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    You are here: Home / Basket Weaving / Signing Your Handwoven Baskets: Leaving a Legacy

    Signing Your Handwoven Baskets: Leaving a Legacy

    For a complete guide to all Textile Indie’s basket weaving posts and videos, visit the main Basket Weaving Page.

    Why sign your handwoven basket?

    Basketry is an art form, and most artists sign their work.

    Basket weavers sign their work as evidence that they created the piece. By signing a basket, the weaver adds value and the legacy of tradition to their handmade object.

    Here are a few reasons to consider:

    First, sign your creations for yourself. Signing and dating the baskets you make is important as a creator because you’ll be able to look back at your progress as a weaver.

    Second, sign your basket to mark it as something you created. For the same reasons an artist puts their mark somewhere in a painting, a basket weaver leaves their mark on a basket. It proves authorship.

    Third, signing a basket signifies to yourself and the world that you’re “finished.” As the creator of the piece, you are satisfied with the work you did today. It’s an essential mindset for an artist to honor their process and skill evolution.

    Fourth, if you plan to give the basket as a gift, signing it adds a unique element for the recipient.

    Finally, by adding your signature to your lovingly created basket, you mark it as a handmade piece, separating it from the mass-produced items found at the local craft mart.

    Bottom of an open weave basket base, showing the artists signature
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    What to use to sign a basket

    There are several options for signing a basket, but no matter what method you choose, the most important thing to remember is to use high-quality permanent ink.

    Method 1: Markers

    Suggested permanent markers

    Sharpies

    Micron pens

    Method 2: Wood burning

    Use the writing tip with a wood-burning tool to leave an indelible and rustic mark on your baskets.

    Wood burning will work best on a solid wood basket handle. If you decide to burn your initials into the reed, be careful, you’ll want to sign while the basket is slightly damp. No one wants your basket to go up in flames!

    Suggested wood-burning tool:

    The Walnut Hollow Creative Versa – Tool is an excellent choice for crafters. It’s inexpensive and includes 11 different tips, a stand, and temperature control.

    Walnut Hollow Creative Versa-Tool

    Method 3: Rubber stamps

    Another fun idea is to create a custom rubber signature stamp and use it on all your basket projects. You can create a logo, symbol, or stylistic signature to suit your taste.

    I have a video tutorial on creating rubber stamps; it’s fun and easy.

    Be sure to use permanent ink.

    Learn to make custom rubber stamps.

    Method 4: Paint pens

    Paint pens are another great option. They’re similar to permanent markers, but paint pens are the way to go for a metallic finish.

    These Sakura pens come in copper, gold, and silver. You can also get fluorescent and ultraviolet colors (to each her own). The ink is archival and waterproof. If your basket ends up in a museum in 100 years, your signature will probably be visible!

    Sakura Pen-Touch Paint Marker -  Fine Tip, CopperSakura Pen-Touch Paint Marker - Fine, GoldSakura Pen-Touch Paint Marker - Fine Tip , Silver

    Method 5: Metal tags

    I love these custom hand-punched brass tags on Etsy:

    Brass tags

    Method 6: Tooled leather label

    Commission custom leather labels. Here’s my choice on Etsy:

    25 Pack Leather Tags

    For makers that love to work with ALL the materials, make your own. Blick Art Supply has everything you need.

    Tooling leather

    Tooling Leather - Cow hide, 8-1/2

    Leather tooling set

    Leather Tooling Set - 1/8

    Rotary leather punch

    Rotary Leather Punch

    Rivets

    Realeather Rivets - Small, Pkg of 100

    How to sign a basket

    Allow the basket to air dry thoroughly.

    If you stain the basket, do so before adding a signature.

    Sign, stamp, or add your custom tag.

    Special notes:

    Wood-burning tools will be safest if the basket is still retaining a tiny amount of moisture.

    A clear coat protectant can go on after the permanent marker, paint pen, rubber stamp, or wood-burned signature.

    Here is an example of using a Sharpie pen – quick and straightforward.

    Name and date on the bottom of a basket.

    For a complete guide to all Textile Indie’s basket weaving posts and videos, visit the main Basket Weaving Page.

    More basket weaving techniques:

    How to Cut Reed for Basket Stakes

    How to Weave an Open Basket Base

    How to Weave a Closed Basket Base

    Twining a Basket Base: Creating a Stable Basket

    Weaving Techniques for Basket Making

    How to Set Up the Rim of a Basket

    How to do Basic Lashing on a Basket Rim

    How to do Cross-Stitch or X-Lashing on a Basket Rim

    How to Protect Your Handwoven Baskets from Mold

    Basket Stains and Sealers: Finishing Your Basket

    Basket-of-the Month Club

    Check out Textile Indie’s self-paced basket club if you want to learn to weave beautiful baskets. Twelve different basket designs with video and written instructional support to learn foundational basketry techniques. Over the course of twelve months, you will receive one basket pattern with supporting instructional material. Start at basket one and weave all twelve, or stay as long as you want.

    gallery of 12 different reed baskets

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