A LOVELY LITTLE BASKET honeysucle runner DEBORAH DUVALL

HONEYSUCKLE BASKETS ARE VERY EASY TO RECOGNIZE AND SHOULD NEVER BE CONFUSED WITH THOSE MADE WITH THE CHEAP RATTAN IMPORTED FROM THE PHILLIPINE ISLANDS. RATTAN WAS INTRODUCED YEARS AGO AND SOLD AROUND HERE BY THE CHEROKEE HERITAGE CENTER IN PARK HILL. THEY KNEW BETTER BUT COULD BUY IT SO CHEAPLY THEY RESOLD IT TO THE WEAVERS AS A PROFITABLE SIDELINE. SEVERAL OKLAHOMA WEAVERS ARE USING THE RATTAN VINE AND IDENTIFIYING THEIR BASKETS AS 'COLLECTIBLE' WHEN THEY ARE VIRTUALLY WORTHLESS TOURIST SOUVENIR TRASH.

ALL THROUGH THE YEARS, THE GREAT NOTED BASKETMAKERS AROUND HERE USED HONEYSUCKLE, BUCKBRUSH ROOT, SPLIT OAK, OR RIVERCANE. RATTAN IS CUT TO EVEN GRADED SIZES SO IT IS VERY EFFORTLESS TO WEAVE--- YOU CAN LOOK UP RATTAN AND BUY IT VERY CHEAPLY ALMOST ANYWHERE, EVEN ON EBAY. RATTAN IS NOT A PREFERRED OR COLLECTIBLE MATERIAL FOR BASKETS. BUYING RATTAN BASKETS FOR INVESTMENT IS STUPID. I WILL CONTINUE TO SELL QUALITY BASKETS AS I CAN FIND THEM, BUT CERTAINLY NOT RATTAN.

IDENTIFICATION:   ALL HONEYSUCKLE RUNNERS HAVE TINY SIDE ROOTS EVERY FOOT OR SO, AND ADEPT WEAVERS INCLUDE AND LEAVE THE SMALL SIDE ROOTS AS PART OF THE FINISHED PIECE. IF YOU HAVE A HONEYSUCKLE BASKET AND SOMEONE IS LOOKIN' AT IT THEY WILL ALWAYS TRY TO TEAR THE LITTLE ROOTS OFF. HA. HA.