Crafting Unforgettable Memories Through the Art of Weaving: My Experiences with Billy Owens

I have always been passionate about weaving, something I discovered as a young adult when first visiting the Maritime museum in Vermont. My admiration of this craft has grown even stronger since I met Billy Owens, who has been an
esteemed weaver for over 30 years. His skill and mastery of the art form is unparalleled; it is truly a sight to behold! I had the pleasure of taking a class with him at the Woven Together in Western Kentucky convention not too long ago and learned more about the history and tradition of oak basket weaving from him. In
his time as an artisan, he has created many breathtaking baskets that will live on
in people’s memories forever. Here, I will share my experiences with Billy Owens,
from our conversations to witnessing his craftsmanship firsthand.

My admiration of the oak basket weaving craft started with my first conversation
with Billy Owens. As a basket weaver myself, I was drawn to his stories about the time-honored tradition and craftsmanship behind each distinct piece he made. His appreciation for the raw materials he used only increased my respect for his
work. He shared his knowledge of oak wood and explained how certain trees
were better suited for baskets. Each tree has its own characteristics – some
more suited for spokes, others more for weavers – and it was fascinating to witness Billy increase all the students understanding. Hearing him explain why he chose particular trees further demonstrated his expertise in the field and deepened my appreciation for his mastery of the art form.

After listening to Billy, I gained an even deeper understanding of the craft of oak basketry and was eager to learn how to use the raw materials he harvested. He took us through an in-depth tutorial on how to make a traditional apple basket
with the oak he harvested himself. By the end of the class, I had a solid understanding of how to make my own basket apple basket.
Billy taught us that the most important part of making a successful basket is to pay close attention to the details. He gave each student the attention they needed to create an amazing Oak Apple basket. His guidance allowed me to have confidence in my oak basket weaving skills and I was so excited to complete my basket.