White Oak Market Basket

market basket

6 1/2″ x 10″ x 7 1/2″

I’ve enjoyed the privilege of working before with Leona Waddell, a wonderful master basketmaker in Cecilia, KY, but this one was something special. It’s a small market basket, similar to larger versions Leona made some 50 years ago. Most of the white oak for it came from my property, but Leona pulled a few heartwood splits from her stash to add contrast to the weaving, and the result is what she judged to be “a cute little basket.”

Leona Waddell with market basket

I split out the uprights and whittled the handle before we started. Then we worked for the better part of two days to weave the basket.

As always, I learned more of the finer points of basketry from Leona. Mostly, we just enjoyed being together to catch up on what life has woven of us since we last visited.

white oak market basketBest of all, Leona sent me home with a tin full of homemade fudge. On the long drive back to Alabama, I savored the treats and thought about how deeply I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with such a great artisan.

One Comment on “White Oak Market Basket

  1. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE SOUTHERN RAISED.
    MOST OF OUR PEOPLE ARE FROM ALABAMA!
    WE TRAVEL THERE YEARLY…TO HUNT AND SHOOT AND ENJOY THE FRESH AIR.
    FROM MOBILE…TO PINE HILL ALABAMA…TO BIRMINGHAM…
    WE LIVE IN FLORIDA; ON THE GULF COAST.
    WE JUST PLANTED A WONDERFUL GARDEN. FULL OF FRESH FLORIDA TOMATOES, OKRA, SQUASH, AND BUTTER BEANS AND STRING BEANS. IT CERTAINLY ALLOWS US TO COOK AND SPEND SOME REAL QUALITY TIME TOGETHER.
    I JUST LOVE YOUR WHITE OAK MARKET BASKET AND YOUR CORN BASKET. I AM ALWAYS HUNTIN FOR A BASKET TO GATHER MY CROP!
    I WOULD LOVE TO PURCHASE THESE 2 BASKETS.
    FLO
    READ THE WONDERFUL ARTICLE ABOUT YOU IN GARDEN & GUN.
    EMAIL BELOW.

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