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What
started as a hobby has blossomed into a passion. Various natural
resources and different embellishments spur my interest and
imagination. How to capture different elements and combine
them into a woven piece of art to hold one's interest is a
satisfying challenge. I am now brining harmony with my baskets by
carefully weaving the multicolored reeds to embrace unique bases
which consists of either petrified wood, agate which is a natural
substance in the quartz family, jasper which is an opaque gemstone,
or ammonite (Nautilus Fossil). Ammonites are the most widely know
fossil and lived in the seas about 250 million years ago.
Bonne Jean Bertlshofer
has been a basketmaker since 1984. She is an instructor and patternmaker
for workshops, including Brevard College, Brevard, NC, and John C.
Campbell Folk Art School, Brasstown, NC. Her work is featured in Basket - A Book for Makers and Collectors, by
Billie Ruth Sudduth.
Awards include: Transylvania County Emerging Artists Grant in 1993,
Frances Goodrich Memorial Scholarship Grant from Southern Highlands
Handicraft Guild, John C. Campbell Folk Art School Scholarship Grant
in 1996 for Master Basketry Class, Regional Artist Project Grant in
1997, and various placements, ribbons, Best of Shows and Judge's
Choice in juried arts and fine crafts shows and exhibitions. Bird's
Nest Basket Ornament accepted to hang on 1998 U.S. Capitol Christmas
Tree in Washington, D.C.
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Memberships include: Southern Highland Craft Guild, Charter Member of North Carolina Basketmakers Association,
Transylvania County Arts Council
and #7 Arts - Fine Arts and Crafts
Cooperative,
7 East Main Street, Brevard, NC. |
