As we race towards the 3rd Annual Reno Mini Maker Faire (it’s in just ONE WEEK! SQUEEEEE!), we are meeting some of the amazing makers who will be sharing their craft and knowledge. In today’s installment of Meet the Maker, we’re going to hear from the Great Basin Basketmakers in Reno, NV.
The Basics:
The Great Basin Basketmakers
Reno, NV
Website: http://www.greatbasinbasketmakers.org
What does being a Maker mean to you?
As Makers, we are keeping an old art alive. The main focus of the Great Basin Basketmakers is to make baskets, to learn everything possible about the tradition and techniques of basketry and to pass this knowledge along to others.
What kind of making do you do?
We make baskets and other weavings. They are made from a variety of materials including but not limited to willow, reed, bark, recycled material such as milk cartons.
What is your favorite part of being a Maker? What is your least favorite part?
Our favorite part of being Makers is being able to make keep the art alive, being able to incorporate old practices on traditional materials and new materials. The camaraderie of the Great Basin Basketmakers (GBB) people is awesome; we enjoy the group activities but most of all the people. Each basket we make is created with love and caring for the art, each basket has a story. All baskets are made by hand; there is no machine that can create a basket.
Our least favorite part of being a Maker is working so hard on a basket and it comes out all crooked; when something breaks right in the middle of a project; and there is not enough time.
Where do you find inspiration as a Maker?
Our inspiration comes from seeing an ancient art dwindle. It also comes from pictures, books, other basket makers and instructors. Sometimes we are inspired by just seeing the raw materials in the field or hiking and dreaming up a plan for them. Sometime it is from looking at a basket and trying to figure out how it was made, then trying that technique on something new.
What was the last thing you saw/read/learned about that made you say, “Wow!”
We recently had a guest teacher, Peeta Tinay, www.facebook.com/Peeta-Tinay-Wicker-and-Basketry-257906340934219/?hc_location=ufi. We also had 3 incredible teachers at our retreat that taught us new willow techniques, cedar bark and Navajo weaving. Natural garden sculptures made of willow and seeing the Bearded gourds on the American Gourd Societies newest newsletter, and seeing them in person at the baskets & Gourds of Our Culture event.
If you could give advice to an up-and-coming Maker, what would it be?
If we could give one piece of advice to an up and coming Maker it would be to take classes and more classes. Visit museums with basket displays to see all the varieties of baskets. Don’t worry about mistakes – that is how we learn new techniques. Try everything, ask questions. Don’t get discouraged if your project doesn’t come out like everyone else’s; they may have more experience; besides, it gives your project its own personality.
Why did you decide to participate in the Reno Mini Maker Faire?
We decided to participate in the Reno Mini Maker Faire because we participated two years ago and had a great time and would like to do it again!
Where do you see the Reno Maker culture going in the near future?
We would like to see the Maker community in Reno the next 3-6 years as growing! We live in such a disposable society; it is nice to be able to repurpose what we have. The creativity is out there, just needs an avenue to expose it.
Craftsmen
Apprentice
