What goes into making a basket? The first step involves finding the proper logs. I then bring them home and place them in my pond where they must soak for six months to a year. Once the log has soaked long enough, I can now start separating the growth rings. I do this by pounding the log with the butt of an ax. This causes the water to move which then separates the growth rings from the log. I cut them into many different widths. I use inch and a half down to half inch for uprights. I also use three eighths of an inch down to one eighth of an inch for weaving. After everything is properly sized I begin the weaving process by forming the basket around one of my custom molds, such as the fishing creel. Once the main body of weaving is done I start making the two piece rims for the creel, the inside and the outside. The rim’s are made from the white ash tree and are finished by using my draw knife. After shaping the rims to their proper size, its time to steam them for an hour. Once steamed, they become soft and pliable and I bend them around another one of my custom molds. It is then set aside to dry. Next I lash the rims to the basket. From here I apply either a wooden handle or a leather handle. I turn it upside down and brand, date, and sign each piece.