Mary Elizabeth Skillings
Bittersweet Basketry
& Needlework
Weaver, Teacher, Designer
Knitting, crocheting, sewing
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NEW Baskets, Giftbaskets and Art Pieces
NEW Baskets, Giftbaskets and Art Pieces
I personally weave all of the baskets I sell. Custom orders are welcome.
Click on photo to see larger view
Click on photo to see larger view
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Pump it up $16.00
Pump it up $16.00
These baskets are woven over tall jelly jars. The dark lids have pump adaptors to make a statement for your favorite hand soap. EVEN BETTER, fill with your HAND SANITIZER of choice for a nicer presentation to the necessary procedures to keep ourselves safe and free of infection.
The Desk Mates
The Desk Mates
This group of baskets were designed with those children who have had to stay at home and participate in distance learning. They also could be used by those working from home due to the pandemic. Many of us do not have "study" and "work" space set aside in our homes. Any room in the house that will accommodate their needs is being utilized.
Included here are baskets that can be used for writing implements, note pads, paperclips, erasers etc. and for the preschoolers their own box of crayons
LITTLE CRAYOLA OUI YOGURT COPS
these wood based baskets Do you have a yogurt lover on
are 4" x 3" x 4" tall and come you list? These baskets are
with a new box of 24 Crayola woven over a glass Oui Yogurt
Crayons. Each is embellished cup. Great for paper clips,
with colorful buttons. erasers or spare change,
Q-tips or cotton balls. One
even has a plastic lid
Choose by number left to right for both
1,2,3 4 1,2,3,4
$14.00 each $12.00 each
Desk Mates
These baskets are all woven off of drilled Luan bases. 3" 5" & 6".On the left bases are 3', 5" 3", 3" all are 5-6" tall. The 2 wider ones have bead accents.
The 2 on the right are built on 6" bases with bead accents. and are about 4" tall.
Wouldn't they make someone feel special as they go about their work? Pencil baskets include pencils, Note Baskets include small note pads
From the left 1,2, 3 n back, 4,5 1,2 left to right
$12.50 each $12.50
THE TOTE BASKETS
THE TOTE BASKETS
The totes above can be used for many things. There is a bike tote, the open weave tote twill totes soft handled totes and an evening out tote. Teachers, students, knitters, a tote fort the car, or an evening out. So many uses. At home workers can keep materials nearby and handy, Students can as well. The "Car" toys and blanket can be left in their tote in the car. The open weave tote is great at the beach. Anything you can think of!!
The Totes
The Totes
LEFT:
This plaited tote is woven in blue S​pruce dyed reed.
15 x9" x10" tall.
Handles are braided floss soft handles in coordinating color.
$35.00
RIGHT:
This 10-1/2" x9-1/2" x7" tall tote is woven in a natural zig zag twill over dark green stakes. Handles are 1" shaker tape.
$35.00
Left:
A 7" x 10" oval wood base gives rise to a Space dyed cross stitched body. Generous and sturdy This tote has braided Leather handles stitched to the sides. 11" deep.
$38.00
RIGHT:
This diamond twill tote is woven in tribal space dyed reed. it has 2 flat top pegged swing handles. Corners are squared. 6" x 10" x 9" tall
$30.00
Left:
The bike tote, this basket has shaker tape straps woven into the basket. D rings provide adjustment around the handlebars. When needed the straps can be un hooked from the bike and the basket can be used as a shopper basket.
10" x 14" x 8 " deep.
$28.00
Right:
This smoked reed tote with fall color accents is 13" x 10" x 11" and has gentle cats head shaping. Colors are enhance by the Cotton floss braided handles.
$35.00
LEFT:
This tote is woven in the shaker cheese style of weaving. The resulting airy open weave works well for use at the beach or when transporting larger objects. 2 Bamboo swing handles complete. 9" x !#" x 10"
$35.00
RIGHT:
this lovely thin tote basket is purse size at 5" x 11" x 8" tall.
It has a narrow hardwood slotted base. Fine weaving with black accent are complimented by the Leather handles attached with bone knobs and brass screws.
