Maralee Wisewomyn
Woven Baskets and Kelp Fairies

WOVEN BASKETS AND KELP FAIRIES

“I am overjoyed when the conditions of kelp and weather are just right and I can sit on the beach and weave kelp baskets!”

The kelp baskets are very labor-intensive, involving seven steps. I usually gather the kelp after it has dried on the beach, soak it so that I can make it into rings to store, and dry it completely, When I am ready to weave a basket, I soak it, weave it, and dry it once again after it is woven. Then I apply oil to it to bring out color and help preserve the kelp.  As the final stage I thoroughly dry it once again.

 I love working with kelp and it always has it's say in how the basket turns out, which delights me, being it's co-creator. No two baskets are ever the same.