Category: Soft Pottery

Posted on

2025 Will Bring New Visions and Directions

Well, that slow down and reflect mode didn’t last too long. We finished the year making baskets for family and friends. They were what we call “personal portrait” baskets, to be given to each recipient as a way of saying thank you for being you and this is how I see you. We also made some memory baskets using fabric of loved ones who have passed on.

January is a time for us to experiment with some new shapes, designs, and new knots for Barry. At times we have collaborated closely to reach the final work, but this month has been a time to give each other lots of space to work alone and try new things, perhaps make some mistakes as we allow our creativity to flow in new directions without deadlines and inventory to cause worry. Fortunately it has actually produced quite a bit of new exciting inventory after dipping into some of our stash of beautiful batiks and colored ropes. Spring colors have been calling us in the midst of heavy snowfall in Bloomington, Indiana.

Any shows we are planning for are months ahead and we will soon be rearranging inventory in our boutique locations. So for now, we are offering this new inventory for sale online until we decide where to go with it. This not a formal selling site so just hit the “I want this!” button if you are interested. We can discuss the details (shipping, pickup and payments) after that.

Zen Masala $15.
“Zen Masala” $20. Small, 6″ diameter, 2″ tall

I want this

Truck Puppies
“Truck Puppies” $20, Small 6″ diameter

I want this

Sunflowers & Straw $55, medium 7" diameter, 2" tall

Sunflowers & Straw $55, medium 7" diameter, 2" tall
“Sunflowers & Straw” $55, Medium 7″ diameter, 2″ tall

I want this

Springing Forth

Springing Forth $85, large, 7" diameter, 6" tall
“Springing Forth” $85, Large, 7″ diameter, 6″ tall

I want this

"Sparrow Minded" $30, medium, 6.5" diameter, 2" tall
“Sparrow Minded” $30, Medium, 6.5″ diameter, 2″ tall

I want this

Rows of Violets $65, Medium, 7" diameter, 3" tall

Rows of Violets $65, Medium, 7" diameter, 3" tall
“Rows of Violets” $65, Medium, 7″ diameter, 3″ tall

I want this

"Relaxing Weekend" $55, Medium, 6" diameter, 3.5" tall

"Relaxing Weekend" $55, Medium, 6" diameter, 3.5" tall
“Relaxing Weekend” $55, Medium, 6″ diameter, 3.5″ tall

I want this

"Professor Potter" $45, Medium, 6" diameter, 4" tall

"Professor Potter" $45, Medium, 6" diameter, 4" tall
“Professor Potter” $45, Medium, 6″ diameter, 4″ tall

I want this

Oyster Lagoon" $30, Medium, 6" diameter, 2.5" tall

Oyster Lagoon" $30, Medium, 6" diameter, 2.5" tall
“Oyster Lagoon” $30, Medium, 6″ diameter, 2.5″ tall

I want this

"Mushroom Dish, $15, Small, 5" diameter, 1" tall
“Mushroom Dish”, $15, Small, 5″ diameter, 1″ tall

I want this

"Honey Peach" $85, Large, 8" diameter, 5.5" tall

"Honey Peach" $85, Large, 8" diameter, 5.5" tall
“Honey Peach” $85, Large, 8″ diameter, 5.5″ tall

I want this

"Garden Party Dress" $25, Medium, 6" diameter, 2" tall
“Garden Party Dress” $25, Medium, 6″ diameter, 2″ tall

I want this

"Garden Gal" $50, Medium, 7" diameter, 3" tall

"Garden Gal" $50, Medium, 7" diameter, 3" tall
“Garden Gal” $50, Medium, 7″ diameter, 3″ tall

I want this

"Front Porch Pretty" $40, Medium, 7" diameter, 2.75" tall
“Front Porch Pretty” $40, Medium, 7″ diameter, 2.75″ tall

I want this

"Falling Apples" $25, Medium, 6" diameter, 2" tall
“Falling Apples” $25, Medium, 6″ diameter, 2″ tall

I want this

"Daisy Tray" $20, Medium, 8" X 5" diameter, 1.5" tall
“Daisy Tray” $20, Medium, 8″ X 5″ diameter, 1.5″ tall

I want this

"Cupid's Roses" $45, Medium, 6" Diameter, 3" tall

"Cupid's Roses" $45, Medium, 6" Diameter, 3" tall
“Cupid’s Roses” $45, Medium, 6″ Diameter, 3″ tall

I want this

"Cupid's Bow" $35, Medium, 6" diameter, 2.25" tall
“Cupid’s Bow” $35, Medium, 6″ diameter, 2.25″ tall

I want this

"Chicken Bugs" $50, Medium, 6.5" diameter, 2.5" tall
“Chicken Bugs” $50, Medium, 6.5″ diameter, 2.5″ tall

I want this

"Cathy's Cotton" $30, Medium, 6.5" diameter. 2" tall
“Cathy’s Cotton” $30, Medium, 6.5″ diameter. 2″ tall

I want this

"Baby Bluedreams" $15,Small, 5" diameter, 1" tall
“Baby Bluedreams” $15, Small, 5″ diameter, 1″ tall

I want this

 

Posted on

Bonnie Baskets is in College Mall!