$32.00
Storage and Waste baskets
Storage and Waste baskets
This group of baskets are storage and waste baskets. They can be used for anything that would fit really. Any of them can be lined with a plastic bag. The top just below the rim can have fitted plastic tubing that holds the bag against the basket. In the pictures below the coffee and cream basket has a liner in place. I can make place tubing in any basket
Storage and waste baskets
Storage and waste baskets
Bottom Left: CROSSES ON THE HILL
This twill basket is 14" square and 10-1/2" tall. A beautiful spacious basket in dark green. $ 45.00
Top Right: CROSS STITCH ORB
13" Top diameter x 11 Tall. A uniquely expanding slightly cats head shaping make this an attractive useful basket. $42.00
Front: CROSS STITCH WASTE
This rounded oval basket starts with a drilled Luan base. Body of the basket is cross stitch space dyed reed. bordered by three rod wale. 15" x 9" x 10 tall $38.00
Top: Mackenzie
Both of these baskets are cat head shaped with dyed accent stakes and weavers. Left is blue with blue twine and leather accent. 12" deep x 12" diameter $42.00
On right is space dyed Victorian reed with purple, mauve and lime accent12" deep x 10" diameter $42.00
Bottom: COFFEE & CREAM
This round spoked basket is 10" tall with a top diameter of 12"
This has the tubing and bag liner in place. $30.00
Top Left: SPIRAL TWILL OVAL
This 8" x 10" x 11" tall basket starts with a solid slotted wood base. Sides are a continuous twill over overlay dyed stakes.
$38.00
Top Right: Harvest
This 10" tall basket has an 8" round wood base. Dyed stakes and matching dyed weaving with overlays create this striking design. Unique rim treatment.
$38.00
ANY OF
THESE
BASKETS
CAN HAVE
A LINER
ADDED
FOR FREE
The Recyclables
The Recyclables
These baskets all have recycled potato mashers woven into the base and becoming the handle for the basket. Round. square or Market style they are a fun addition to any ones basket collection.
As shown can be used to hold toilet paper, paper towels, salt an peppers, K-cups (see gift basket page). small plants, Table napkins, anything you want.
Prices average $16.00
More recyclables
More recyclables
Thes unique hanging baskets are made using recycled skimmers.
Each as had the reed attached through the holes or spaces in the skimmer. They will hang on a wall, off a hook, or even a curtain rod.
From Lt-Rt 4" X 3", Sold, 7" D x 4"H, 4" H x 3"D
And a few more
And a few more
On the left is a recycled tomato slicer, can hang or sit on its base, In the back is a multipronged angel food cake slicer. The tines have a reed wall woven through them creating a divided basket. The oval basket is an old whip
Slicer $14.00 Divided $16.00 Whip $12.00
Hurricane candle basket
Hurricane candle basket
These baskets have wooden slotted base that holds the 12 inch hurricane. A 6" pillar candle sits in the glass A lovely gift
$28.00
The Multi-Useful Market Style Baskets
Market baskets are generally a rectangular lower sided basket with a center handle
The Multi-Useful Market Style Baskets
Market baskets are generally a rectangular lower sided basket with a center handle
On The left is a Double Walled Market Basket It is 9" x 15" x 7" tall to rim. The base is twill woven in natural and dyed reed. The Dyed reed is used for the inner wall. This one in Dark Green. The outer wall uses the natural stakes and is woven in a overlay pattern. This makes a very sturdy basket $48.00
​On the right is a Large market basket, 10" x 21" x 7 tall. dyed and natural reed create the stripe and cross pattern on the sides. $48.00
Both of these baskets are woven in what I call the Broken Fences pattern of dyed stakes and both dyed and natural weavers. A good example of how dyed reed placement effects patterning. Both have gentle cats head shaping
on the left, Basket measures 8 x 14" x 6.5" tall $35.00
On the right basket is 6" x 13" x 5" tall $28.00
The Seasonal Market basket on the left is 11" x 18" x 7 at handle rim. It has gently rising sides , confetti dyed reed overlays and a wrapped handle. $45.00
On The right is the Pastel Cross-stitch basket. 10" x 15" x 6 at the handle rim. It has gently rising ends and pastel colors cross-stitched in natural. handle is square
$40.00
