Natural Fiber Art: A Pathfinder for Educators
Pathfinder

This pathfinder covers sites that are relevant and useful to K-8 pre-service teachers in the Oksale Native Teacher Preparation Program at Northwest Indian College.  These sites have appeal for elementary school teachers and emphasize Native American contributions to the natural fiber arts of papermaking and basket weaving.

Where can I get some background on papermaking and basket weaving?

• Tara Prindle discusses the history of splint and coil basket making at <http://www.nativetech.org/coil/index.html>, where you can also find the uses of several different types of bark.
•  Paula Giese’s site <http://www.kstrom.net/isk/art/basket/baskmenu.html> has personal histories as well as information on how basketry fits into Native American philosophy and worldview.
• Many Hands Gallery <http://www.manyhandsgallery.net/baskets/bashist.htm> gives a solid short overview of basket making from a Northwestern perspective.
• For excellent general information on papermaking and its history, search the Book Arts-L Listserv <http://www.philobiblon.com> or <http://palimpsest.stanford.edu> using the search phrase “history of papermaking.”  You will get many different perspectives and as a time-saving bonus, you can click “Next by thread” at the bottom of each page to follow the messages in which you are interested.

Are supplies expensive?  Where can I purchase them?  

• The Austin Papermaking Guild <http://www.papermaking.net> will give teachers a 10% discount on phone orders over $100.00.  They sell papermaking kits especially for instruction as well as casts to make lovely paper ornaments.
• For a basket that uses heavy art paper that you probably already have, the Teel family has a birch bark basket for young kids at <http://www.teelfamily.com/activities/basket/>.
• Free supplies for baskets and natural fiber paper are waiting outside your door, as you can see by visiting Roberta Lavadour’s site that details using local, native plants in paper.  Tara Prindle shows how you can make baskets with pine needles at <http://www.nativetech.org/coil/index.html> while Douglas Jones makes paper with prairie grass <http://www.cs.uiowa.edu/~jones/prairiepaper.html#Introduction>.

Are there any lesson plans or timed activities for basketry and papermaking?  

• Linda Herbert shares tips for teaching basket weaving to young children at <http://www.basketweaving.com/basket_weaving_with_kids.htm>.  She also has a poster that clearly illustrates the basic weave to students.
• Pine needle coil baskets probably need to be spread out over a week or two, but you won’t falter with Tara Prindle’s precise instructions at <http://www.nativetech.org/coil/index.html>.
• Gail Stiffe gives time estimates as well as outstanding directions with accompanying photos at <http://www.bluep.com/~stiffe/plant.html>.
• A good soaking overnight then two hours the next day is all the project Karen Mendelow writes about requires.  View the recycled paper project and drawings at <http://www.exploratorium.edu/exploring/paper/handmade.html>.
• Douglas Jones outlines a superb project for older kids <http://www.cs.uiowa.edu/~jones/prairiepaper.html#Introduction> that will take a couple days.  Fellow teachers will appreciate his clear instructions.

  Where can I view examples of baskets?

• There are wonderful photographs of many different types of traditional baskets from many nations on Paula Giese’s website <http://www.kstrom.net/isk/art/basket/baskmenu.html>.  Additionally, she provides links to artists’ sites and other basketry organizations that have pictures.
• Basketry of the Pacific Northwest, including cedar hats, earrings, and baskets are shown to great advantage on a website featuring artist Sharle Osbourne <http://www.olympus.net/personal/skoehler/basket/bskt.htm>.
• Traditional Hopi basket techniques and the finished products are displayed at <http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/baskets/>.

How is plant fiber prepared for papermaking?  Do I need a huge machine?  

• Gail Stiffe shows that a big hammer, a heat source, and a large soup pot will do at <http://www.bluep.com/~stiffe/plant.html>.
• Twinrocker Handmade Paper’s site <http://www.dcwi.com/~twinrock/spulp2.htm> describes the process of beating the fibers as well as detailing the necessary tools.  They sell the supplies if you want to be really authentic.

Now that my class has made these wonderful projects how do I share our effort and stay informed?  

• Post photographs of your class and their artistic papermaking endeavors online at the Austin Papermaking Guild’s website <http://www.papermaking.net>!
• Check Paula Giese’s list of links for basketry organization information <http://www.kstrom.net/isk/art/basket/baskmenu.html>.
• Native Web <http://www.nativeweb.org> is constantly adding to their Native American arts links pages, so be sure and view them frequently.

I hope this pathfinder has helped you make the natural fiber arts of basket weaving and papermaking a part of your arts curriculum.  If you find that any of these websites are no longer in existence or you have any to add, please email me, Piper Martin, at pipermartin74@hotmail.com.  In order to find books or print materials on the natural fiber arts, ask your local school or public librarian—they will be glad to help you.