Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Embracing a breathtaking range of new techniques, styles, and materials, beautiful basketry offers more options than ever before. And these 500 exquisite artisan pieces will open crafters' eyes to the varied and wonderful possibilities. These baskets, made by top creators from around the world-as well as the best emerging newcomers, range from exquisitely functional to purely decorative, from classical to ultramodern. In addition to traditional twill, rattan, and reed, the artists have incorporated more unusual objects, such as plastic, paper, thread, and metal wire--even seeds, fish scales, and newspaper. Basketmakers, collectors, students, and anyone who loves beautiful items will delight in these masterworks.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Basket styles ranging from utilitarian to artistic are illustrated in these two books. 500 Baskets, one of a continuing series from Lark (500 Wood Bowls) on craft objects as art, showcases the works of many studio artists using basketry techniques. These clever, sometimes whimsical examples involve many types of media. In contrast, Siler's (Handmade Baskets) book is full of practical projects by several designers for traditional baskets made from traditional materials. Techniques are well illustrated with line drawings, and there is a color photo of each finished basket. Both books are recommended for all arts and crafts collections. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Basketry--an ancient method to make functional vessels by coiling, braiding, plaiting, and weaving natural flexible elements (such as straw, grasses, wood strips, reeds)--has evolved into a medium embraced by fiber artists. Ed Rossbach and Kay Sekimachi, among others, have pioneered basketry as a crafts and art form. The cavalcade of 500 baskets, selected by Jan Peters, a gallery owner, writer, and curator in the crafts field, displays a vast array of materials and techniques. Although organic materials and traditional basketmaking methods are still in use, there are new synthetic materials and nontraditional construction methods ranging from welded metal wire, cast paper, and stapled fish scales to assemblages of objects. Without categorizing the objects, Peters loosely organizes them by association in material or technique. High-quality color photographs of the objects--mostly made in 2000-05 by Americans and few foreign artists--are furnished with descriptions of size, materials, and techniques. A list of the artists complements the book, which can inspire those working with materials and interest collectors and the general public. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General readers; lower- and upper-division undergraduates; professionals. M. Tulokas Rhode Island School of Design