Bark River Country Weaving

                            A Basket Story

My name is Pat Mayer and I've been weaving baskets since 1986. I thought it would be a wonderful hobby but little did I know that it would become a wonderful business, too. My baskets are made from a wide variety of materials and many different styles and shapes. 

     Being from Wisconsin, I just had to try using something real common to this area -- you guessed it, a deer antler! It's always a challenge but it's fun to see how the baskets develope around the unique shape of each antler.  I also try to add a wide assortment of materials such as elm bark, coconut rope, red and yellow cedar bark, and sisal.

     The past couple of years I've ventured into something a little different.  I coil 10-12 inch pine needles around pottery pieces.  Some are bowls; others are bowls with lids. I've even tried making platters with some being large and some small. The potter and I are creating new things  as the pieces never come out of the kiln the same way.  Coiling pine needles around red and yellow cedar pieces that come from Alaska have also turned out beautiful.

     Like snow flakes, there are never two baskets that turn out the same. That's what makes this such an interesting business; trying to create the perfect basket.

      Something new has been added to my life.  I no longer live in the wonderful 150+ year old farmhouse.  I will still be making baskets but there will no longer be a yearly sale.  I will continue to make  antler handled  baskets, but mainly through orders.  I will also  continue to do  pine needles coiled around pottery and pine needle baskets. There will be kits for rattan baskets for sale.  At present i don't plan on being a participant in any shows.  

     I turned 80 in June of 2011 and we will see what the future holds.  My health is back.  Praise God for his blessings.

     God bless. . .

     Pat 

Do I enjoy baskets? Absolutely!

Click on my basket to see more.