Baskets and Weaving - something new to inspire creativity

I had never done weaving before, but jumped at the chance to participate in a basket weaving workshop at Wintjiri Arts & Museum while on a recent holiday to Uluru. Trying a new activity is a great way to inspire creativity. 

This bangle and small basket (above) took me well over 2 hours to make. The hand painted traditional beads inside the basket were made by a local indigenous artist.

This gave me a new respect for handmade baskets - the time it takes to make them, and the ability of artisans to make them so uniformly. Since doing the workshop I've taken an interest in baskets and other woven objects.

Handmade decorative basket from Papua New Guinea - probably an antique or close to it. 

From a private collection in Perth, Western Australia

Handmade vintage basket from Papua New Guinea - brought to Australia in the 1980's. 

From a private collection in Perth, Western Australia