This is my nana in her studio.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGNNeTgYwc_GeGWSD-ApbqCKTBnvwv4hN_7DLuLSRxXmANoTmTUKH-Dmfh8AR7F7FaTmmyT-Py53wWRSeUmz-RN00EfsUtSO5A6KX9GeF1TpCCbmqMCkhr0uSjLmtA7poZ3lW2C6-NVo/s320/Hall.jpg)
Nantucket lightship baskets originated in the 1860s, when "light ships" were commissioned to warn ships of the dangerous shoals off the southern coast of Nantucket. Life on a lightship was tedious, so the men on the ships took up basketmaking to relieve the boredom. The resulting baskets are strong and beautiful, and are now made in a wide variety of styles and colors, including purses, often known as "friendship" purses. Nantucket baskets last so long that they are often described by the rhyme:
"I was made on Nantucket, I'm strong and I'm stout, don't lose me or burn me and I'll never wear out!"
I recently decided that I wanted to learn how to make baskets like my grandmother, and have been impressed by how detailed the work is and how strong the finished product is. I just finished my first basket! (Actually, I made one when I was a kid...I started it when I was 8, and finished when I was 18...so I don't really count that one :)
Here are some of my Nana's designs:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB04yL2IURI6tgIA_tDqWZAODOC7lHKpWJg-DEdx0FFg2_oeBpcAy-lRdaO0GwgIyBDgTv2bX-vxuvDGGWIuw-WwdhgVc2fcq6_6sUrziR1d3-Z9escv2c8TJ00epEhaE7QXvv0ArTvWo/s320/com+023.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarsQLQ2LMl_nG0yPxP1q8FIj1w8YbqobmKTkfz2NPk5XSDzFwznUK2T3Og9hSU93RBdQliKaN41LVIAkNVCQN9WoFaWmT9mXb9TyEM9WSGzUGCtgZLJ7mFhLyG9TKUNKF_AEszg0MhV4/s320/com+042.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ryxvxrInDCmyf606q7NMl3AWKV0iwlN3olgBFx4-4Hb2hY2ca4HbQosXSOd9DQz5oJXVXp7I_5qA5hbL0Xn_Iulx-KUpKadKXlgmo1j7GX4Gc8NlXHGEWiusXemBz2kU2cwNqr4_zVE/s320/com+039.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByeJewwLHTXXWNWMLOcjYg99acuSRU-Zj-y28JKFxjCDQPpNr_fa04qNePFvDETXrej1QUXGvePH9ZhwcjlEfXDXV8P3E6B3g5hqqvyP-MywTPNtnjD4LgtHiiZPnRwraLumsuyz6Kyg/s320/baskets_033_op_552x600.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9ncGRjErM-COgcQFq8Zmx3JvyLP-YcPvPUcrK2lzjD1wPt95iQoEZtF6POUpa3I8PUvFq1slOLlAKpm21nFRcFAoTkHeimtHXfjLT-DxMCqJssASB_m_IDr9RaIH59ygEknSasGRTMA/s320/com+027.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZv1HoT3F8gp6_tsWqAQrGGZbPzNfdBEJJ55fEYArxtMOR9ag0jtahlCU8avxQbzGGOsB85TXIo8tGrg5F8bmIPiyws1YiSkvwHvzPmxAT6ni8sv8ifY33IxfYrIUZI-d7B6UE9KZVw0/s320/_cid_001201c776f6_7753ee10_6501a8c0_upstairs_op_395x600.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPw_mK6L9lNp9kgpZG69eZ7fGGqHkmC_IrQj5kfOKz4JtaStYVErK-os6FR8QQfY0HkInlTmCd6RUZgcRt39VQy2aodlQVI4Uu06p45maWrZx3R5NNbCoxyqp9kaHCGERV5yFO5hTbQ0/s320/baskets_015_op_478x600.jpg)
And here's the plug: Peg Hall Studios has joined the 21st century by setting up an Etsy shop! Please check it out here - Nantucket baskets make beautiful, timeless gifts for the holiday season!
Here are some of my Nana's designs:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByeJewwLHTXXWNWMLOcjYg99acuSRU-Zj-y28JKFxjCDQPpNr_fa04qNePFvDETXrej1QUXGvePH9ZhwcjlEfXDXV8P3E6B3g5hqqvyP-MywTPNtnjD4LgtHiiZPnRwraLumsuyz6Kyg/s320/baskets_033_op_552x600.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZv1HoT3F8gp6_tsWqAQrGGZbPzNfdBEJJ55fEYArxtMOR9ag0jtahlCU8avxQbzGGOsB85TXIo8tGrg5F8bmIPiyws1YiSkvwHvzPmxAT6ni8sv8ifY33IxfYrIUZI-d7B6UE9KZVw0/s320/_cid_001201c776f6_7753ee10_6501a8c0_upstairs_op_395x600.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPw_mK6L9lNp9kgpZG69eZ7fGGqHkmC_IrQj5kfOKz4JtaStYVErK-os6FR8QQfY0HkInlTmCd6RUZgcRt39VQy2aodlQVI4Uu06p45maWrZx3R5NNbCoxyqp9kaHCGERV5yFO5hTbQ0/s320/baskets_015_op_478x600.jpg)
And here's the plug: Peg Hall Studios has joined the 21st century by setting up an Etsy shop! Please check it out here - Nantucket baskets make beautiful, timeless gifts for the holiday season!
Wow - her work is SO beautiful! Where's the one that you made?
ReplyDeleteI'm embarrassed to post it next to hers...I'll have to make a separate post later :)
ReplyDeleteWow, that is beautiful work! I had never heard of that before - what an interesting history and tribute to your nana. I'll check out her shop now!
ReplyDelete