Hands on History
Inspiring creativity through historic crafts
If you want to purchase a basket....
Contact Niki for more information or to order.
**If you're coming to a class, we accept cash, personal checks, and credit cards (Visa & Master Card).**
Woven Bottom Baskets
B = Beginner level baskets
I = Intermediate level baskets
A= Advanced level baskets
APPLE DRYING BASKET $48.00 (B)
This large 12" x 20" x 4" rectangular basket was traditionally used to dry apple slices for a sweet snack. It can also be used to transport 2 dozen cupcakes or just hung on a wall for decoration.
**BISCUIT BASKETS $28.00 (B)
Students will produce 2 baskets complete with seagrass accents and self-handles. This is a small version of the bread basket.
**BLUEBERRY BASKETS (or HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS) $30.00 (B)Make two 6" round baskets with swing handles. You can keep one and give the other away. It makes a perfect gift when filled with baked goods, or soaps, or candles.
This 8" x 10" seagrass accented basket is a great beginner project as it incorporates weaving and twining methods.
Create a Shaker catshead style basket
with a side handles to fill with caramel
popcorn or other snack.
**CANDLE BASKETS $24.00 (B)These baskets were traditionally used to store candles or kitchen utensils.
The 4" x 4" x 8" size and seagrass accents make these very easy projects.
Finally - the perfect cat bed. It is about 20" around and has an attached hood. You just need to make a comfy pillow and your cat will be living in the lap of luxury. Allow two classes to complete this very large project.
This 4" x 8" x 10" oval basket makes a wonderful wedding or hostess gift when filled with a bottle of wine or sparkling cider, two glasses, cheese, crackers, or any other party treats.
This basket incorporates two 8" x 10" handles and is18" long. A perfect addition to any kitchen.
This basket which can be hung on a wall, is perfect for storing 3"x 5" recipe cards. You can hand paint your own design on the accent strip. Two can be made in one class.
This large oval basket has double swing wooden handles. It is perfect for a girl's favorite 18" historical doll.
This unusual heart shaped basket can be hung on a front door and filled with seasonal dried or silk flowers, or holiday greens.
This deep 10" x 10" x 14" rectangular basket would be very useful for gardening or carrying home your produce from market. It has an oak grip handle.
This very large 12" x 24" round basket with heavy duty handles was traditionally used to pick produce in the field.
This rectangular basket is perfect for holding at least 12 upright file folders. The slope in the front of the basket makes it easy to view the folders. A basket buckle of your choice is included in the price.
THE GIANT GEORGE BASKET $95.00 (I)
This super-sized basket was designed by these two ladies, one for blankets and the other for lots of yarn. It is approximately 26β x 26β x 18β high and has beautiful square-top bushel basket handles. (Would also make a great toy basket.) It will take at least three hours to complete because of itβs very large size.
Weave this 12" x 4" x 8" basket, hang it on the wall, and never again will you be looking for lost gardening or winter gloves.
FLAG BASKET $22.00 (B)
This representation of the American Flag has a handle in the back for
hanging on the wall to be used for mail or a patriotic flower
arrangement.
HEART BASKET WITH HANDLE
$52.00 (B)
This 10" heart shaped basket with twisted handle is perfect for
weddings or any occasion.
HEARTH BASKET (Large) $45.00, (Small) $40.00 (B)
This sloping side basket, (large 14" x 24", small 8" x 16") is great for flower arrangements or vegetable gathering.
HERB GATHERING BASKET $52.00 (B)
This rectangular 14" x 18" basket includes a cup holder for your
favorite beverage and a scissors holder.
This 4"x 6" wall basket is great for holiday cards, an arrangement of holiday greens,
or just as a small mail basket to be used year round.
INDIAN STYLE STORAGE BASKET $48.00 (I)
This large 12" x 16" rectangular storage basket which is a copy of an antique basket is woven with thin reed for added texture and has bushel basket handles.
This rectangular basket can be used as a tank top organizer or for plants. You can choose to weave in a stencil strip and/or seagrass accents.
**JELLY JAR BASKETS $28.00 (B)
These 4" x 4" x 8" rectangular, wire and wood grip handled
baskets fit one large or three small jars of jelly. They make
great gifts.
