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Refocus in Spring – Sandi McNeil

Posted by marys on
May 31st, 2017
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Categories : basketry collecting How To materials Sandi McNeil

Spring is always a busy time of year, and in my basket weaving life it is even busier! All winter long I gather willow and vines, and soak many, many yards of bark, before happily constructing a large variety of spoked baskets. Once Spring arrives, I start to notice changes in the materials that I gather and use all winter. The willows sport pussy willows, quickly followed by leaves. The dogwood loses its lovely red colour, and the outside temperature starts getting pleasantly warmer. These are all signs that its time to put my basket weaving on hold and start to plan my once yearly, cedar bark gathering.

The arrival of spring means that it is time for me to refocus, and put my energy and time into replenishing my stock of cedar bark. Cedar bark can only be gathered during a short window of time anywhere from late April to late May. During this time, the sap is running in the bark, but it is not yet sticky. Sticky bark is hard to peel and separate, and who wants a sticky basket? This window of time is dependent on the warming temperatures of spring, so every year it is a guessing game to determine when to start peeling.

peeled bark

peeled bark

This year I have plans to make some trails on my property suitable for dog-sledding, and several cedars are in the way. If I don’t cut them down this spring and harvest the bark, those trees will be knocked down later this summer, and by then the bark will no longer be useful for basket making. So, I have been very busy cutting down and peeling cedar trees. This year I have the luxury of more time to spend gathering bark. I have been able to peel the bark from the tree and then immediately remove the outer bark from the inner bark while the bark is still moist and flexible. The outer bark is not useful, but the inner bark is well worth the time spent to gather and process it. Cedar bark peels off the tree in a lengthwise direction. When first peeled, the inner bark is a creamy white colour and feels wet and slippery, but not sticky. I remove the outer bark and coil each strip of inner bark and tuck in the ends to contain the coil. I then bundle the coils together and hang the bundle to dry in my studio. As it slowly dries out, the bark turns a golden honey colour, and becomes stiff and inflexible. In this state it can be stored in my studio for many years until I’m ready to use it.

A New Idea – Sandi McNeil

Posted by marys on
June 8th, 2016
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Categories : basketry collecting materials Sandi McNeil
peeling

peeling

In the process of gathering cedar bark I cut down the entire tree. However I use different parts of the tree for different purposes, and nothing is wasted. After cutting down the cedar tree, I cut all the limbs off, leaving a short stub on the trunk so the bark will lift off more easily. The peeled trunk is put aside and is used for landscaping, bridge building and kindling wood. The cedar bark that I peel off, is processed into weavers, and is one of my favourite materials to use for basket weaving. Large branches and small diameter trunks form the legs for twig furniture. Smaller branches are put to one side and are also used in twig furniture. This year however, I found a new use for the small cedar branches that I haven’t thought of before! I love it when I get a new idea that I am pretty certain will work out successfully. I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this idea before!!

In the past, I have often peeled vines and used them for basket frames. I have peeled basswood branches for wall weavings. I almost always include peeled willow and peeled dogwood in my baskets, but I have never peeled cedar branches with the intent of making a basket frame. Impulsively, I decided to peel a pair of small cedar branches, exposing the creamy coloured wood that I knew was underneath. Then I carefully bent and flexed

cedar branches

cedar branches

the cedar branch over my knee so it would bend to form a fish basket shape without breaking. This worked well because the branches were so fresh, so I made several fish basket shapes and wired each pair together. I have set these frames aside in my studio to let them dry out. If I keep them out of the weather they should slowly age to a yellowish patina.

I will use the peeled cedar frames in my basket courses this summer, and I look forward to using them myself to add to my basket repertoire.

Vines

Posted by Earth&Vines on
May 29th, 2016
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Categories : basketry Sandi McNeil

Winter Rhythms:

Vines

I start with gathering vines. Gathering vine is always an adventure because sometimes the vine doesn’t want to let go of the tree. This is when it’s helpful to bring a strong friend.  In fact there have been times when we have pulled down the tree in the process of pulling on the vine.  In extreme cases for exceptionally large vines, a truck with 4 wheel drive and a long cable is necessary.  Another extreme method is to chainsaw the tree down, carefully remove the vine, and then cut up the tree for fire wood.  Once I have the vine at home I trim off any dead growth, or vine that is too thin to use. I spread the vines out on the ground and take notice of the kinds of shapes that are in the vines. Some would say that I let the vines speak to me. Often I will work from big to small when choosing which vine to work with.  As I decide the shape of the basket frames, I tie the frames together as I go. If some vine is particularly wonky, I put the basket frame under something heavy to flatten it out and make it more symmetrical. I typically leave the frame for several weeks (or more) to dry out somewhat before I weave on it. I continue to work on vines for several days, until all the gathered vines have been used to form frames for different kinds of baskets.  I stack the frames in the garage to dry out until I’m ready for the next steps.

