My Heart Is Full: Recapping the Missouri Basketweaving Convention
Y’all, I am still on cloud nine from this past weekend, and I wanted to sit down with my coffee and tell you all about it before the memories start to blur together (because they will — conventions are a beautiful whirlwind, aren’t they?).
A Weaver’s Wonderland
Let’s start with the venue, because oh my goodness. The space was gorgeous — tons of natural light pouring in, plenty of room to spread out our reed and supplies, and honestly, good lighting makes such a difference when you’re trying to see your weave pattern clearly. If you’ve ever squinted at a basket under bad fluorescent lighting, you know exactly what I mean. This venue got it right.
Learning Something New
One of my favorite parts of any convention is getting to be a student again. I took a class from the wonderful Kathy Petronzio, and it reminded me why I love this craft so much. There’s something so humbling and joyful about sitting down at someone else’s table, learning their techniques, and remembering that no matter how long you’ve been weaving, there’s always more to discover.
Teaching My Heart Out
On the flip side, I had the joy of teaching three of my own classes this year:
- The Equalizer
- Luck O’ the Weaver
- X Marks the Spot
To every single student who sat at my table, asked questions, laughed with me, and trusted me to guide their hands through a new pattern — thank you. Watching a basket come together under someone’s fingers for the first time never, ever gets old. You all made my teaching heart so happy.
Gratitude for the Village Behind It All
None of this happens without the people working behind the scenes. A heartfelt thank you to all the convention leaders and committee members who poured countless hours into planning, organizing, and pulling off an event this smooth and this special. Conventions like this don’t just happen — they’re built with love, and it shows.
The Real Magic: The People
At the end of the day, baskets are wonderful, but it’s the people that make this community so special to me. This weekend I got to meet new folks who are just beginning their weaving journey, and I got to wrap my arms around old friends I don’t see nearly often enough. Those hugs? That’s the stuff that fills you up for months.
Basketweaving brought us all to that room, but community is what keeps us coming back.
Until the next convention — keep weaving, friends. 
— Lorelea
