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Danny O’Brien

@coppiceweaving

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Willow + Basketry + Yoga = Weaving

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• Some simple bread baskets and a couple shoppers still in need of handles, added to the collection made with Salix purpuria, packing twine and Salix Americana (Americana-X..?) *Does anyone have ideas about the stories surrounding this cultivar? From what I’ve heard and read… something about the origin in Europe, and then the import to America… and then, back to Europe where it acquired this name “Americana-X.” Would love any confirmation or to hear other stories! Thanks! #willow #handmade #sustainable #basketryartist #craft by @coppiceweaving

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4 days ago

• The first photo, in this willow coppice photo-dump, is the little row that started this whole adventure of growing my own material. It’s the local “found in the ditch” purpuria that grows wild among many others, here in this region. It was the “test bed” that found unexpected success! Then, after a couple years of purchasing 15 more varieties, from cuttings, from @willowbrookbasketfarm, I’m now happily tending all the willow that (I think 😳) I will need to enjoy an abundance of weaving directions and adventures—may I begin to make a living with this?!! 🙏🏼 Gratitude is given to this little row of pioneers upon every entry into this willow wonderland called CoppiceWeaving. Thank you for following along! by @coppiceweaving

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13 days ago

The past week or so I’ve been working with larger baskets. Same bottoms, same sticks. Making the forms slightly different as I go up the stakes. What a pleasure! They seem to relate to each other while pretty different from each other (like humans). I think I’ve found my people. A “series” almost. I’ve got willow for one more mellowing. Made the bottom last night… this time a bit more hefty. Will have to see what happens. Learning to follow the willow… #handmade #time #trust #willow #basket by @coppiceweaving

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23 days ago

I’m excited to get back to making a couple log baskets today! This (Salix purpurea) cultivar, called “ESF Fish Creek,” is a variety cultivated by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) originally for biomass energy, riparian buffers, and streambank restoration. It’s vigorous, highly disease resistant, and it happens to be wonderful for basket making!! Now, let’s get to work! #willow #handmade #basket #craft #sustainable by @coppiceweaving

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a month ago

• As you start to walk on the way, the way appears. —Rumi -On this day, six years ago, I parked my skoolie on the edge of a field, without a clear plan, while the world was deep in the throes of a pandemic. I sat in my bus, day-by-day, seriously questioning so much of what I had done. My life was not something I was running away from. I had always loved this life, my life, in all of its various forms and experiences. With time (a couple years), in this suspended state… I slowly began to realize, that I hadn’t actually “done” anything… this is “life!” It was, at times, softly dark, and at times blindingly bright, and was definitely within a current of years of momentum. I had to be quiet and alone to really listen. I borrowed a scythe from the person that I’d purchased the land from to see what lay beneath the acres and years of goldenrod. Yes, it was a very slow process of unraveling an amazingly broad, and loudly dynamic, style of life of over thirty years, so that I could begin to see something different, something not in view. So that I could begin to build something that I couldn’t yet see. With the loving, very generous, and consistent support of my dear dear family and friends, old and new… I come to this day. Gratitude overflows my being and my heart. Just before this period, in my quest to make some kind of change in my life, my one requirement, was that I find a place where I could hear the wind in the trees over all else. And at this very moment, I’m listening to a symphony of wild birds… and that wind in the trees. From the deepest reaches of my heart, thank you to everyone who has been a part of this great adventure, so far... And to everyone else: Courage in Yourselves! #change #courage #life #unknown #yoga by @coppiceweaving

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a month ago

Want to show how the willow was dancing in the tornado warnings, yesterday. The warning said nothing about people living in yurts! So I went outside to watch the show. The yurt and the willow are the only things bolted to the ground… we all survived. -Peace! #dance #willow #tornado #yurt #handmade by @coppiceweaving

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a month ago

Woven from Americana-X. Sitting in front of his parents… right before the tornado warnings!! (all is well) Still needs a foot & handles. Learned more about paying attention to details—stick-by-stick. Thank you for viewing!! #willow #handmade #coppice #weaving #basketry by @coppiceweaving

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a month ago

Last evening at the coppice… Simultaneously, East & West. Nothing more. Thanks for watching! #coppice #weaving #willow #handmade #beautifulday by @coppiceweaving

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a month ago

Just a ton of gratitude from my walk this morning. #willow #coppice #weaving #handmade #yurtliving by @coppiceweaving

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2 months ago

I sold some baskets!! Woohoo!!! I’ve been laying low with preparing for my first ever (ever) market (@oxfordfarmersmarketny). It’s taken me weeks & weeks… preparing baskets, displays, DBA and state tax registration, liability insurance, PRICING(?!!) and then signs & Venmo and blah blah blah… even a cash box! None of this was ever a part of my life before this adventure… but the biggest prep I have to say, was in the wrapping my head around being public with my baskets. I have given several away to friends. This, was a big step. And, most importantly, is the community and new friendships that are growing and evolving. I love this market! I am incredibly grateful for the openness, support and generosity of everyone involved in this market and with my latest venture… basketry. #farmersmarket #basketry #handmade #community #willow by @coppiceweaving

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2 months ago

Time to get back on this horse… fell off for a month or so to support my son @leviobrien_trees while he converted a van to take his business on the road. Very exciting! Check him out! This is a small log basket design that I toiled with for a short time. I can see that I’m learning how to stay more fully present to the details and form as they appear. It’s so easy to let a small part run astray… affecting the whole. And then there’s the “cranking” of the rods for handles… As the great K. Pattabhi Jois was known to say: “Practice, Practice, Practice… all is coming.” : : #handmade #basketry #willow #sustainability #practice by @coppiceweaving

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3 months ago

Every year, for the past four years, I’ve increased the size of my growing field… This time it’s for dogwoods (hoops): Silky & Red Osier. And yes, raking the addition after brush-hogging. Converting the goldenrod & multi floral to native grasses. If I rake, it exposes the grasses and they establish in one year. Nature is really amazing. #willow #coppice #farm #yurt #handmade by @coppiceweaving

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3 months ago