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Woven basket with local materials

I love weaving and all things created by hands, and would like to learn a bit more on the subject.  I did a short course at ECA in the tapestry department and sometimes think this was where I should have studied. So when Elaine Bruce came into the gallery a few months back, after a chat about this and that, it was great to find out she had knowledge of not only weaving techniques but actually the usage of local materials that were no longer used and in danger of extinction in some cases.  I asked her if she'd make something for me to display and sell in the gallery and today she arrived with this lovely basket.  All the materials have been collected, dried and treated first by Elaine. She has used a variety of weaving techniques including one using rush which used to be used to make halters for horses.  Materials include, fern, rush, grass, moss, bark larch and are held together using a twine made with nettle.  I think you'll agree this is not only something beautiful and useful but interesting to learn about also.  Elaine will soon be teaching some of the local primary school pupils how to make a small vessel and I will be looking forward to displaying them in the window!

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