The Short Basket-making Yurt-shop Fundraiser Story

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     After about three years of making baskets, using space in my basket-making mentor's workshop, in late 2015, I was told about some basket-making equipment that was available.  It turned out to be the tools from the old Basketville workshop in Putney, Vermont, (when their products were still made in the U.S.A.), which is where my grandma used to work.  I remember visiting her there in the workshop when I was about nine years old.

     I have been hoping and trying to find a place nearby to set up a small basket-making workshop (there seem to be many barns and buildings around that look vacant, but usable), but after many hours of writing letters and following leads, I have run into only dead ends.

     It has now been about a year since I found out about this equipment, but I am no closer to being able to afford it, and no closer to having a place to set up a shop.

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     Years ago, our family started to build a yurt, but a difficulty arose and we were not able to complete it.  I have recently resurrected that dream.  It seems to me that a yurt would make an appropriate and inspiring basket-making workshop, so I have decided to combine the two ideas into my basket-making "yurt-shop."  Having all my basket-making supplies within walking distance will save time and fuel, and make things much more convenient and accessible.

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     The cost of the old Basketville equipment is $5000.  The base cost of a 20-foot yurt is $5,900, not counting the site work, foundation, platform, stove, chimney, and insulation.  I am doing as much of the work as I can myself.  I will also be using the roof ring, skylight, and hardware from our previous attempt, and am work-bartering for some of the labor, but there are some materials that must unavoidably be purchased - foundation blocks, lumber for the floor... - and unfortunately, a long-lasting cover is a significant and necessary amount of the cost.  It seems there are always unexpected expenses, so I am hoping to raise $7,500 for building the yurt-shop.

     To raise the money to help make this dream a reality, I have decided to weave some baskets especially for the basket-making yurtshop fund-raiser.  The initial design I am offering is a hexagonal weave (appropriate for a beekeeper).

     Months ago, I was challenged by a friend to make a basket worth only $50.  With the high-end baskets I was then making, it was impossible to do, but although this first set of baskets would usually have a market value of around $60, as an introductory special for this event, the price will be $50 each.  

     The baskets in the $50 category will be a variety of shapes, but they will all be about the same size (8" diameter and 4" tall) with a market value of about $60.  As time goes on, I will offer more designs and styles - I'm already getting more ideas and am also open to suggestions for more - so prices will vary.

     With each purchase of a basket worth at least $50, the buyer will be able to choose to enter a drawing to win another basket (valued at $50) or purchase one bar of my hand-crafted soap or a pair of my hand-dipped candles at 50% off ($3 instead of $6).  A name will be drawn each time there are 25 names in the jar.

     Of course, my usual wooden-bottomed baskets are also available in a variety of locations.  Check my website for details on my baskets, soap, and candles:

 thelilacdragonfly.wix.com/home.

     Please e-mail me with any questions, or to make arrangements to purchase a basket.

     If you have an event planned and would like a basket-making demo, with baskets available for purchase, please get in touch.

     And please tell your friends about my basket-making yurt-shop fund-raiser and pass along the website link:  basketyurtshop.wixsite.com/home.

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