On the Left is the striking Smokey Mountain Market Basket. Black natural and smoked weavers create a dramatic color effect. Handle is wrapped and side embellished with a handmake flora reed flower. Basket is 9" x 16" x 7 tall at rim $45.00
On the right is the Infinity Market basket. 13 x 8 x 6 this Market tote has double swing handles, dyed reed and an infinity sign woven in fine cane on the sides. Included is a reversible liner. $40.00
these little market style baskets are great useful gifts. The tree and beaded handle makes this jelly basket very festive. It is 3" x 3" x 4" tall and will hold 2 standard Jelly jars. $ 16.00
The basket on the right is 3" x 6' x 3 and has a wooden bail handle. $12.00
On the left is built on an oval slotted base with confetti dyed reed and bleached cane weavers. The soft braided floss handle accents the vintage Coke Salt and Pepper shakers that com
e with the basket. Basket is 4.5" x 3" x 2" tall. $20.00
On the right is not a market basket but a Mini Adirondack Pack Basket complete with shaker tape harness. Will fit a teddy bear. 3" x 3" x 5" tall $18.00
A variety of wall baskets
A variety of wall baskets
Burlap Wall Baskets
These tubular baskets will hand. each has a leather loop handle, the dyed reed in the body of this smoked reed basket is natural or dyed to coordinate with the embellishment in the front. 13" tall x 5 W
From Lt. to Rt. $28,00
Apple Bsk, Lighthouse, Sunflower, daisy
Antique Key Baskets
these little hanging baskets all have a wire basket hook for hanging They are so named because they have antique keys hanging on the front of the basket. Rims are Matchstick border 5" tall x 4"W
Great for holding keys. Lt - Rt. green, multi, red $16.00
On the Left the D handle Pegged pouch. This basket has 3 wooden pegs on the bottom bar to hold anything you want. Pouch is 1" wide will hold mail etc.
10" T X 6" W $18.00
On the Rt. is a wall pouch with leather loop and cornucopia embellishment
6" x 3" x 10" tall $20,00
These mini wall pouches have ceramic button embellishments and coordinated dyed reed
Lt. Scottie Dog 3.5" x 6" T $10.00
Rt. Gingerbread man 1.5" x 6" x 4" $10.00
Mini wall pouches with hand thrown pottery bead embellishment and shaped 3 rod rims. Both have metal basket hanger 2" x 5.5" x 5.5" tall $10.00
Flat back wall basket.
These baskets are built on flat back slotted wood bases so the will free stand if you don't want to hang.
On the left is twist and twine, reed twining with continuous dyed double twisted paper weaving. Special Dan D handle
On the Rt. Cross stitched space dyed denim blues reed, Leather loop handle
10.5" 6" w x 7" tall. $28.00
PAPER WEAVING
PAPER WEAVING
The group of baskets below are all hand woven with hand painted 400 lb. watercolor paper. The paper is painted on both sides. It is then cut into various sizes for weaving. The weaving techniques used are the same as those used to weave reed and natural ash baskets. Some rims are traditionally lashed with weaving material, others are lashed with waxed linen and embellished with beads. Some have charmed bead dangles.
When completed, I lightly brushed the baskets with a clear polyacrylic to give the basket some added strength.
lt. front: Business Card Basket
2.5" x 3.5" x 2" fits standard business card
$25.00
Back Center: Pot belly rose
Cat head with banded neck 5" x 6" x 7"W
$55.00
Rt Front: Choctaw Square
Diagonal plaiting, Choctaw Indian twill 3" x3" x1.5" $20.00
Left: 9 Patch Square
4" x 4" x 1" $30.00
Rt. Quatrefoil twill
4" x 4" x 1" $30.00
Lt: Squat Cat head in Red, Black, white Beaded lashing and bead dangle
3.5" x 6" x4.5" H $$45.00
Center: Tall Green positive negative
4.5" x 7" $45.00
Rt: Pumpkin
Black overlay spiral, beaded and overlay rim
6" W x 4.5" H $45.00
These two baskets are woven in the Choctaw Diagonal Plaiting manner. Both are lashed with waxed linen and have bead dangles
Left: 3" x 3" RT: 3.5 " x 3.5" $25.00 each
On the right: Brickwork
This basket has cat head shaping, a beaded rim and a charmed beaded dangle. 4.5" xc 6" W $45.00
Twill weaving
Twill weaving
1-2-3 Twill
These baskets are woven in a 1-2-3 twill stroke pattern, giving them this distinct multi sized swirl around the basket. Colors are actually, dark green, maroon and dark blue. Rims have a fancy double filler lashing.
