BBernadine Dosch's Biography:

I have been making baskets since the 70’s. I am a member of the Association of Michigan Basket makers and the Traverse Area Basket makers Guild. I use a variety of materials such as reed, wire, beads, waxed linen imported from Ireland and willow. I have taken classes in English Willow in Great Britton and bamboo basketry in Japan. I have taken classes from many teachers over the years at the Association of Michigan Basket Makers convention that I attend every year. I have collected baskets from the many countries I have visited.

Artist Statement:

Baskets have been used by many cultures over the years. I have been very interested in studying different cultures and their use of basketry. Baskets have not survived as pottery has due to the type of material used in primitive basket weaving. I am inspired by some of the complex weaves of old baskets and the variety of materials available for use today. There are natural materials, like the horsetail plant that grows along the AuSable river to black ash, which the native Americans made use of . Almost anything that is pliable or can be made so by soaking can be used to weave with.

List of Awards:

I have received awards for my waxed linen miniature baskets at the AMB conventions in 2004,2005,2006. I was asked to make an ornament for the White House Christmas tree for the year of American Craft in 1993. The ornament was then sent to the Smithsonian as part of their permanent collection. I was the subject of an article in the Country Folk Art Magazine.

 I am inspired to create a new design when I find a new material to work with or a new twill design. Sometime it is just that I need to get some work done!

 

Copyright 2012 AuSable Artisan Village