Br'er Possum's Friends of Folk Art and Artcrafts

Br'er Possum's Friends of Folk Art and Artcrafts

BROOMS AND BASKETS FROM BR'ER POSSUM CREATIONS

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Reprinted with permission--graphics by kjohnson@coin.org

Possum Has Friends Who Help Her Test the Baskets for Style and Comfort

Dylan is a constant companion to Rose and talks to her fluently. He hasn't gotten to test any baskets yet, but we'll take care of that shortly, perhaps a small Gypsy basket to store his nuts and dried veggies. We'll ask Rose to tell us a special story about Dylan, and what he means to her.

Here is Rose's commentary on Dylan:

"I've had Dylan since he was a baby and he will be six-years old in May, 2003. When I first brought him home, he wouldn't say a word, now he's never quiet. On his last birthday,he asked for a cake but settled for fruit, nuts and toys. He has brought much joy to my life and is the perfect companion, for he never complains about the food, lets me make all the major decisions, and never bugs me about his laundry. "

Whitey the Squirrel of

Olney, Illinois

We hope to find an albino squirrel to add to Br'er Possum's corps of broom and basket testers. There is a town in Iowa which claims to be the home of white squirrels, but our search of roadsideamerica.com failed to produce the name. The most prominent competitors seem to be Olney, Ill.; Marionville, MO; Kenton, TN; Brevard, NC, and Exeter, Ontario (the Canadian forests of Quebec also boast pure black squirrels).

The various towns routinely accuse eachother of having stolen the "root stock" of the albino squirrels. Transylvania, NC claims "We celebrate white squirrels, not vampires." No festivals are held for either. But wouldn't a nice white squirrel look cute in one of Br'er Possum's baskets?

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Basketry/Folk Arts Have

Friends in Alaska

Jill Choate

is a nationally recognized basket weaver and workshop leader best known for her creative contemporary designs which are inspired by the natural beauty of antlers.

She lives in rural Alaska in the bush community of Talkeetna where she enjoys living an Alaskan lifestyle. When she isn't busy doing her craft, she fervently pursues dog mushing around the surrounding Alaskan wilderness.

COURTESY OF JILL CHOATE BASKETRY

TALKEETNA, ALASKA

It can be argued that the antler basketry pictured here, in certain of it's applications, is an elegant variation of the Gypsy Basketry done by Br'er Possum Creations. You can get in touch with Jill Choate Basketry to learn of upcoming workshops and related folk art events and Alaska tours at the link below, and tell her Br'er Possum sent you!

Visit Jill Choate Basketry at:

Another elegant basketry form is not linked to cane and reed (Gypsy Basketry) but rather to splint basketry. Example: the Nantucket Lightship Basket which also incorporates woodworking, scrimshaw, needlework, and more. See one at:

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