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Spring Willow

Posted by Earth&Vines on
May 15th, 2016
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Categories : Uncategorised

Spring Willow Struts Its Stuff

As spring approaches and the sun grows stronger, the lowly ditch willow starts to transform. It really is an amazing plant!  All summer it is an unremarkable green shrub, found in our wet ditches, and recognized by few.  After the leaves fall off and winter progresses, Willow starts to strut its stuff!  It starts to change its colour.  The growing tips become deep reds and burgundies, and further down the stems it’s not unusual to see yellows and oranges and bright green. There are almost 400 different kinds of willows, representing an impressive range of early spring colours!  Spring gathering of colourful Willow on a nice sunny day is rewarding unto itself.  Not only is each rod colourful, it is also a very flexible, yet strong plant material ideally suited to basket making.

 

The other amazing thing that sets Willow apart from other common shrubs is the ability in spring to sport fuzzy little flower buds often referred to as pussy willows or catkins. These pussy willows are one of the earliest signs of spring. It has always been a spring ritual for me to go outside and clip the first pussy willows of the new season. Now when I see pussy willows, I know that my time to use fresh Willow in baskets is limited. In fact there have been times that pussy willows have sprouted, after I have woven the Willow rod into a basket.

The arrival of pussy willows signals the end of my focus on making winter baskets. It means it is time for me to stop making ribbed baskets, and to start thinking about the huge job of gathering enough spring bark to last me for the next year.

pussy willows

Coil Pots

Posted by Earth&Vines on
May 1st, 2016
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Categories : How To Janet McDougall pottery

First “Go” at Making a Coil Pot

I need a large pot beside the fireplace in my livingroom.   So, I set out to make one.

What I wanted was far too large for me to throw on the wheel – even if I was to do it in sections.  Coiling was the only way to go.  The challenge was that I have never done a coil pot. I know the process but knowing is often very different than doing.  I set out to see how I would fare.

I began by creating a base for the pot and let it harden a bit before applying the first row of coils.  I made up about 6 – 8 coils, set them on plastic and lightly covered them to prevent drying.  Once the base was slightly firm but still very pliable, I placed my first row of coils and worked the base up the outside of the coil. I then placed a small coil inside at the base of the coil and carefully worked it in between the coil and the base.

I was able to lay down and join 4 – 5 rows before I needed to let the pot rest to avoid collapsing.  I really worked the area between rows to be sure they were smooth and secure.

Constant checking of the shape is essential.  It doesn’t take much for a pot to get lopsided!  I didn’t have a template to work with – just an image in my head – so I just kept “eyeballing” it.  Having the pot on a turntable is absolutely necessary.  Each row was carefully evaluated to make sure of consistency of form.

I was able to get to about 30 cm (12″) the first day.  Letting the pot rest and tighten up overnight under a loose covering of plastic before having another go the next day.

Making up a series of coils, working the pot, making up more coils, working the pot…, became a wonderful relaxing rhythm.  Some great “oldie goldies” playing in the background for a sing along helped too!

As the pot reached the height I wanted, I started to think about the way I wanted to finish the rim.  As I worked toward the centre, I played with a couple if different ideas in my head.  The pot itself was very round and smooth.  I was pleased that I had been able to accomplish this but…  I love asymmetrical pieces with movement.  So, making the rim uneven by adding coils to only one side and playing with the angle I “loosened” up the feel of the pot.  Making some indentations in the pot and adding some texture gave more movement and interest to the pot.  I added a couple of holes for future vines or a funky root or…? and DONE.

Well, done with the making.  Drying is another matter.  I had to enlist my husband’s help to move it to an out-of-the-way area to dry (too heavy for me to carry).  Large pieces need to dry slowly and evenly to avoid cracking.  I covered the pot loosely with plastic and took time each day to uncover it for a bit and then cover it again.  I estimate a month of drying.  It might not take that long but I want to be sure!  Putting it in a bisque firing with moisture still in the clay could cause it to break.

I now have to turn my attention to glazing.  I certainly can’t glaze this piece by dipping or pouring.  For awhile now I have wanted to try my hand at spraying glaze so this is a great opportunity for me to try it out.  We’ll see how that turns out! It might be a future blog.

