Saturday, September 17, 2016

Sweetgrass Baskets

Highway 17 has been designated the Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway. This road takes us from Charleston to Bulls Landing Road where we are parked for the summer.

All along the road are these little places where the Gullah Geechee set up the baskets to sell.

This is Julia...it was time to get my basket and she was kind enough to let me get this photo. My basket was priced at $40.00 but you can go as high as $500.00. This custom was started by one little lady who sat out a chair and sold them...then one by one it turned into this.

This is Julia's stand. You can see another on down the road.

She was in the process of making another basket that she is holding.

There is a historical plaque...click on the picture to enlarge.

This craft was brought over from West Africa where the baskets were used in winnowing rice.

The basket sewing is viewed as a gift from God.

These people, the Gullah Geechee, have made a good business for themselves. It has given them a sense of purpose, meaning and belonging.

I love my basket!!!

Until next time...


4 comments:

  1. We lived north of there but never really checked out this area. Looks like we missed a great place... glad you're taking us on the tour now.

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  2. I love nice baskets. But with an rv you can only have one or two. That one is a dousie.

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  3. Beautiful basket! Would look perfect with a couple of seashells in it.

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  4. What a great reminder of your time there. Enjoy.

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