First, let us begin with a little history of the pine needle baskets. Pine needle art is one of the oldest crafts known. It dates back some 9000 years, even before pottery which was made by lining twig baskets with clay.

The Seminole Indians were one of the first tribes to make the pine needle baskets. They used a sharp piece of sea shell or bone as a needle. Some of the baskets were used to carry water, also for winnowing seeds, and feed baskets.

During the era of the Civil War the women made hats of pine needles. They were sewn together with home spun threads. As transportation became more widely used, raffia as well as sinew, was used to sew the baskets. Raffia comes from the raffia palm which grows on Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa. However, today the art of pine needle basketry is still being done by a few creative people. There is no limit to what one can do with pine needles along with a little imagination and skills which will come with patience and practice.

Different types of stitches include the buttonhole, plain, fern, crows foot, chain, open V, diamond, wheat stitch and the Indian wrap.

Pine needles are a gift of nature's bounty woven with loving care into small vessels wherein the Native Americans believed their soul rested secure from evil spirits.

The concept of pine needle art is a "lost art" being revived in this era. Most anything that can be imagined has the capacity to be made from this gift from the pines.

I make an extensive line of pine needle art ranging from baskets of any size, fruit bowls, candy dishes, serving trays, trivets, and jewelry.