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Dream Weaver Basketry
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  • The Materials
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The Materials

Basketry is a continuing tradition in many different cultures all around the world and in Haudenosaunee (Mohawk) culture, we make 2 types of traditional baskets using black ash and sweetgrass. Utility style baskets like pack baskets, picnic baskets and laundry baskets are more for heavy use while fancy baskets are more incricate in design and come in different shapes and sizes. The knowledge and techniques have been handed down to us by our ancestors for generations and we still use them today.
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Black Ash Splint

 The main material used in Mohawk basketry is the wood from a black ash tree. The trees that are going to be used for basket making are carefully selected before being harvested to get the splint. 

A post shared by Ann Mitchell (@dream_weaver_basketry) on Apr 30, 2018 at 4:28pm PDT

Log Pounding

The log is pounded with the back of an axe or a mallet in order to separate the growth rings. Special care is taken to make sure the pounded strips are even and consistent. Strips are gradually peeled off lengthwise and can be rolled into bundles for storage.

A post shared by Ann Mitchell (@dream_weaver_basketry) on Mar 1, 2015 at 4:51pm PST

Cleaning splint

 The strips are soaked for hours before being cleaned with a knife. The fibers that held the growth rings together leave a rough surface on the splint so a sharp knife is used to scrape it off. After the strip looks good, it's ready to be split.

A post shared by Ann Mitchell (@dream_weaver_basketry) on Jan 29, 2015 at 4:44pm PST

Splitting splint

The layers inside a strip of splint can be peeled apart to make thinner pieces for weave and curls. The splint is split using a tool called a "splitter" which helps separate the layers more easily. Some strips of splint can be split multiple times. 

Sweetgrass

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Picking

Sweetgrass is harvested in the summer around July/August during peak growth for maximum length. Each blade of grass is pulled up at the base and gathered into bundles.
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Cleaning and Storing

After the sweetgrass is harvested, the roots and any brown pieces are removed before hanging up to dry for storage. The grass is wrapped in a breathable material and kept in a dry place.
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Braiding

Another creative way to incorporate  sweetgrass in basketry is by braiding it. Braided sweetgrass can add another element to some basketry designs

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