Beyond the Basic Basket

Fine Handmade Baskets

For more than 20 years, Sheila Wray has been exploring basket design through classes, research and experimentation. Though her baskets may be based on traditional designs from early pioneer days, western native influences, or Nantucket Sea Captains, she also weaves baskets with more contemporary designs. Traditional or contemporary, each of Sheila's creations bears her original imprint. She weaves reed from the rattan plant into a wide variety of shapes and sizes that are both beautiful and utilitarian. Using special techniques for hand-dying reed, she creates many shades of colors to complement the natural rattan. Besides reed, Sheila uses some native materials, including cedar, ash, sweetgrass, and seagrass. She continues to seek new and interesting materials to enhance the beauty a