Colorworks & Design Studio As a student of Native American cultures (particularly Southwestern) I have always had an appreciation of Native American basketry and pottery. The traditional shapes are classic. I wondered how I might be able to evoke the same look, but with fibers. In my studies of tribal crafts, I have learned that their clay vessels were built by rolling out long ‘snakes’ of clay and coiling the clay into the vessel shapes, smoothing down the coils with a flat stone. It occurred to me that I might be able to use the same coiling technique with fibers. After much trial and error, I think I have successfully formed the shapes they used in their pottery and baskets, but with my own perspective and new materials. Once the basket has been built, I reinforce the shape with a stiffening agent to keep the finished look intact. Beverly Speller