The technique of creating baskets and art from pine needles is called coiling. Pine needles are used in making coiled baskets in several regions of the United States, with local species of pine being used in each region if it is suitable. These baskets use the needles of the southern long leaf pine which is native to the southeastern United States, and the ponderosa pine which is native to the western United States.
Frills
Needles are soaked in hot water to soften them. They are then held together in small bundles by using a short metal tube. The bundles are coiled in a long continuous strand to form a basket. Additional needles are continuously added to lengthen the bundle as the basket increases in size. The coils are held in place on the basket by sewing with raffia or waxed thread. Antler, shells, walnut slices, gourds, wood, pine cones, stone slices, and dyes can all be incorporated in the basket as decorations or as an integral design feature. Stitching patterns are also decorative.
The art of coiling baskets is universally common to indigenous peoples. Coiling is part of pre-Columbian Native American crafts. Today, pine needle baskets and art are made primarily for decorative purposes.
I have been creating pine needle and grass basket art since 2002. Having tried a small project I decided that this would be my niche. With the lack of any sort of professional training in my area my education consists of the purchase of one reference book and self teaching . I have only the limits of my imagination to keep me in check.
My pieces are created from needles that myself and my husband Pat hand gather. Most things used in the creation of an art piece is hand crafted, from the black walnut slices that Pat saws and dries to the wood burnings that I createTto the other art objects that I collect from other artists that are incorporated into each basket. Each of my pieces is either signed with my name or initials. Also each piece has incorporated into it a small silver feather which is my personal signature. Each of my unique pine needle baskets is accented using items such as black walnut shells, wood, antler, petoskey stone, sea shells and more. A variety of stitches are used with one continuous coil to spiral the design. A needle is used to weave the artificial sinew or thread around the coil until the intricate basket reaches the desired shape and size.
I am affiliated with the Sault Area Arts Council located in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. My work is on display at the Arts Councils Alberta House Gallery. I have participated in the Sault Area Fine Arts Festival and have been awarded "Best of Craft" in the years of 2005, 2006, and 2008. I am also affiliated with the Tawas Bay Artists Association located in East Tawas, Michigan. My work has been exhibited at the Tawas Bay Fine Arts Show where I received second place in the fiber category in 2006. At the present time my work is also on display at the Spirit Art Gallery in Jerome Arizona, and the Upper Peninsula Artist Market in Covington, Michigan. I also sell my work at the Odawa Casino Gift Shop in Petoskey Michigan, the UP Trading Co., in Newberry Michigan, and the North Haven Gift Shop on Drummond Island Michigan. I also have work on display at American Amish Heirlooms in Pickford Michigan and the Les Cheneax Historical Museum in Cederville Michigan. I am also a member of the Wild West Basketweaving Guild located in the Cottonwood/Sedona area of Arizona.
I have recently embraced a part of my heritage. My mothers side of the family has Native American roots. Although there is not a paper trail that can be found to prove it I have been validated by the Medicine Man of the Chippewa Tribe of Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. My Native name is Wabashi Wagash (White Fox). Though I have developed my own style I hope that in some small way by baskets perpetuate the customs and traditions of the Native People.
JANET K BONNELL, ARTIST
Each of my unique pine needle baskets is accented using items such as black walnut shells, wood, antler, petoskey stone, sea shells and more. A variety of stitches are used with one continuous coil to spiral the design. A needle is used to weave the artificial sinew or thread around the coil until the intricate basket reaches the desired shape and size.
