• Create your own gallery of traditional arts & crafts! This kit teaches how to weave a wickerwork wall plaque. Promotes mindfulness!.
• Makes one wickerwork basket tray about 7" wide.
• The kit comes in a bag containing: fiber rush, hemp twine, raffia, a steel needle and color instructions all in a plastic bag..
• Ages 12 and up, adult participation necessary for younger ages.
• Made in USA.

Learn to make a wicker basket! Baskets are woven containers. They are extremely important to human existence because they allow for the storage of food and carrying of resources. Humans worldwide have used native materials to craft baskets to aid in daily tasks and requirements. In addition to utilitarian basketry, decorative basketry is also important for artistic expressions of individuality, spirituality and tribalism. Archaeologists and historians have learned much about ancient cultures from basketry fragments which have been found across the globe. The oldest basketry fragments were found in Egypt and date back about 12,000 years. In North America, native cultures are well known for fine basketry. Immigrants brought with them other methods and materials. As cultures and materials came in contact with each other various styles and adaptations emerged. Basketry continues on as an important human activity. The four types of basketry are: Coiled, plaited, twined and wicker. Within each type are many variations and designs. Regions specialized in different types and styles based on the available resources. Collecting and preparing materials for basketry is as much if not more time consuming as weaving the basket itself. Weaving baskets is a difficult skill to master, so much so that machines cannot even produce the same quality as humans. As you learn basketry, the beginning is the most challenging and as you progress your skill and understanding increases. Every basket will vary in size and shape based on hand size and strength and personal intention. Enjoy the process of weaving and eventually you will acquire a traditional skill and produce fine basketry. Prepare to spend some time on this project. It could take more than 8 materials while you make your basket. This is a mindfulness project!