The Basket Lady

According to the calendar, spring has officially arrived and I know that I’m ready for it. Spring time always feels so refreshing-it’s the re-birthing of all life; the trees, flowers, birds and Mother Earth.

Nature just seems to catch up in a hurry with its pure beauty; blooms busting out everywhere. It’s a wonderland filled with majesty.

Basket lady recommends a beaded wire basket filled with treats of all kinds to welcome spring as it creates a sparkling display piece on the dining room table that will be enjoyed long after the treats are gone, so let’s get started.

Supplies

Basket:

Antique brown round wicker tray,

10-inch diameter, 3-inch tall (without added handles)

Basket Decorations:

Glass beads-green, purple

20-gauge wire- green, purple

16-gauge brown floral wire

Polymer clay and bead tag

Sheer purple ribbon

Cellophane wrap

Gift Basket Contents:

Brown paper

Cream pleated paper shreds

Sugar & Spice Nuts

Individual packages of microwave popcorn wrapped with coordinating paper

Dried lavender bundles

Homemade berry jams

Sunshine tea

Mint chocolates

Silk or real daisies

Make the Handle:

Cut the 16-gauge wire into four 24-inch lengths. Twist together two pieces and attach to the basket by coiling the ends around the rim. Twist the remaining two pieces together and attach the ends in the same manner.

Cut a 12-inch piece of wire and wrap it around the two handles at the top. Trim excess wire and make sure the sharp ends are tucked in to prevent injury.

Decorate the Rim:

The beads are threaded on 20-gauge wire and wrapped around the rim.

Attach the end of the purple wire to the base of the handle. Thread on three large beads and two smaller beads and wrap the wire around the rim. Continue to thread on the beads and wrap the wire around the rim until you have gone all the way around the basket. Twist the wire ends to secure.

Use the same technique with the green wire, three large green beads, and two smaller purple beads, wrapping and beading around the entire basket rim.

Make and Attach the Tag:

Make a tag from purple polymer clay. Make a hole in one end and stamp with the word “enjoy.” Bake according to the clay manufacturer’s instructions. Brush with green acrylic paint to accent the lettering. Let dry.

Apply a gloss finish. Let dry.

Thread a piece of wire through the hole and thread on beads to accent. Use the wire ends to attach the tag to the top of the handle.

Assembling the Gift Basket

Create a base with brown paper. Top with cream pleated paper shreds. Attach a multi-loop bow made from sheer ribbon to the top of the handle. Wrap with cellophane.

The very best thing about creating your own basket to give to someone is that it’s your own idea coming to life just like spring. How wonderful!

The theme of get a basket-give a basket is to promote the Universal flow of giving first and in so doing, the getting will return to the giver in a multitude of surprising ways.

Dot Sanchas, my friend and mentor, was a true believer in the “act” of giving first, and often spoke of how Jesus blessed the few loaves of bread and fishes that fed the masses with plenty leftover.

I know it may sound like pie in the sky, all the universal flowing of “good” going around but dear friends, it works when we share with one another, when we lift up one another in our community and when we believe that what we do affects others - that we’re all interconnected.

Give someone a basket filled with happiness, hope, love and bread today.

We miss you every day, Dot Sanchas! Until then, smile and live in the present.