Monday, December 19, 2011

Want to let your friends and family know exactly what weaving materials and tools you'd like? Set up a Wish List in our online catalog. If they are not sure how to access it, they can call us and we can look it up for them. Make sure to give it a unique name (not "my wish list" :o) so we can find it.
http://catalog.countryseat.com/

Friday, December 9, 2011

Quick Tips

Sand handles and bases before spraying the basket with Weaver's Stain. After the basket is completely dry, rub the handles and base with a crumpled up paper bag. The wood will be satiny smooth.


Thursday, August 18, 2011

New Sign

After losing another of our nice wood signs (that Bill makes) to theft. We have a new sign out at Rt 143 and Hawk Mt Road. Welded by a local metal smith and painted by our local sign painter, I think this one will stick around for a while.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Kitchen Sink Gazpacho

It's time to put those gathering baskets to use and harvest tomatoes. What should you do with all the tomatoes, including those green ones that fall off while harvesting the ripe ones? Try Kitchen Sink Gazpacho.

I've always made Gazpacho from a great recipe in an herb book. The proportions might vary but the ingredients were the same. Last night it was late and we had not planned anything for dinner. With the heat in PA right now no one wants to stand outside and grill or turn on the oven. It's time to check the back of the fridge. Ah, there's the red pepper that I bought almost a month ago and haven't used. It's a little wrinkled but not moldy and smells good.

Out comes the food processor. In goes the red pepper and an onion. Chop well until everything is finely chopped.

I harvested all the tomatoes that were ripe. Right now there are three different shapes ready. I put it that way because I only know what two of the tomatoes are for sure. The plants I have this year came from some saved seeds, some that sprouted on their own and some from a local place that sells fruits, veggies and plants but they're not always labeled. It's a grab bag tomato garden this year and it's fun watching the tomatoes grow and guessing what they might turn out to be. I know that I have Sweet Millions and a yellow midsized tomato (that one is marked but I'll have to crawl under it to see what it is) and I think I have some Romas, Yellow Pear and a beefsteaky looking big red tomato. So I ended up with a handful of cherry tomatoes, a medium size yellow, two large reds and a couple green tomatoes. All the tomatoes went into the processor but only pulsed until mostly chopped.

The herb garden is sparse but growing well so I cut a handful of chives and a couple sprigs of a lemon smelling basil. Not great to eat straight from the garden (I normally eat a leaf or two of basil straight from the plant) but a wonderful addition to dishes. I cut them all up and threw them into the processor. Added some extra virgin olive oil, two heaping tablespoons of vanilla yogurt and squeezed a lime into the mix. I chopped this part of the mixture very fine.

Mix everything together and serve.

Yummy! It was even better cold for lunch today.

Throw in whatever veggies you find in the fridge. I totally forgot I have a zuchini, I should've added that too!

 

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Tip for using Glued handles

Do you like the rustic look of a glued or stapled "D handle but worry about the bent corners cracking or breaking?
Try this tip:
Lay out your base with a stake laying under the handle. Weave the base as usual around the handle and its shadow stake. When you turn up the stakes and weave the first row, hold the shadow stake tight against the outside of the handle and weave around them as one. Weave the entire basket this way. Cut the shadow stake off at the top of the basket so that the top of it is hidden by the rim.
This will help to support the "D" handle and spread any pressure from the weight of the items in the basket.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Try fancy cane patterns.

To go a step farther in hand cane and weave fancy patterns, try "Ideas for the Experienced Caner #1 and #2.

Experienced Caner #1
http://catalog.countryseat.com/ideasfortheexperiencedcaner1-bypeterka.aspx
Step-by-step guide with photos for advanced weaving designs. Included are curved & barrel backs and the star & lace patterns.

28 pages




Experienced Caner #2
http://catalog.countryseat.com/ideasfortheexperiencedcaner2-bypeterka.aspx

Step-by-step guide with photos for advanced weaving designs. Included are 2 variations of the spider web pattern, daisy chain, daisy & button and double daisy designs.

22 pages


Monday, June 6, 2011

Summer Hours

Summer Monday Hours now in effect: OPEN Noon to 7:00 PM
(June 1st - September 30th)
OPEN Tuesday - Friday: 9 - 5

OPEN Saturday: 9 - 1

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Handle Measurements

Confused about how handles are measured? Check out our FAQ's page -
http://www.countryseat.com/faq.htm#how - for more info and pictures.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Open Weave

Open Weave this Friday, May 27th from 12-3 - for more details see - http://www.countryseat.com/basketclasses.htm#open


Friday, May 20, 2011

New Pattern

Anne Bowers' Day 1 pattern Mayan Sun now available for purchase - http://catalog.countryseat.com/mayansunwallbasketpattern-bowers.aspx


See class pictures and much more on our Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/thecountryseat

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

What to do with Wire Handles & Hangers

Wire Handles & Hangers

Q: How are the wire hangers used?

A: Wires are most commonly used as hangers for wall baskets but can also be used just for decoration. Place the horizontal bar of the wire on top of the last row of weaving. Hold in place with a 1/2" rubber tipped clamp. Tuck down the stakes over the wire and into the weaving as usual and apply the rim. Make sure the the horizontal bar is hidden in the rim and the lasher goes completely around it. The wire will be held securely in place after lashing the rim.

The bean pot and jelly wires are usually attached over the center spokes of the basket with wire eyelets (separate loops of wire). Only the horizontal bars of the eyelets are lashed into the rim. The eyelets enable the handle to swing.

A few types of jelly and bean pot wires do not have a pre-bent loop. These handles with the straight ends can be attached in several ways:

1) Using a pair of pliers, bend the bottom into a loop and attach to mini eyelets or large eyelets purchased separately and attach as above.

2) Complete the basket and lash the rim. Now bend the bottom of the wire under and back around the rim. The end can be twisted back around the wire above the rim.

3) Using a pair of pliers, bend the bottom of the wire 90 degrees. Tuck your stakes over the bend and lash the rim as usual.

#2 & #3 will result in a stationary handle.

Friday, May 6, 2011

May Book Sale

‎500 Baskets Book on sale this month - great Mother's Day gift!


500 Baskets Book

Thursday, April 14, 2011

New Gourd & Fiber Book

Gourd & Fiber book - $19.95    
http://catalog.countryseat.com/GourdsandFiber-bysummitandwidess.aspx
SOFTCOVER -


Jim Widess and Ginger Summit

Two of the world's leading experts combine gourd decorating and fiber arts for a fresh, up-to-date take on a centuries-old craft. Ginger Summit and Jim Widess will inspire gourd aficionados with a wide range of techniques, from coiling and plaiting to stitching and lacing, knotting and looping, random weave and more.

Thirty fabulous projects use pine needles, silk cord, leather, and beads.

144 pages