Basket Maker Honor

Artes Manuais

Requirements

Explain the uses of the different types of basket.
Answer: Baskets are used to store and carry things! There are baskets to carry fruits and vegetables, baskets to keep bread, laundry baskets, sewing baskets, trash baskets, and picnic baskets. Each shape helps with a task: big, strong baskets carry heavy things, and small, pretty baskets are good for decorating or storing little things. — The shape and size of the basket show what it was made for.
Mention the various types of baskets that may exist in a home and what they are used for.
Answer: In a house we can find: 1) a fruit basket (keeps fruit in the kitchen); 2) a bread basket (keeps the bread close to the table); 3) a laundry basket (gathers clothes to be washed); 4) a sewing basket (keeps thread, needles and buttons); 5) a trash basket (for throwing away little bits of paper); and 6) a basket to store toys or magazines. Each one keeps the house more organized. — In almost every room of the house there is a basket helping to keep things organized.
Know the tools and materials that a basket maker uses.
Answer: The basket maker uses materials like wicker, plant fibers (vine, straw, cattail, rush), thin bamboo or rolled-up newspaper. The tools are simple: scissors or a dull knife (with an adult's help) for cutting, a clothespin or clip to hold things, a bucket of water to wet the fiber and make it soft, and his own hands, which are the most important tool! — The basket maker uses plant fibers and few tools, because he works a lot with his hands.
Describe how the materials for making a basket are prepared.
Answer: First we gather the fibers (wicker, straw or vine) and clean them, removing leaves and dirt. Then we let them dry a little in the shade. When it is time to weave, we wet the fiber in water for a few minutes so it becomes soft and bends without breaking. Then we sort the fibers by size and we can start weaving. All of this is done with an adult's help. — Wetting the fiber makes it flexible so you can weave without it cracking.
Make a basket with natural green fiber, wicker, or another material common in your region.
Answer: With an adult: 1) choose the fiber from your region (wicker, straw, vine or even strips of rolled-up newspaper); 2) wet the fiber so it becomes soft; 3) make the bottom by crossing a few fibers like a little star; 4) lift the ends and pass a fiber over and under, going around; 5) press each turn tightly; 6) when it is the size you want, fold the ends inward to finish the rim. There you go, your basket! — Weaving 'over and under' is the secret of every basket.
Decorate a basket that can be used for: sewing, storing the books for family worship, flowers, or fruit.
Answer: Choose what the basket will be used for (sewing, worship books, flowers or fruit) and decorate it to match. With an adult's help: tie a pretty ribbon on the rim, glue on bows, paper flowers or buttons, or paint it with the right kind of paint. You can line the inside with a little cloth. Make a label saying what it will hold. Take your time so it turns out just your way! — Decorating makes the basket pretty and also shows what it is used for.
Make or decorate small baskets to give as a gift.
Answer: Make or get little baskets and decorate them thinking about who will receive them. With an adult: add a ribbon, a bow and a little card with the person's name. Inside, put a sweet treat, a little flower or a loving note. Giving a gift you made yourself shows love and brings joy to whoever receives it! — A handmade gift carries a special kind of love.