Local Crafter Shares Trade With Students

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles highlighting the hidden gems of Dexter's small community.

When things get hairy at in Dexter, it's not what you might expect. In this case, it refers to the hairy, or rough, side of the weavers that should not face outward on a basket.

Cherilyn Braun has been waving since May 1999, when two co-workers talked her into attending a basket weaving class to take her mind off the recent death of her mother.

“It pushes everything else out of your mind for a little while,” she said.

Since then, Braun has woven close to 1,000 baskets and garnered recognition, including first place in a basket design contest, best in show at a Missouri Basketmakers Guild convention and a cover story in Basket Bits magazine. She also has nearly 30 copyrighted patterns and several patterns named after her.

Many of Braun's creations can be found in her Huron River Drive studio/workshop, which serves as a meeting place for other “basketeers” as well as the location for her classes and open weave sessions.

I took part in a basket weaving class on a recent Tuesday night. The bright and spacious studio was a welcome setting for a beginner like me, as well as for the several advanced weavers who were there. Students work on their baskets at their own pace, with Braun demonstrating techniques, checking work or just passing along encouraging words.

At the table next to me, resident Virginia Reese was finishing a round basket. She has been weaving for four years, after a friend brought her to a lesson.

Resident Carol Weir has more than 150 baskets to her name. She also participates in craft shows to share her creations with others.

My basket was decidedly simpler than the others'—a beginner pattern for a basic square basket with a flat handle. After I soaked the reeds in water and sanded down any rough spots on the handle, Braun was at my side demonstrating how to identify the hairy side of the weavers and then weave the reeds together uniformly to make the base.

The process was tricky but not challenging, and the evening was relaxed and full of chatting and laughter. Braun and my fellow weavers were encouraging to me and each other, and they were quick to help each other out.

 “There are no mistakes—just new designs," Braun says.

offers several basket classes per month, with a teaching fee of $12 per session or $10 each for three sessions, plus materials. Shop tools can be used for the first two baskets, after which students can bring their own or rent shop tools for $3 per session. Free weave sessions are offered one Friday evening a month, during which weavers can meet with others and weave in an open setting.