Nantucket Baskets - Crafted by Karen

15" oval tray with cherry base, reed staves and sweetheart handles

I have been hand crafting Nantucket baskets since developing a passion for them several years ago. I was (and still am) intrigued by the uniqueness of the baskets and the endless possibilities for their design and final form. I also have a natural curiosity for their history and evolution. Further, I am entranced with each basket’s symmetry and individual beauty after using simple natural components. I am self-taught and began my studies using a kit for a 6 inch round lightship basket. Since then, I have been driven to craft all of the components of each basket by hand rather than simply buying the pieces and putting them together. My work includes the high quality standards that create an heirloom quality basket intended to be used today and passed on for generations. I hope my passion for Nantucket style weavings shows through the quality of my work.

A nearly completed basket

Class Instruction

The best place to start when learning the techniques of Nantucket weaving, is with an open round lightship basket. Throughout this class, you will hear various discussions that will help you develop an understanding and appreciation of a quality weaving; such as the history of the basket, the woodworking skills required to create the base, the rim and the handle, the origin of the rattan components, some of the historical techniques, and the modern techniques used to create an heirloom quality weaving. All the necessary materials are provided in the class tuition as well as rental use of a toolkit and the mold. Thus, you do not have to invest in tools and supplies that you might not ordinarily have at home. The toolkit and mold are returned to Karen at the end of class and students are required to give a refundable deposit of $50 to cover the cost of loss/damage to the mold and toolkit. The lightship basket course includes a cherry base (pre-cut), cane weavers and staves (which the students cut directly from the hank and hand carve), and a reed rim (preformed due to time constraints, but the technique of creating the rim will be demonstrated. The basket is finished off with a cherry handle (pre-bent) attached with bone knobs and brass washers. A detailed written book is also included in the class tuition. The students will be required to apply two to three coats of a Tung Oil finish outside of class, as class meetings are generally held in public facilities where the use of such materials are not allowed. After taking the introductory round course, students are invited to select a more challenging piece using the molds I have available. Tuition cost for each mold is dependent on the materials required to complete the weaving and the time expected to complete the project. I will be adding pictures on this page to show you the molds that are available for class instruction, and the cost to complete each project. Come back often to see additions as they become available.

6" and 8" round lightship baskets with swing bail handles

Current Class Schedule

Introductory Lightship Course:
May 3 through May 17
5 three-hour sessions Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 PM
Lower level of the Westfield Woman's Club, Court Street, Westfield, MA
Tuition is $100, deposit of $35 is due by April 28.

If the above class time is not suitable for your schedule, contact Karen to let her know when you would like to see a class scheduled.

Class Hosting

If you have table seating for 8 to 12 in your home or office and would like to host a class, tuition for all students is reduced to $75 each and the host's tuition is reduced to the cost of materials for the mold selected ($35 for the open round). Contact Karen for scheduling.

10" round bread basket with walnut base and matching oval 15" tray

History and Construction

Nantucket Island, situated 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, is known worldwide for its tradition of quality basket-making. A Nantucket basket is identifiable by its slotted wooden base, cane or wooden staves (rib uprights) placed in the slot of the base, a continuous cane weaver, and a cane or wooden rim that is pegged and lashed. The staves are individually hand carved to fit the mold and must remain parallel to one another around the base. The basket is woven around a mold and may be finished off with a lid or handle/s. Over time, the cane weaving develops a deep golden patina. As a basket ages, it becomes darker in color and more valuable.

This unique style of basket construction owes its elements to influences from whalers, sheepherders, Quakers and various Indian tribes, all early inhabitants of the island. The early baskets were used for multiple practical purposes such as marketing, food gathering, sewing and for trade.

10" round bread basket with sweetheart handles

In 1853, the "Nantucket South Shoal" was the first lightship commissioned and stationed off the treacherous southeast shoals of the foggy island, known as "The Gray Lady". The purpose of the lightship was to guide whaling and trading vessels safely into port. The components of the baskets were brought onboard the vessel by its sailors to help fill the long lonely hours of their multiple months of duty anchored at sea. The baskets made on board were sold, traded for goods and were brought back to the island for use by families of the sailors. These "lightship baskets" became known for their durable construction and enduring quality. Original lightship baskets can still be found today, 150 years later.

In the 1950's, a Philippino basket maker, Jose' Reyes (pronounced Ray-ez) decided to make the island home for himself and his family. He is credited with the current popularity of Nantucket baskets. He added a woven lid to the familiar lightship basket, thus creating a useful purse. These became known as "friendship baskets" and were custom made and adorned with ivory scrimshaw selected by the user. For the time, the purses fetched a handsome price of $25 to $50 and it was truly a status to have a purse custom made by Jose'. It was not uncommon to see women in Paris and London carrying one of his "friendship baskets" as word of his work spread.

close up of round basket

Prices ROUND BASKETS: 6 inch lightship basket with swing bail handle ¼” cane staves $65 ¼” cherry staves $85 8 inch lightship basket with swing bail handle ¼" cane staves $70 ¼” cane staves $90 10 inch bread basket ¼” cane staves $ 75 (add $25 for sweetheart handles) ¼” cherry staves $100 (add $25 for sweetheart handles)

15 inch breadbasket with scimshaw

OVAL BASKETS: 8 inch with swing bail handle ¼” cane staves $100 ¼” cherry staves $125 15 inch oval tray ½” cane staves $125 (add $25 for sweetheart handles) ¼” cherry staves $175 (add $25 for sweetheart handles)

Bone or resin scrimshaw of flowers, seashells, lighthouses and others can be added to the inside of the base. Please request for availability and price.

Depending on the size, open baskets take from 10 to 20 hours to complete. Each basket is signed and dated and additional inscriptions may be made on the base as requested. Below are sizes and styles available for custom order. Additional sizes and styles are available upon request. Bases may be made in cherry, maple, or walnut. Staves may be cherry or cane. Rims are typically cane, but wood is available at an additional cost.

10 inch round breadbasket

The Nantucket Basket Makers Association offers the following guidelines in buying a quality basket: The staves should be evenly spaced and straight, not leaning. The weaving should be straight and even without gaps. If the basket is covered, the lid should fit evenly all the way around. Because the weaving is continuous, there will be places where one weaver stops and a new weaver is started. This may create hump in the weaver, but it should not be too noticeable. It is traditional that the basket be signed and dated by the maker. Color variations in the cane weaver are a common part of this natural substance and does not relate to the quality of the weaving. All baskets will darken with age, giving them a darkened “patina”. New baskets are lighter in color.