KRISTA'S OVAL $30.00 (B)
This seagrass accented, oval basket incorporates an unusual wrapped
handle technique to complete this useful basket.
MARKET BASKET sm. $40.00, lg. $45.00 (B)
This very basic rectangular basket can be made in an 8" width or 12" width and woven with color and/or a stencil strip to suit your needs
Students will create two 10" x 3" mini windowsill baskets with little feet. Each will fit four 2" pots of herbs.
Two heart shaped baskets will be completed in this workshop. They look nice hung side by side on a wall or can be stored, one inside the other until needed for gift giving or serving.
Create two of these practical baskets in one class. These 6" square baskets have a reed "ribbon" woven through them with a reed bow. This is a great basket to fill with your favorite candy or cookies
This basket is ideal for a day at the beach or a hike in the woods. It comes complete with feet and a wooden handle so it can be hung on the wall. To use the basket as a back pack, you can purchase heavy-duty web straps for an extra $25.00.
Make three of these tiny wall baskets in one class. Each basket has a small wire shaped handle and fits a small pad of paper inside and a pencil in the special woven holder.
This large oval basket is 12" wide x 24" long x 11" high and is perfect for keeping fabric scraps or yarn projects. It has two wooden swing handles.
$25.00 sm. $27.00 lg. (B)
The Shakers were very meticulous and organized people. They even used to hang their chairs on the wall with wooden Shaker pegs. This unique wall basket has Shaker pegs incorporated in the bottom of the handle, or brass hooks for hanging keys or dried flowers. Please specify pegs or hooks.
The bottom or this basket is woven in a six sided open weave as the cheese basket. The sides are woven in 1/4" reed. An 8" wooden grip handle makes this a very handy basket.
SHAKER STYLE DARNING BASKET $45.00 (I)
Both of these baskets sit on four corners so when turned upside down they resemble a cat's head with ears. The darning basket has bushel basket handles, the bowl does not. The bowl is nice for fruit or small needle work projects. The darning basket was traditionally used for a whole Shaker Community's darning.
SHAKER STYLE CHEESE BASKET
sm $22.00 lg $30.00 (A)
This basket should only be attempted by experienced basket
makers. Traditionally it was lined with cheese cloth and used to
separate the curds and whey. The cheese was then aged in this six-sided basket.
Use this handy compartmented basket for all your writing supplies. There is a place for paper, envelopes, stamps, and even a pen. With all your supplies organized, you only need to find the time to write.
$30.00 (I)
A fancy braided -style handle added to this 8" round basket will give you a source of pride to fill with home baked goods and take to any Sunday meetin'.
This is a perfect accessory basket to a bathroom. It hangs on a wall and fits a square tissue box.
TOTE BASKET $40.00 (B)
A perfect basket for magazines, file folders, or books. It is 8" x 15"
x 15".
This 12" long x 11" high x 6" wide basket is a very sturdy, practical basket for carrying anything from books to needlework projects.
A must for the beach! The handle for this basket wraps all the way around the basket for extra strength and durability. It is 14" long x 12" high x 8" wide.
This basket which hangs on the wall has an attached towel bar and can be woven with accent colors to match your bathroom.
This sloping sided basket has a square swing handle and is perfect for filling with onions and potatoes.
This 16" high, flat basket with seagrass accents may be hung on a wall or front door, embellished with dried or silk flowers.
This 8" or 12" round basket with an unusually shaped handle originated in Williamsburg.
Traditionally this basket was filled with sheep wool and sunk in a shallow swiftly moving stream to clean the wool, then put in the sun to dry. Notched handles and legs make this a useful knitting basket.
This large basket can hold at least 20 rolls of wrapping paper. It has leather handles.
Twined or Solid Bottom Baskets
An 8" hoop on the inside of the lid keeps the lid fitting well on the top of the basket.
AMERICANA BUCKET $40.00 (B)
Woven in a red white and blue patriotic theme and then hand painted
with stars, completes this wire and wooden grip handled basket.
A stencil strip, hand-painted with apples, and two bushel basket handles makes this 12" round basket perfect for apple picking or just as a cheerful addition for decorating.
This twined bottomed basket incorporates a weave and chase method. Its unusual shape and wire handle makes this a great basket for any collection.
