How do you care for sweetgrass baskets?
Because the grasses used in these baskets come from swamps and marsh areas, water will not hurt them. To clean, gently spray the basket with cold water. Then, thoroughly air dry. This is the only care required.
How much do Gullah baskets cost?
Younger generations of the family join in to keep the Gullah culture alive. Typically weavers will sow baskets six days each week with an average basket needing about ten hours to complete. A moderate basket sells for a price around $350 to $375. The time and price increase with the size and design of the basket.
Where did sweetgrass baskets originate?
South Carolina
The Origin of Sweetgrass Baskets This basket-making tradition came to South Carolina in the 17th century by way of West African slaves who were brought to America to work on plantations. West Africa resembles South Carolina in both climate and landscape, and rice had long been cultivated there.
Where can I get Sweetgrass?
Search in wet, partially shaded areas for sweetgrass. Note that sweetgrass thrives in moist, watery environments, and you can likely find it near marshes, wet meadows, lakeshores, bogs, and other wet places. Its exact location will ultimately depend on the area you’re searching in.
What are 2 uses of sweetgrass baskets?
One such skill was basketry. Using a type of marsh grass known as bulrush, slaves coiled sturdy, intricate work baskets called fanners. Fanners were used for winnowing, the process of tossing hulls into the air to separate the chaff from the rice. Other work baskets held vegetables, shellfish, and later, cotton.
Where are seagrass baskets made?
Where to Find Sweetgrass Baskets Today. Basketmaking was once common along the coast from southern North Carolina to northern Florida, anywhere slaves worked and grew rice. Today, the craft is primarily concentrated in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, especially in downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant.