How much are sweetgrass baskets in Charleston SC?
How much are sweetgrass baskets in Charleston SC?
The baskets – brought to the area by West African slaves more than 300 years ago – are a piece of treasured art and Lowcountry culture. The cost of these baskets varies widely, but prices usually start at about $30 for a very small basket and increase to $500 and beyond for much larger pieces.
Does sweetgrass grow in South Carolina?
Sweetgrass (Muhlenbergia filipes) grows along coastal dunes from North Carolina to Texas. Sweet grass also thrives on many of South Carolina’s barrier islands. Sometimes sweetgrass grows on well-drained sandy upland areas. The grass is found in brackish marshlands and open maritime forests.
How long does it take to make a sweetgrass basket?
Rigorous craftsmanship and long hours of work are involved in making these baskets. Even for the most experienced basketmaker, a simple design can take as long as twelve hours. A larger more complex design can take as long as two to three months.
What was special about the sweetgrass baskets?
One thing that makes sweetgrass baskets special is that they aren’t made with typical weaving techniques like plaiting or twisting, which are common in other parts of the world. Instead, Gullah artists employ the West African tradition of coiling. Dried sweetgrass is bundled together and coiled in circles.
How do you care for a sweetgrass basket?
Because the grasses used in these baskets come from swamps and marsh areas, water will not hurt them. To clean, gently spray the basket with cold water. Then, thoroughly air dry. This is the only care required.
How do you identify sweetgrass in the wild?
Look at the bottom of the sweet grass leaves, which appear white and shiny like satin ribbons, and can be seen from a distance reflecting the sun. Note that sweet grass leaves do not have hairs. Notice how the sweet grass leaves curl as they dry in the sun, while other types of grass stay flat as they dry.
When should I plant Sweetgrass?
Plant indoors in early spring eight weeks before the typical last frost date in your area. Sweet grass is grown as ornamental or for its long blades, which are used in basket-weaving and other handicrafts.
How do you care for sweetgrass baskets?
What does sweetgrass smell like?
Everywhere it grows it is prized. The thing that makes sweetgrass sweet is coumarin, a naturally occurring aromachemical that in its pure form has a scent somewhere between vanilla and warm hay. As the grass dries, the scent of coumarin becomes more pronounced.
How do you harvest sweetgrass baskets?
Take a hold of a bunch of sweet grass blades and cut with scissors or knife, leaving at least three inches of the blades on the plant. Do not cut it to the ground you can kill the plant. Do not pull up the roots. If the blades aren’t long enough to braid then wait until they grow long enough; it won’t take long.
How long do sweetgrass baskets last?
These baskets are very durable and will last longer than your lifetime. They are a proud tradition and a valuable investment. There are sweet grass baskets found in many museums across the Lowcounty. Lillie Howard has been weaving sweetgrass baskets for 44 years.
