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Sue Bonifacio

I am known for my Pine Needle Baskets, one of the oldest crafts known. It dates back some 9000 years, even before pottery, first made by Seminole Indians, they were so tightly sewn together they would hold water. During the Civil War women made hats of pine needles. My pine needles come from Florida and are 10 to 14 inches long. I often make the centre of a basket with wire circles, squares and other geometric shapes that are bound with waxed linen that I can coil the needles around. No two baskets are the same because I do not use a pattern. I also use Agate or pyrographed wood for the centres.

 

I also Pyrograph (wood burn) on Bass wood panels. The process has been practiced by a number of cultures including the Egyptians and some African tribes since the dawn of recorded history. First I draw the picture and then burn the pattern in. Some wood burnt pieces are then filled with inks or paint for further decoration, and the frames are made from exotic woods. I really enjoy wood burning animals and pay special attention to the eyes which I paint with water colour and then seal the panel with clear lacquer.

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