I really enjoyed the coiling method – much more that I thought I would.  I learned a lot from this first effort and will try my hand at making a few more pieces……much smaller…..  to put in the gallery at Fenelon Falls and the Peterborough Potter’s Guild gallery this summer.

The photos below give an idea of the process of building a large coiled pot.  Click on each picture for more detail.

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Winter Rhythms

Posted by Earth&Vines on
April 18th, 2016
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Categories : basketry How To Sandi McNeil
Sandi gathering grapevine for basket frames

Sandi gathering grapevine for basket frames

Winter Rhythms

When winter arrives and most people start to hibernate, I go into high gear basket making!  I create my own rhythms for winter which is unlike any other season.  My time is split between the  different steps for basket making, and outdoor fun with my two Siberian huskies.

During spring, summer and fall there is a different rhythm. I gather and process different kinds of bark, cut and dry local plant life, harvest plants from my gardens, make yards and yards of different kinds cordage, and patiently wait for winter to begin. I love winter.

Once winter begins and the leaves are off, vines are easier to pull out of the trees and I don’t have to spend time removing the leaves. When the frost hits the dogwood and willow, their leaves also fall off, and the colour of the willow does not change after being cut. Dogwood likes the frost and becomes a brighter red making its location easy to find. The temperature drops and my huskies get frisky. It’s time to think about balancing assembling baskets and dogsledding.  I love winter!

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Earth and Vine Series

Posted by Earth&Vines on
April 11th, 2016
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Categories : basketry How To Janet McDougall pottery Sandi McNeil

Earth and Vine Series

It is always exciting to try something new…….. I often have too many projects going on at once.  Sandi and I have collaborated in the past on a number of projects such as our Twig and Tile tables and some garden installations.  We have chatted about trying to incorporate grapevine, bittersweet vine or cedar into my pottery but until this year it has just been talk.  So we decided to get busy.

I started with making some pots trying to keeping in mind where I thought the vine or root would be attached. I wanted to have a variety of shapes and sizes of pots to play with so we could see what we thought worked best once they were completed – just in case we wanted to do more!  With this in mind, I threw some open bowls and vases and also did some hand-building, both slab and coil work. At the leather-hard stage, I added some holes for lashing on various vines. Once my pots were bisque fired, I selected some glazes that I thought would complement the natural materials to be attached.  After glazing and firing, we were ready to start.

Sandi raided her studio for vine, cordage she had made, cedar bark and some great twisty roots she had collected. We were ready to have some fun creating.  It was a learning process for both of us.  Below are some pictures that give some idea about the process and the final product. Click on the images for more detail.  Some larger pieces are in process now and I am excited to see how they turn out.

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Magic at Nichol’s Cove

Posted by Earth&Vines on
January 12th, 2016
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Categories : news

A recent article  in the Peterborough Examiner highlights beautiful Nichol’s Cove Studio and the work by Carol Nichol, Janet McDougall and Sandi McNeil .

Click here for the article.

Nichol's Cove Studio

Interview with Sandi McNeil

Posted by Earth&Vines on
November 18th, 2015
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Categories : Courses Sandi McNeil

Braided cat tails, cherry red dog wood & woven tree bark – these are the materials used to weave baskets with Sandi McNeil of Earth and Vine.

Sandi leads workshops on basket weaving and wire tree sculpture making at a cozy studio space tucked away in the natural setting that is Kawartha Lakes. In the winter, warm cookies are served from atop the wooden stove that heats the studio. During the warmer months, when weather permits, workshops are held outside. Sandi encourages workshop participants to gather inspiration (and materials) from nature and there is no better place than Kawartha Lakes to do so.

Posted with permission by Kawarthas Northumberland on Wednesday, November 18, 2015

A new video was just released by Kawarthas Northumberland featuring Sandi McNeil.

Take a look here.

Welcome

Posted by Earth&Vines on
November 10th, 2015
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Categories : Janet McDougall news Sandi McNeil welcome

videostillWe are very excited about our new website.  Take a moment to look around and enjoy our art, and our new video.  Sandi will be offering courses on basketry and wire sculpture early in 2016.  Check back and dates will be posted.  We’ve been dragged kicking and screaming into the Social Media world as well, and now have a Facebook page.  Please be patient with us as we learn this new (to us) form of sharing.  We hope to give updates on what we are doing as well as occasional glimpses into how we create our work and where we get our inspiration.

 

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