brenda’s baskets are a product of her love of nature and working with her hands. She uses natural materials found locally in the Shenandoah Valley and the surrounding mountains to create the framework for her unique baskets. Her favorite material is grapevine because of it’s durability, plentifulness and physical characteristics and is a reminder that grapevine, being created before humankind was present at our creation. The grain, tendrils, knots and curves of the grapevine reflect exposure to the elements as it grew. These features which give testimony to the harshness and struggle each vine encountered in it’s development are the same features that contribute to the beauty and uniqueness of each basket. The handles and ribs are “one of a kind” making each piece of art truly an original. Colored reed, fabric strips and sea grass are also used for never ending possible combinations.
brenda began weaving traditional market, egg and gathering baskets over 25 years ago while a stay at home mom. As her family matured, so did her skill and technique for shaping and designing baskets and more energy and time could be devoted to fulfilling her need and passion to create. Now that her children are on their own she has more space in her home dedicated to her basket weaving and opens her studio to individuals and groups who want to explore their creative selves or who just want to have fun.