Playful pine hotsell needle and sweetgrass basket with green seaglass beads and "laugh" pendant and a 3-D pottery turtle base entitled "Slow Down".

While sitting by a lake watching turtles swim about and sunning themselves on rocks was a great reminder to slow down, relax and laugh more. These playful creatures were the inspiration for this basket...thus the name "Slow Down".

I made this basket using dyed green and brown Longleaf pine needles, sweetgrass, brown artificial sinew, green sea glass square beads, green sea glass "laugh" pendant, and a three dimensional green turtle pottery base. The beautiful pottery base was made by Pamela Zimmerman.

This basket is approximately 5-1/2" round x 2-1/2" tall.

I learned how to make pine needle baskets in 1986 and have had a passion for this craft ever since. I use natural and dyed pine needles from Ponderosa, Torrey, White, Loblolly, Longleaf and a variety of other pine trees. Each basket takes many hours to complete and is carefully hand-stitched and coiled using waxed linen thread, raffia, artificial sinew, poly cord, wire and other things in a variety of colors and textures. I incorporate agate, a variety of woods, shells, pottery, ceramic and other artistic pieces in the bases of my baskets. Some are adorned with gemstones, beads and trinkets. I also use sweetgrass, lavender stems and other dried natural materials that add additional character to my baskets.

A hotsell bit of my spirit goes into each of my one-of-a-kind basket creations. Most tell a story about something memorable in my life. My baskets are both functional and decorative and are heirloom quality made to last for generations. I hope my baskets will provide some of the peace and happiness they bring me as I am making them.

Enjoy!

To read more about my hand-crafted baskets and other items, visit my blog at https://www.giggybaskets.blogspot.com