Being a self proclaimed artist myself, I greatly appreciate other artist's skills and talents. I've seen all sorts of art from wood carving to sculpture to the layering of paper. I had never seen nor heard of sweetgrass baskets until we took a trip to Charleston, SC to visit my cousins.
400 years ago, the slaves in Lowcountry practiced the art of basket weaving. This is a tradition that was in essence, kidnapped and brought to America much like the slaves themselves. The tradition has been passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. In fact, there are very few instructional books or classes on this specific weaving because of the way it has been shared within families.
This is a dying art, as the artists themselves have fewer and fewer family members to teach the art to. Sweetgrass baskets are becoming increasingly rare.
The baskets themselves were originally created for practical reasons, as tools on a plantation. They were used to gather rice and cotton. Now, they are pieces of fine art.
Today, you can drive down the "Sweetgrass Basket Maker's Highway" in South Carolina, and see about 20 roadside stands selling the baskets. Each stand is run by family, often on the families property. As time goes by, there will be fewer and fewer stands.
A stroll through the old slave market in downtown Charleston will give you a much closer look at these baskets. Women sit on the ground and weave, and sell the baskets they have finished. A very small basket, about the size of an egg costs $35. A very large basket can run $400 or more.
Leash, I've read all your posts but this one will make it into the novel. I love the idea of the baskets and how they are woven. Thanks!
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