Mixing Bark and MetalEver since I have been weaving, I have tried weaving in new materials and trying new ideas with my sculptural baskets. Early on, I started using copper with my baskets and began to incorporate the material into my pieces in different ways. From copper fern and rhododendron leaves, to weaving in copper wire like in the video above, copper has allowed me to expand my work. Complementing the natural, woody fibers of vines and barks that are my primary weaving materials, copper adds a flash of color and smooth texture. Copper leaves bring in another aspect of nature to my sculptures. In the video above, I show you how I weave copper directly in with barks to create a piece like these below.  For more information on Natural Basketry, visit http://www.matttommey.com/basket-weaving-classes.html and download my free PDF called "7 Tips for Making Baskets with Natural Materials". Inside I'll tell you what materials are good for making baskets, when to harvest, how to store and protect them, and even common tools used in the harvesting process.
4 Comments
Amy
6/21/2021 07:15:29 pm
I want to learn to weave with natural materials and copper wire. Could you suggest how I could get started? Thank you. Thanks for pointing out that copper leaves can bring a touch of nature to the sculptures. I hope that the copper wire that I will send to a recycling shop that I will find its way to artists out there. It would really be nice to see sculptures made from scrap materials to see the beauty from trash.
Sandra Bass
11/4/2021 02:15:49 pm
Mesmerizing! Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMatt Tommey is a leader in the contemporary basketry movement and has been a maker for over 25 years. The focus of his work centers around the use of southern invasive plant species in basketry. He has served on the board of directors for the National Basketry Organization and taught at Arrowmont, the John C. Campbell Folk School and other locations both in the US and internationally. Archives |
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