional images of her large-scale work which are vibrant in color and sensuous in form.
Frances Solar weaves wire cloth on a loom, then forms it into vessels. Her unique use of patterns, color and copper are very striking.



Peggy Weidemann, basketweaver-extraordinaire! Her work definitely pushes the boundary of basketry. If you haven’t seen her coiled pieces, you will be amazed at her whimsy and wild forms.



 

 
Carol Milne knits in glass!  I can’t imagine how a person can knit glass. I love her piece “Curtsey.”
Meredith Woolnough’s embroidered pieces are appealing in their airiness and delicacy. She calls her work “3-dimensional drawings in thread that cast dynamic shadows.”

These are just a few of the gems you will find among the pages. A book to treasure on a cold, rainy day in front of a cozy fire.




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CREATE TO DONATE
 
I want to share with my readers a project started by several kind-hearted and generous pine needle basketweavers. 
 
In late February 2017, a basket maker from Georgia started CREATE TO DONATE, a Facebook group of 13 pine needle basket makers to collaborate in the making of baskets to be donated to charity fundraisers selected by the group members. All the members are experienced pine needle basket makers from different areas of the country.
 
By March 2017, the two small groups had each selected a coordinator, picked a “center” for the start of the basket and selected a charity to receive the finished piece. Because the members lived all over the U.S., the project traveled from hand to hand by mail, as the members posted photos of the two creations as they progressed. 
One group selected the charity Northwest Golfers for Warriors to receive its donation for a fundraising auction; this charity was founded in Spokane, Washington to support wounded warriors and veterans and their families in need. http://northwestgolfersforwarriors.org

The other group selected Longleaf Alliance, a group based in Andalusia, Alabama, whose mission is to ensure a sustainable future for the longleaf pine ecosystem through partnerships, landowner assistance and science-based education and outreach.  www.longleafalliance.org

When the groups' two collaborative projects were well underway, a member suggested a different kind of donation. This basket maker had more than two dozen pottery centers made by adults with autism. Each center was a smiling face that could be the beginnings of baskets, wall hangings and sculptural pieces. The original group of 13, expanded with this new project to 16, selected Washington Alliance for Autism and Advocacy based in Redmond, Washington.  www.washingtonautismadvocacy.org
 
CREATE TO DONATE has begun to form new collaborative groups to weave pine needle baskets for good causes and the process of selecting a center and a charity begins again.
Here’s some other Facebook pages worth checking out…..

The Art of Pine Needle Basketry
Basket Guild Bulletin Board
Basket Art Guild
Basketweaving and Crafts
 
MAGAZINE RESOURCE
 
FIBER ART NOW
A quarterly print magazine created to inspire and connect the contemporary fiber arts and textile community. I subscribe to this magazine and look forward to each beautiful issue. Would highly recommend for inspiration, fascinating articles and exhibition opportunities.

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This Summer I am offering just two home workshops - July 14 and August 11. Cost $60. If you need a basket kit, there's an additional cost of $38. Time 10am - 4 pm. All levels welcome. I only take 7 students max, so everyone gets LOTS of attention! Just email me at info@nadinespier.com to verify there's still an opening, then mail your check to Nadine Spier, 1084 N El Camino Real B184, Encinitas CA 92024.

If you belong to a group that might be interested in my teaching a workshop, please pass my name along to your program chairperson.

I will be discontinuing my landline phone by December and am making the transition to using my cell phone 760-533-1000. Please make a note of my new number.

Wishing all my readers a fun-filled Summer.

Happy weaving,
Nadine
Website   |  Artist Gallery  Workshops  |  Videos  |  Contact
Nadine Spier
Contemporary Pine Needle Basketweaver
​Basket Weaving Classes and Basket Art for Purchase
1084 N El Camino Real Box B184, Encinitas CA 92024 (760) 533-1000