Basket Maker Carrie Hill

The art of basket making was in Carrie's family for a long time, and to ask if anyone had inspired her for her to start, she gave a totally different reason why she began. Early on into her marriage with Glenn, she began to realize the business of her life as a "stay at home mom." Glen was off staying busy with his work skills and Carrie wondered what she could do besides her usual chores and keeping house. When they became pregnant with their oldest daughter Rain, Carrie knew what she would do for herself. She had seen it all before when she was very young, so all Carrie had to do was to remember the ways to make baskets herself. After almost completing her first basket, her aunts saw her work and they were so impressed. But that basket was put aside for a little while, Carrie tended to her two girls now. Angsley was 4 months old now and the desire to make baskets came back. She asked her Auntie Laura to help her learn about making baskets again and Carrie picked up right where she left off. The happiness along with the feeling of fulfillment returned to her. Step by step, Aunt Laura and Carrie proceeded with the basket making. First step she was told to soak the bundle in a tub of water for 3 days. After 3 days she carried the bundle to go to Laura's. Carrie wasn't aware of only putting 1 strand in the water for three days. "Oh well, we learn by our mistakes," as they say. The next step is to split the strands into splints to the desired thickness. This step requires the use of your whole body.

Carrie is presently in Maine for a few days, and then onto Blue Mountain Lake for the basket makers in residence, along with Robin Lazore, Ann Mitchell, Natasha Smoke Santiago and Sheila Ransom. Each of the girls will have the opportunity to display their techniques as well as teach their basket making. From there, Carrie will return home for a couple of days and prepare for her next showing at Victor, NY, for the Ganondagan Dance and Music Festival. She will go back to Blue Mountain Lake again, and then on to Tsionkwatho Archeological Center for a couple of days. This sounds like a very hectic time for Carrie as it must be for the other girls in the summer months as well. She will be teaching classes at the Akwesasne Library and Museum after all that.

Carrie and Glenn's daughters keep busy with their art also. Rain has begun her basket making and already has beautiful work to show. Angsley is more interested in pottery making. Carrie recalls her three aunts (Freda, Cindy and Laura) and they were given the name, "the 3 sisters" as they traveled around and displayed and taught their basketry as well. Carrie said, "A friend of mine invited me to sit at a booth to sell our baskets and within the first hour, a basket which I made, got sold." She was so happy and always remembers the words of her Great Grandmother saying, "If you can make baskets, you will never go hungry." Baskets aren't only created to make money, they can also be traded.

As places traveled go, Carrie said Bar Harbor will be the furthest distance with her baskets, going west is to Ganondagan. She has and will be meeting so many people who are basket makers and they are already quite well known.

Carrie realizes that family is first, and when she feels that she has been a bit too busy for them, she will put aside all her work and get in some bonding time. When she really has to work, sometimes she'll put on her headphones and zone out with her basket making, sometimes into the night.

She was asked if she lacked anything such as moulds for example. Carrie said, "Really anything can be used for a mould as long as it's hard. What I really am lacking is space. If I had more room, I wouldn't have to use my table. When I look around, especially during my busiest working times and see all my splints and supplies...my first thought is, this is beautiful! It's all my hard work! I finally can say I'm an artist."

The coolest compliment ever is when people say, "Wow I've never seen a basket like this before." Carrie experiments in various styles, colors, shapes etc. Her latest successful items, among everything else, are her earrings. To see them, you have to wonder how someone can wear such small and detailed work, beautiful and lightweight. Carrie enjoys summertime because of her sweet grass picking, which she uses abundantly.

Her feeling about her artwork is that she is not conceited about her basket making but she is very confident. It is so awesome to see the love that Carrie has toward her work as a basket maker. She is very talented and I'm so sure we will be seeing and hearing more about this young lady in years to come. It is great to see the tremendous support coming from her family as well.