"I have always been impressed with how past peoples took time to make useful items beautiful: beaded moccasins, embroidered aprons, embossed saddles, rock lined paths.  Also how rather than discarding an item it was reused or remade for another situation.   My work is about finding unrealized treasures of our land and ancestors to reuse in creating memorable, durable baskets."

Basket weaving  itself is part of our ancient ancestors history, but especially Jo's, as her great-grandfather was a basket weaver by trade.  Do you suppose Jo inherited the basket weaving gene?!

Jo has been weaving for about 20 years, learning basic techniques with simple, traditional styles.  It came natural for her to experiment with new designs and materials. While living in the west she named her business Eagle Rock Baskets after the original name of the town she lived near.  Since then, she has sold her work in galleries throughout the U.S., art fairs, juried exhibitions and commissions, sometimes using a customers own tack/antler.  She has also started teaching her techniques to other weavers.

Jo designs and weaves each basket to fit the found treasure.  Using oak for strength  to make the baskets frame, then reed for pliability as the ribs and weaver, she forms each basket to follow the curves and shape of the antler or tack. The basket is then finished with embellishments meaningful to each piece, such as antique beads from the Indian trade, bone, stone, leather, and old western belt buckles.

Giving new life to discarded bits of the past or nature is an important part of Jo's work.  Hopefully you will enjoy the uniqueness of the basket, and fill it with additional memories and delight!