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Woven Designs was established in 1991 as a way for me to buy more supplies to
make more baskets.
I began weaving in 1990 simply because I've always loved baskets and needed to
get out and meet new people after my husband and I
had relocated to Ohio. I was tired of running other peoples' businesses. I took
some classes, started my own business and after a few
years began teaching the very classes I had taken.
(A note from Art, Julies Husband: At this point I was under impression Julie needed to take a course or so to meet people. Based on her past work experience, I figured accounting, Business Management..... . No one ever said Basket weaving! )
{{Occasionally I get to add notes like this, since I write the pages!}}
The next thing I knew I began getting requests to make more specific baskets to
fulfill special purposes. Working with the owners of
several quilt and craft stores, I first began designing a basket to hold a
smocking machine woven with a cross stitch design on the side
of the basket. The lid features a ledge to hold the pattern at an easy to read
angle. This
Lidded Craft Tote
is still a favorite design.
Next I was asked to make a basket large enough to hold a featherweight sewing
machine, the largest cut and press board as well as
the supplies to make a full size quilt. This became the
largest quilt basket ever
! This basket began a collaboration process with my
father. Our second collaboration together resulted in the design of a wooden
base that I was able to weave a basket onto. The wood
base has dividers to make six compartments for quilters to hold all of their
tools as well as a spool holder to hold thread. It was
designed to fit inside of the Largest Quilt Basket Ever. Thus was born
the
companion basket
. My father and I are constantly coming
up with new ideas, always using high quality materials, such as marine grade
plywood instead of normal plywood, that has been
sanded several times making it adaptable to painting and stenciling.
Now my road has taken a different turn, as I have begun
teaching at various basket weaving conventions and
seminars. A friend had been pestering me to send some
samples of my baskets to Indiana and North Carolina
conventions. I was so flattered and so surprised to be
accepted. Not only do creative juices flow at
conventions but the ideas and suggestions of other
weavers are wonderful stimuli for my next
creations. I have since been accepted to teach at
other major conferences and conventions around the country.
(A note from Art, Julies Husband: WIth
the move to Grand Junction Julie has had a change once more.
It has taken several years for her to get classes atarted,
but once again she is operating with a changed and revised program. Julie is teaching at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts. and is teaching and vending at many conventions )
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