About Carol Antrim Expertise I can answer most questions about basketry techniques, and how to or where to find instructions/instructors. Also most questions about the materials used in basketry, either preparation and/or sources. I cannot answer questions regarding value or appraisal of baskets. Nor can I address questions about locating cheap wholesale baskets for gift basket businesses, or how to fill such baskets or conduct such businesses.
Experience I have been weaving baskets since 1986. Studied with Native American basket makers from several Woodland tribes as well as with teachers from coast to coast and Canada,Japan and Russia. Have taught basketry in Indiana, Ohio, New York, Montana, Michigan and Tennessee. Had acceptances in shows and won awards in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, including purchase awards to the permanent collection at Minnetrista Cultural Center. Twice had baskets at the Indiana Governor's residence in the Indiana Arts and Artist Program, and was in 'Innovation--Baskets and Beyond' an invitational at The Firehouse Gallery in Damariscotta, Maine in 1999. My work can be viewed at http://cantrimbaskets.com/
Organizations Member of the Virtual Basketmakers Guild http://home.sprynet.com/~cpantrim/
and the Indiana Basketmakers Association http://www.indianabasketmakers.com/
Expert: Carol Antrim Date: 7/10/2001 Subject: Basket Finishing
Question Hello Carol,
First, thanks for being available to answer my question.
I have just finished making a picnic basket (taught by a friend who has just left town). What kind of finishing is necessary to maintain the colour and to prevent the basket from drying out or warping? Something was said about mineral oil, but I cannot recall exactly.
This is my first basket, and I hope it will last many years... Waiting to hear from you.
Best regards,
ChenYin
Answer Hi, Welcome to the wonderful world of basket weaving...I hope you are planning to make many more baskets now that you have started.
What to use to finish your basket depends on what you made it from and who you talk to. I believe there are many correct answers to this question.
Personally, I tend to use Helmsman's Spar Varnish (in the spray can) on baskets made of "reed," particularly if it has dyed reed in it...The Spar varnishes have a UV filter that cuts down on color fading quite a bit. And reed is such a soft wood I believe it needs the polyurethane to protect and harden it some. Even with the polyurethane on it, here in Indiana, it will tend to be very flexible in our high summer humidity so make sure nothing is pushing against the basket which will cause it to warp. However if that accidentally happens...no problem ...a very light steaming or misting will allow you to reshape the basket and then you can let it dry again properly...(That is if it is made of reed, sometimes called rattan.) Deft and Weavers Stain are also good choices for this kind of urethane finishing and both now have UV filters in them.
I have just rubbed baby oil on baskets in the past...I suppose that would be much like mineral oil, they have held up OK, not quite so sturdy maybe, but mostly the color all faded to various tans which is one of the reasons I switched to the polyurethane with UV filter.
Many of my friends use min-wax with various amounts of mineral oil to lighten or darken the color and their baskets are lovely...I just can't abide the smell of min-wax so I stay away from it but if it doesn't bother you, it's an excellent choice.
If my basket is a hard wood like oak or ash, I like to use tung oil..it brings out the rich colors of the wood, and again, gives it a hard protective finish. But really, any finish good for fine wood furniture, is probably good for our fine wood baskets, too...remember our baskets are made of wood...even the "reed" is a palm wood, yes, it's a very soft wood, but it is wood. If you have a woodworker in the family, ask them what they use and why, and consider if their reasons would apply to your basket too.
As I said, there are many right answers to this question...I hope I have offered you some acceptable options here. If you have any more questions about finishes, don't hesitate to email me.