Using an 8β wooden base and upright
spokes, students will create a woven
Christmas tree which can be
decorated to your liking.
This 6" round basket includes a stencil strip that cranberries, or any other favorite decorative accent can be painted. Two can be made in one class.
This round twined bottom basket can be woven with color accents in an 8" or 10" or 12" size. A stencil strip can also be woven in to paint with an Easter motif.
This twined bottom basket is 12" across and has a handle that runs all the way through it. The pine tree accents are woven in separately after the basket is completed.
There are many variations to this round basket. A stencil strip and color strips can be woven in to match your decor. It has two bushel basket style handles.
Three baskets lashed together with an added handle makes this a needed addition to any barbecue for the organization of all your plastic eating utensils.
(Plus $15 for us to stain and wire the lamp if you wish)
A heavy drilled wooden handle is all that is needed for this basket to be transformed into a lamp. Color accents or a stencil strip can be painted to suit your decor. The basket itself can be filled with pine cones, potpourri or even the TV remote control. You just need to purchase a lamp shade.
Students will complete two miniature bean pot baskets. They make great gifts filled with hard candy, small candles or soaps.
This is a 12" x 6"x 4"oval basket that is perfect for serving blueberry muffins.
A wooden swing handle, and study wooden feet makes this a great project basket.
OVAL SERVING BASKET $30.00 (I)
Twine the bottom of this 10" x 14" oval basket. Weave up the
sides and attach two wire and wood grip handles and you will have a
perfect serving tray.
This double basket is designed to hold peanuts in one side and the shells in the other. When filled with peanuts or pistachios it makes a great gift for a special man in your life.
This 11" round twined bottom basket is perfect for carrying a pie or as a gift with a pie plate, serving knife and recipe in it.
A perfect basket for an 8" potted plant. The seagrass accent makes it suitable for any decor.
This very large round, footed basket is perfect for storing a quilt, finished or in progress.
Create your own hand-painted design on a blank stencil strip that you weave into this 8" round basket. It is 12 inches high.
Students will complete two 4" x 8" round baskets perfect for strawberry-picking or gift-giving. They have wire and wood grip handles.
This round 10" basket is commonly made by the Sturbridge Village basket makers. Its carved notched handle makes this a very sturdy functional basket.
This basket stores 3 rolls of toilet tissue. The woven ridge on the bottom lifts this basket slightly off of the floor. It comes complete with a ceramic, glass, or metal pull knob which is attached to the lid.
Perfect for a bathroom or bedroom, this 14" tall basket has a twined bottom, woven sides and a woven ridge on the base to avoid wear to the bottom of the basket.
Framed Baskets
Using basically the same method as the melon basket. this basket can be hung flat on a wall to store keys or a dried or silk flower arrangement.
This basket is made from two 8" round hoops lashed together with a "God's eye" technique; a frame makes the desired shape and is then woven.
SPLINT WOVEN STOOL $45.00 (I)
Each student will receive an oak stool frame 11" x 11" x 13" and will
be taught to do a twill weave pattern. Once mastered, this method
can be used on any chair or stool.
WALL NEST $28.00 (I)
Your imagination is the only limit you have on this decorative round
twined bottom basket which can be filled with birds or a small doll and
then hung on the wall.
Clutter Buster Baskets
Anyone who has seen the television shows on organization or just looked around our own homes, realizes that we just have too much stuff.
We all need some help finding places to systematically rearrange our belongings which ultimately will save time and money.
We at Swan Bay Folk Art Center, also needing to find a solution to this problem, have decided to become proactive and make it possible for you to
This is how it works:
- Find a space in your home where clutter has become overwhelming, or a certain area of interest has taken over a space;
- Pick a date that you would like to come from the contact form;
- measure the space you have, and
- call or email your measurements to Niki.
Phone (609)652-0366 or Email.
When you come to weave the basket you can choose to weave it with colored reed or seagrass accents, in a variety of widths of reed.
Result: A custom-designed organizational Clutter Buster basket and a happier, more organized life.
Used individually, Clutter Busters are an attractive, all-purpose, portable way to store & transport items, and return them to their proper place.
A collection of Clutter Busters can turn ordinary shelving into a unique, one-of-a-kind storage unit.
Design your custom-fit basket for any space. Prices will vary depending on size and materials.