Though our core never changes,
Life wears us smooth as river stone.
Every stone has a story,
woven tightly in her embrace.
Round and round
Through warp and weft
What is heavy, we bind with care.
What is light, illumines our way.
-Vanessa Sorensen
-Vanessa Sorensen
Through all my years of blogging, the most popular post I've had was my "Reed & Stone" post from 2015. I received so many emails since then asking if I would offer a course, or do a video, to show how to make them. So, last month, when I was going to make another "Reed Stone" as a gift for a friend, I thought I would make an instructional video.
Choosing a Stone
One of my favorite parts of making these is choosing the stone. On a cold day in January, I ran outside to look around our fountain for the perfect stone. I looked and looked but couldn't find one. For this particular design it is best if the stone is fairly round. This allows enough "grab" on both sides for the flat reed. If the stone is too thin, the flat reed tends to slip when you pull it tight. After my unsuccessful search in the backyard, I determined a trip to the rock store was necessary. I LOVE going to the rock store!
I spent a good hour picking through the bins at Creech's Ohio Valley Stone. I think the man must have thought I was crazy. But it was worth it! Below you can see the lovelies that called out to come home with me.
Tools
Right now it is cold in the basement. And it is hard to be in the studio for any length of time before the cats start scratching at the door. They are not currently allowed in that room because that is where I keep the ferns which they love to eat. But one day they were sleeping soundly, so I snuck downstairs and got all my tools together.
It doesn't require much to make a reed-wrapped stone, but you do have to pre-order your reed. I had some leftover from my previous projects. But if you need to order, I bought mine at Suzanne Moore's NC Basketworks. For this particular project, I used 1/4'' Flat Flat and #3 Round (Superior). You might also buy an awl if you are a beginner (but you can also use a screwdriver.)
Below was my alternate lead photo. I liked the way the wood grain interacted with the stone.
Choosing a Stone
One of my favorite parts of making these is choosing the stone. On a cold day in January, I ran outside to look around our fountain for the perfect stone. I looked and looked but couldn't find one. For this particular design it is best if the stone is fairly round. This allows enough "grab" on both sides for the flat reed. If the stone is too thin, the flat reed tends to slip when you pull it tight. After my unsuccessful search in the backyard, I determined a trip to the rock store was necessary. I LOVE going to the rock store!
I spent a good hour picking through the bins at Creech's Ohio Valley Stone. I think the man must have thought I was crazy. But it was worth it! Below you can see the lovelies that called out to come home with me.
Right now it is cold in the basement. And it is hard to be in the studio for any length of time before the cats start scratching at the door. They are not currently allowed in that room because that is where I keep the ferns which they love to eat. But one day they were sleeping soundly, so I snuck downstairs and got all my tools together.
It doesn't require much to make a reed-wrapped stone, but you do have to pre-order your reed. I had some leftover from my previous projects. But if you need to order, I bought mine at Suzanne Moore's NC Basketworks. For this particular project, I used 1/4'' Flat Flat and #3 Round (Superior). You might also buy an awl if you are a beginner (but you can also use a screwdriver.)
It is also extremely helpful to have narrow pliers and fine scissors. As the weaving progresses and things get tight, the pliers are helpful to grab the round reed to pull it through. The fine scissors are helpful at the end to clip the round reed off slightly under the flat reed so it doesn't show.
I originally intended to make an instructional video. I thought I could use timelapse, but slow it down enough to show the important parts. Unfortunately I had it set on "Auto" and about an hour's worth of work was only 15 seconds! I only noticed after the most important parts. So, I made a "fun" video instead and will have to make a slower video next time.
I originally intended to make an instructional video. I thought I could use timelapse, but slow it down enough to show the important parts. Unfortunately I had it set on "Auto" and about an hour's worth of work was only 15 seconds! I only noticed after the most important parts. So, I made a "fun" video instead and will have to make a slower video next time.
(Music by Graham Capstick from Pixabay.)
Below was my alternate lead photo. I liked the way the wood grain interacted with the stone.
I feel quiet today. So instead of my usual long-winded conclusion, I will leave you with quote.
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