Arts Alliance Center

Bonnie and Barry are delighted to announce that we have been accepted as members into the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington. Bonnie Baskets is now an Artist on Display in the Arts Alliance Center in College Mall in Bloomington, Indiana.
We couldn’t be more excited to have this opportunity to display our most creative work and explore new avenues in the rope basket art form.
Gift buying season has arrived and the AAC is a great place to find the artwork of over 50 local artists. We are proud to be a part of that.
Posted on

Fall Shows – Fall Colors – New Designs

Sun Flower basketToday is Labor Day and time to finish up some new baskets and start some new ones. Our first show of the season is behind us now and it was a good start. Whiteland High School was a new location for us and the Hoosier Handmade Craft Market was full of the expected wonderfully friendly customers and fellow artisan vendors.

Highlight of Golden Tassels basketOur next show will be A Fair of the Arts in Bloomington, Indiana on Saturday, September 14th as part of the Farmer’s Market. We will also be at the one on October 12th. 

We are anxiously awaiting to hear back with approvals on a couple of others that will fill in our schedule for the year. Hope to have good news for you soon!

Cute jute basket

We have been working with fall colors and jute but we have some new sources of colored rope which are exciting any time of year.

The chill in the air finally started today so we are ready to get back to the “show business”. Hope to see you at one of upcoming shows!
Basket named "Underwater Flower Garden" Basket named "Underwater Flower Garden" showing front knot.

Posted on

“Expanding Our Line”

In a previous blog post I introduced some of new “Soft Pottery” designs. Expanding that idea a little more, one day recently I felt the urge to Go Big!

It took a few days to complete this one but the results have been quite pleasing. This is designed to be a floor or hearth piece standing at 9″ tall with a 12″ diameter. You can use it for whatever you want, so we gave a stiffening/hardening treatment and sprayed it with fabric protection. It is fairly strong and durable for $150.

Extra large basket sitting on hearth Extra Large basket showing front knot Extra Large basket showing inside bottom Extra Large basket on floor with old milk can

Let me know what you think here.

Posted on

Sunflowers

Sunflowers have always been popular in Bonnie Baskets. I am already getting some requests for sunflowers in anticipation of our late summer and fall arts and craft festivals. Here is a sample of what I have prepared for now. There may be more to come … I don’t know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Relaxing Day – $35

 

Sunny Straw – $35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunny Cuties – $30

Sunflower Splash – $65

Sunflower Soother – $25

Solitaire Sunflower – $35

Fun Fall Fields – $45

A Dress for September – $30

Pail of Sunshine – $35

Sunflower Halo – $40

Yellow Sunrises – $40

Our first public display of these will be August 24, 2024 at the Hoosier Handmade Craft Fair & Market in Whiteland, Indiana. If you see anything you want to have sooner – just let me know.

Posted on

Carolina Shaggy

Carolina Shaggy basket showing inside bottom Carolina Shaggy basket showing front sea shell

This one is an homage to the Carolinas, among our favorite places to travel.

Mountain Thread Company Shop
Bonnie and Katherine

The rope at the top is from The Mountain Thread Company located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. A couple of years back, we stopped by there to stock up on their high quality all cotton rope made locally. We really wanted some rope but also wanted to personally meet Katherine Lile, the owner.

The sea shell is one of many Barry found at the beach during a recent visit to Edisto Island, South Carolina.

While staying at Edisto Island, we took a day and went fabric hunting at quilt shops nearby on Hilton Head Island. The fabric on the bottom features a sea turtle from a custom batik print that the shop, Island Quilters, designed. The shop owner, Beth Hanlon-Ridder commissioned a basket to be made using their fabric. Bonnie ended up making two baskets for her but we still had a little fabric left over to make this one. The colors of this fabric reflect the colors of the old rustic relics of shells you find on the beaches around there.

With a nod to the music scene there and a dance they call “The Shag”, we named this one “Carolina Shaggy”. Interested, $70 SOLD.

Posted on

Butterflies in the Kitchen

Butterflies in the kitchen bowl front view

Butterflies in the Kitchen bowl, inside view

“Butterflies in the Kitchen” was inspired by an old mixing bowl that sits atop a bookcase in my sewing room/studio.

old mixing bowlI’ve had this bowl for over 50 years and an old college housemate used to make her “Claw the Oven Door Dill Bread” in it. So many great memories, smells, tastes, and good times! I love that bowl.

This fits right in with my our new soft pottery collection and I am sure there will be more along the line with this design.

“Butterflies in the Kitchen” takes me to my happy place but it can be yours. $60 plus shipping if needed. If you want it let me know.