Greene County
Pine
Needle Baskets
Twenty years ago, an old woman by the name of Mrs. Mable Means
changed Mary’s life when Mrs. Means taught Mary to basket weave with pine
needles. After Mrs. Means’ death, Mary began making her own designs. She weaves
together pine straw with raffia or thread using a large needle. Her hats take
about five days to create while small pine needle baskets take about three
days, depending on their size.
Besides hats and small baskets, Mary makes many other pine needle
items. She has done place mats, picture frames, letter holders, doll beds,
pendants, and different designs of baskets.
Mary enjoys teaching others how to weave baskets and attending
arts and crafts shows. A true reward is when she receives awards and plaques
for her basket weaving.
Her work is available
at the Montgomery Art Gallery, at the Rural Art Center in Thomaston, Greene
County Black Roots Arts, and the Red Rain Organic Store in Birmingham.