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About Jennie Baas

I've always loved working with my hands to create useful and lovely objects. One of my earliest memories is sitting with my mother’s mending basket and trying to figure out how to thread a needle. By the time I was 10 my mother had found a neighbor to teach me clothing construction. I next discovered Home Ec., and was also one of the first class of girls allowed in Shop Class in junior high (back in the day where girls just didn't do this!)

The real eye opener was high school art class. Though sewing stayed an integral part of my life, the art class rooms exposed me to pottery, jewelry, rug hooking, and so much more. If I wanted to try something, Mr. Curtis found a way. All of this taught me that there are lots of wonderful ways to express yourself through art, and of the importance of good teachers to act as guides. In the early 90’s, I joined a group of basket-making friends. That experience of learning and creating with others was an epiphany, one that has taken over my life for last 25 years.

For all of history, the art and craft of basket making has been passed down from generation to generation, in small groups and one-on-one instruction. I am honored to be part of this tradition, and look forward to sharing the art with you!

About Lime Tree Baskets

When I moved to Florida, I opened a business dedicated to the craft of basket making. As a weaver for more than 25 years and teacher for most of that time, I love sharing this very practical and beautiful art with others. There's nothing like watching a first-time student realize that they can weave! In 1993, I first began teaching splint woven basketry in my hometown of Davenport IA. My teaching sessions and experience includes:

  • Workshops for the Quad Cities Basketry Guild, Iowa Basket Guild and the Illinois Basket Weavers Guild.
  • Exhibitions in private shows and juried regional art fairs in Iowa and Illinois.
  • Teaching at the Manatee Art Center, Bradenton FL, ACE – Sarasota FL, and the Artful Giraffe in Florida.

The name Lime Tree Baskets celebrates my Florida home, and a fresh new chapter in my life. I count myself fortunate to be able to pursue the art of weaving full-time, both as a creator and especially as a teacher. See the Calendar to find where and when I’ll be teaching, or contact me to set up a class.

Jennie Baas
Basket Weaving Instructor
Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida