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Baskets by Scrap

Baskets, baskets, baskets! How many have we made? 1000’s

What is Baskets by Scrap?  A very small business, selling handmade baskets of all sizes and varieties.  I am Jill Scarpari, who along with my husband Paul, comprise the totality of employees at Baskets by Scrap.  That’s us (above) with a few of our baskets.  We work in the loft at our home and sometimes in the living room, when finishing baskets or working on a pine needle basket.  We sell on etsy, at Baskets by Scrap of course, and various arts/crafts shows.  I have been weaving since 1991 and Paul since 1995.  We also teach classes around the state of Minnesota.  We have taught at the Minnesota Basket Weavers Guild, with classes at the Textile Center in Minneapolis, at North Shore Basketry Guild in Duluth, at Headwaters Basketmakers Guild in Bemidji and at Weave Minnesota in Alexandria.  We have also conducted classes for the Rosemount Area Arts Council as well as at Hastings Community Education.  And will add Red Wing Community Ed in the fall.

2 down and 6 to go

Classes! That is what I am writing about.  We taught a pine needle class at Minnesota Basket Weavers Guild on Sept 23, then a Muffin Basket in Red Wing.  Next up is a Sweetheart Basket in Alexandria at Weave, MN on Oct 14.  After that we have another pine needle basket class in Cottage Grove that needs 1 more person, Japanese Style Rock Weaving in Woodbury-that is full, and a Catch All Basket in Cottage Grove.  After that is the New Year and we have 2 scheduled with Cottage Grove-a spring basket and a garlic basket.  Details later.  You can tell which one is the heart basket, the muffin basket is on the stool and the catch all on the railing.

2 down and 2 to go

We have participated in 2 craft fairs and have one to go.  On Sept. 16 we were at Rosemount’s Country Faire.  The music was great!  A local guitar shop supplied musicians and it lent a festive atmosphere, at least in our area outside.  There were other craftspeople there as well as authors selling their volumes.  It was the first year at this locale and time of the year and we were pleased with our sales.  We also hope it is the same time and place next year.

Next came Sogn Valley Craft Fair in Cannon Falls.  This was our 9th year at this festival and unfortunately our last.  The people who own the farm it has been held at for 11 years have decided not to host it again.  Fortunately there is a committee that is looking for another location for next year.  This fair has been in existence for 45 years and in a few different locations so hopefully it will go on.  This has always been our favorite fair of the ones we have participated in.

Pine Needles and Beads-My New Passion

I usually make pine needles baskets with black walnut slices.  I acquired this technique in April and just love to make this style while watching TV at night or on the road to Montana or when traveling to Maryland.  Handy to take along.  I guess I have many passions in basketry.

guild display 008

This is a picture of what I have done in the past.  This wall basket is on display at the Textile Center in Minneapolis until the end of October 2017.  Wonder what my next passion will be?

Japanese Style Weaving on Rocks from the Yellowstone River in Montana

rocks2 001

I learned a new weaving style on rocks, no less, in March.  I came home and showed Paul and he took off with it!  I have done 3 rocks total, one showing him how to do it and then he went crazy!!  These are all his creations.  They are big enough to function as paperweights but are beautiful on their own too.