Wood Base on the left 11.5" H x 8" W $30.00
Cat head Base on the right 10" x 8" $28.00
Undulating Twill
These two are woven in the same zig zag twill pattern, both use different sized weavers to create the undulations in the pattern. Shaping also affects the look of the design
Black $ Natural 9.5" x 8" W $36.00
Teal and Natural 10" H X 5" Top W $36.00
On the left is a Quatrefoil Twill
A quatrefoil twill is a four point twill that reverses direction a the corners. Stakes are gold blue and natural 5" H x 8" W $25.00
Twillibee
This basket starts with a 6" slotted base. stakes are overlain with dyed reed. A continuous 2/1 twill forms the sides. This has a a unique non traditional rim. The rim beading is beaded with wood beads and stakes are tucked over to hold.
6" H x 7"W $22.00
Choctaw Diagonal Plaiting
These 2 baskets are woven in a traditional Choctaw Indian Diagonal plaited manner. Stake materials weave diagonally through each other to form the sides. Color placement creates multiple design options
Left 6" w x 7" H $22.00
Riight: 5" H x 5" w 20.00
Twill babies
These baskets are woven in traditional twill patterns. They are 5" x 5" x 5" H. The green is called mountains and valleys, the pink whitewashed one is zig-zag and the las t one is diagonal steps.
$12.00 each
VASES
I
Three of these four vases are woven over glass bowls or vases and used as molds for the basket. They remain in the basket for use with live flowers. The other will accommodate a slender vase if live flowers are desired.
The vase with the flowers is woven over a vase from the florist. The bowl shaped vase has a fish bowl and the tall vase uses a cylindrical glass vase. They all have a black plastic lacer as an accent weaver along with the reed weaver. All three have round slotted bases that the vase is adhered to.
The Black topped vase has a recycled piece of floor slate as a base. It is woven in round reed stakes and a twill pouchy body the black stakes flare above a tined collar.
Left: 4" w x 9" tall $28.00
Fish Bowl 5" H x 4" w $22.00
Tall Cylinder 10 H x 4" W $30.00
Slate based 5" x 3" x 7" H $ 28.00
Small Coiled oval Dish
Small Coiled oval Dish
Coiled long southern pine needles, walnut burl base, waxed linen, Tortoise like beads raise the thread wrapped handles. Urethane coated. Basket measures approx. 6" long x 4" wide x 1" deep.
Small coiled dish with burl base $ 45.00 + S&H (0)
Coiled Oval Dish
Coiled Oval Dish
Coiled long southern pine needles, waxed linen, hand thrown (Gifts of Love) pottery base with pine cone design. Basket measures approx 10" long x 5" wide by 1" deep. Urethane coated
Coiled Oval dish with pottery base $48.00 + S + H (O)
Nantucket Variation Bowl
Nantucket Variation Bowl
10" diameter x 3" deep bowl woven over a mold Nantucket style, Look closely and you will see the quad arrow twill design in the body of the basket. Cane staves and weavers, Cherry base, Rim is lashed, not nailed. Bone Dolphin base plug cover. Urethane coated.
$65.00 + S&H
Captured
Captured
This is a Gourdsket, A coiled basket woven onto a cut, drilled, dyed and varnished Calabash hard shell gourd. Coiling is done with waxed linen thread and Danish cord. A driftwood stick is "captured" in the coiling. Embellishments include beads and feathers. Will sit level without stand.
Captured $175.00 + S&H
Captured with stand $180.00 + S&H
