Checkers Basket

Prangley blends traditional basketry making with wire-working techniques and adds paper in the process to create wire and paper baskets. The base is woven from fine-gauge annealed steel wire, and the sides are constructed of heavy-gauge annealed steel wire that's concealed within the paper squares that form the basket's shape.

The 18 columns and five rows of alternating squares or "checkers" are made with many layers of papers that are "painted" with a special glue onto their fiberboard underlayment to create color, texture, and strength. Unryu rag papers from Asia and tissue papers are primarily used in the checkers. The colorful squares are sealed with a gel medium that helps protect the basket from ultra-violet light and during the handling/use.

The resulting wire and paper basket is solid, strong, and functional. The basket rim is finished off in a wire-wrapping technique. The base is completed with a centerpiece of vintage buttons. Use a soft cloth to clean/wipe down, and do not place in direct full sunlight. Because of the handmade nature of the work, no two "Checker Baskets" are exactly alike.