Kathleen Weaver – The Carolina Weaver
Like many, I’m a wife, mother and grandmother, but I’m also a teacher and a basket weaver. Through the years I’ve taught everyone from Preschool (2 - 4 year olds) to undergraduate and graduate courses for the Army and Department of Defense!
Backtracking a bit, I was born in Western Pennsylvania and grew up there on a quiet family farm. My Mother loved doing all types of crafts, but basket weaving was one of her favorites, so she taught me the basics when I was a young child. Through the years of raising a family, (two wonderful sons and 2 fantastic grandsons and now 2 stepsons and 4 step grandchildren) and traveling with the Army, my basket reed was buried in a box somewhere….either in a closet, or in storage when we lived in Germany. Upon returning to the States, my Mother and I were commissioned by my sister to weave 150 little baskets to be favors for her wedding! That experience quickly helped me pack up the reed again and bury it in the back of a closet!
As my sons got older and I found myself in North Carolina teaching Preschool with normal and special needs children, I also found that I needed a quiet hobby to help me relax after a busy day, so the reed box was dug out again. Friends were soon asking me to make baskets for them and slowly the idea of my own business started to take shape. Since I loved playing on the internet, the idea of my own web site seemed like the perfect marriage….but what to call it? Actually, the idea came rather easily. I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. I’m a devoted Carolina (University of North Carolina, for the uninitiated) fan and my last name is Weaver! “The Carolina Weaver” seemed destined to be!
Since the inception of my web site, I’ve been honored to make custom baskets for people from California to Maine, Texas to Canada. I’ve also had my baskets in shops from Montana to the Carolina coast and at a gallery in North Carolina. My web site features a lot of basic baskets, but most people use them for inspiration in determining what their needs might be in their own home. I’m usually able to design what they need along with the color of trim that will match their décor.
The most unusual commissions that I’ve had were for two three foot long cornucopias and a two foot high bee skep. These were all used for displays at the North Carolina State Fair!
Basket weaving is an ancient craft but my hope is to continue these ancient skills and pass them on to future generations.
I take PayPal and normally invoice customers when they place their order, thus giving them the option on how they want to pay. Personal checks are also accepted, but must clear before shipping.
Small baskets are shipped via USPS Priority, but due to new postal regulations, any larger baskets will now be shipped UPS Ground unless the customer requests a different method.
Orders taken at carolinaweaver1@aol.com or acarolinaweaver@aol.com
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