Creatively Woven

 I went back to college in 2011 and decided to go into the engineering field.  I am enjoying it tremendously and  learning so many different things.   Engineering seems to be a good fit for me since I love working with  my hands, I enjoy figuring problems out and I love math.  I now have a wonderfull job that i love Calibrating and repairing Industrial Hygien equipment.

I will be updating and adding more to this page as time goes on.

Leather Handles

 I love the look of leather handles with Brass rivets  on my baskets.  I think that they really add a nice touch and different look than the standard oak side load handles.  Unfortunately leather handles are very expensive so I have learned to make my own.

 I order sides or double shoulders from Tandy Leather  and use a tool to "pull" the correct width straps that i need to produce the handles.  I then cut them to the length needed, dye them,   use a punch to make the holes and use a small anvil and hammer with a setting tool to set the brass rivets into them.

 These are some purse straps that I made for the little purses and totes that i make.

Wooden Bases

 I use alot of wooden bases in my baskets.  They make them nice and sturdy and i think, look really good when they are finished with several coats of Polyurithane. 

I start with 2 x 4 ft sheets of plywood and then start cutting them down into the sizes i need.  Round, square or oval are the typical shapes that i use for the basket bases.