Darlene Ryer
Red Bud being prepared for weaving.
This is a bundle of Red Bud soaking in water, before being split and prepared for weaving. There is a basket in process back on the right, and some contemporary baskets on the left background.
Spliting Red Bud
This is the begining of spliting the Red Bud for weaving, You use a sharp knife to start the split. Taking the first run, from the cut end, you keep your fingers even on the stalk, and split the Red Bud down the center, as even as possible, all the way to the point end. The next few photos show this progress.
Removing the Peth Center
After the first split, you split each side as many times as it takes to get the desired size, all the while removing the pith from the center, and leaving ony the wood and bark. The bark will be the outside color of pattern on the basket.
Continue to split
Continue spliting away the layers till you get the strip as even and thin as you prefer.
Coil Red Bud
At this point you need to trim the edges of each side to make it straight, and then coil with the bark to the inside for storage for one year before using to weave. Make sure you have plenty of coils to work on many baskets, as it takes a year for the materials to cure before being able to use them to weave. The following photos show a good stash of Red Bud coils.
